Nespresso... yes or no?

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Date: 02 Oct 2006 14:44:54
From: Lead
Subject: Nespresso... yes or no?

This has been bugging me for a while... I've seem these machines
everywhere, and have taken samples at a couple demos. Actually very
delicious shots, as they were designed to automatically pull shots with
insane precision. Very nice, but feels so wrong. Is it that this is
just too convenient? Is it taking the "love" out of grinding your own
coffee and pulling your own shots?

I'm seriously debating whether I should get one or not... a $200
Nespresso machine would excel by leaps and bounds a grinder and machine
totalling the same price.

So, am I right, do these make great coffee but are a debacle to what we
love and have a passion for? Or, do these make only decent shots that
an experienced barista can easily top?

Date: 04 Oct 2006 06:58:07
From: Omniryx@gmail.com
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

I wondered in the beginning if this weren't a troll....maybe not,
though.

Asking an altie if Nespresso machines make good coffee is like asking
the pope if Kool Aid and vanilla wafers are appropriate to use at mass.
The answer is fairly predictable.

After years and years of dating Miss Silvia, I've come out of the
closet and fallen in love with Bad Old Brewtus, so there isn't much
doubt about my personal preference.

Still, for an awful lot of people the Nespresso system makes perfect
sense and it is mere self-congratulatory snobbery to dismiss them all
as taste bud deficient morons. A couple of my friends use Nespresso
machines and we have one in another area of the office where I practice
so I've had more than a few cups. For my palate, it tends to be
reasonably drinkable, somewhat thin and flat, though the crema is
wonderful. Certainly better than I can get at a local Star_ucks or
most of the local restaurants. You won't get any God shots but what
you will get is a fast, clean, efficient, highly repeatable cup of
middle-of-the-road espresso. That is what lots of people want. And it
is OK for them to want that.

Will

Date: 04 Oct 2006 01:05:51
From: CrackAddict
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

Just because a huge multinational decides to make a business investment
does not make it a success. Today's news tells me that BenQ has ditched
their Siemens mobile purchase ($800 million) in one year! Big players
make BIG mistakes. I once had a car with Michelin "metric" tires.
Anyone remember them? Didn't think so. Huge investment. Proprietary.
Dead. Michelin survives - pity about the poor buggers with Nespresso
tires :-)

So - back to Nespresso. The provided link is a press release. Nespresso
can afford the best PR. Soaring demand for espresso in Europe? Perhaps.
But soaring demand for Nespresso? That's a reach. I live in Europe
(sort of - I live in the UK and they still refer to France as
"overseas") and the number one coffee drink is... instant! Over 50%! So
maybe if you GIVE away the machines, you can convince instant drinkers
that Nespresso is a good idea for those that have low quality
thresholds and are neat freaks - but wouldn't the lazy bums just stick
with instant? Sort of a niche ket (not that real coffee isn't).

There are many lies about coffee and more than a few elephants in any
caf=E9, but people who care about good coffee will not be buying
Nespresso machines (remember where this thread started? -

>So, am I right, do these make great coffee but are a debacle to what we
love and have a passion for? Or, do these make only decent shots that
an experienced barista can easily top? <

No - they don't make great coffee. And in addition, the whole concept
will fade ina few years like the fondue pots of the 1970s. Yes, I know
they made a vinyl-record comeback (or "dead cat bounce" as we call it)
and I know the Swiss have fondue for breakfast lunch and dinner, but
let's meet back here in five years and see how Nespresso is doing.

shall wrote:
> On 3 Oct 2006 02:02:52 -0700, "CrackAddict" <smppix@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I see at least one person (not "CrackAddict"), had a problem following
> the argument on this thread. So, to clarify:
>
> >Every few years, someone invents a new espresso "system" and imagines
> >making their millions. Hasn't happened yet.
>
> Yes, it has. Nespresso is the leading example.
>
> > I think the issue is both quality and availability.
>
> Beyond a fairly low quality threshold, convenience and neatness become
> bigger issues for many people. Pod machines, like Nespresso, solve
> this problem. Pods are particularly popular in Europe, maybe because
> of their smaller kitchens (than the U.S.)
>
> > Proprietary solutions should be shunned
> >because you will be tied to a particular supplier.
>
> That's my view. But there is a huge ket of people who feel
> otherwise.
>
> > Maybe Nespresso has
> >offered free licencing for its pods, but I doubt it. They plan to be
> >your only supplier forever. But their forever is as long as they are
> >making acceptable profits. In a few years, the machines will be boat
> >anchors.
>
> If any Nespressos will be "boat anchors" in the next "few years," it
> will be for the yachts of Nestle shareholders.
>
> shall "don't confuse business statistics with personal preferences"

Date: 04 Oct 2006 07:15:09
From: Harry Moos
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

Just curious. How long has this Nespresso machine been on the ket? I
have had one of the logo cups for about six years, but I'm sure the system
has been around longer than that. I just don't remember how long.

"CrackAddict" <smppix@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1159949151.043948.221030@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
Just because a huge multinational decides to make a business investment
does not make it a success.

Date: 03 Oct 2006 22:01:43
From: hfw
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

NO! We had one, and bought the big sampler to see which to order later.
None of them--I found the coffee (it really wasn't, or at least didn't
deserved to be called, espresso) very disappointing, and horrifically
expensive. A pod makes a single. Pods are (or were then) about $.55
each, which meant $1.10 for a double. Added to that was the cost of
shipping and NY tax. And the guilt for all that packaging being
discarded every day.

Its best feature was the total lack of messiness.

--Heidi, who went from there to a Gaggia Classic plus Rocky

Lead wrote:
> This has been bugging me for a while... I've seem these machines
> everywhere, and have taken samples at a couple demos. Actually very
> delicious shots, as they were designed to automatically pull shots with
> insane precision. Very nice, but feels so wrong. Is it that this is
> just too convenient? Is it taking the "love" out of grinding your own
> coffee and pulling your own shots?
>
> I'm seriously debating whether I should get one or not... a $200
> Nespresso machine would excel by leaps and bounds a grinder and machine
> totalling the same price.
>
> So, am I right, do these make great coffee but are a debacle to what we
> love and have a passion for? Or, do these make only decent shots that
> an experienced barista can easily top?
>

Date: 03 Oct 2006 13:01:32
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

Not with their browser! and Google runs on Linux! All 450,000 of
their computers.

just 2 examples.

dave

Walter Voigt wrote:
> Of course Microsoft makes great software! You are probably surfing the web
> because, mainly, of Microsoft.
> Don't be so critical.
> Walter
>
>
> "daveb" <davebobblane@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1159890920.810774.142720@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
> > that makes it good?
> >
> > that's like saying Microsoft makes great software.
> >
> > megadollars = good.
> >
> >
> > shall wrote:
> > > On 3 Oct 2006 02:02:52 -0700, "CrackAddict" <smppix@gmail.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > >Every few years, someone invents a new espresso "system" and imagines
> > > >making their millions. Hasn't happened yet. I think the issue is both
> > > >quality and availability. Proprietary solutions should be shunned
> > > >because you will be tied to a particular supplier. Maybe Nespresso has
> > > >offered free licencing for its pods, but I doubt it. They plan to be
> > > >your only supplier forever. But their forever is as long as they are
> > > >making acceptable profits. In a few years, the machines will be boat
> > > >anchors.
> > >
> > > Yeah, those silly Nespresso dreamers. Sales are up more than 30% each
> > > year for the last five years. They're tossing away $121,000,000 on a
> > > new production and distribution center. Only expect $1,656,000,000
> > > sales in 2010.
> > > http://www.beveragedaily.com/news/ng.asp?n=70491-nestle-coffee-nespresso
> > >
> > > No future in it at all.
> > >
> > > shall
> >

Date: 03 Oct 2006 16:59:35
From: Robert Hermon
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

Without question, Linux wins on the server. Rock solid!
And if more hardware vendors would write Linux drivers, it would own the
desktop too.

As far as the Nespresso goes, maybe if it was PIDed?

Date: 03 Oct 2006 12:46:21
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

Date: 03 Oct 2006 12:38:03
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Nespresso... no

Wait a damn minute! We here at AC sit in judgement of all things
coffee, and hate pods!

have you forgotten?

dave"121"

Harry Moos wrote:
> Yes, because if there were something better, the dollars would go there.
> Talk is cheap. It's results that bring in the money. It may not fill your
> needs, but apparently it fills someone's needs.
>
>

Date: 03 Oct 2006 12:36:22
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes ? no

OR soemthing a little newer: APS cameras

Robert Harmon wrote:
> Not every idea generates a lasting paradigm shift in consumer
> preferences And just as P.T. Barnum's, "There's sucker born every
> minute.", should be amended to "... but even a sucker can get wise.",
> every buyer of a Nespresso could reach a plateau beyond which their
> machine cannot take them. Word gets around that the machine is not
> capable of "real" espresso shots & sales will slow to an unsupportable
> level; then they're out of business.
>
> Want an example? Can you say Kodak Disk Camera?
>
> Robert
>
> shall wrote:
> > Yeah, those silly Nespresso dreamers. Sales are up more than 30% each
> > year for the last five years. They're tossing away $121,000,000 on a
> > new production and distribution center. Only expect $1,656,000,000
> > sales in 2010.
> > http://www.beveragedaily.com/news/ng.asp?n=70491-nestle-coffee-nespresso
> >
> > No future in it at all.
> >
> > shall

Date: 04 Oct 2006 05:46:53
From: Robert Hermon
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes ? no

Without question, Linux wins on the server. Rock solid!
And if more hardware vendors would write Linux drivers, it would own the
desktop too.

As far as the Nespresso goes, maybe if it was PIDed?

Date: 03 Oct 2006 11:13:10
From: Robert Harmon
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

Not every idea generates a lasting paradigm shift in consumer
preferences And just as P.T. Barnum's, "There's sucker born every
minute.", should be amended to "... but even a sucker can get wise.",
every buyer of a Nespresso could reach a plateau beyond which their
machine cannot take them. Word gets around that the machine is not
capable of "real" espresso shots & sales will slow to an unsupportable
level; then they're out of business.

Want an example? Can you say Kodak Disk Camera?

Robert

shall wrote:
> Yeah, those silly Nespresso dreamers. Sales are up more than 30% each
> year for the last five years. They're tossing away $121,000,000 on a
> new production and distribution center. Only expect $1,656,000,000
> sales in 2010.
> http://www.beveragedaily.com/news/ng.asp?n=70491-nestle-coffee-nespresso
>
> No future in it at all.
>
> shall

Date: 03 Oct 2006 13:15:33
From: Lloyd Parsons
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

In article <1159899190.611044.187150@m7g2000cwm.googlegroups.com >,
"Robert Harmon" <r_h_harmon@hotmail.com > wrote:

> Not every idea generates a lasting paradigm shift in consumer
> preferences And just as P.T. Barnum's, "There's sucker born every
> minute.", should be amended to "... but even a sucker can get wise.",
> every buyer of a Nespresso could reach a plateau beyond which their
> machine cannot take them. Word gets around that the machine is not
> capable of "real" espresso shots & sales will slow to an unsupportable
> level; then they're out of business.
>
> Want an example? Can you say Kodak Disk Camera?
>
> Robert
>
> shall wrote:
> > Yeah, those silly Nespresso dreamers. Sales are up more than 30% each
> > year for the last five years. They're tossing away $121,000,000 on a
> > new production and distribution center. Only expect $1,656,000,000
> > sales in 2010.
> > http://www.beveragedaily.com/news/ng.asp?n=70491-nestle-coffee-nespresso
> >
> > No future in it at all.
> >
> > shall

Since most people wouldn't know or care what a 'real espresso' shot is,
it might make no difference.

While I wouldn't care for the nespresso, I also don't care for straight
espresso shots either. Give me a cap or latte, or better yet, just cafe
cremas and I'm good to go.

Date: 03 Oct 2006 22:04:51
From: hfw
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

It was pointless to make milk drinks with the Nespresso. Black wasn't
great, but for a cappuccino or latte, the coffee flavor was simply not
there.

--Heidi

Lloyd Parsons wrote:
> In article <1159899190.611044.187150@m7g2000cwm.googlegroups.com>,
> "Robert Harmon" <r_h_harmon@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Not every idea generates a lasting paradigm shift in consumer
>> preferences And just as P.T. Barnum's, "There's sucker born every
>> minute.", should be amended to "... but even a sucker can get wise.",
>> every buyer of a Nespresso could reach a plateau beyond which their
>> machine cannot take them. Word gets around that the machine is not
>> capable of "real" espresso shots & sales will slow to an unsupportable
>> level; then they're out of business.
>>
>> Want an example? Can you say Kodak Disk Camera?
>>
>> Robert
>>
>> shall wrote:
>>> Yeah, those silly Nespresso dreamers. Sales are up more than 30% each
>>> year for the last five years. They're tossing away $121,000,000 on a
>>> new production and distribution center. Only expect $1,656,000,000
>>> sales in 2010.
>>> http://www.beveragedaily.com/news/ng.asp?n=70491-nestle-coffee-nespresso
>>>
>>> No future in it at all.
>>>
>>> shall
>
> Since most people wouldn't know or care what a 'real espresso' shot is,
> it might make no difference.
>
> While I wouldn't care for the nespresso, I also don't care for straight
> espresso shots either. Give me a cap or latte, or better yet, just cafe
> cremas and I'm good to go.

Date: 03 Oct 2006 08:55:21
From: daveb
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

that makes it good?

that's like saying Microsoft makes great software.

megadollars = good.

shall wrote:
> On 3 Oct 2006 02:02:52 -0700, "CrackAddict" <smppix@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >Every few years, someone invents a new espresso "system" and imagines
> >making their millions. Hasn't happened yet. I think the issue is both
> >quality and availability. Proprietary solutions should be shunned
> >because you will be tied to a particular supplier. Maybe Nespresso has
> >offered free licencing for its pods, but I doubt it. They plan to be
> >your only supplier forever. But their forever is as long as they are
> >making acceptable profits. In a few years, the machines will be boat
> >anchors.
>
> Yeah, those silly Nespresso dreamers. Sales are up more than 30% each
> year for the last five years. They're tossing away $121,000,000 on a
> new production and distribution center. Only expect $1,656,000,000
> sales in 2010.
> http://www.beveragedaily.com/news/ng.asp?n=70491-nestle-coffee-nespresso
>
> No future in it at all.
>
> shall

Date: 03 Oct 2006 15:14:05
From: Walter Voigt
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

Of course Microsoft makes great software! You are probably surfing the web
because, mainly, of Microsoft.
Don't be so critical.
Walter

"daveb" <davebobblane@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1159890920.810774.142720@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
> that makes it good?
>
> that's like saying Microsoft makes great software.
>
> megadollars = good.
>
>
> shall wrote:
> > On 3 Oct 2006 02:02:52 -0700, "CrackAddict" <smppix@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > >Every few years, someone invents a new espresso "system" and imagines
> > >making their millions. Hasn't happened yet. I think the issue is both
> > >quality and availability. Proprietary solutions should be shunned
> > >because you will be tied to a particular supplier. Maybe Nespresso has
> > >offered free licencing for its pods, but I doubt it. They plan to be
> > >your only supplier forever. But their forever is as long as they are
> > >making acceptable profits. In a few years, the machines will be boat
> > >anchors.
> >
> > Yeah, those silly Nespresso dreamers. Sales are up more than 30% each
> > year for the last five years. They're tossing away $121,000,000 on a
> > new production and distribution center. Only expect $1,656,000,000
> > sales in 2010.
> > http://www.beveragedaily.com/news/ng.asp?n=70491-nestle-coffee-nespresso
> >
> > No future in it at all.
> >
> > shall
>

Date: 03 Oct 2006 22:14:06
From: Mud Pup
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

Walter Voigt wrote:
> Of course Microsoft makes great software! You are probably surfing the web
> because, mainly, of Microsoft.
> Don't be so critical.
> Walter

hmm, Mozilla browser, Cisco routers, Apache web server,
all running on Linux, but I guess you can believe whatever
you want.

http://news.netcraft.com/archives/web_server_survey.html

Date: 03 Oct 2006 21:07:12
From: Ian Smith
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

On Tue, 3 Oct 2006, Walter Voigt <wvoigt@comcast.net > wrote:

> Of course Microsoft makes great software!

Not normally. Microsoft typically absorbs good software, and does
great keting (if keting is judged by results rather than
ethics).

> You are probably surfing the web because, mainly, of Microsoft.

Really? And how do you figure that out?
(Starting, of course, with teh observation that actually, no I'm not
surfing the web.)

regards, Ian SMith
--

Date: 03 Oct 2006 12:52:25
From: Harry Moos
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

Yes, because if there were something better, the dollars would go there.
Talk is cheap. It's results that bring in the money. It may not fill your
needs, but apparently it fills someone's needs.

"daveb" <davebobblane@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1159890920.810774.142720@h48g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
> that makes it good?
>
> that's like saying Microsoft makes great software.
>
> megadollars = good.

Date: 03 Oct 2006 19:09:15
From: Mud Pup
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

Harry Moos wrote:
> Yes, because if there were something better, the dollars would go there.

Unless that something was free.

Date: 03 Oct 2006 05:38:06
From: daveb
Subject: Re: NOPODZO, PERIOD

NO PODS DAMMIT!

I have an UNOPENED 'senseo' kit I can send you!

DAVE "121"

Date: 03 Oct 2006 02:02:52
From: CrackAddict
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

Every few years, someone invents a new espresso "system" and imagines
making their millions. Hasn't happened yet. I think the issue is both
quality and availability. Proprietary solutions should be shunned
because you will be tied to a particular supplier. Maybe Nespresso has
offered free licencing for its pods, but I doubt it. They plan to be
your only supplier forever. But their forever is as long as they are
making acceptable profits. In a few years, the machines will be boat
anchors.

It's the nature of the beast. The output can only be so good. They want
to maximize profits and have no compettition, so the quality will tend
to be only as good as absolutely necessary. Just like superket
coffee.. And then there is the volume required. Can packaged espresso
coffee ever be as good as coffee you roast and grind at home? Only if
you are very, very bad at roasting and grinding.

I just had a sample from one of these machines last week, I asked for
the ristretto, and what I got was a certainly drinkable, somewhat
thin/watery shot with a great creama. If I had ordered a single
espresso it would have been borderline acceptable in a restaurant - but
only because so much restaurant coffee is horrible.

So if you don't mind being tied to a supplier and paying over the odds
for inferior coffee, go for it!

Lead wrote:
> This has been bugging me for a while... I've seem these machines
> everywhere, and have taken samples at a couple demos. Actually very
> delicious shots, as they were designed to automatically pull shots with
> insane precision. Very nice, but feels so wrong. Is it that this is
> just too convenient? Is it taking the "love" out of grinding your own
> coffee and pulling your own shots?
>
> I'm seriously debating whether I should get one or not... a $200
> Nespresso machine would excel by leaps and bounds a grinder and machine
> totalling the same price.
>
> So, am I right, do these make great coffee but are a debacle to what we
> love and have a passion for? Or, do these make only decent shots that
> an experienced barista can easily top?

Date: 03 Oct 2006 21:03:30
From: Marshall
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

On 3 Oct 2006 02:02:52 -0700, "CrackAddict" <smppix@gmail.com > wrote:

I see at least one person (not "CrackAddict"), had a problem following
the argument on this thread. So, to clarify:

>Every few years, someone invents a new espresso "system" and imagines
>making their millions. Hasn't happened yet.

Yes, it has. Nespresso is the leading example.

> I think the issue is both quality and availability.

Beyond a fairly low quality threshold, convenience and neatness become
bigger issues for many people. Pod machines, like Nespresso, solve
this problem. Pods are particularly popular in Europe, maybe because
of their smaller kitchens (than the U.S.)

> Proprietary solutions should be shunned
>because you will be tied to a particular supplier.

That's my view. But there is a huge ket of people who feel
otherwise.

> Maybe Nespresso has
>offered free licencing for its pods, but I doubt it. They plan to be
>your only supplier forever. But their forever is as long as they are
>making acceptable profits. In a few years, the machines will be boat
>anchors.

If any Nespressos will be "boat anchors" in the next "few years," it
will be for the yachts of Nestle shareholders.

shall "don't confuse business statistics with personal preferences"

Date: 03 Oct 2006 17:18:45
From: Harry Moos
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

Yes, keeping in mind that we Alties are a definite minority in the coffee
ket, other factors are more important than taste to the majority of
coffee drinkers. Some of my friends [my wife included] think I am crazy to
go to so much "bother" for a little bitty cup of bad coffee. It IS bad, if
different equals bad. They will never accept the ritual when they can pop a
pod and go about their business while the machine does its thing. The
computer group that I have lunch with on Wednesdays typically drink four or
five cups during and after lunch. The restaurant got a new coffee service a
couple of years ago, greatly improving the quality. The others didn't
notice. When I commented on the improved taste, one of them said, "I never
taste the coffee; I just gulp it." In that ket, ease of preparation is
going to succeed when taste may not. Look at all of the old aluminum
percolators that are still bubbling away in kitchens across the country.
Now, there's taste for you. Why didn't the Cory/Silex vacuum pot survive?
Clearly a case of taste losing out to ease of preparation.

As you can tell from my rambling, this is not Seattle. The closest
Starbucks is 150+ miles away, and the nearest espresso shop [56 miles]
closed its doors last year from lack of customers, even though they did a
very decent job. Come to think of it, there is a Dunkin Donuts just 110
miles away; they may have put in espresso since I was there last.

"shall" <mrfuss@ihatespamearthlink.net > wrote in message
news:ufj5i29bk5q4sr4opbugblijo0m716cb7s@4ax.com...
> On 3 Oct 2006 02:02:52 -0700, "CrackAddict" <smppix@gmail.com> wrote:
> Beyond a fairly low quality threshold, convenience and neatness become
> bigger issues for many people. Pod machines, like Nespresso, solve
> this problem. Pods are particularly popular in Europe, maybe because
> of their smaller kitchens (than the U.S.)
>

Date: 04 Oct 2006 11:49:38
From: Brent
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

> Yes, keeping in mind that we Alties are a definite minority in the coffee
> ket,

you forgot "noisy and opinionated" in front of minority...

Date: 03 Oct 2006 14:45:42
From: Marshall
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

On 3 Oct 2006 02:02:52 -0700, "CrackAddict" <smppix@gmail.com > wrote:

>Every few years, someone invents a new espresso "system" and imagines
>making their millions. Hasn't happened yet. I think the issue is both
>quality and availability. Proprietary solutions should be shunned
>because you will be tied to a particular supplier. Maybe Nespresso has
>offered free licencing for its pods, but I doubt it. They plan to be
>your only supplier forever. But their forever is as long as they are
>making acceptable profits. In a few years, the machines will be boat
>anchors.

Yeah, those silly Nespresso dreamers. Sales are up more than 30% each
year for the last five years. They're tossing away $121,000,000 on a
new production and distribution center. Only expect $1,656,000,000
sales in 2010.
http://www.beveragedaily.com/news/ng.asp?n=70491-nestle-coffee-nespresso

No future in it at all.

shall

Date: 02 Oct 2006 17:58:22
From: Randy G.
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

Everything is relative, and espresso is certainly one of the best
examples of that. If the nespresso pod machine makes a beverage that
you enjoy, then it is a good machine for you.

One of the problems with such machines is that you are dependant on
the quality of the pods that go into it. I remember testing the Senseo
machine- the first sets of samples I received with the machine were
drinkable if not rekable. The next sample set I received were
undrinkable- literally, the coffee went down the sink. I wrote it off
to the age of the pods- first set fresh, second set not so. I received
some (artificially) flavored samples and one sniff of the package and
into the trash they went.

There is also the factor of price per cup. The machine may look quite
affordable at first, but look at the cost of fives years worth of
coffee compared to five years worth of pods. the cumulative total may
not be the 'deal' that the low cost of the machine seems to indicate.

When it comes to espresso, fresh beans are the priy concern. Will
the pods you get always be fresh? How many varieties are there? Will
you tire of the same taste(s) day in and day out? If you ever taste a
REALLY great shot will you be able to continue using the nespresso?
Rhetorical questions for your thought only.

So set personal and financial standards and be prepared to live by
them. Making really good espresso at homes takes a pretty good initial
investment in time as well as money. But the return on investment can
only be measured by those consuming the beverage. A $2000 initial
investment that is used daily for 10 years may make more sense than a
$200 machine that gets used for 6 months and put in a cost and
forgotten- the first only cost $0.55 a day, the second cost $1.11 a
day.

Randy "better than a poke in the eye- or Folgers" G.
http://www.EspressoMyEspresso.com

"Lead" <o.o.Pb.o.o@gmail.com > wrote:
>
>This has been bugging me for a while... I've seem these machines
>everywhere, and have taken samples at a couple demos. Actually very
>delicious shots, as they were designed to automatically pull shots with
>insane precision. Very nice, but feels so wrong. Is it that this is
>just too convenient? Is it taking the "love" out of grinding your own
>coffee and pulling your own shots?
>
>I'm seriously debating whether I should get one or not... a $200
>Nespresso machine would excel by leaps and bounds a grinder and machine
>totalling the same price.
>
>So, am I right, do these make great coffee but are a debacle to what we
>love and have a passion for? Or, do these make only decent shots that
>an experienced barista can easily top?

Date: 03 Oct 2006 11:13:29
From: Brent
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

no

> This has been bugging me for a while... I've seem these machines
> everywhere, and have taken samples at a couple demos. Actually very
> delicious shots, as they were designed to automatically pull shots with
> insane precision. Very nice, but feels so wrong. Is it that this is
> just too convenient? Is it taking the "love" out of grinding your own
> coffee and pulling your own shots?
>
> I'm seriously debating whether I should get one or not... a $200
> Nespresso machine would excel by leaps and bounds a grinder and machine
> totalling the same price.
>
> So, am I right, do these make great coffee but are a debacle to what we
> love and have a passion for? Or, do these make only decent shots that
> an experienced barista can easily top?
>

Date: 02 Oct 2006 17:10:09
From: Harry Moos
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

No, what? Which question are you answering, Brent? The taste of coffee is
only part of its appeal. I think that if I got a perfect shot every time, I
would switch to drinking tea. Except at the donut shop.....

"Brent" <me@privacy.net > wrote in message
news:4odg88Fe6egbU1@individual.net...
> no
>
>> So, am I right, do these make great coffee but are a debacle to what we
>> love and have a passion for? Or, do these make only decent shots that
>> an experienced barista can easily top?

Date: 03 Oct 2006 11:50:45
From: Brent
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

>>> So, am I right, do these make great coffee but are a debacle to what we
>>> love and have a passion for?

not available to my knowledge anywhere near me, but I understand they can
make an acceptable coffee. But no one I have heard that I would trust has
said "great" I think if you are aiming high - acceptable is the best I have
heard.

Or, do these make only decent shots that
>>> an experienced barista can easily top?

Pulling good shots isn't difficult, my 10 year old can make a decent
espresso...

having said that, my 10 year old can make a better espresso than most
cafes...

You know your getting lazy when you train your kids to make your coffee!

Brent

Date: 03 Oct 2006 10:41:39
From: Natalie Drest
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

"Brent" <me@privacy.net > wrote in message
news:4odie3Fe06egU1@individual.net...
>>>> So, am I right, do these make great coffee but are a debacle to what we
>>>> love and have a passion for?
>
> not available to my knowledge anywhere near me, but I understand they can
> make an acceptable coffee. But no one I have heard that I would trust has
> said "great" I think if you are aiming high - acceptable is the best I
> have heard.
>
> Or, do these make only decent shots that
>>>> an experienced barista can easily top?
>
> Pulling good shots isn't difficult, my 10 year old can make a decent
> espresso...
>
> having said that, my 10 year old can make a better espresso than most
> cafes...
>
> You know your getting lazy when you train your kids to make your coffee!
>
> Brent

I prefer to think of it as passing on an essential life skill...

--
"I won't go into binary counting here. For further information you can
search the Internet, or cut off all but one of your fingers."
-Roger Nichols

Date: 03 Oct 2006 11:46:38
From: Brent
Subject: Re: Nespresso... yes or no?

The question was Nespresso... Yes or No?

:)

Brent

> No, what? Which question are you answering, Brent? The taste of coffee
> is only part of its appeal. I think that if I got a perfect shot every
> time, I would switch to drinking tea. Except at the donut shop.....
>
>> no
>>
>>> So, am I right, do these make great coffee but are a debacle to what we
>>> love and have a passion for? Or, do these make only decent shots that
>>> an experienced barista can easily top?
>
>