Just back from Paris where I came across three of the stores, a new one across from the Opera (which is one of the few launching their line of specialty chocolates) and the rue de Bis flagship store (didn't bother with the one on the Champs d'Ellysée on my Sunday stroll past it) both of which I dropped in to check out and enjoy a couple of small cups and some biscuits. Rather interesting to watch the store traffic and the clientelle. Seems lots of chic Parisians know where to find a free cup of coffee!

The big news is the release on March 4th of 5 new coffee blends -- or is that March 5th of 4? -- though I have yet to drop by my local outlet to see if we in North America will also see these new offerings next month.

I did notice a capsule is 10% cheaper than we pay in Canada, and that includes VAT (we pay no tax on ours). Curiously, the FOB that I use at the shop over here did not register over there, so I guess the North American data base is not integrated in the French/European one.

Nespereeso is insanely popular in Europe, but I am not to fond of it, just slightly better than sanka, really don't like it at all.

No particular fan of the concept, since most of the "normal" coffee I've had from my daughter's machine falls short of my usual expectations, I do like some of the specialty products (and the "expresso" comes closer than I expected.

Personally, I'd like to see them in hotel rooms (anything to replace some of the presetn coffee and makers), but wonder how the pods could be handled. Draw them at the desk when I check in? My hands are usually full.

I've found capsule machines in a few properties lately, though not a Nespresso yet. In those cases there has just been one basic regular and decaf offering, two capsules of each.

I agree that these should become the norm as I've seldom been able to make a decent pot from the regular type of machine. But I would expect Nespresso is too expansive for most hotel chains, though I notice the Westin in Seoul actually advertises Nespresso machines in its rooms.


One problem many Americans may find difficult to accept with the Nespresso system is the small size of the cup that each capsule delivers. Trying to make a "cup" of American proportions really requires using two capsules, not one. I still find the system an improvement over my old grind and filter (and I am spending much less on coffee too)...and I drink far less coffee now, which is not a reflection on the quality, just the sensibility. Again, Europeans have a very different approach to their coffee-taking than Americans, a reason Starbucks tends to not catch on over there...save for travelling and expat Americans who really want a "grande"!

....I don't know about those crafty tiny-cup swilling Uropeens. Back in my penurious younger days, I was introduced and took a lifetime subscription to that French working man's custom, a "soup bowl" of milky coffee and fresh bread to dunk in it, truly a breakfast of champions if followed by a quick "fin".

Among the best of ways to start the day....

There's one right near Sloane Square...

I simply buy Eduscho's Gala Nr. 1 in Germany - the best pre-ground vacuum-packed coffee I have tasted - found this out in CH when they had boutiques in the malls there...

Yes, and then you'll have a massive caffeine "hit", if you drink two of those "cups" (4 total) in quick succession...

I am at work and was falling asleep. Just had my Nespresso to keep me going. Fast easy and tasty ^

Reply to Docklander,
You can grind your own bean and use it in your nespresso machine (to have your first caffeine fix) !
http://www.ecospresso.fr/?q=node/13

great invention, and a very smart sales and marketing strategy.

we do not own one. the strongest CON: all those pods / capsules are additional waste.

then again, that is a very old world p.o.v.

Anyone try the new offerings yet? In Hong Kong at the moment and the outlet here in Time Square won't have them until the end of the month. Guess same for Seoul where I'm at next. The Bay outlets in Toronto got them Wednesday, though I had an early morning flight to get here, so will have to wait until Thursday or Friday when I'm at home. Looks like they are extending the Lungo offerings, which is an essential for those who like regular sized cups of their java.

I drink most of my coffee at the office, but every once in a while I do want a good shot of caffeine to start my morning. Other times I want a good espresso/cappucino to go with my after dinner dessert. My Nespresso and frother allow me to have both without having to keep fresh coffee beans around.

They just opened a boutique store in Boston in December. I dropped by a month ago to get a couple more sleeves...will try to drop by again soon to try the new varietals that came out last week.

Any details/links pertaining to this?

I am a huge, huge fan of Nespresso. First saw it many years ago in the Grand Hyatt Tokyo, and very glad to see it finally coming to the USA and becoming more popular.

One question if anyone knows. The Nespresso Lattisima is US$700 but the very same machine appears to be US$300 equivalent when bought in Europe. Any reason why I cannot but that machine in Europe, carry it home, slap a new plug on the end and voila? I would assume these are worldwide electrics, just with different plugs? Does anyone know?

Thanks!

US electric current is 110 volt, versus 220-240v in Europe/Asia...

In addition, if there any motorized parts, the frequency or Hertz (Hz) varies, and could make a difference in the speed of the particular motor being used, in addition to frying it slowly or fast...

I have noted that in the US it seems to be very hard to get a really good brewed coffee (at least in my area), as the US version coffeemakers (drip-brew type) do not heat the water as hot as in Europe/Asia...just my experience, but maybe the wiring in my house is faulty!

There are transformers to change the current, but I'm not sure if such a "step-up" transformer is readily available in the US - I know I use some "step-down" transformers in India for my US stuff, but they also seem to get fried very easily, even with voltage stabilizers/surge suppressors, etc...

The new varieties are here: http://www.nespresso.com/revelations/

The NY boutique has all of them, except for the new Finezzo Lungo (it's apparently just a reformulation of the old blend). The Pure Origins also come packaged in a three pack (one of each). They're on the strong side - the Indian one (intensity: 10) is like a very, very strong Volluto. The Brazilian (5) - my favourite of the three - is pretty mellow and the Columbian (6) is somewhere in between. Also quite like the Fortissio Lungo.