Nespresso

Bought myself a new coffee machine the other day - I plumped for a Nespresso having had a demonstration in a local cookware shop. Whilst the Tassimo I already own can make teas and hot chocolates as well I decided that I wanted a machine that made proper strong coffee with a good crema layer - the Crema layer on a Tassimo is no so good, and on many coffee's comes out with "holes" in it revealing the coffee underneath, and thus allowing the flavours etc to escape.

What I like about the Nespresso is the small footprint of the machine, and the choices available, I purchased the new Pixie model and this machine features the ability to make 2 coffee sizes at the touch of a button - Espresso and Lungo, and gives you the chance to customise the size as well, so that the coffee coming out of the machine fits your cup perfectly. There is also storage in the machine for 10 used capsules.

There is a great choice of coffee for the machine - the standard range features 16 Grand Cru's - 7 Espresso Blends, 3 Pure Origin Espressos 3 Lungos (larger coffee) and 3 Decaffeinated blends - 2 Espresso and 1 Lungo, thankfully to help you decide which blends you like, you 1 capsule of each blend with the machine, along with a guide to each blend, giving a description and strength guide. Also I have been told that throughout the year limited edition coffee's are produced as well - be interesting to see what comes out this year.

Getting capsules for the Nespresso is different to other coffee machines, as you can only order capsules online or purchase them from a Nespresso Boutique (to give the machine more class I guess) - the nearest boutique to where I live is in London, and I have a choice of going to boutiques in the top London department stores Harrods, Selfridges or the stand alone boutique in Knightsbridge, where I also have the chance to buy accessories for the machine. However if you live in France you can purchase L'Or capsules from a French supermarket. L'Or being a brand of coffee made by Maison Du Cafe, rather than Nespresso, so I am looking forward to getting some of those when I next go to France, as I'm told it works out cheaper to purchase these rather than Nespresso capsules.

All in all I'm really pleased I bought the machine and am looking forward to enjoying the pleasure of drinking coffee even more.