I decided to make the switch to one cup at a time coffee because my wife drinks only decaf and I drink only regular and figured this was the perfect solution.Often I would make a large pot of coffee that would sit for most of the morning and she was aced out.Additionally, the kids would love some easy hot chocolate.First stop along the way was a Breveille Keruig-based machine.The easy of use and look of the Breville made it the purchase for us.After about a week and a half of heavy use, I decided it had to go back because no matter what I did, the coffee wasn't strong enough.It was generally okay, but even on the smallest setting (smallest cup) and even with an Internet purchase of the bold K-Cups (supposedly 25% more coffee), I just couldn't make a decent sized cup of coffee that tasted good enough.I'm no coffee snob, I'll do Peets or Starbucks, but this just didn't cut it.Thus, off to the Internet for more research and I quickly landed on the Nespresso.I liked the reviews and decided the Cube was within my price range.Back to the store to engage the salesperson, and I asked her to brew me a cup of espresso.I was fairly impressed by the quick, shot pull, that had a discernable crema on top.Tasted it and was sold.I couldn't believe that this might be the answer to my list of requirements.I asked the salesperson if the Cube made the espresso hot enough, and she told me she never had this complaint.The one I was holding in my hands in a little paper cup tasted plenty hot, so I bought the cube with the Aerocinno frother and went home.
The Cube comes with a 10 capsule tester.By about 2 hours after I got home, you practically had to scrape me off the ceiling.I blitzed through my 10 pack and was generally quite pleased.The capsules, while smaller than the Keruig K-Cups (with seemingly less coffee in them), produced a far superior coffee.True, I was comparing espresso to drip coffee, but you could taste a distinguishable difference.The one liter water holder, is a tad small and not quite as easy to load as the Breville.On the Cube, it kind of slids out on a tilt and when you fill it all the way you have to gently put it in so as to not spill, a task that is a little difficult.No matter, just fill it slightly less full, and it's fine.Unlike the Breville, the Cube water resevoir does not have a filter.Not sure I taste a difference, and if you really care, use water from your Brita and you will be fine.
Unlike the Breville, the Cube only has two size settings:espresso and lungo.The lungo is a little small for my taste, as I typically drink my coffee in a large mug.Although I would like it to brew more, it's more than made up in taste.What I do is brew an espresso on the espresso setting and then run it through on the lungo on the same capsule, essentially creating a pretty mean Americano.Typically, I'll pull two shots and then run a couple of hot waters through the second shot and it's great.I think Americans probably drink coffee the "wrong" way, and it's probably the style to drink smaller cups of better coffee.My pseudo Americano suits me most mornings, but a good lungo not watered down is even better.
I use the Aerocinno (it came bundled so it was a great value) to make lattes for my wife with decaf.It's a pretty sweet device too, steams and froths the milk in about 90 seconds and produces a very nice latte.
As others have said, you can only buy the Nespresso capsules from the Nespresso website, but honestly, their service is excellent and there's more than enough different varieties to suit most people.I'd rather have one Ristretto (a 10 on their 1 to 10 rating system of strength) than all the K-Cup varieties combined.
Clean up is a breeze, I like the capsule capture mechanism.There are no moving parts, so it's a snap to take care of.The warmer trays on the sides are a nice touch, if you serve in espresso cups.I have to say, however, that true to some of the reviews, I wish the coffee was a little hotter.It's not cool really, just sort of just a tad under hot.I run the Nespresso without a capsule first, to let my glass get warm, or I heat up a cup of water in the microwave to warm up my cup and this is almost perfect.Even when I drink a "mildly hot" lungo or espresso, I suck it up quickly (more quickly than I would normally enjoy) and I'd rather do that than drink a lesser cup of coffee.
Given the price point, the heat issue is a small price to pay.I didn't compare the Nespresso to the Tassimo-based systems, but to brew a latte in those machines you have to use an espresso t-thingy and then run one or two milk t-thingys.That just doesn't sound right to me.
So, in conclusion (sorry for the length), I'd say if you are looking for a darn consistent pull of espresso (even if it's not the perfect espresso to suit snobs), that is great every time, with little or no clean up and plenty of variety this might be the machine for you.At this price point, I'd say it's worth a long look.
Update after a month of heavy use:After a month or more of heavy use, my rating above remains.Overall, I am very happy with this machine.People who complain about the lack of variety in the coffee choices overstate the problem, in my opinion.How many different varieties of beans do you really buy?Maybe two or three?There is enough variety here.Lastly, my only consistent complaint about this machine after this time is that the coffee could be hotter, it really could.When I go to the extra "trouble" of heating up a cup of water in my microwave to let sit in the glass (or travel mug) that I am going to use, then it's plenty hot.Just a small extra step.However, in future versions, Nespresso should crank up the heat just a touch.Coffee can always cool, but heating it up after it's made is a step that should be unnecessary (particularly where you have added hot milk).
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Product Description:
Nespresso has developed a unique extraction system specially adapted to capsules. It controls every vital setting when preparing a perfect espresso. Nespresso machines have been designed with renowned partners and designers, and bring out the taste and aromas of coffee by combining quality of design with ease of use. The Nespresso C100 Essenza Automatic Machine is part of our compact line, which features a modern, compact, and practical design.The machine deploys technology essential for preparing an outstanding Espresso, and is exceptionally easy to use: Automatic control of the amount of coffee in the cup. A high pressure pump (19 bars) extracts all the aromas and develops a smooth crema in the cup. A thermobloc which heats water to 187°and 196° during extraction and empties the remaining water after each use so that the water is fresh for each preparation. A simple system which perforates the capsule and soaks all the ground coffee to optimally filter the coffee. A functional handle system, which allows for easy coffee preparation.Automatic ejection of used capsule. Removable water container (34 oz). Tray for used capsules.Back-lit control button
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