OK, here goes. I also like the Nespresso system. I admit to not having the sophisticated palate that some do. From what I can tell, there are many more like me.

I do have my preferences though. I prefer the 100% Arabica blends (I preferred them before I knew they were 100% Arabica so perhaps there is hope for my palate yet). Favorites are Arpeggio, Volluto, Livanto, Cosi, and the new Rosabaya and Dulcao single origin blends (I may have butchered the last one).

Dan, and others, if someday you want to give Nespresso another try, sample the Arpeggio blend (purple) and ask the demonstrator to make a 1oz shot. If you like acidity try the Rosabaya. This at least lets Nespresso put it's best foot forward. It won't have the intensity or complexity that you are used to, but for me it is still quite drinkable and enjoyable.

Disclosure - I work retail, a major competitor of WS, and we sell/demo the Nespresso system.

For me Nespresso shots lack punch and strength. Not necessarily bad tasting but muted taste compared to good real espresso and lacking in weight and density compared to any real espresso. Similar to enhancing crema devices but less flexible (you can't change grind, dose or tamp). Somehow remind me of light / artificial food.
They are more and more popular though and I believe the sales of regular espresso machines is already suffering. I even saw them in some bars and restaurants. I don't like it.

Hello:

These machines that use Nespresso coffee capsules showed up in BA IIRC about three or four years ago.
I understand that quite a few have been sold at the very posh corner in a high end neighbourhood where the shop is and I have received many comments as to how 'good' this coffee is.

A old friend of mine received one as a gift from his wife and I have used it a few times.
I found that it's really no big deal and there's a small learning curve (preheat cups and machine, etc.) that has to be taken into account by the novice, but I have to admit that for what it is, it makes a surprisingly decent 'cup of joe' as they say in the US.

Now, the novelty factor having worn off, he's always bitching about the cost of the capsules. =-)

Would I buy one?
No way.

Would I keep it if someone gave me one or if I won one in a charity raffle?
No.
I'd sell it and try to live with the consequences or give it to the charity for another raffle.

Would I recommend it to someone who wants an easy way to get a decent cup of coffee every morning?
No.
The machine 'and' the capsules are far too expensive and you are tied to those Nespresso capsules forever. There are other options, Lavazza and similar home automatic machines with standard (?) coffee pods, for example.

Slightly off topic: since Nespresso's arrival, BA has also acquired a couple of those green mermaid shops which are, as many can imagine, filled with people interested in the novelty of their 'coffee'. =^/

In a city where the neighbourhood corner café is a landmark, this strikes as something rather strange.
But then, the world 'is' living interesting times ....

Just my 0.02

Cheers,

CIV

I tried a few capsules at a Williams Sonoma a couple weeks ago and I was pleasantly surprised at what I considered to be a decent flavor. It's the kind of machine I wouldn't mind my parents owning that I'd use when I visit. I found the flavor to be much more even and satisfying than any Starbucks which would be the only real alternative when I'm visiting.

It's not better than any of my levers, but it is vastly better than my old Delonghi.

One has nothing to be ashamed by enjoying a nespresso. I don't understand people who keep on comparing these machines to 'lever' or $10,000 coffee shop machines...
When people ask me how i like my Nissan compact car, i don't complain about how its not in the same league as a Mercedes. We all choose our toys based upon price and function and all comparisons should be relevant. I had a gaggia superautomatic which made decent coffee. when it broke down, i tried 7 other automatics, and the eighth machine was a nespresso. I found the quality to be better than any of the superautomatics (which more often than not have old beans sitting in the hopper..etc..etc..).
Nespresso gives convenience and the ability to cater to a household where one drinks strong.. another mild.. and another... decaf...
and sure gives you a quick RESPECTABLE coffee with no muss and fuss.
now if you want to complain about the cost.. then i'm with you 100%. even if the coffee is hermetically sealed...etc... its rather insulting to all those coffee bean farmers, who are getting pennies to produce the beans. i mean, i'm paying $40 a pound for coffee ????... there's a sucker born every minute and i guess i'm just one of the nespresso lemmings.

We used to have one where i worked, and for work situations where cleanup wasn't really feasible or easy, i thought it was tasty. Great espresso? No, but certainly better than NO espresso!

jasonmolinari wrote:We used to have one where i worked, and for work situations where cleanup wasn't really feasible or easy, i thought it was tasty. Great espresso? No, but certainly better than NO espresso!

I agree.

Couple months ago I tried a shot at the Nespresso cafe in midtown NYC. If I had pulled that shot I would have considered sinking it, but it wasn't that bad, so I'd suffer through. In a town with adequate # of fine cafes (though not around every corner,), my thought was, "why bother?" OTOH, I loved the clothes. This was an uber-slick dramatic spot--call it a "must visit"--with tons of people who sucked up social capital by being seen with one another. (worked for me) G-bless 'em.

Today, I took a different route to my Jamba Juice haunt in SoHo and saw that a new Nespresso cafe is about to open. Major graphics on the outside displaying their teeth-jarring metalic cups in colors not found in nature. Polar opposite of Starbucks' coffee sack beige.

Which brings me to the insanity (OK, foolishness) of comparing espresso/coffee "types." They are what they are. Instant decaf is not as tasty as a Starbucks Americano, but my late father had his brand preference; and Nespresso might just be the best possible solution for an upscale office.

bichon wrote:One has nothing to be ashamed by enjoying a nespresso. I don't understand people who keep on comparing these machines to 'lever' or $10,000 coffee shop machines...and sure gives you a quick RESPECTABLE coffee with no muss and fuss.

Instead of using the world's best coffees at around $15 per pound, you are using some of the world's worst coffees at around $30 per pound (50 cents per 7 gram serving).

You are so lazy that you spend twice as much for crap as for nectar just to save yourself 15 seconds of clean up. IMO, there is a great deal to be ashamed of in using these and other "convenience" products.

What about where said convenience product is the only choice (for whatever reason)?