Nespresso Review - What is Nespresso?
Nespresso machines are just one brand, all be it the most popular, of the new coffee pod craze. Unlike the conventional espresso machines that adorn the kitchen benches of coffee snobs around the world, with their levers and dials, milk frothing wands and pressure gauges all topped by an impressive bean grinder, Nespresso machines are small compact stylish units that appear almost toy-like. They have a minimum number of buttons, just one on some models, and come with a separate jug that automatically heats and froths your milk perfectly. But the real secret is in
the Pod. Nespresso has 16 standard pods that range in strength, flavour and origin. The chosen pod is placed in the machine, a button is pressed and hey presto - your coffee is delivered into your cup, the same way every time.Nespresso Review - Let's start with the Positives....
EASY...EASY...EASY. The biggest positive with Nespresso is that it is soooo easy. You put a pod in the top, press a button and out comes the coffee. The milk goes into a jug and again, you press a button and the milk is perfectly frothed and heated. You lift a lever and the used pod falls into a canister - you don't even see it. It is honestly as easy and quick as making a cup of instant, which is important if you are making coffee for 10 guests. With a conventional machine, this could easily take half an hour.
Repeatability. Every cup of coffee you make will be the same, time after time. This is a big plus when it comes to espresso machines. Coffee snobs will say that part of the experience of making a perfect cup of coffee is in getting the coffee packed at the right pressure, ensuring the coffee is ground to the correct size, and that the milk is frothed at exactly the right temperature and speed. This may be true, but the result of this 'experience' for the average Joe is inconsistency.
There is one thing that no one, even Nespresso's biggest critics can deny. Nespresso coffee creates the perfect crema. Perfect is not an exaggeration either. It is a beautiful thing to behold.
The Pods look cool. Ok, this might be a little shallow, but according to Richard Giradot, Nespresso CEO, it is ALL about the experience. Ask your guests if they would like a coffee then open a mahogany box displaying an array of bright coloured pearled pods and watch their faces light up. It is an experience, and one not easily tired of.
Nespresso Review - Now the drawbacks....
Honestly there aren't
a lot a of negatives with Nespresso, but there are some. The first is the price. In Australia each pod is 68 cents, more for the single origin flavours. This is about double what a conventional cup of home made espresso will cost you. If you don't live near one of the very few outlets, then you will have to buy your pods over the internet which also incurs a postage cost. The machines range in price from very reasonable, around $300, to quite pricey. The good news is though that the cheaper one makes exactly the same quality coffee as the expensive one just with fewer options. On the flip side, because of it's ease of use, you are more likely to use it. The world is full of kitchens with espresso machines that never get used, and there is no greater waste of money (and space) than an unused appliance.Another drawback is it's exclusivity. You can only use the Nespresso coffee pods. If you don't like any of the 16 varieties available then you are out of luck. And as mentioned, you can only get them from a handful of retailers. This problem has been partially overcome by some enterprising individual who has manufactured empty pods that can be filled with your own coffee. However, if you are going to do that, why not just buy a conventional machine?
The last drawback is the brag factor. Lets say you want to impress a prospective partner with how well you make an espresso. Then Nespresso is not the machine for you! All you will impress them with is how well the machine can make a coffee - you just pressed a button.
Nespresso Review - Final Comments....
Coffee means different things to different people. For some it is a passion. For others it is an addiction. Some people use it to wake up. Others use it to break down the walls of communication. For some it is a statement about who they are, others need it just to get through the day. Ultimately, coffee is a very individual thing and therefore no one style or brand is going to please everybody all the time. But if you haven't tried Nespresso yet, head to your local outlet and give it a go - you may as well, they give free taste tests in store!!