Nespresso

Ziltoid · #1 01-02-2011, 11:34 AM

Just curious to see who here uses that system for their espresso needs

My dad got the machine for Christmas and I love this thing, no mess, no trouble and it taste good, not as good as when I do them "manually" with the "real" espresso machine but still.

The only downside is the price of the cups, at .63$CAN a cup it's about 3 time more expensive then "loose" coffee but I heard it's only a matter of time before there's alternatives because of some flaws in the patent or something like that.

WorkinOnIt · #2 01-02-2011, 12:54 PM

Nespresso! Big fan here. I have one and use it nearly daily. I gotta have my Espresso fix around 1 o'clock to get over the post-lunch sleeepiness. I think it's great and very simple and fast. You have to run the descaler through it every 6 months or so, but that's it.

So far, it has been trouble-free for a couple years now.

The cost. Well, I was going to Starbucks for my fix before. They charge $2.11 for a double espresso, whereas Nespresso is about a $1.25 for a double espresso, so I am saving a good bit over the year over Starbucks. There is shipping cost, but I order in pretty large quantities, so it is relatively cheap. Fast too! I think the distribution center must be close by because they are very fast to ship. In the beginning, I experimented with different flavor capsules, but now I just stick with one called Arpeggio and also keep a small supply of Decaf.

warwick.hoy · #3 01-02-2011, 01:23 PM

I'm not a user but I checked out a video on the Nespresso "Essenza c100".

I do work in a cafe that serves espresso and lattes and the baristas are awesome; so I'm sure I have a bias. That said I wouldn't have high hopes for this, mainly because I'm leery of pods. Roasted coffee beans have highly volatile essential oils that will dissipate as soon as the coffee is ground. Who knows how long the ground coffee has been sitting in those pods. To me the best coffee is ground just before you brew.

I can see it being convenient for something like an Americano; quickly and on the go, but I didn't see a steaming wand,....so no lattes or breves without buying a separate "frother" (at least for the Essenza) and even then,...the taste might not be all that great because of those pods.

I'm also assuming that the pods come from giant conglomerate soulless corporation Nestle. I'd rather support my local roasters.

Pods = Trash. My coffee maker only produces one waste product (not counting the electricity to use it) and that is compost-able coffee grounds. The basket doesn't require filters.

The guy in the video says that the machine will set you back $200 + another $100 for the "airfrother" also available from Nestle.

I bought a coffee machine and a burr grinder for under $100. For you,...you will probably get perfectly drinkable espresso from this machine.

I will admit to being a bit of a snob and don't really care for the popular Kuerig machines so take what I have to say with a grain of salt. I've seen other home espresso machines that I'd rather have, but my coffee maker/burr grinder does me just fine. I also get free lattes at work.

EDIT: If Starbucks is the measuring stick for the Nespresso,...than I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Ziltoid · #4 01-02-2011, 01:24 PM

So far I really like the Vivalto lungo and the Volluto but I have not tried them all yet. And warwick I have to agree that I dislike some stuff about it but it's just so easy and fast to use and tastes good (not great, not amazingly great, just good) when I have time or don't feel too lazy I'll make a real one with the small Breville espresso machine we have and grind my beans.

So far at home we have a "regular" coffee machine, a keurig cup one, the nespresso and the Breville, excess ftw.

Also for full disclosure I'm not really fancy/snoby and my taste sense is not all that good or developed if you prefer.

warwick.hoy · #5 01-02-2011, 01:32 PM

Cool,...as I said,...I'm biased and I really respect espresso making as an underrated artform. Unfortunately when it comes to home machines they typically fall short unless you drop some serious coin.

As admitted by my edit,...I hate Starbucks. I'm a snob.

Ziltoid · #6 01-02-2011, 01:39 PM

I never bought a starbuck, can't tell.

superbassman2000 · #7 01-02-2011, 07:00 PM

it looks like a cool idea, but I don't like the idea of the pods, in the same way I don't get into the Keurig makers or even the aerobie aeropress--they are proprietary, so if they stop making the pods, or the filters for the aeropress, then you are stuck with an appliance that I can't use. At least with a plain old coffee machine, all I need is the beans, and if they stop making those, I'll have bigger problems than a useless coffee maker.

i do like the nespresso idea though!

MJ5150 · #8 01-02-2011, 07:37 PM

Anything in a pod is not real espresso, but I am a snob and have spent 16+ years perfecting the art of espresso making from bean roasting to crema art. With enough sugar and flavoring, those pods can be made to taste "good".

We did purchase a Keurig single cup coffee maker and the reusable filter that we use with beans from our local roaster or ones we roast ourselves.

Which model of the Nespresso did you get?

-Mike

Ziltoid · #9 01-02-2011, 07:43 PM

The essenza (but like I said I have a steam wand on the breville), and if I ever pop by Lacey you better do me one of those "real" espresso

sounds tasty.

edit: at work they have the cube one, and honestly I'd rather make myself some pod lungos there then buy the horrible coffees we can get in this town. We have one cool coffee shop, organic-hippy kind of, that makes real green teas, espressos, etc That's where I buy my tea leaves once in a while when I don't feel like drinking the "regular" stuff. But like every good things, going there takes more time, can't really park close in the morning, etc etc..

MJ5150 · #10 01-02-2011, 08:30 PM

Hang tight for DigMe to come along. He is a coffee snob/junkie too.

-Mike

warwick.hoy · #11 01-02-2011, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ziltoid

The essenza (but like I said I have a steam wand on the breville), and if I ever pop by Lacey you better do me one of those "real" espresso

sounds tasty.

edit: at work they have the cube one, and honestly I'd rather make myself some pod lungos there then buy the horrible coffees we can get in this town. We have one cool coffee shop, organic-hippy kind of, that makes real green teas, espressos, etc That's where I buy my tea leaves once in a while when I don't feel like drinking the "regular" stuff. But like every good things, going there takes more time, can't really park close in the morning, etc etc..

I guess I have to remind myself that not every region of North America has a java hut/drive thru espresso stand/cafe on every street corner. Every neighborhood has at least one cool-ish cafe in it where you can get decent espresso and if there isn't one,...there is at least a Starbucks.

Ziltoid · #12 01-02-2011, 08:33 PM

We don't even have a starbuck!

warwick.hoy · #13 01-02-2011, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ziltoid

We don't even have a starbuck!

You aren't missing out on anything.

Ziltoid · #14 01-02-2011, 08:49 PM

We have a Tim horton, a Presse Cafe and the small coffee shop I talked about earlier.

15k population, a lot in rural/remote areas...

I need to get out of here.

MJ5150 · #15 01-02-2011, 10:24 PM

You can also have some really good beans shipped to you by great roasters across the country.

-Mike

Ziltoid · #16 01-02-2011, 10:33 PM

Every time we stop by Quebec we buy some nice beans at "brulerie st-denis" but it's been some time now, supplies are down.

L-A · #17 01-03-2011, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ziltoid

Every time we stop by Quebec we buy some nice beans at "brulerie st-denis" but it's been some time now, supplies are down.

I bought some Kenya AA whole beans from them this week. Up to now I had awesome coffee

JulienJeff · #18 01-03-2011, 06:35 AM

I have one and use it daily. good espresso and definitely easy to use. I didn't like making coffee in the morning, while being 1/2 asleep

L-A · #19 01-03-2011, 06:55 AM

We have the City (sans frother) where I work. I appreciate it being fast, considering that there are a few people who will want to operate it around the same hours. Good espresso and most pods make for a good lungo too.

Nothing mind-blowing, but I understand it's a machine focused on the art of no surprises.

pmaraziti · #20 01-03-2011, 07:11 AM

a big success in europe and the fastest growing "brand" of Nestlé.... being an italian, I'm engineered to be picky with coffee, but I have to say that I'm a big fan of Nespresso. I have a machine at home and already gave 2 machiens as present to family and friends in the past.

It's my daily affordable luxury, Arpeggio and Ristretto my favorites.