I have friends who love coffee .. and they have great coffee machines. I love sitting around and sipping a cup with them. Then I have friends who are OBSESSED with great coffee and they are crazy in love with their Nespresso machines. Having a cup of coffee with them is a ritual. In case you don’t know about Nespresso machines or wonder what all the fuss is about regarding these machines, we have one of the web’s great experts here to provide us with great insight and information about Nespresso: Michael York. If you love Nespresso, you should follow him on his website, http://www.espressoperfecto.com/ . Michael York is a guest expert/guest blogger for today!
It seems like every kitchen has a shiny new Nespresso machine with a line-up of pods gracing the countertop these days.
But if you’re new to Nespresso selecting your first machine from their line of sleek, modern, but surprisingly similar looking espresso machines can feel a bit daunting.
When we purchased a CitiZ for our office, we found there were 6 key factors to keep in mind that weren’t immediately obvious and made the buying process a lot easier.
We’ve put together a quick buying guide using what we learned to help you narrow down the options and find the right addition to your morning routine.
1) AEROCCINO MILK FROTHER
Are lattes your thing? Looking for some easy frothing capability? Then it’s important to know that not all Nespresso machines come equipped with a built-in milk frother. I know, the horror!
While the smaller, base models will brew up a crema-filled cup of espresso, they don’t have a built-in frother to allow you to froth milk for a morning latte (we’re looking at you Inissia and Pixie!).
This means if you’re set on having the option to make lattes, skip straight to the CitiZ or any model after that. If you aren’t sure, you can start with the Pixie or Inissia and add on a detached Aeroccino frother later (you’ll just end up paying a little extra).
2) SIZE
While all of the Nespresso models are pretty compact compared to the behemoth espresso machines at your favorite coffee shop, it’s important to know that some are slimmer than others.
If you’re looking to conserve counter space, either in an apartment, dorm room or office setting, the Inissia, Pixie and CitiZ have the slimmest profile of the bunch.
If you have a full-size kitchen to work with, the Prodigio, Latissima+, Vertuoline and Evoluo machines are great picks.
3) NESPRESSO CAPSULES
One of the biggest rookie mistakes when it comes to Nespresso capsules is thinking they work in any of their machines. This is only partly true.
Nespresso has two lines of capsules flavors (known as grand crus), the Original andstrong> Vertuoline– and they aren’t interchangeable.
The Original Line capsules are compatible with all of the machines except the Vertuoline and Evoluo. The Original Line is great because it offers a huge selection of espresso options: 26 to be exact, including the special releases.
The Vertuoline capsules only offer 4 espresso options, but have a wider range of coffee grand crus. These capsules are special because they have a printed barcode that can be read by the compatible machines to optimize brew settings specifically for that flavor and type of bean. It basically makes the machine smarter. I know, we’re living in the future, aren’t we?
If you are a die-hard espresso drinker and appreciate having a bigger selection, stick with the Original Line. If you are a little more flexible and would also appreciate more finely-tuned drink settings, look into the VertuoLine and Evoluo.
4) COFFEE, ANYONE?
While most people associate Nespresso with great tasting and quick espresso drinks, Nespresso has begun to edge into the coffee-drinking market and now offers a coffee option with two of their machines.
Both the Vertuoline and Evuolu also offer the ability to brew drip-style coffee from a capsule. There are 12 different coffee grand crus available, all with blend recognition so the machine auto-optimizes temp, water quantity and brew time for the best possible drink.
This is an especially welcome feature if you’d like to use your Nespresso while entertaining or have a few coffee lovers in the home or office.
5) RECYCLING
A little known fact about the Nespresso capsules is that Nespresso will recycle them for you free of charge.
They will send you a bag in the mail, or you can pick one up at your local store that you can fill up with your used capsules and then mail back to them (up to 200 at a time). They also cover the shipping cost, just drop them off at any UPS location.
I love this service because the waste of using a capsule every time I made coffee really started to eat away at me. Being able to reduce my carbon coffee footprint is a relief.
6) PUSH-BUTTON OPERATION
While all of the Nespresso machines make espresso and coffee brewing ridiculously simple, if you want super-automatic service, you’ll need the Latissima+.
The Latissima is the only machine in the line-up that will brew, froth and mix lattes, macchiatos and cappuccinos with a single button push. All the other machines require you to brew the espresso separately from frothing the milk and then blend on your own.
The Latissima takes it a step further and truly acts as your very own at-home barista.
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I hope this guide helps de-mystify the Nespresso buying process a bit for you! To learn more about (Nespresso machines and what each model has to offer, you can visit our ultimate guide
If you find yourself suddenly with a Nespresso machine, comment back here and let us know which one you bought!
Michael York
Bio:
Hi there, I’m Michael York, espresso aficionado.
I fell in love with espresso drinks a few years ago while traveling through Europe. The quality, time and care taken with each cup blew me away.
Since then, I have been perfecting my cup at home and I write about the art of espresso at EspressoPerfecto.com as a passion project.
I have been published multiple times in Coffee Talk magazine and have even traveled to Indonesia and tried the infamous Luwak coffee (cat poop).
Social:
https://www.facebook.com/espressoperf/
https://twitter.com/espressoperf
Thanks to Michael York for all his insanely great tips about the various Nespresso machines. If you are a coffee fanatic like Michael, you need to read his guide!
Stevie Wilson,
LA-Story.com
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