Nespresso Club

[Ambulance Chaser]



Do you guys use the factory default espresso and lungo pull time lengths?

Yes. But I'm also the guy who orders the sandwich with the pre-set ingredients rather than creating my own, so YMMV.

 

[gdl203]

No - my normal cup is a little longer than the preset espresso - not as long as the preset lungo

 

[philosophe]

My normal cup is a little shorter than the preset espresso.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

I thought I was going to be all about the lungo because, well, it is more coffee, but I don't think they are as flavorful.

 

[Rambo]



I thought I was going to be all about the lungo because, well, it is more coffee, but I don't think they are as flavorful.

They're pretty terrible

 

[patrickBOOTH]

I wouldn't say terrible, just uninteresting.

 

[dopey]



I thought I was going to be all about the lungo because, well, it is more coffee, but I don't think they are as flavorful.

They're pretty terrible

+1. Lungo continues to be a disappoint. If you are looking for a Lungo bright spot, the Lungo decaf is no suckier than non-Nespresso decaf.

+50 to whoever said they like Rosabaya - that is one of my favorites.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

I wish they would get an African single origin.

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

Has anyone ever done a blind taste test of Nespresso against other sources of espresso? I'd be interested to see how it stacks up against a high-end coffee shop, Starbucks, high-end home machine, and mid-range home machine.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

It definitely kicks mid level home espresso machine and Starbucks' ass. High-end cafe's sometimes and sometimes not. So much variability and inconsistency there. Never blind tasted, but just my feelings.

 

[dopey]



Has anyone ever done a blind taste test of Nespresso against other sources of espresso? I'd be interested to see how it stacks up against a high-end coffee shop, Starbucks, high-end home machine, and mid-range home machine.

It is better than Starbucks. That is easy.
The problem with comparing Nespresso against home machines is that the output of the latter is highly dependent on the operator who grinds, fills, tamps and pulls (or pushes a button). Nespresso takes all that variance away and turns out a consistent, very good product. A home operator with a good machine can probably develop a system that results in something he likes better than Nespresso and get it right very often, but that is a lot of work and he has to be willing to do it and enjoy it. And he'll probably miss once in a while, too.

Could be that Illy machines and pods are just as good - I haven't tested them.

 

[gdl203]

illy machines are not bad at all. The espresso I get from my handpresso is also surprisingly adequate but entirely dependent on the pods (there are a lot of really sucky standard pods out there, I've tried many and only use illy's now). It is worth the extra 5 mins at the airport security check with the agents staring at it blankly before asking me wtf that is.

 

[ama]



Anyone tried that Kazaar blend? Intensity 12 I thought max was 10....

Its pretty good actually, I find that despite the extra "strength" it is sweeter than a lot of the less strong ones.

 

[itsstillmatt]



illy machines are not bad at all. The espresso I get from my handpresso is also surprisingly adequate but entirely dependent on the pods (there are a lot of really sucky standard pods out there, I've tried many and only use illy's now). It is worth the extra 5 mins at the airport security check with the agents staring at it blankly before asking me wtf that is.

Having read this I just bought a handpresso for my wife as an extra birthday present. She always complains when she is separated from her nespresso. What else do I need to get for her so that she is set to go? Just illy pods?

 

[gdl203]

Yes, illy pods (I think they come in medium or strong). Also, the travel case - the zipper sucks and it looks like a giant erected cack and scratum under x-rays - but that's really the only option.