Espresso Club » capsules

Nespresso Capsules – Where to Buy

admin — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:30:08 +0000

If you recently bought a Nespresso capsule system machine, or looking to buy one, you will need a supply of capsules from day 1 if you want to use the machine. Nespresso has great online service. All you have to do is register online and you can start ordering capsules online. It usually take 2 days to arrive.

Nespresso Capsules

Online

Get them at the Nespresso website.

Prices

Each capsule costs 0.55 USD. Capsules are ordered in multiples of 50 for packing reasons.

Delonghi Lattissima EN660/670/680/690 Nespresso Capsule System Coffee Machine Review

admin — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 13:05:50 +0000

I wanted to tell you about this great looking Nespresso capsule system coffee maker from Delonghi – DeLonghi Lattissima EN660 / EN670 / EN680 / EN690. This coffee maker includes a built in internal milk frothing system and a programmable sequence mechanism to produce a great tasting cappuccino in just a press of a button!

Delonghi Lattissima EN660

This is a really cool machine. The idea is that you place your espresso cup or latte mug in one of the two available heights. Then you insert the included milk container with fresh milk at the left side of the machine and direct the milk nozzle to your cup. After pressing the programmable button, you will get the steamed milk directly to the cup followed by the delicious Nespresso coffee. You don’t need to move the cup…

This sequence is done with two separate Thermoblock pumps, for the milk and water, which means they are heated in two different places in the machine, and you don’t have to wait between the milk and the water. When you finish you remove the milk container and store it if you want, and return the milk hose to its original setting.

One last note, in case you don’t know this, you are limited to one of 12 flavors in capsules currently offered by Nespresso. Only Nespresso makes and markets capsules for Nespresso machines. This is not a big limitation really, since 12 is a nice variety, and Nespresso offers an easy way to order capsules from its website.

I know this machine is not for everyone pricewise, but it looks amazing, and there’s something about pressing a button and getting your coffee prepared without extra work that gets some of us excited!

Check out price comparisons and user reviews on DeLonghi Lattissima EN680 and its companions
.

Coffee Machine Summary

Nespresso Pod System Coffee Machine
Instant Froth Dispenser – Cappuccino in one press of a button
Removable Milk Jug
19 Bar Pressure (Thermoblock)
1.2 Litre Water Reservoir
Cup heating tray in the EN680 and EN690
Energy Saving Function
Adjustable Drip Tray
Automatic Capsule Ejection
Metal Structure

Capsule System Coffee Machines

admin — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 12:33:01 +0000

Capsule System

Coffee Capsules

Capsule systems for making coffee are a newer method than the traditional coffee handle machines, and are well fitted for home or small office uses. They offer a simpler, cleaner way for producing quality espresso and other coffee and tea beverages. Essentially, capsules which contain premeasured amount of sealed ground coffee are inserted in the compatible capsule system machines. The machines then pierce the top part of the capsule to allow the water to flow through. Following that, hot water is forced through the capsule with high pressure, extracting the beverage to the cup. Each capsule is used once and then disposed of.

Several capsule systems exist in the market, and each of them has a unique capsule technology which means the capsules have a unique shape and structure. For each capsule system, a limited variety of coffee machine, that are compatible with the system’s unique capsules, are available. For example, the Nespresso D100 coffee machine is made by Magimix and Krups for the Nespresso capsule system. This coffee maker may be a very good one, but it will not be able to handle a capsule from the Caffitaly capsule system.

So capsules are sold in many shapes and flavors. You can buy them in stores, or online. I wanted to put together this article, to make some things a little clearer for those of you who are thinking about buying a coffee machine for your home. Here is a summary of some of the most popular capsule systems available:

The Caffitaly System

Caffitaly System

The Caffitaly System (or Caffita System) is a capsule system for making espresso and other coffee, and tea drinks in home espresso machines designed for the Caffitaly system. The system was developed by the Italian company Gaggia. The Caffitaly capsule has two small filters. The coffee is extracted as the high pressure water passes through the grounded coffee and the filters in the capsule. Caffitaly capsules are found in the world though different manufacturers, which brand the capsules in a different ways, but the capsules are always the same.

Among the Gaggia coffee machines which use the Caffitaly system you can find the K111d Gaggia Caffitaly, L’Amante Gaggia Caffitaly and the new Nautilus.

Read in more detail about the Caffitaly system here…

The Nespresso System

Nespresso D100

The Nespresso System’s capsules are made of pressed aluminum foil. The top and sides are made of a thick layer, and the base is covered with a thinner layer. After the top is pierced and the machine activated, pressurized hot water runs into the top of the capsule, which in turn causes the bottom of the capsule (thinner layer) to bow out, and finally be pierced by the machine. This way the brewed coffee can flow into the cup.

Among the popular coffee makers which use the Nespresso system are the Nespresso D100, Nespresso D185 Le Cube and many more.

Read in more detail about the Nespresso system here…

The Tassimo System

The Tassimo System’s capsules have among others, drinks that include milk, such as cappuccino. The capsules are called T-Discs and have a bar code printed on their label. The Tassimo machine reads the bar code to calculate the amount of water, brewing time, and temperature for the specific beverage. The brewing process takes between 30-60 seconds. Discs containing milk use UHT milk, not powdered milk.

The newer coffee makers which use the Tassimo system include the Bosch TAS4511 Multi Beverage Machine and other models by Bosch.

Pod Systems

There are more capsule systems, like the Keurig system with it’s K-Cup portion cups, and even more pod systems. Pods are tightly packed filter bags filled with coffee grounds (sometimes called pads). These pods fit in special machines for their system, or on special adaptors fitted in traditional coffee handles, so you can place the pods instead of actual coffee grounds. One of these pod systems is the Senseo system that makes pods for coffee makers made by Philips and Douwe Egberts. Models that utilize this system include among others the Senseo HD7832 Supreme Single-Serve Gourmet Coffeemaker.

Senseo HD7832

I hope this gives you some useful information about the capsule systems available. Follow the links to get more information about the different systems, and the relevant coffee makers.

Nespresso C185,D185,C180,D180 Le Cube Nespresso Capsule System Coffee Machines Review

admin — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 14:29:14 +0000

This series of cubic shaped espresso machines, for the Nespresso capsules system has a variety of models: The Nespresso C180, D180, C185, D185 Le Cube. They are the same models as the European Krups and Magimix Le Cube’s. There is a slight design difference between the models, as you can see in the photos.

Nespresso D185

Nespresso C185

These are the advanced machines Nespresso offers for its capsules system espresso makers. The machines don’t have a built in or plug-and-play milk steaming / frothing nozzles, but with the supplementary Nespresso Aeroccino Automatic Milk Frother, you can get great tasting espresso from the Le Cube, and beautifully frothed milk from the Aeroccino.

Both makers include a programmable dosing system to control the exact amount of water that is injected through the capsule to make the perfect espresso drink. Simpler machines require you to press a button when you want to start, and then again when you want the water to stop flowing.

Another feature these machines have when comparing them to the simpler Nespresso D100 and C100 machines is a height adjustable cup tray, so you can prepare your coffee in espresso cups as well as latté glasses.
Another feature that exists in these machines is a special holding dock for 6 espresso cups (3 in each side of the machine), and in specific models of these machines the dock warms up your cups. This is really important for some espresso drinkers so they will appreciate this.

Check out price comparisons and user reviews on the Nespresso Le Cube

Coffee Machine Summary

Designed for the Nespresso capsule system.
Beautiful design and great tasting espresso making machines.
Thermoblock system for perfect pressure and temperature of water.
Preset dosing system for the perfect amount of water in your espresso.
Adjustable height tray for coffee cups.
6 place espresso cup holder with heating option in select models (Krups xn5005/9).
Works great together with Nespresso Aeroccino Automatic Milk Frother for milk frothing.
Dim : H 230 x L 226 x D 230 mm (Both)

Demonstration Video

Nespresso D290 Espresso Machine for the Nespresso Capsule System Review

admin — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 14:28:06 +0000

The Nespresso D290 espresso and coffee machine is a great looking coffee machine developed for the Nespresso capsule system. It is an entry level machine in the group of capsule machines that have built in milk frothing nozzles.

Nespresso D290

So the main addition to this machine, when comparing it to the Nespresso C100 and D100 machines is the milk steaming nozzle. You can use the built in hose to steam milk manually or install the plug-and-play AutoCappuccino accessory which will do the milk frothing for you, and all you have to do it connect a plastic hose to a milk container. While this is a great feature to install, cleanup can be a bit of a hassle, if all you want is a cup of cappuccino. But that’s normal for making milk based drinks with home coffee machines.

The Nespresso D290 has an automatic dosing system for controlling the amount of water in your coffee, so you always get you espresso the way you like it.

I have written about this before, and it is mainly my opinion so you may disagree, but personally in this level of machines, I like to invest my money in a great espresso machine such as the Nespresso Le Cube, and take care of the milk steaming with the Nespresso Aeroccino Automatic Milk Frother. It’s just that milk steaming with Thermoblock machines is not that awesome, and also, it’s a lot less cleanup for the coffee machine, and the Aeroccino is just easier to clean (think of cleaning a coffee pot).

Check out price comparisons and user reviews on the Nespresso D290.

Coffee Machine Summary

Designed for the Nespresso capsule system.
Beautiful design and great tasting espresso/cappuccino/latté making machines.
Thermoblock system for perfect pressure and temperature of water.
Automatic dosing system control volume of water per cup.
AutoCappuccino works great for milk frothing.
1.2L water container.
Dim. : H 310 x L 220 x D 345 mm

Nespresso C90,C100,D90,D100 Espresso Machines Review

admin — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 14:27:11 +0000

Nespresso’s entry level espresso machines are a series of beautifully designed machines. They are all designed for the Nespresso capsule system . Quite a few models came out and really it’s kind of hard to tell them apart, so you should pay attention to the small features that are different between some of the models. The relevant model are: Nespresso C90 GS and RS, Nespresso C100 GS and RS, Nespresso D90 GS and RS, and Nespresso D100 GS and RS.

The C series is equivalent to the European version designed by Krups (Krups xn2000). The D series is the European version designed Magimix (Magimix M100).

Nespresso D100

Nespresso C100

These machines are entry level espresso machines that use the Nespresso capsules to produce really smooth and rich flavored espresso drinks. They are simple to operate and are of a relatively lower price, but they are a great option to consider for your home or for a CEO’s office.

The machines are great if you want to use them for making espressos, but if you want drink like latté that require a tall glass or cappuccinos on a daily basis, these machine are not the ideal option since there is just not much room for more than an espresso cup. Also, the machines do not include a milk steaming nozzle, so if you plan on doing that, get an external accessory such as the cool Nespresso Aeroccino Automatic Milk Frother. The machines are also sold as a combo with the Aeroccino.

On the other hand, no milk steaming nozzle means less cleanup and with its built in used capsule disposal container (14 capsules) you have a machine that doesn’t leave a mess behind, and is very easy to clean, which makes it ideal for some people.

A nice feature in the C100 and D100 (as opposed to the C90 and D90 machines) is the automatic dosing system, that controls how much water you want in your espresso, so you get the perfect espresso each time. In the manual model you control the water volume by a press of a button to start the water and again to stop it.

These espresso machines use the Thermoblock water pump system which was developed by Nespresso, so you will get your espressos with delicious flavor and aroma, because of the exact right water pressure (19 Bar) and temperature flowing through the capsules.

Coffee Makers Summary

Designed for the Nespresso capsule system.
Beautiful design and great tasting espresso making machines.
Simple and price competitive entry level espresso maker.
Thermoblock system for perfect pressure (19 Bar) and temperature of water.
Dosing system for the perfect amount of water in your espresso.
Single espresso cup height tray.
0.9 Liter water tank for 20 espressos.
14 used capsule disposal container.
Works great together with Nespresso Aeroccino Automatic Milk Frother for milk frothing.
Dim. : H 252 x L 166 x D 291 mm (Both)

Check out prices comparisons and user reviews for the Nespresso D100 and the Nespresso C100