I'd consider hand-carry to be high risk as the device fits the profile for building a bomb, so at some point some security checkpoint will ban it and you risk confiscation. It isn't fragile so no drawback in being in checked luggage.

Not a big fan of Nespresso, but it is convenient for offices or hotel rooms. Although for this I really prefer the LaVazza espresso point system machines, which are much better.

At home I use Illy's E.S.E. pods and find them just as convenient but much better tasting. I also like how I am not committed to using any particular brand of coffee. I can use standard grounds with my machine, or can buy E.S.E. pods from LaVazza or other companies if I choose.

Prior to Nespresso, Lavazza espresso was also my choice. It remains an excellent coffee. I left some in a freezer at a vacation property in Brasil, and found it 1 year later this April. Enjoyable in 30C heat looking out to the sea, even then with a simple expresso pot over the stove. When friends from Lombardia came over, it all disappeared.

I previously used a Gaggia Carezza (replacing it twice in 5 years) for my own personal mix (80% Lavazza or Santa Clara, and 20% Mokka-Yemen ) and it was enjoyable to grind, mix, and drink. It is similar to Lavazza Napolitano or Lavazza Espresso Gold.

The panarello wands to steam milk on the machine were never used. The coffee was that good. However, the problem was from time to time, the coffee would become a little acid. I believe the problem was the longevity of the machnes, versus the constant cleaning needed, dismantling of the machine, and flushing out the filter grid.

The Nespresso system is better in that the coffee is consistently good, any time, all the time. No acidity, and no mess. If someone wants steamed milk froth, the aerocchino device which sits patiently on the black granite at home, waits only for guests to come and knock at the door.

Nothing beats a Jura........ :D

Ola Gaucho !

Claro ! The Jura mountains are right behind us.

Being Italian and drinking coffe every morning and almost every day after lunch I can't stop saying thank you to the people who invented Nespresso..

I now live in NY and of all the coffee bars/chains/restaurants that I've tried none matches the Nespresso, especially the "Arpeggio" or "Ristretto" ones..

When I'm back in Italy I'd take a real "Bar" coffee over a Nespresso at home, but that's the only occasion..

Finally, recycling comes to North America
 

Well, at least to Canada (er, okay Toronto and Vancouver). Just received this email and my capsules are about ready to be dumped...good timing.


"We are delighted to announce our partnership with the eco-innovator, Terracycle® to offer an exciting recycling opportunity for used Nespresso capsules through the Nespresso Ecolaboration Brigade®.

"Every time you enjoy Nespresso, save the capsule and start collecting them. You can then bring them back to one of our collection points for recycling at your nearest Nespresso Boutique.

"If you have any questions about the service, our Coffee Specialists will be happy to answer them. You can contact us at 866.212.8481 for more information."


Don't know if this has been launched in the US yet. I know it's been going in Europe for a couple of years now.

A new recycling scheme started in the UK a couple of months ago. A green collection bag comes with your order. Deposit used capsules in the bag and then when you order again, you book a collection and the delivery company takes them away when they deliver your new capsules. I think it is a great idea. I have only returned one filled bag so far but I have learnt to let the capsules dry out before they go in the green bag or it gets incredibly mouldy and smelly!

I often use Coffee duck for nespresso. It's a refillable basket that can be used in nespresso machines to cut back on the usage of their capsules.

They come in 2 styles, one for machines pre-2010 and another for Citiz and machines post-2010. They work well with Illy. :D

I am obsessed I had to have a look inside a capsule
 

If you want to know/see more about the inside of a Nespresso capsule, you can see a short video here: http://youtu.be/oXhvZC4wNA0

Per the Youtube video:

If it is just powdered coffee in a foil wrapper, then why are so many trying to subvert ( coffeeduck, Sara Lee's brand, etc) or outright copy the idea (The so called "Ethical coffee " cuckoo capsule, a vengeance move by a disgraced, former employee) for the Nespresso capsule ?

Strange: You don't see this for other brands, do you ? Why just Nespresso ?

Answer: To cash in on the idea, and to grab as much of the Nespresso market share they can. And who cares if it ruins your machine along the way, as they don't warranty the quality of what you use, or problems it creates for you machines. Tough luck for you: Theye are only interested in grabbing some short-term market share.

I know a pensioner who used coffeeduck capsule to make tea. Nice idea for her. In the process of using that capsule, it ruined her machine, which we replaced last December.

Should someone replace cheap super market coffee at Starbucks ? Try that out in Wien, Milano, or Roma ? No one would go there I think, with business dropping off.

But for the capsule hijackers, it's your money in their fat dirty pockets.

Thank you for the information that the coffeeduck ruins the machine. Luckily for me this hasn't happenned yet (fingers crossed). Can you describe what happened? I got the coffeeduck because I was concerned that the capsules were not very eco-concious. I can repurpose my illy containers but not the nespresso capsules.

Plus I also like illy, and lavazza and had managed to find a very affordable supply in Dubai when I was there. Needless to say I stocked up and then had multiple appliances and no counter space left in my kitchen! :p:D

I can describe the scenario quite well, given it occurred in 2010.

Our friend had a Nespresso machine made here, and used the coffeduck capsules, chamois or gold coloured plastic or polyprophelene of some kind. She offered us an expresso coffee first, which unfortunately was somewhat bitter. There were a few grinds that also leaked into the cup, and I gently teased her about being surprised at her serving Greek coffee.

She said she was using tea for herself, and demonstrated how she filled ground tea into the capsule. I had heard about these capsules but had not seen one before as they do not sell them here. I noticed that there was a little remaining grinds in the capsule tray, and cleaned those out for her in the sink.

Two months later we took her to the local Vendange festivities here (so this would have been October) and she told us her machine had gone out. The coffeeduck capsule had jammed in the loading mechanism. Later I took a look at the machine coming home, and it appeared to have been crushed; Quite a mess !

I asked her if I could work on it in my shop and took it home. No luck even with my best magnifying glass, hemostat, and surgical knife. I informed her and asked if she wanted an electric tea pot, but she said the machine was primarily for guests. We then gave her a new C 100 machine for the holidays.

I understand some believing that these capsules will allow them to enjoy a coffee brand or mix that they like. Previously I did this too using Brasilian beans and a Gaggia Carezza for many years. But seeing the results it just does not work.

Wasting a little money on the cuckoo capsules is one thing: Throwing away a perfectly good Nespresso machine using something never intended, is not worth it, and not warranted. With these capsule " entrepreneurs ", you and your machine are on your own.

Do you have a view on how Nespresso machine coffee tastes (expresso) compared to say with my original Gaggia Synchrony?

Where exactly? Just wondering if this would make any difference...

However, the Nespresso machines are not that infallible - I haven't put either of mine to much use whatsoever, and the pressure (probably due to seals) is not very good - both of my machines are exhibiting problems.

I have only used the Nespresso coffee capsule as well!

(Now tired of the Nespresso concept, due to the above....not worth the investment...)