A hygiene device for a coffee or espresso machine comprises an upper surface
for
receiving hot water from the machine, a lower surface adapted to be contaminated
by flavor-containing materials in a basket while preventing the flavor-containing
materials from contaminating the machine, a sufficiently small opening for allowing
hot water to pass through to the flavor-containing materials and preventing the
flavor-containing materials from reaching the upper surface, and a handle for allowing
a user to move the hygiene device to allow the flavor-containing materials contaminated
on the lower surface to be washed away. The hygiene device may comprise a seal
member for forming an airtight seal with the rim or side wall of basket to enable
a vacuum building-up therein to prevent dripping when disposing the wet flavor-containing
materials. The hygiene device may also comprise a connector such as a hinge for
connecting the hygiene device to basket to allow a user to move the hygiene device
to open and close the basket.