Banana Split brings bunches of bananas to the countertop

Umbra Banana Split by Jason Nip

Not only do bananas belong in bunches, but they also belong hanging from a tree. Since most of us can’t find the time to tend the banana groves in our backyard, we need to find alternate options for banana bunch hanging. Enter the Umbra Banana Split. A nifty little banana hanger, the design by Jason Nip features styling in white and “mellow yellow” for that all important banana appeal (ahem).

(Via Dwell)

Reusable chopsticks snap apart forever

Stickpecker by MicroWorks

First there was PuchiPuchi, the endless bubble wrap-popping gadget, and then there came Mugen Peri Peri, for those that can’t get enough opening of shipping envelopes. Now, there is Stickpecker by MicroWorks. However, unlike those two aforementioned toys, this gadget is useful. A small magnet holds the chopsticks together, necessitating that the soon-to-be diner pulls them apart. The action is meant to be reminiscent of the separating of wooden takeout chopsticks. A clever woodpecker design reminds us all that wooden chopsticks do in fact come from trees. Nice job, MicroWorks.

(Via Serious Eats)

The sound of one hand grinding salt and pepper

Salt & Pepper Grinder

Salt and pepper make everything taste better. The two common spices find their way into practically every meal. While the popularity of salt and pepper cannot be debated, delivery method of said spices certainly can be. Salt and pepper grinders, shakers and mills come in all sizes, shapes and configurations. When it comes down to it, as fun as all these variations may be, all we want to do is season our food.

This Salt & Pepper Grinder set connects at the middle forming a cool hourglass shape, or, the grinders can be used individually. Best of all, operation is performed by using just one hand—perfect for prep work when having two clean hands is always a luxury. While this kitchen gadget may not enlighten you to the sound of one hand clapping, when it comes to Zen at the dinner table, these grinders have you covered.

Get over your fear of chopsticks with Choplery

choplery

If you tend to purposely overlook chopsticks and instead gravitate immediately towards the cutlery, Choplery can help. In this chopsticks meets Western-style utensil mash-up, the question of which to reach for is removed by combining both into one. Snapping apart like all good takeout chopsticks do, the hybrid flatware designed by Peter Pracilio serves to appeal to diners no matter where they are from. Now, Western diners who have not yet tamed the fearsome chopstick can stop stabbing at their sweet and sour pork and opt gracefully instead for the more familiar knife, fork and spoon set up.

Oil and vinegar one drop at a time

Pipette Oil & Vinegar by Design House Stockholm

Sure, you could use an oil mister to dress up your greens, or even the old fashioned way of pouring (gasp!) a mixture over your salad, but I think that’s all a little too last millennium. In this scientific age we all need to embrace the era that we live in. If that includes salad dressing, then so be it. I am prepared to meet the future head on; now you can too.

The Pipette Oil & Vinegar set by Design House Stockholm intends to bring up to date the way that we store and serve our salad essentials. Doling out exact measurements drop by drop, you have full control over your salad. The pipette set, designed by Camilla Kropp, is the perfect serving solution for the precision cook (or budding molecular gastronomist) in all of us.

Ceramic avocado for serving up guacamole

avocado_ceramic

Forget the cookie jar; point me to the Guacamole Bowl. The perfectly ripe ceramic avocado holds guacamole or other avocado-inspired dips. (For salsas, check out the Salsa Bowl.) The three piece hand-painted set made from Progressive International not only mimics the texture of the avocado, but the 7-inch long serving ladle is made to look like an avocado stem. The only question that remains: with a 1.5-cup capacity, what are you going to eat? This one is mine.