Filter Coffee Machine

De Longi have a reputation for great coffee makers and this is well deserved especially for the price.  Their machines are great value and the Treviso is no exception. But then again you probably already know this.

The Pros

• This is a fantastically priced machine which brings affordable espressos to a wide range of people
• Relatively simple to use, but operator skill is required (this is half the fun!)
• Very easy to clean
• thia quote from the review site says it all  “I am a fully trained barista and have been for 3 years so deal with top of the range industrial machines all the time. For a domestic machine this is the best i have had or used!”

The Cons

• This isn’t a machine designed for tall mugs – the flatter rounded ones will easily fit under the spout
• Can be a bit noisy whilst the pump is in operation – but this is only for 20-30 seconds
• There have been some reports that this can be a messy machine, but I do think that some if not all of this can be corrected with greater operator skill.

Top Tips

• In order to get a great crema it is best to use a fine powder and as always you should compact it.
• Another tip is to make sure you ‘pre charge’ the machine.  Switch on and wait until red light comes on. Do a ‘blank’ espresso … filter bowl attached and pouring into the cup UNTIL the red light goes off. Everything gets fully warmed and the water is primed. Remove filter bowl and full with coffee. Tamp down. By this time the red light has gone on and you are ready to reapply filter bowl and pour your espresso.

If you want a machine that you can just flick a switch and get great coffee this machine is perhaps not the best machine for you.  However, if you want to begin to develop your espresso skills and have great coffee as well this may just be the machine you have been looking for.

Click hereto find out more about this machine.

Nespresso really know how to create a sense of exclusivity!  You can become a member of the Nespresso Club.  The aim of the Nespresso Club is to provide the members with access to Nespresso products really easily.  There’s no cost to join and to be honest the idea of it being a club is a bit of a misleading but it does create a sense that when you have a Nespresso machine you are part of a pretty select community.

As part of the Club, members can purchase a range of products from Nespresso capsules, Nespresso machines and a range of accessories.  These accessories include:

• Espresso cups;
• Espresso glasses;
• Espresso spoons;
• Trays; and,
  
• A variety of machine accessories (including travel bags for portable machines!).

Even better – when you buy some machines, they will give you a discount off purchasees from the Club.  Keep an eye out on this sight, I’ll update you shortly on the best Nespresso machines out there (and the ones with the best Club discounts!)

Technorati Tags: Filter coffee machine

Nespresso has developed a packaging system all of its own. It entails placing the correct amount of ground coffee into aluminium capsules that are coated on the inside with a protective lining. This prevents any contact between the coffee and the aluminium. One individual capsule contains exactly the right amount of fresh, finely ground coffee for one espresso.

This packaging system claims to preserve all of the qualities and flavour of the freshly roasted coffee for at least nine months, providing the best quality at the moment of consumption. Day after day, week after week, the end result is always terrific.

The Grand Crus

Taking the French term normally given to the classification of the best regional wines,  Nespresso use the term to describe their range of coffees.  I have tried all but the decaffinated coffees (please tell me why these exist!!) and I can honestly say there isn’t one that hasn’t made me go ‘Oooohh – now that’s tasty!’

So here is a quick tour (the number in brackets represents the strength):

Ristretto (10): The typical Italian espresso. It is a short, strong, full-bodied espresso with a touch of acidity. It has a pleasantly lingering taste.

Arpeggio (9): This is a Mediterranean blend par excellence with a strong character, intense body and long, exquisite after-taste. Its thick, smooth crema remains to the last sip.

Roma (8): With its sweetness and its woody notes, Roma is the ideal coffee for a short espresso which is not too strong.

Livanto (6): A very well balanced blend, Livanto is characterized by a dense and velvety aroma. It is a uniquely rounded espresso.

Capriccio (5): A full-bodied espresso, which is also creamy, mild and rich. Its crema is very dense, and so delicate that it reflects the light.

Volluto (4): Lightly roasted but full-bodied, Volluto’s flavour is round and fresh with a cereal hint. Volluto’s character is reinforced by a touch of acidity.

Cosi (3): Cosi is perfect for espresso lovers who enjoy a mild, smooth crema coupled with the refreshing acidity of a hint of lemon.

Decaffeinato Intenso (7): An intense, rich taste with slightly elevated acidity gives this decaffeinated coffee all the strength of a true espresso.

Decaffeinato (2): A lighter and creamier decaffeinated blend, offering a rich and delicate balance between mildness and acidity. Decaffeinato’s crema is distinguished by its hazel colour and consistent texture in the mouth.

There re many waya to buy the capsules – needless to say the web is a great place to start.  You can go for a set of a particular flavour or you can go for a stylish box selection set.  If you are just starting out in the Nespresso world go for a selection – try enjoy and marvel in the variety.

The next posting will look at the range of machines available for use with th Nespresso capsules.

There is a great deal of talk and interest in Nespresso.  But do we really know what this is? 

Nespresso is the brand name of Nestlé Nespresso S.A., part of the Nestle group. Nespresso products are based on a proprietary system of single-serving coffee “capsules” and machines to use the capsules to brew espresso. Capsules are available in a wide range of varieties.  When I say a wide range I really do mean a wide range!

Nespresso developed the concept of an aluminium capsule that is hermetically sealed.  When the capsule is placed into the coffee machine, the top of the capsule is pierced (some machines make a number of smaller holes whilst others make a single large hole). When turned on, the machine pushes hot water under pressure into the top of the capsule.

The base of the capusule is made of thinner aluminium than the rest of the capsule and as such the pressure of the water causes the base of the capsule to bow out. The base of the capsule holder has a number of raised squares, which causes the foil to rupture at these points (mesh like), and the brewed coffee then exits the capsule, and flows into the cup.

Depending on the type of machine being used, the spent capsule may then be ejected into a holding chamber within the machine. On top end (more expensive!) models this process is automated.

The Range of Machines

Nespresso designs a wide range of machines, many of which are produced by established manufacturers such as Krups, Magimix, Siemens and Delonghi.  They do all appear to conform to a set of standardised designs.

In 2000, Nespresso began distributing its own machines and in the USA, about 20 are available for home use.

The features of these machines vary, with the more expensive machines having features such as automatic capsule ejection and milk frothers. All machines take the same capsules, and make the same quality Nespresso coffee however, Nespresso sets minimum specifications, such as water temperature and pressure levels, which all machines must meet.

Evidence of the Rise of Nespresso

Now, as the saying goes ‘..not a lot of people now this but…’, if you really want to you can pay a small fortune for a cup of Nespresso! Here’s a thing. If you go to Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck in Bray (widely regarded as the UKs best restaurant and one of the top 5 in the world), where the 12-course tasting menu costs almost £300 (don’t worry this includes wine!), the coffee served at the end of your meal will be a Nespresso.

Here’s another thing. Pop along to Sketch in Mayfair, one of London’s most fantastic party venues, where the Michelin-starred restaurant, Library, offers à la carte main courses for upwards of £50, the £7 coffee they produce will also (though your waiter may not admit it) be a Nespresso.

It really does seem this brand is pretty unstoppable.  But the question reslly is  – is the coffee any good?   

Come back soon for the next Nespresso chapter – the coffee!

Making a truly great espresso is most definitley a a skill as practised by a barista (the World Chamionships are next to be held in London in June 2010).  However the ease of household espresso machines means that there is no reason why any of us should not be able to brew a really decent espresso.  Here are some pointers to help you achive the best espresso you can:

Step1
For the best quality home espresso coffee, it is preferable that the espresso machine is a pump-driven one rather than a steam driven one, as pump-driven machines provide consistent pressure and flow rate, which makes for better shot quality.

Step 2
It is best to use filtered water in the machine.  Tap water can introduce outside flavors such as minerals and chemicals, that can affect the quality and taste of the espresso shots.

Step 3
Espresso coffee powder should be finely ground and used freshly. Beans that are older than a week or powders that have been stored in the fridge will have a weaker flavour.

Step 4
Use a tamper to press the espresso powder into the filter firmly, you don’t need to pack it down with a lot of force, just compact the powder.

Step 5
You have the filtered water in the machine, and the powder in the filter, you are now ready to brew.

Step 6

Once the shot is pulled, use it immediately! You’ll notice 3 separate layers to the shot, and a cascading action taking place as these layers begin to blend with each other after about 10-15 seconds.  Unfortunately some flavor will have been lost

Step 7

Undoubtedly, you will need to experiment with your machine until you find just the right grind, the correct amount of coffee to use, and the firmness of the tamp until the coffee is just how you like it. You know what they say – practice makes perfect.

• Stainless Steel Pump Driven Espresso Machine
• Can operate with Either Ground Coffee or Coffee Pods
• 15 Bar Pressure
• Stainless Steel Boiler for Longer Life
• Self Priming System
• Cappuccino System
• Cup Warmer
• Crema Filter Holder
• Adjustable Steam Emission.

De’Longhi are really pretty good you know.  This espresso machine is proof of that.  Firstly, this machine has previously come top of the list of Which? Best Buys for machines under £200 and this has really helped people with confidence in this machine.

The Pros

• Stainless steel boiler is much better than the aluminium ones which corrode much more easily
• Good build quality which results in a sturdy, professional feel
  
• Excellent quality coffee
• Very easy to use (although please make sure you read and understand the instructions)
• Milk frother is very easy to use and produces really good light, frothy milk that provides for a great crema.
  
• Comes with free Illy pods
• Compact machine so won’t take up too much space on the counter top
• Takes ground coffee as well as ESE pods

The Cons

• Please make sure you read and understand the instructions.  You don’t need to be a barista, but you do need to understand what you are doing
• The pump is a little on the noisy side – but this is only for a few seconds and any way this can give you the feel of a real coffee shop experience in your own home!
• You need to be pretty accurate when using the pods.  When using pods it’s essential that the paper border surrounding the pod is away from the filter seal – if not the filter holder will leak
• There is some vibration which can be a little off putting (the cup rattles a little whilst sitting on the machine).

Handy tip

• When putting the steam nozzle back on, the offset portion of the nozzle should be facing the front or the nozzle shroud won’t be reseated properly.

Overall Verdict         4.5/5

The De’Longhi EC330S, is quite simply one of the best espresso machine for the price.  It looks great (don’t under-estimate the importance of styling – there are many appliance that are banished to the cupboard, either because they are no good or that they look awful!).  Believe me this wiill not me the case for the De’Longi.  I’m sure that once you have bought it you will love it and the coffee it produces.

For more information, click here

The Cons

• The machine looks pretty stylish but the build is predominantly plastic which can make feel £60 rather than looking more expensive.
• There have been reports of water spitting whilst brewing and that the milk frother spits.

Handy Tips

• You need to clean the machine by running water through it before using it for real.  Some spitting can occur, but should stop once you have coffee in.
• Spitting can occur if you put the filter cup on wrong.  When you lock it into place its handle should start on the left and then lock in the middle – but you can start in the middle and lock it on the far right.  Doing it this way means it does not lock properly and water spurts out of the side.

Overall Verdict        4/5

Its not perfect, but its really good machine for the money.  You will be hard pushed to find a similar machine that produces great coffee for such a great price.

To find out more click here

• High 15 bar pressure, the ideal espresso pressure to extract all the flavour of the coffee
• Better, more sleek design for a qualitative look in the kitchen
• Improved ergonomics for ease of use
• A larger variety of drinks
• New water tank, with built-in transparent handle
• New safer and better quality head
• Larger drip tray
• Magnetic pod holder provides a neat ’stick-in’ feel

Its not really nick-named the duck, but you have to admit there is a bit of a resemblence!  Now, when this first came out I really didn’t like it, but you know what it really has grown on me.  Its quirky, stylish and when the capsule slot is pulled out it really is duck like! Its a little marmite filter coffee machine – you either love it or hate it (although I do really like the look of it now).

Now for the company blurb:  Nescafe say that Dolce Gusto is a “… stylish, multi-coffee capsule system that will change the way you make, drink and think about coffee. With four delicious varieties, whether you prefer a frothy cappuccino, shot of espresso, a multilayered latte macchiato or a rich coffee lungo, NESCAFÉ Dolcé Gusto delivers a quality coffee for every mood and occasion”.

What’s it really like

First off the machine is really well made with the usable parts being made of metal.  Once you have this machine you will not make another cup of instant coffee. It will quite simply, become your very favourite possession. The coffees are gorgeous; Classico in morning, lungo when you come in from work and a latte, cappucino or hot chocolate in the evening. 

There is a huge variety of drinks you can make- Dolce continuousily update their range and have a vast choice. Your family will love it too and it is absolutely brilliant for visitors. It is worth visiting the Dolce Gusto web site and having a look at the wonderful range you can serve

If you have filter coffee machines complicated in the past and have tried but given up after a few weeks when the novelty wore off. There will not be the same problems with the Dolce Gusto.  This is incredibly simple! The pod system is a doddle, there is no cleaning or anything required.

What’s in the box?

There are also some great extras that come in the box.  Along with the machine you get the pod holder (pretty useless without it!), drip tray, a Latte Macchiato glass, a cappuccino cup with saucer, a variety pack of coffee capsules (16 capsules) and a quick start guide containing recipe cards and instructions.

You can get cheaper a filter coffee machine if all your after is a coffee and at just under £80 it may appear a little on the expensive side.  However, you will use this and you will enjoy it.  Once you have one, I’m confident that you’ll absolutely adore it!

Krups Nescafe Dolce Gusto KP210040 Coffee Machine, Black, 15 Bar Pressure Pump

I have become really taken with this stuff – amazing!!