Nespresso is owned by Nestlé group based in Lausanne, Switzerland… You no longer have to wait for coffee shops to open early in the morning, as now you have the simple and easy way to make your own espresso, cappuccino or latte. Thanks to Nespresso, a coffee-making machine Company founded more than 25 years ago. They began with an innovative idea to make the ideal cup of Espresso coffee with tantalizing aromas, exquisite cream and the perfect taste that serves similar like the world-class baristas does.
Be it espressos, cappuccino or lattes, coffee aficionados love them all. If you are an avid coffee drinker (like me) then never make a mistake buying a cheaper coffee machine as brewing is the key process of coffee making. The whole line of Nespresso coffee machines are promising to deliver the perfect cup of cappuccino, espresso or latte; cup after cup.
Nespresso Secret To The Perfect Blend:
For me, Nespresso coffees are like magic. They consistently deliver the same aroma, taste and excellence! The secret behind this magic is Nespresso coffee capsules, also known as coffee pods. Each of these coffee capsules uses the exact combination of coffee and flavors, which are roasted to excellence and then carefully ground.
After grounding, it is sealed in an airtight aluminum pouch stasis. The ground coffee inside the aluminum pouch is exposed to air only by the machine when the water is heated perfectly and forced in the capsule with just right pressure to brew the perfect blend every time you have a cup of coffee.
I have been using a Nespresso machine for one year now and one thing I came to know is the assurance that no other coffee maker is as perfect as Nespresso, whilst providing the perfect blend of coffee every time. Espresso brewed by Nespresso machine is similar to the high-priced coffee cafes. The best part is: Nespresso has many coffee pods to choose from in different flavors.
Choosing Your Espresso Machine
First thing first. What is the type of espresso machine that you need?
- Semi Automatic Espresso Machine – Most popular but requires some skill and more maintenance work. ($100 – $1000)
- Automatic Espresso Machine – Simple and fuss-free. Great for offices. ($100 – $500)
- Super Automatic Espresso Machine – Almost everything is automated. ($500 – $3000)
After settling for your type of machine, then it’s about getting value for your money. You don’t want a espresso machine that is flimsy, difficult to use, and breaks down every so often. So keep an eye out for these good points in a machine:
- Brass boilers are better and more durable, but stainless steel boilers are still better than aluminum ones
- Double boilers make heating up faster
- Study build; preferably metal than plastic
- The spouts or the cup stand are adjustable for different sizes of coffee
- Designed to be easy to use and clean
- Safe
Here are some of my top picks for the different kinds of espresso machine.
Best Nespresso Espresso Machine Reviews
1. Nespresso CitiZ & Milk Espresso Machine by De’Longhi
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If you don’t have much space on your kitchen top but love lattes and cappuccinos, the Citiz will be the best Nespresso machine to buy as it only takes about one sq. ft. of space together with the Aeroccino milk frother.
Plus, it would fit in great with any interior look because even though it has a modern design, this Nespresso machine has a retro aesthetic to it. On top of that, you can pick which color you fancy most: steel gray, 60’s white or fire engine red.
2. Nespresso Pixie Espresso Machine by De’Longhi with Aeroccino
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Don’t even have one square foot to spare? Go for the Pixie then, which is a brick of an espresso machine. Solid and compact, this beauty sits in your kitchen making it even more modernistic than it already is.
The aluminum and plastic body is bound to last. You can choose from several striking colors and have it bundled with milk frother, coffee pod carousel and so on. As for the espresso? It certainly tastes great with the 19-bar pump pressure the Pixie has
3. Nespresso KitchenAid KES0504ER Nespresso Bundle
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The latest model in the Nespresso OriginalLine has an attractive KitchenAid Artisan mixer design that you’d love if you own an Artisan. This compact machine makes espresso, ristretto and lungo sizes with 19-bar pump pressure, certainly no compromising quality for design.
You’ll notice that the Nespresso KitchenAid has a hand lever, which is a great option for those who want to pull the shot manually, but it does have the programmed buttons for brewing as well. Remember to get the Aeroccino milk frother bundled with the espresso machine for better value.
4. Nespresso VertuoLine Coffee and Espresso Machine Bundle with Aeroccino Milk Frother
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The VertuoLine is a trial series by Nespresso that combines an espresso machine and a coffee maker into one. While the regular coffee is richer than what you would get from drip coffee makers and even single serve machines, it seems slightly overdone and has a bitter aftertaste. The espresso is similar to what other Nespresso machines make, though the pods for this series are of different sizes, so you can’t use any old pods you owned with this machine.
If your family drinks both regular coffee and espresso, and would like to save counter top space using only one machine, this is the one to go for.
5. Nespresso Inissia Espresso Maker
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This is by far the cheapest Nespresso machine you can get! Although made with a plastic housing, this little espresso machine that costs less than $100 gives you more than its physical worth with a 19-bar pump pressure and very good, crema-topped espressos and lungos.
The no-wait and one-button operation is so convenient that even the regular baristas who grind and hand brew their espressos would love to use this once in a while.
6. Nespresso Lattissima Plus Original Espresso Machine with Milk Frother by De’Longhi
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DeLonghi mechanics and Nespresso capsules? Believe it because this espresso machine means business. Two great companies have took what they do best and made a product specifically for the barista in you. Brew, Froth and pour all in one place with the Lattissima Plus.
7. Nespresso C60 Pixie Super Automatic Espresso Machine
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This mini power house is one that delivers a great espresso shot every time. You are able to choose from short or lungo with just a click of the button. When it comes to looks this product come in a wide range of colours that anyone would appreciate. Be sure to check it out and see what the C60 Pixie is all about.
8. Nespresso D121-US-BK-NE1 Citiz Espresso Machine
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This machine is one that every barista should have. With one touch milk frothing from Nespresso Aeroccino your next espresso drink will not only impress yourself but everyone else who is anxious to try it. One touch functionality is what makes this product one of the best by Nespresso.
9. Nespresso Essenza Mini Original Espresso Machine Bundle with Aeroccino Milk Frother
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Small, compact, fast and efficient are just a few words to describe the Nespresso Essenza. If you are someone who is on the go and appreciates a perfectly brewed espresso then look no further. Equipped with Nespresso’s famous Aeroccino, one is able to create a fabulous drink in just a couple minutes.
Tips for Making Great Espresso
1. Beans and Grind
Always use fresh beans and grind them just before making the shot. That way the beans will not lose flavor before it goes into your coffee. Get a good burr grinder, even though it may be expensive. A good grinder will give you much better espressos than a cheap and low quality grinder.
The size of the grind should be just right for your espresso machine. For each espresso machine, the correct size of the grind may be different, so you might want to test out a couple of sizes until you find the best one for your machine.
2. Tamp
A firm tamp is needed to get the flavor out of the beans and make strong espresso, because too loose a tamp will allow the water to pass through the grind too quickly and result in a weak taste.
On the other hand, if you tamp too hard the water might take too long to pass through and result in a burnt and bitter taste. Find the right amount of pressure to put on the tamp with a few practices.
3. Heat
Allow the espresso maker to heat up properly before making your first shot each time. A tip for making sure everything is hot enough to make a good espresso, is to run an empty shot through the machine before putting the grounds. This will warm the cup for the espresso as well.
4. Timing
Usually you stop the machine when the shot glass is full, but what if you use a different size cup? If you stop it too early, the espresso will be strong but lack the lovely crema that comes at the end; but if you stop it too late, it will be weak and comes with a bitter taste.
One shot of espresso is about 1.25 oz, and twice that for double shot. Get that right and you have a great espresso.
Well, those are a few tips for making a great espresso, and do remember to clean the machine thoroughly because a dirty espresso machine can never make a tasty espresso. Happy espresso making!