I realized just recently, I've become a coffee snob

Liking something doesn't make one a snob.

Thinking one is better than others because of it, however, does.

I ran out of fresh beans at work (macchiatto made via Presso) and had to use the Lavazza Blue pod machine.

As stated above the result was somewhere around a 4/10 compared to the Presso.

The Presso is a 7 or so compared to the Pompei.

Instant is a hot brown drink.

 

Greg

 

Instant is a hot brown drink.

 

Greg

 

"Drink" is charitable.

Just a few points I should have made earlier.

 

The Nespresso system has gone out of patent/copyright protection which is why so many other companies make pods for it. This is a great strength over Aldi, Vittoria, Lavazza et al since you have a much wider range of coffees (and chocolates and teas which Nespresso don't sell) available. You can also get empty pods from your local bean seller to fill at home with your own preferred ground beans - if you can put up with the mess. $10 for 3 empties. Just remember not to throw them out. Has anyone used them overpackes with say 8g?

 

The machines are very different to each other. Make sure you get the one that makes the type of coffee you drink. Not all can make a real short black (25ml which nespresso call a ristretto) and only two I think can steam milk. The others including mine have heated milkshake makers. Do not buy a machine without tasting what it makes first. I can taste the difference between machines when they make a short black. The choice of pod and pour length has a much greater effect that machine type.

 

Using my UMilk and grind@central pods I get 8-10mm of crema. Yes, it's too blond but darker than beige. I do get sort-of tigerstripes. They're more like leopard spots due to the speed of the pour.

 

Cheers

 

ES

You can also get empty pods from your local bean seller to fill at home with your own preferred ground beans - if you can put up with the mess. $10 for 3 empties. Just remember not to throw them out. Has anyone used them overpackes with say 8g?

 

 

I tried this and simply could not pack enough into them to make anything other than extremely weak coffee. Went back to bought ones in the end.

I tried this and simply could not pack enough into them to make anything other than extremely weak coffee. Went back to bought ones in the end.

I have in-laws who do this. If you're going to buy beans, grind and tamp, why wouldn't you just buy a regular espresso machine? Surely the selling point of pod machines its that they're convenient.... If you're going to lengths to work around the convenience, I don't see the point.

Like buying tailor made cigarettes, breaking them up and rolling your own

:ph34r:

I have in-laws who do this. If you're going to buy beans, grind and tamp, why wouldn't you just buy a regular espresso machine?

 

Never had a regular machine, but every time I read about the cost, fiddle and maintenance.....

 

Surely the selling point of pod machines its that they're convenient.... If you're going to lengths to work around the convenience, I don't see the point.

 

Partly to get to use my regular coffee, partly to reduce cost, partly because it was a work machine....

Edited September 10, 201411 yr by Newman