coffee pod machines

bianchimoon

I was thinking about a coffee machine, can't quiet get myself to take the plunge and buy a 'real' coffee maker as it's a lot of money to spend and not know how it performs. So was looking at the pod type. In store at currys they were doing a demo of the Nescafe Dolce Gusto, demoman was desperate for me to try a cup, so ok i'll give it a go, here try this latte first. Weak as p**s absloute rubbish, next the americano that was as harsh and bitter as anything i've ever tasted. I use a Bialetti Moka Express Stovetop when i have time, just want something simple and quick with good coffee, any body got any experience based recommendations or is it simply not possible to get 'real' coffee from pod machines?

mattyarse

Francis Francis coffee machine, and then use either Illy coffee or Illy coffee pods. Sorted.

metronome

I was bought a Magimix Nespresso and it's great. It's just a convenient - lazy - espresso machine. There are 2 coffee buttons, the first for a single shot and the second for a double. One last button on the side issues hot water. It does make a very good cup of coffee.

http://www.johnlewis.com/nespresso-m190 ... ction=jump

drlodge

metronome wrote:

I was bought a Magimix Nespresso and it's great. It's just a convenient - lazy - espresso machine. There are 2 coffee buttons, the first for a single shot and the second for a double. One last button on the side issues hot water. It does make a very good cup of coffee.

http://www.johnlewis.com/nespresso-m190 ... ction=jump

You can get this "basic" machine for £70 with a £40 Nespresso money off voucher, which makes it actually £30. A bargain. Mine just went pop so I upgraded to a £200 Latisssima EN520. Built in milk steamer which is detachable and easy to clean. I love it!

bianchimoon

mattyarse wrote:

Francis Francis coffee machine, and then use either Illy coffee or Illy coffee pods. Sorted.

I take it you can refill the capsules on an illy with ground coffee?

bianchimoon

drlodge wrote:

metronome wrote:

I was bought a Magimix Nespresso and it's great. It's just a convenient - lazy - espresso machine. There are 2 coffee buttons, the first for a single shot and the second for a double. One last button on the side issues hot water. It does make a very good cup of coffee.

http://www.johnlewis.com/nespresso-m190 ... ction=jump

You can get this "basic" machine for £70 with a £40 Nespresso money off voucher, which makes it actually £30. A bargain. Mine just went pop so I upgraded to a £200 Latisssima EN520. Built in milk steamer which is detachable and easy to clean. I love it!

arrgh, wish there was a way to try and compare before buying!

mattyarse

bianchimoon wrote:

mattyarse wrote:

Francis Francis coffee machine, and then use either Illy coffee or Illy coffee pods. Sorted.

I take it you can refill the capsules on an illy with ground coffee?

The machine comes with two attachments - one for traditional method of using ground coffee, and another that uses the ESE coffee pods system.

I tend to use the pods in the week when I am in a hurry, and the ground coffee option at the weekend.

napoleond

I got a Nespresso for Christmas when they first came out, it's been great but not as good as a proper machine. I got a gaggia classic and a good grinder and the coffee is fabulous, makes the Nespresso seem watery! You can use the ESE pods too but I've never tried it with these.
I think for convenience though you can't beat the Nespresso.

ugo.santalucia

Totally against pods... you can make excellent coffee with a moka machine, a Bialetti will set you off 30 quid or so and last for the rest of your life. If you take sugar, you can make an espresso like by whipping the sugar with the first coffee that comes up until you get an off white cream which you then blend with the coffee, same as the spresso cream, this is an old Italian trick i am teaching you. If you don't take sugar, then you need a pressure moka... Bialetti did make one called Brikka, it used to get jammed, but when it didn't the coffee was espresso like. Not sure they still make it
Ultimately, you need an espresso machine, but they are expensive and unless you filter the water, they give up after a couple of years (or less).
Illy is the benchmark for decent coffee, but it is overpriced and if you have a Waitrose handy, their ground coffee is nearly as good for half the price. Lavazza gold is decent, the red on is shixe and so are all the other Lavazza varieties. French roast coffee is something in Italy we give to the pigs. Freshly ground coffee from the likes of Whittard is still the best option.

smidsy

ugo.santalucia wrote:

you can make excellent coffee with a moka machine, a Bialetti will set you off 30 quid or so and last for the rest of your life. If you take sugar, you can make an espresso like by whipping the sugar with the first coffee that comes up until you get an off white cream which you then blend with the coffee, same as the spresso cream, this is an old Italian trick i am teaching you.

I can vouch for this from 1st hand experience - lovely it was.

ugo.santalucia wrote:

French roast coffee is something in Italy we give to the pigs.

Quality comment that - even the Italians take the pi55 out of the French - love it

bianchimoon

Already have the bialetti, but a PIA when i'm half asleep.
I am leaning heavily towards the 'cheaper; Francis Francis X7.1 using Illy for decent quick cafe

cesco

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Totally against pods... you can make excellent coffee with a moka machine, a Bialetti will set you off 30 quid or so and last for the rest of your life. If you take sugar, you can make an espresso like by whipping the sugar with the first coffee that comes up until you get an off white cream which you then blend with the coffee, same as the spresso cream, this is an old Italian trick i am teaching you. If you don't take sugar, then you need a pressure moka... Bialetti did make one called Brikka, it used to get jammed, but when it didn't the coffee was espresso like. Not sure they still make it
Ultimately, you need an espresso machine, but they are expensive and unless you filter the water, they give up after a couple of years (or less).
Illy is the benchmark for decent coffee, but it is overpriced and if you have a Waitrose handy, their ground coffee is nearly as good for half the price. Lavazza gold is decent, the red on is shixe and so are all the other Lavazza varieties. French roast coffee is something in Italy we give to the pigs. Freshly ground coffee from the likes of Whittard is still the best option.

I am with you 90%, and I take it you're Italian, so I really shouldn't argue with you about coffee. However, personally I really like Lavazza Rosso; especially compared to other supermarket crap/brands.

@Bianchimoon: Anyway, nothing beats the good old Bialetti indeed, but check out the clever coffee dripper. It's my second favourite method after the moka pot, and a lot quicker. I should add that, as a Dutchie, I'm a sucker for filter coffee. http://www.sweetmarias.com/clevercoffee ... torial.php

ugo.santalucia

cesco wrote:

I am with you 90%, and I take it you're Italian, so I really shouldn't argue with you about coffee. However, personally I really like Lavazza Rosso; especially compared to other supermarket crap/brands.

20 years ago, when I was at Uni, Lavazza qualita' rossa was a decent coffee, then the all brand has gone downhill and these days I only save the 100% arabica Gold one, which is not great anyway (but it used to be).

Anyway, to the OP, if you want a real espresso board a plane to Naples... Italy is too vague, you really want to go to Naples, same for Pizza, you DO want to go to Naples!

bianchimoon

ugo.santalucia wrote:

cesco wrote:

I am with you 90%, and I take it you're Italian, so I really shouldn't argue with you about coffee. However, personally I really like Lavazza Rosso; especially compared to other supermarket crap/brands.

20 years ago, when I was at Uni, Lavazza qualita' rossa was a decent coffee, then the all brand has gone downhill and these days I only save the 100% arabica Gold one, which is not great anyway (but it used to be).

Anyway, to the OP, if you want a real espresso board a plane to Naples... Italy is too vague, you really want to go to Naples, same for Pizza, you DO want to go to Naples!

You'll not get me in a plane easily, did drive to Naples once, round bay of amalfi, Vesuvius etc and back up east coast, yes great coffees and pizza

confused@BR

This coffee debate/discussion rather revolves around how much 'texture' you want in your life. The other problem is we all change as the years go by and nostalgia isn't what it used to be. Pod machines seem to provide an adequate option for time-poor people or those who aren't too bothered.

I have a Bosch (Tassimo) pod machine which I bought by mistake, I was in a hurry. Tassimo is owned by Kraft who are, of course, the devil. They are not in the least environmentally friendly and quite expensive. However the drink provided is acceptable and free from fuss. Costa Coffee pods are particularly pleasant but others please too.

Lavazza was a fine brand of coffee when I was younger but I was pretty fine then too.

crumbschief

confused@BR wrote:

This coffee debate/discussion rather revolves around how much 'texture' you want in your life.

IBS is similar.

awavey

confused@BR wrote:

This coffee debate/discussion rather revolves around how much 'texture' you want in your life. The other problem is we all change as the years go by and nostalgia isn't what it used to be. Pod machines seem to provide an adequate option for time-poor people or those who aren't too bothered.

I have a Bosch (Tassimo) pod machine which I bought by mistake, I was in a hurry. Tassimo is owned by Kraft who are, of course, the devil. They are not in the least environmentally friendly and quite expensive. However the drink provided is acceptable and free from fuss. Costa Coffee pods are particularly pleasant but others please too.

Tassimo arent that bad, they always seem to be having a half price offer on the machines, and even the pods are on offer in Tescos at the moment, so Im happy to pig out with Costa coffee on it till it inevitably breaks and maybe Ill have saved enough pounds to buy a decent Gaggia or something

on the plus side having a pod machine still gives you the incentive to go out and find a decent coffee shop

Harrogate Velo50

As far as so called proper coffee machines go can't beat baby gaggia and for beans, try Asda extra special, made for them by Bettys of Harrogate

joelsim

I've got a Magimix Nespresso machine with frother (no, not one of those), and I think it's great.

bianchimoon

Harrogate Velo50 wrote:

As far as so called proper coffee machines go can't beat baby gaggia and for beans, try Asda extra special, made for them by Bettys of Harrogate

Damm now you've done it Baby Gaggia will do 'proper coffee and take ESE pods at not a bad price as well, going off Francis Francis and onto baby gagia now arrghh

bernithebiker

My wife and daughter use Nespresso capsules that arrive in the post, double boxed, and wrapped in glossy packaging, et. etc.

Unbelievably expensive for what it is. I'd love to work out the cost per kg of the coffee in those capsules. 30p for a tiny 5g of coffee? What's that £60 / kilo?

And now they're selling chocolate favour coffee for 45p a shot!!

I'll stick to tea.

jordan_217

I have the K:fee Podpronto one from Tesco. It's made in Germany and is also rebranded and sold by Starbucks, Aldi and a few others in the US.

http://www.tesco.com/direct/k-fee-1-pod ... 2-5032.prd

Tesco sell a red and a black colored one. They alternate which unit is half price, currently the black one is £44.50. Pods are £2 for 8. The Tesco Finest Columbian and Espresso pods are great. Though I do use two pods for larger cups/mugs. Starbucks (available at Debenhams too) sell a wider range of pods but they charge £6 for 12 but I managed to buy 1 box and get 2 free a while ago.

I really enjoy the coffee itself. As nice as anything else from the other pod machines and also nicer than the shit our company spend a fortune on from Has Beans.

I make one coffee a day at home, so the added convenience of this machine is great. I'd love to have a 'proper' coffee maker, grinder, etc but I don't drink enough coffee to warrant it.

team47b

It seems an expensive way to get an average cup of coffee.

@bernithebiker
http://www.amazon.co.uk/PG-Tips-Strong- ... s+tea+bags

other shopping emporia are available

Giraffoto

If you're going to quibble about the price, may I recommend a jar and a kettle? If you're fortunate enough to be a total and utter coffee ignoramus like me, you'll save a fortune over a coffee machine.