Nespresso Machine

Mr Magnolia

maxer68 wrote: »

Considering some Michelin star restaurants use it and advertise that they use it, I think that say mountains about the quality.

I've had coffee in Michelin star restaurants and it's been kack on numerous occasions so I wouldn't lay too much weight (or any) with that fact.

Kazbah

dvpower wrote: »

Interesting. Link?

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/features/the-cult-of-nespresso-could-it-really-be-the-best-cup-of-coffee-money-can-buy-395944.html

mandarin

That Independent article re nespresso and Michelin restaurants made for painful reading - it really is ridiculous that supposedly perfectionist foodie establishments would use pre-ground, stale coffee like Nespresso.
Unfortunately, Nespresso's BS upmarket marketing (boutiques, grand crus, that type of nonsense), allied to its convenience, means that places that ought to know better are choosing to sell the stuff. It's increasingly common to see Nespresso in high-end hotels in Europe, even in cities with a decent coffee culture. The irony is that you'll get a decent crema-rich coffee for a euro or less in many humble coffee kiosks/local bars, and pay 3.50 for an artificial Nespresso in the 4/5 star haunts. Given Europe's long-established coffee culture, that's pretty sad.

I don't hate the stuff - I'd take a 4 ounce Nespresso before the diluted Americanos served up in massive mugs that tend to be the norm in Ireland. If people here genuinely like it, that's fine. If it's a convenience choice, that's fine.

However, it really is stretching things to say that this is high-end coffee. Mark Prince (coffeegeek) sums it up well. "The value here is more akin to $150 machines and perhaps $0.10 capsules, or free machines and $0.20 capsules...Consumers aren't buying a quality product; they're buying into an image...ultimately only good for one thing - convenience. Consumers lose on every other prospect - including value, potential beverage quality, and freedom of choice."
http://coffeegeek.com/forums/espresso/general/409741

easychair

Of course. Anyone with a little perspective can see that folks who buy into nespresso are trying to buy into what they perceive to be a lifestyle choice, and are trying to make a statement about themselves, and are not buying into the best tasting coffee. Nespresso is unnecessarily expensive average quality coffee.

Morgans

easychair wrote: »

Of course. Anyone with a little perspective can see that folks who buy into nespresso are trying to buy into what they perceive to be a lifestyle choice, and are trying to make a statement about themselves, and are not buying into the best tasting coffee. Nespresso is unnecessarily expensive average quality coffee.

Absolute nonsense. 100% nonsense. I can say so, cos I bought it long before I knew who was advertising it, and have no interest in the image. But continue with the generalisations. Mandarin's post was pretty balanced apart from quoting the image. I wanted a coffee machine that could produce something approaching coffee shop espresso coffee (but more consistency that stove tops)

I came onto this forum and the coffee intelligencia would have you believe that you needed to spend between 600-1000 euro on grinder, tamper, machine etc, even then you needed to tweak the pressure and there is a large learning curve.

So I chose nespresso. Not every person who appreciates coffee is a pretentious knob-head, there are some who are reasonable and not half way up their own fundament. And there are people who bought and are happy with their nespresso machines who arent buying into the celebrity of it and waiting until cocktail hours whiles around. You wouldn't think so from reading this forum.

And just to add. Ive no doubt that there are experts with their own machines who can produce coffee better than nespresso. Im also sure there are those who havent perfected the process that produces worse coffee. I think most nespresso fans know that they are probably sacrificing something quality wise. Be wary of those who say they are making hte best coffee in the world from a nespresso machine. However, I havent seen one post on here where that has been said. The reactions from those criticising nespresso assume it has been said.

mandarin

Morgans, I appreciate that many people opt for Nespresso for the reasons you outlined. However, many people do choose it as a lifestyle statement and are, as easychair put it, buying into "unnecessarily expensive average quality coffee."
Nespresso unashamedly advertise it as such. "Coffee Specialists are always on hand to reveal the mysteries of our exceptional coffee", their website says, and goes on to spout meaningless pretentious twaddle. "French architect Francis Krempp designed our Boutique model, combining art deco influences with contemporary shapes and materials.
• An eclectic mix of materials: the warmth of wood, the luxury of leather, the high-tech feel of metal and the purity of glass.
• Two complementary geometric shapes: the square symbolises the brand's values: perfection, pleasure, aestheticism and simplicity. The circle evokes the coffee cup, discovery, tasting and the senses."

Re quality claims - the Independent piece referred to a top Mayfair restaurant charging £7 (!!!) for a Nespresso. It went on -"Tim Kitchener-Smith, Britain's premier coffee sommelier, stands tall in the dining room, exhorting groups of men in Savile Row suits to drink deeply. He is hosting an invitation-only tasting, and the room is soon heaving with laughter. The venue, unashamedly exclusive, was set up to provide "the best of everything"; yet only now, it claims, does it have the kind of coffee that can sate the expensive appetites of such plutocratic punters."
That is sheer BS.

Going down the espresso route via decent grinder/machine etc is v expensive, as you point out. In fairness to many of the coffee geeks on this forum, they advocate sticking to a simpler and cheaper coffee set-up (french press/filter/aeropress, hand grinder etc).
Nespresso is fine as a convenience choice, but it's not nearly the top product it pretends to be and, at 40 cents approx per cup, much more expensive than it should be.

Morgans

I think most reasonable people can see through all sorts (including Nespressos) hyperbole in advertising. But there is still a big leap to say that people are buying Nespresso just to be part of that lifestyle. Those charging and paying 7 pounds for a nespresso need to have a good look at themselves. I dare say that those who do that arent the people coming to this forum - who seem to ask the same reasonable questions regarding the nespressos pros and cons. Most are willing to sacrifice in some way the quality of the coffee - the degree of which is open for debate, something that I believe is overstated by coffee aficionados but each to their own of course - and undoubtedly the variety of coffee that can be used. Those who have bought Nespresso seem to be happy with what they get. I can appreciate that my nespresso costing 170 euro at 1/2 price cannot produce the same level as coffee as a 700/800 coffee machine. I wouldnt expect it to. I also have a french press and stove top.

Criticisms in this thread include:
its one step up from nescafe
if you are a regular drinker you might as well go to a cafe as its so expensive

Both complete nonsense.

I dont see why those who are quick to criticise nespresso take such pleasure in looking down their noses on nespresso users. There are valid criticisms to be made for Nespresso machines, why so quick to treat all nespresso users as posers who only like the product cos they wouldnt know the difference between kopi luwak and maxwell house.

dvpower

easychair wrote: »

Of course. Anyone with a little perspective can see that folks who buy into nespresso are trying to buy into what they perceive to be a lifestyle choice, and are trying to make a statement about themselves, and are not buying into the best tasting coffee.

That's a pretty sweeping statement. I'm not a coffee aficionado by any means. I wasn't even aware of Nespresso up to a few weeks before I bought the machine (I only bought it a couple of months ago; maybe I'm not in George Clooney's key demographic), so I can say with confidence that I wasn't buying into a 'lifestyle'.

When I bought my machine I had a few simple criteria. I wanted a good quality coffee (the difference between 'good' and 'the best' is marginal for me) and I wanted convenience, and for me it ticks those boxes. I really couldn't be arsed with any of the bullsh1t that goes with making coffee (as much as I couldn't be asred with the Nespresso marketing bullsh1t); I want to press a button and get a reasonably good cup of coffee. The convenience factor is the main thing, for me I want it to be as easy as making a cup of tea (with a teabag).

The cost of the capsules is my only bugbear - they are a tad expensive, but I can live with it.

SeaSide

I'm not sure why you are getting upset about getting a slagging about using a nespresso. This is as far as I am aware a forum to celebrate coffee (and tea) and that to my mind at least means celebrating the best and celebrating the journey to get there. Perhaps go onto the Maths forum and tell them that you can add and subtract and thats all you need and anyone who thinks Pythagorus is important has their heads up their arse.

Morgans

You are only proving my point, using one of the worst analogies Ive read on boards.

I think the motoring forum should only discuss the best driving experience and celebrate the journey how to get there. Or would that seem a bit pretentious.

Your opinion on what's best of course is only what matters.

Can you point those wishing to discuss Nespresso to the correct forum?

SeaSide

Jeez no matter what response I give will only be proving your point but thanks for the complement. I've alot more anologies and I will strive to to strike an even lower tone in future. We should all strive to excel in our chosen areas.

How about this one. Go onto the motoring forum and tell them you own a bicycle and all car owners have their heads up their arse.

My opinion is my opinion and yours is yours and boards.ie is, last time I checked, a discussion forum where people discuss their opinions in a sometimes courteous manner and sometimes in a fractuous manner.

dvpower

SeaSide wrote: »

How about this one. Go onto the motoring forum and tell them you own a bicycle and all car owners have their heads up their arse.

What's that an analogy for?

maxer68

I remember I used ti get green coffee beans, roast them myself i a little specialist roaster, then grind them immediately and then use this in an espresso make. It made brilliant coffee and if I may take the roaster out of the attic and use it on Sunday mornings for a bit of fun, but Monday to Saturday, I have 5 minutes to sit down and eat breakfast and nepresso hits all the right buttins for that time of the morning. - Its hot, tasty and wakes me up. (sorry, not interested in getting up 30 mins earlier to have a better cup of coffee)

SeaSide

So is it a makeshift product in order to get a caffeine fix first thing in the morning or is it a Michelin star coffee experience

Cork Lass

I thought this thread was about opinions on the nespresso machine - not about slating nespresso users (Yes I am a nespresso user). It's about time that people realised there's a big world out there where people have choices and opinions. If you don't like the nespresso that fine but don't presume to know what all nespresso users are like and don't assume that they are buying into a lifestyle (which they are perfectly entitled to do if thats what they want). Genuine criticism / comments are fair enough but anything else is just petty mindedness.

jakdublin

Just bought a Nespresso machine today. I like my coffee and previously had two gaggias, both of which broke. I was going to buy another Gaggia but the mrs, who's from a coffee drinking nation, reckoned this was worth a shot for the convenience and cleanliness. I have to say the coffee is really nice, and the machine is simplicity itself.
The price of the pods was a turn-off, but I it's a trade-off I'm willing to make for a predictable cup of decent coffee with no mess.

This thread is funny, especially the posts from critics who don't own a Nespresso but have plenty to say about them. What's all THAT about? I actually laughed at the 'lifestyle' jibes. A Nespresso? Lifestyle? Aren't Nespressos supposed to be the ultimate in uncool? Like coffee for dummies? And people complaining that the coffee wasn't hot enough. I think Ireland must be the only country where people expect their coffee to be scalding hot, like tea. Isn't good coffee supposed to served at about 80 degrees or something to prevent the taste burning off?

emmet the rover

we had one in our hotel room in belfast (raddison blue) with a slection of 4 diffrent pods and i was hooked.
i picked up a machiene today a citiz from harvey norman around €160 and love it.
simple,clean effortless and consistant.

i wonder do nestle give a discount to these hotels to get people hooked

mandarin

"This thread is funny, especially the posts from critics who don't own a Nespresso but have plenty to say about them. What's all THAT about? I actually laughed at the 'lifestyle' jibes. A Nespresso? Lifestyle? Aren't Nespressos supposed to be the ultimate in uncool? Like coffee for dummies?"

Afraid not JakDublin.
"Nestlé, a longtime partner of FutureBrand, approached us to help upgrade its Nespresso coffee system to a luxury brand. The challenge was to build a premier brand like Gucci, Louis Vuitton or Bang & Olufsen, that would respect and deepen the integrity of the brand through all its means of communication, from products to the retail experience.
From the brand positioning, “Nespresso, the ultimate coffee experience,” FutureBrand has created a strong identity that expresses both the pursuit of perfection and the masculine and feminine characters of coffee."
http://www.futurebrand.com/work/featured-cases/nespresso/


If Nespresso marketed themselve as a convenience option, that'd be fine. Unfortunately, they are pretending to be much more than that, and their marketing is full of objectionable BS.

Curry Addict

i owned a nespresso machine for a few months. the coffee is nice, the convenience is good but the expense is too much for what u get imho.

in our case myself and partner would have on average 4 cups each a day
which is 240 capsules a month which costs 100euro.

if we used the equivalent in coffee beans it would be 4 kilos a month costing 55euro a month.

so in a year we would be paying nespresso 540euro more for the privalege. so it makes perfect sense to get a quality bean to cup machine which offers the same convenience but much better coffee and way cheaper in the long run!

jakdublin

mandarin wrote: »

Afraid not JakDublin.
"Nestlé, a longtime partner of FutureBrand, approached us to help upgrade its Nespresso coffee system to a luxury brand. The challenge was to build a premier brand like Gucci, Louis Vuitton or Bang & Olufsen, that would respect and deepen the integrity of the brand through all its means of communication, from products to the retail experience.
From the brand positioning, “Nespresso, the ultimate coffee experience,” FutureBrand has created a strong identity that expresses both the pursuit of perfection and the masculine and feminine characters of coffee."
http://www.futurebrand.com/work/featured-cases/nespresso/


If Nespresso marketed themselve as a convenience option, that'd be fine. Unfortunately, they are pretending to be much more than that, and their marketing is full of objectionable BS.

Ha! Really? I never knew that. I must be oblivious to the marketing. I always thought it was a 'coffee for dummies' product. Ah well, I'm still happy enough with it, even if it is expensive compared to regular coffee making.

alfalad

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but nothing to do in work so said I'd have a look for nespresso in the forum.
As an owner of a pixie for 9 months I am extremely happy with the product, it makes very good coffee quickly and easily. It makes better coffee that most cafes I have found, you can choose what coffee you want to drink (I always buy 6-8 diff varieties to suit mood and taste, something harder to do if you are grinding them) including decaf. It is much cheaper than buying a coffee on the way to work (I have a travel mug which I bring with me) and much quicker than having to make one on a hob. It also takes up less space on the counter. As for the luke warm coffee, never an issue as I as others have mentioned make an espresso without the coffee to rinse it out and heat the cup before I make a cup. As also mentioned Ireland tends to serve it's coffee hotter than other European countries.
As for people saying it's one step up from nescafe, absolute nonsense. I would be surprised if most people (not all) could tell the difference between it and a normal gaggia etc made one. Like we see many times with wines, the experts they can't tell the diff between e30 bottle and a e300 bottle.
Many people talk about the expense, if you buy a morning coffee everyday on your way to work you will save a fortune. If you already grind your beans etc or as stated by curry addict you are making 8 cups a day then yes it will cost you more. But it is also much easier and quicker to use/clean etc. The nespresso shops will take your old pods to recycle them as another point. As I live in Sydney I pass a shop everyday and can grap a couple of packs any time so it's quiet easy.

So if you are thinking of buying one, as an owner, I would highly recommend it, I love mine and two of my friends have since bought having seen mine in action.

emmet the rover

its as simple if you want a fast and tidy way to make espresso and lungos and dont mind spending more than the equlivent ground coffee for the convience nespresso is yer man

if not then look elswhere

cappichino foamer is quite good one its clean'd after every use and uses under 3% fresh milk (tesco one in the green labeld bottle is best i found)

bren2002

I'm a big fan of my nespresso machine. I think I've got a pixie?? Not too sure of the exact model. It doesn't have any of the milk facilitites.

I use it in the mornings for an espresso shot beofre walking out the door to work. I love how fast it works and how consistent it is. I've also got a Gaggia Dose, but it takes too long to warm up and you have to run hot water through it first to make sure it's all warmed up.

Through a freind I came across this site today, http://www.justapod.com, it's just started up. Basically they're generic capules for the nespresso machine.
They're a little cheaper than Nespresso ones, but you also get the fuzzy warm feeling of not giving Nestle money!

I've ordered some of the strenght 7 capules, they should arrive next week. I'll post a review after they arrive.

Nonoperational

I have a pixie and I agree that the coffee is better than a hell of a lot of cafes out there. I really do like it. It's not perfect, and can be expensive but for me the real gem is the Aeroccino. In about 40 seconds you can have a perfect coffee with a nice thick froth on top. I fully appreciate that the purists won't be impressed and to be honest I can understand why. But I owned a conventional espresso machine before and I found myself rarely using it because it just took to long to set up and clean.

dvpower

bren2002 wrote: »

I've ordered some of the strenght 7 capules, they should arrive next week. I'll post a review after they arrive.

Whatever happenned to that review?

bren2002

Thanks for reminding me. I've a new born in the house, so theres always something to be done!

I ordered the justapod.com pack on the Saturday afternoon, and it arrived in Tuesday mornings post.

First impressions were very good, the pods look slightly smaller than the nespresso ones, but they slot into the chamber as normal. To be honest the coffee is very good, I don't think the justapod strenght 7 capsules are as strong as a nespresso 7. So if you're after a nespresso 6 get a justapod 7.

I'm happy enough and will be ordering again. I think they do cheaper (it might even be free) shipping on 200 pods.

dvpower

bren2002 wrote: »

I don't think the justapod strenght 7 capsules are as strong as a nespresso 7. So if you're after a nespresso 6 get a justapod 7.

bren2002 wrote: »

I've a new born in the house

You'll be needing an 11 so.

Nonoperational

The savings on the justapods really don't cut it for me. €8 on 200 pods. Forget delivery, waiting 1 extra day is no problem.

Beesand

gpf101 wrote: »

I have a pixie and I agree that the coffee is better than a hell of a lot of cafes out there. I really do like it. It's not perfect, and can be expensive but for me the real gem is the Aeroccino. In about 40 seconds you can have a perfect coffee with a nice thick froth on top. I fully appreciate that the purists won't be impressed and to be honest I can understand why. But I owned a conventional espresso machine before and I found myself rarely using it because it just took to long to set up and clean.

Completely agree! I used to only use our DeLonghi maker on weekends because it took so long to get going. The big advantage of the Nespresso is the speed and convenience. Hopefully the price of the pods will come down abit.

I use the Aeroccino for hot chocolate too, it's delicious:)

0e1

Can anyone help me please! I want to buy a nespresso machine just cause it's easy and I wish to be able to make lattes as we'll! Is there one machine that can make lattes and expressos?!

Nonoperational

Just get a machine and an aerochino.

kenobrien

Looking to get a Nespresso for the office. Any recommendations/where to buy / any bargains?

sarkozy

Get a bean-to-cup machine instead.

In my experience, Nespressos get used for a while then get left in the corner when companies/individuals decide it's not worth shelling our for the pods.

micks

kenobrien wrote: »

Looking to get a Nespresso for the office. Any recommendations/where to buy / any bargains?

http://www.debenhams.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10052_10001_325004016060_-1

kenobrien

micks wrote: »

http://www.debenhams.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10052_10001_325004016060_-1

Gas! I bought that online today from Debenhams(didn't have it in stock in Blackrock) and hadn't seen this post. Great minds...

aah yes

Twice in a row now I paid for recycle bags x 2, and a 400 capsule order, and each time - both times in the last 12 months I pre-arranged recycle bag collection when the Fastway driver drops in the new capsules, and again this morning the Fastway chap says Nespresso still have not arranged for the collection code to collect the bags - I paid for ! €8.95 a go x 2

Last time I called them after saying they had slipped up on the collection, but they said it was too late to send them back, it should have been the one time only chance with the Fastway driver capsule drop in, so they can't make another special journey, so I had to just dump them in the bin, and lose out on my €8.95 I duly paid Nespresso for recycling collection.

So it happened again this morning, Fastway driver said nothing arranged, cannot take the bags, and again I lose out on another €8.95 I paid in advance to have them collected.

There should be a law against this ongoing scam.


I tried to call Nespresso all morning and afternoon on their various numbers, but their lines are giving a continually engaged tone constantly for the last three hours on all the numbers ...

ROI 1800 812 660 (no answer constantly over several hours)

Outside UK number 0088 722 555 90 (no answer constantly over several hours)


Nespresso is starting to look like a bandit operation to me, of top dollar pricing, and bottom dollar service with the ongoing recycling scam and not able to call them back.

All the sayings "all fur coat and no knickers", "flash as a rat with a gold tooth", "mutton dressed as lamb". Might as well order the cheap lookalike capsules elsewhere, probably get better service and not get ripped off with the recycling scam.

Benbecul97

Are you using www.nespresso.com/ie/ to order capsules?

Recycling bags, and collection of these recycling bags, is free, what are you been charged €8.95 for?

As regards Fastway it has sometimes happened that the same driver will not collect the full recycling bag when the order is delivered, even though it is ready and waiting. A separate driver will collect the full recycling bag a day or so later which seems daft but its not its free and not costing me!

bepteddy

this looks like a good buy..

Fiskar

bepteddy wrote: »

this looks like a good buy..

What looks like a good buy? No link.

Benbecul97

Fiskar wrote: »

What looks like a good buy? No link.

A nespresso machine...

Dr.Winston O'Boogie

Does the pixie come with a frother? Or do you need an arochino?

vienne86

Dr.Winston O'Boogie wrote: »

Does the pixie come with a frother? Or do you need an arochino?

Pixie is a very basic machine - no frother. Nice thing about the pixie is that it is small and neat. I LOVE mine.

Dr.Winston O'Boogie

Where do you get your pods, online?

Dr.Winston O'Boogie

Anyone find their aerroccino doesn't froth the milk, just warms it? Admittedly I have only tried one milk so far, lidl brand full fat. Seems from googling it can be more effective with slim line fresh milk.

maxwell smart

I use semi-skimmed milk myself and it froths fine.

Sometimes it doesn't spin I have noticed, make sure you have the spinner in correctly.

The actual aerroccino itself is not the greatest thing ever and I have had to purchase 2 replacements over the past 6 years.

Don't put it in the dishwasher!

Cork Lass

I find that the best milk to use is Aldi's fat free (pink carton). Full fat milk is too heavy to froth properly. I've never had any problems with mine and I've been using it for about 4 years. Probably jinxed it now😃

nix

Ok thinking of buying one of these machines, we have one in work and i had a test run with one and it wasnt bad, it did go cold very fast, so im wondering is that the norm? or does it sound like just a crap machine we have? The capsule i had also was one from lidl/aldi, so i may not of even had a good one. Do any of you go with them ones? or stick with nespresso brand?

So im wondering what kinda ones can i get? is there a one that makes all kinds of coffees?

I'm partial to a latte but only if its good quality, otherwise id go standard coffee.

Ive been thinking of getting one of these nespresso machines but no idea where to start :rolleyes:

anybody help a noob out?

vienne86

nix wrote: »

Ok thinking of buying one of these machines, we have one in work and i had a test run with one and it wasnt bad, it did go cold very fast, so im wondering is that the norm? or does it sound like just a crap machine we have? The capsule i had also was one from lidl/aldi, so i may not of even had a good one. Do any of you go with them ones? or stick with nespresso brand?

So im wondering what kinda ones can i get? is there a one that makes all kinds of coffees?

I'm partial to a latte but only if its good quality, otherwise id go standard coffee.

Ive been thinking of getting one of these nespresso machines but no idea where to start :rolleyes:

anybody help a noob out?

I'd do some more testing with the one in work first - get some proper Nespresso pods maybe, or some other brand. Personally I use the Lidl ones, among others, and like them a lot, but not everyone is happy with them.

katydid

nix wrote: »

Ok thinking of buying one of these machines, we have one in work and i had a test run with one and it wasnt bad, it did go cold very fast, so im wondering is that the norm? or does it sound like just a crap machine we have? The capsule i had also was one from lidl/aldi, so i may not of even had a good one. Do any of you go with them ones? or stick with nespresso brand?

So im wondering what kinda ones can i get? is there a one that makes all kinds of coffees?

I'm partial to a latte but only if its good quality, otherwise id go standard coffee.

Ive been thinking of getting one of these nespresso machines but no idea where to start :rolleyes:

anybody help a noob out?

We bought one this time last year and it's been great. Not cheap if you buy the proper capsules (I've just ordered 200 from Nespresso, for €76.) but then it's not the kind of coffee you'd be knocking back dozens of cups a day of.

If you can warm the cup first it helps keep the coffee warm longer, but then I either drink espressos or lungos with just a dropeen of milk, so it doesn't really have time to get cold on me. Not into all that frothing business.

I have the Magimix Nespresso U, and I find it great. Very simple moving parts, and fits snugly on the counter. But then I don't have the frothing thing.

nix

I'm reading the nespresso machines only take the nespresso capsules and nothing else, is this true? would the lidl ones not work?