Single Serve Espresso

Nespresso Ad Campaign Starts Today in US - VIDEO

2012-04-30T10:57:23Z

Nespresso has been growing at a strong pace for a long time globally, but has only scratched the surface in the US. They are trying to change that with the introduction of Nespresso ads on US television starting today. The ads will run, telling consumers that they have the best cafe right in their home.

The Ad features the Nespresso Latissima Plus machine - a small machine that can froth milk at the touch of a button and create a whole host of cafe style coffee drinks. It's not a Clooney based ad series, like they run in Europe, but the idea is to introduce the Nespresso concept, not continue growth among consumers who are already aware of Nespresso.

How Green is Your Coffee?

2012-04-14T14:46:27Z

Lloyd Alter/CC BY 2.0

Have you ever wondered how green your coffee is? I am not talking about the quality of green coffee, but instead the environmental impact of one of the most popular habits in the world. Let's face it, a lot can go wrong;

Product is grown in a developing nation where environmental standards may be low - equipment belches pollution, erosion and runoff can be a problem in mountainous areas, etc.
Uncertain use of chemicals to kill insects, weeds, fungus, and to help fertilize the coffee plant all take their own toll on the environment
Shipment to your local roaster from half way around the world
Roasting with fire - can you say "Global Warming"?
Packaging - almost all coffee packaging uses a barrier of some sort. That usually means plastic, metal or both

Package that coffee up in a K-Cup, and you have a nightmare on your hands. I don't think things are really that bad, but you get the idea.

Over the last twenty years, there have been a lot of developments to counteract the perils above, enact change and improve the world through the coffee crop. One shop in Hamilton Ontario seems to be taking things to an extreme. Coffeecology sources their coffee with an eye towards sustainability and economic impact. They have also taken the notable step of packaging their coffee in mason jars that consumers return for a deposit. Want a weekly delivery of coffee? Sure, they handle local deliveries on their bike.

Read more at the Coffeecology website and at Treehugger who detailed out some of the greener steps that coffee shops and companies can choose to take.

Handpresso Auto - Espresso on the Go

2012-03-27T10:38:40Z

Handpresso has a mission to get you espresso wherever you want it, and they just introduced the Handpresso Auto - a new espresso maker that not only heats the water, but creates a great looking espresso with 16 bars of pressure.

The Original Handpresso versions required a bit of pumping like you had a flat bike tire to get the pressure, and required you to have access to hot water. Two varieties allowed you to use either ground espresso or ESE Espresso pods. The New Handpresso Auto can turn out an espresso in just about 2 minutes; pretty good for a 12volt, go-nearly anywhere machine.

If you're worried about "making-while-driving", the folks at Handpresso clearly think stopping to make your espresso is a good thing. Check out their video below.

Price is $149 Euros or about $200. It will be shipping in Europe this Spring with no news on a firm US launch.

Voli Vodka - Fewer Calories and Fun Flavors

2012-03-19T01:03:42Z

Yea, this blog writing it tough business, and sometimes we have to think a little outside the box; which is what we were doing when we saw the Voli news come across the Single Serve Espresso desk.

Voli is a vodka line that boasts about several great vodkas, flavored and regular, while offering lower calories that other brands of vodka. When I saw that there was an Espresso Vanilla Fusion flavor I had to bite. In addition to the Voli Espresso Vanilla Fusion, Voli also has a "Lyte" (think straight) version, a Raspberry Cocoa Fusion, an Orange Vanilla Fusion, and a straight Lemon flavor. The folks at Voli sent us on a few bottles, including the Lyte, the Espresso and the Raspberry Cocoa versions. I went out and supplemented what they sent with some more locally sourced bottles.

Last weekend, we had some friends over and we experimented with them, mixing up a few cocktails. The Espresso Vanilla Fusion Vodka felt right at home with a shot of espresso and a bit of sugar to sweeten things up. I liked it hot or cold, and even experimented with a little frothed milk on top - not needed, the Espresso and Voli were good on their own. The coffee flavor is certainly amplified, and smoothed with the fusion of flavors. Tasting the Voli straight, shows you the origins; darker roasted coffee flavors, void of bitterness, with a rounded vanilla note. I like it…. on to the second.

We also played with the Raspberry Cocoa Fusion in and around expresso shots, and I have to say this created some fun drinks. The best was a shot of espresso , over ice, milk, half a teaspoon of sugar, and the Voli Raspberry Cocoa Fusion. We served them up in martini glasses and they pretty much rocked. The Raspberry is fresh, and true without being to jammy sweet, and the blend with mocha gave the whole cocktail an indulgent cool chocolate bar feeling.

We also kicked the Lyte around the block a few times and liked that too creating a few old favorites with it. The flavor is good; clean, sharp with a nice finish and hey, the bottle design is eye catching too.

Voli Espresso Vanilla Fusion (Left) and Raspberry Cocoa Fusion (right)

Summary: The line of Voli Vodkas offer reduced calories, and with a bit of sugar and sometimes a splash of milk added, these cocktails were enjoyable and came in right around 100 calories. The flavors were a nice departure from the usual drinks, bringing a little mixology session to the espresso maker for a change. If you enjoy a drink or two, and since you are here at an Espresso blog you might like playing with these flavored vodkas along with espresso too.

You can read more about Voli at the Voli Website - they also have a search capability to see where you can buy it too.

CBTL Americano Featured at Bed Bath and Beyond - Save $5

2012-03-12T11:38:43Z

The CBTL Americano is getting a push from Bed Bath and Beyond with a feature on the front page of their circular this week. The Espresso, coffee and tea maker features high pressure brewing, a large reservoir and several selectable cup sizes. The CBTL capsule system is based on the Caffitaly platform, and offers over a dozen different varieties of drinks.

On the back of my circular, there is a coupon for $5 off a $15 dollar purchase, making the resupply of capsules a little bit easier.

Starbucks Verisimo - Single Serve Espresso Drinks at Home

2012-03-09T12:15:17Z

Starbucks announced that they are bringing a new single serve espresso machine to the market called the Verisimo. This pressure brew system offers users an easy way to get espresso based drinks at home as well as regular brewed coffee. The move is shrewd on their part, as they have moved into the K-Cup arena to take advantage of the large installed base of Keurig brewers, while also bringing out a brewing system that will deliver superior products.

The Verisimo system will be sold through Starbucks stores online starting this Fall, and will come with both coffee and milk-based pods to make the various coffee house drinks that people have come to expect. howard Schultz said, ”We have long believed that the biggest prize within the segment is a high-pressure system that would give us the opportunity to deliver Starbucks-quality espresso beverages at home and at work for customers who desire the Starbucks® espresso experience outside of our stores.”

(very little )More at Starbuks.com/verisimo

Bauhaus Designed Espresso Machine

2012-03-02T12:03:59Z

Saw this and had to pass along - Arvid Häusser, a 23-year-old German design student at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar designed this new espresso machine prototype. It changes the design parameters of the typical espresso machine to split up the components, move the design to the wall and free up the counter space.
The Water reservoir is in the left vessel, while the pump and heater are in the right vessel. The drip tray is height adjustable. While the whole thing, exudes Dr. Frankenstein's lab, I am pretty interested in the design because I happen to like chemistry lab.
Via Co.Design

CBTL in Big Box Stores - Target, Macy's and Dillard's - New Briosa Espresso Brewer

2012-02-14T12:22:15Z

CBTL has struck a distribution deal to get their CBTL brewers and coffee capsules into big box stores, opening up the units to a channel that reaches millions of people a day. As I was shopping this weekend, I stumbled onto an end aisle display at the local Target store which had the CBTL brewer on it; little did I know that I had seen the effects of this major distribution move.

The CBTL Brewer and Capsule display had several coffees, teas and "mixers" in the line; I picked up some English Breakfast Tea, and a couple of versions of Espresso (Continental and Premium) that I liked when I reviewed the CBTL Americano Espresso Machine.

CBTL Briosa Espresso Machine

Target had the CBTL Americano for $149; the same price as the CBTL website. The Launch also marks the introduction of the new CBTL Briosa; a value priced machine at $119. See below. The Briosa claims to use high pressure, and looks to have the cup controls down the side, while no doubt keeping the same lever action single serve cartridge loading and ejection capabilities.

The new CBTL Briosa Espresso Machine

Full Press release after the jump…..

More at CBTL

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® Parlays Consumer Enthusiasm for its CBTL® Single Serve System Into Aisles of Three New Retail Giants Pedigreed Coffee & Tea Brand Signs Up Target, Macy's & Dillard's to Distribute its Red-Hot Single Serve Beverage System

The CBTL® single serve beverage system by The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® has been wowing customers and critics alike since it was launched just over a year ago. As the only single serve system that offers customers the opportunity to make delicious espresso, coffee, and tea beverages at home, from an expert in all three, the CBTL® system has attracted the attention of retailers looking to provide the unique coffee house experience which The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® is known for to their customers.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® announced today that three new retailers will offer the CBTL® system to their customers: Target, Macy's and Dillard's. The launch at Target also marks the debut of the new CBTL® Briosa model machine. Value priced at $119, it joins the current Americano model to provide consumers shopping at these retailers even more options.
With the CBTL® system, customers can re-create their favorite The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® authentic espresso, coffee, tea and specialty beverages at home - with just one touch of a button. The stylish CBTL® system comes in a variety of machine models and colors, each featuring a twin pressure system that allows the machine to reach the high pressure needed to make authentic espresso and lower pressure for perfectly brewed coffee and tea. With its sleek Italian design based on the Caffitaly System technology and premium features, this multi-tasker is a welcome addition to any countertop.

"We have been delighted with the way consumers have embraced the CBTL® system," said Mel Elias, President & CEO of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf®. "And now we are so happy to have such major retailers as Target, Macy's and Dillard's take notice of the popularity CBTL® has achieved and agree to carry the line, making it easier for consumers to bring the experience of our cafe beverages into their homes."

The CBTL® system is designed to be used exclusively with CBTL® capsules, which feature The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® hand-selected premium espresso, coffee and hand-plucked whole leaf tea. Available in twenty varieties - with more on the way - each CBTL® capsule is hermetically sealed to prolong freshness and preserve the delicate aromas, and features an internal two-filter system to ensure evenly balanced extraction and optimal flavor.

Brazil Coffee Ready for a Resurgence?

2012-02-11T12:39:55Z

Typically, Brazil produces a pretty uninspired coffee, filling in as the base coffee notes, the cheaper non-objectionable character actor in blends that you buy in a grocery store. There is also a huge supply of instant coffee that comes from Brazil, that is processed in country and exported as instant powder to blenders around the world; I won't paint a picture of that bean quality, but you get the idea.

In the WSJ today, they talk a little bit about a resurgence of sorts in quality for some Brazilian beans. Typically, Brazil has "lowland" coffees that are not expected to develop the most wonderful flavors. Recently though some small roasters are talking up the nutty-sweet flavors of higher quality Brazilian beans that can deliver Cup of Excellence type quality. The local to Boston owner of Terrior Coffee Roaster, Geogre Howell was quoted int eh article, who has offered a Brazilian coffee for some time in his repertoire.

Personally for me, I has seen Brazilian coffees that tend to have a cereal note to them that I don't like; but am open to new ideas and would love to see higher quality come from any growing regain ready to step up their game. How about you?

The High Cost of the Single Serve Espresso and Coffee Habit

2012-02-08T12:11:36Z

The NYTimes has a nice little rant article about the high cost of single serve coffee brewers, pointing out that people are paying about $50+ per pound of coffee when buying in a single serve format. Obviously you can get coffee for a lot less than that, even darn good coffee; the kind of micro lot coffee that would blow your socks off. Most people either get it or they don't - it's about consistency and convenience. It's not about amazing nuances in the cup that you can get from freshly roasted beans, and it's not about low cost, even though you can rationalize that you are wasting less.

Massive Revenue and a Total Shift in the Industry

What's interesting are a few tidbits in the article. Nespresso sells only 8% of the coffee in the world, as measured y weight, but 25% of the dollars spent on coffee is for Nespresso; that is a stunning number. I didn't realize that the franchise was that big.

Keurig sold 4 million brewers leading up to the Christmas 2012 holiday, and about $715Million in K-Cup coffee packs. Can you imagine what it will be next year after those 4 million brewers get cranking? Sure the there is a patent expiration coming, but at a couple of cups a day per brewer, that's about $300+ million in retail sales for Q4 2012. Can you say $1 Billion in retail sales per quarter?

The big market shift is in the reframing of the cost for coffee. Older people think in terms of cost per pound, can or brick bag of coffee. Younger people reframe the cost of coffee versus what it costs at the coffee shop. So while $50+ per pound is a lot versus that bag of whole bean at the store, $0.60 per cup versus that $4 Latte I had yesterday is cheap.

Competition for Keurig and Nespresso

Finally, what these folks need is a little competition for their brewers. That's coming.

I mentioned the patent expiration that Keurig is going to deal with as competitors may be able to make dents in their installed base of brewers.

Also good news for Nespresso fans too; Amazon is bringing Ethical Coffee capsules to the US later this year. Should get interesting as this maker of Nespresso compatible coffee capsules must be gearing up to take a dent out of this market, where Nespresso has a toe hold, but Keurig has the emerging standard locked down.

Read more on Single Serve Capsules at the NYTimes

Seasonal Espresso: Sapsucker Espresso from Intelligentsia

2012-02-06T00:04:52Z

If you've been reading up about quality coffee in the US, then you've probably heard of Intelligentsia Coffee. THese roasters are on the leading edge for finding and promoting the best coffees in the world, both macro crops and micro lots.

Intelligentsia has a seasonal Espresso for you to try, called Sapsucker Espresso - according to Intelligentsia says, "Rooted in the distinctive flavor of Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, the seasonal Sapsucker Espresso is accented with light and crisp Colombia and grounded by a velvety Bolivia to present a unique experience. Immensely floral, buttery, lemon-like, and silken, the flavors are rounded by an effervescent red apple sparkle and a sweet herbal quality."

Available in a variety of package sizes, the main one being a 12-ounce for $18, and from whole bean down to espresso grind in thirteen different grinds, listed by maker. Yes, they include some of the trendy and niche makers like Chemex, and Hario.

At Intelligentsia - Sapsucker Espresso Blend

The Greener Travel Mug - Recycled and Recycleable

2012-02-04T23:22:09Z

There are a ton of ways to be green, but I saw this travel mug recently and needed to pass this along.

Even if being green isn't your thing, I like my travel mug better than paper cups. I happen to keep a clean mug in the car.

So, not only is this a travel mug that can keep a few paper cups out of the landfill, but it's made from 97% food grade recycled plastic. It's 100% Polypropylene, so once you're done, you can recycle it again.

Available in three colors, and in 12-ounce and 16-ounce sizes

At Amazon - Aladdin Transform Recycled and Recyclable Travel Mug

Saeco Xelsis Digial ID - Custom Drinks via Fingerprint Reader

2012-01-29T19:47:22Z

Coffee is a very personal thing and everyone enjoys "their" special brew. Well the folks at Saeco have taken things to a new level and not only offer you the ability to customize your drink, but they also give you the ability to get that drink at the swipe of your finger. The SuperAutomatic espresso drink center can grind, tamp and brew your espresso while steaming your milk to create a great espresso drink, but maybe you want a larger sup, a stronger shot, more or less milk.

Features and a video after the jump…..

The Saeco Xelsis Digital ID allows you to create that personal drink and remembers up to six custom drink profiles that can be called up by a touch of the finger on the top of biometric reader.

The machine has typical high-end SuperAutomatic Espresso Machine features:

Adjustable ceramic burr grinders,
An integrated milk carafe that can be stored in the refrigerator, then hooked to the machine to automatically steam milk into your cup when selecting your drink,
Adjustable height on the brew head to accommodate talker mugs/cups
A large whole bean holding bin for your favorite coffee beans
Bypass chute to brew directly from ground coffee - think nightly decaf latte
Dual Boiler design that allows you to brew and steam, and a large capacity 1.6 liter water reservoir.

The Saeco Xelsis Digital ID also has the ability to adjust the crema level with a quick-adjustable knob, and a removable brew group to just rinse under the faucet to clean it.

This Super Auto will set you back a bit, just like other ones - at around $2,500.

The folks over at SeattleCoffeeGear put together nice walk through video. Here you go.

Available at Amazon - Saeco Xelsis Digital ID Automatic Espresso Machine

Nespresso Pixie Espresso Cups

2012-01-27T13:00:22Z

I had to pick these up when I recently ordered the Kazaar limited edition capsules. I am really a day-in and day-out Livanto drinker, so I opted for something a little different and bronze/orange that goes with about nothing in my kitchen, except of course the Livanto capsules that are laying around.

I generally drink out of quick shot glasses like the Bodum Pavina glasses when drinking at home as a stand around the kitchen. If I am going to sit down, I opt for a more traditional cup and saucer. So these Pixie Espresso cups are all about a quick shot and walk away.

They are double walled stainless steel, with an amazingly lustrous interior. The design is of course taken from the Nespresso Capsule design, and mirrors the Ritual cup design as well.

So while the Pixie cup itself looks massive in size, but due to its double walled structure, it is actually small inside relative to its look and feel. It holds about 80 milliliters, or a bit over 2.5 ounces; perfect for a typical espresso shot. The combination of the size, and weight makes it feel substantial. They are in colors that match many of the Nespresso Grand Cru series, so you can probably get your favorite variety in its own cup color.

With all of the metal, does the Pixie Espresso Cups cool the espressos off too much? I don't think so, but then again, I am standing here and drinking a shot straight off the machine. If I do a second one, the shot is noticeably hotter indicating that the first shot gave up a bit of temperature to the cup. I don't think this is a problem, because it generally makes the shot drinkable right off the machine, or within a few seconds. If you wanted to serve up a bunch to friends, I would recommend pre-heating the glasses first.

Sure it's a splurge, but I like the Nespresso Pixie Espresso cups - you can find them in the Nespresso Store for $30 a pair.

At the Nespresso Club - Nespresso Pixie Double Walled Espresso Cups

illy Life is Good Ad: Live Happ-illy

2012-01-26T12:37:47Z

Illy is getting in on the good times and pushing a new ad campaign with their Live Happ-illy video. The 60-second ad offers a little romantic intrigue, a little pep in your step and an overall message that a moment with an illy espresso simply makes life better. I happen to agree with the idea that a little coffee in your day makes life a little better, and I life their take on it.

Review: Nespresso Kazaar Tasting 2012

2012-01-25T02:56:03Z

Nespresso got tired of hearing about how many people wanted to taste Kazaar again, and decided to bring it back in 2012. If you haven't ordered yours, you need to - it sold out fast in 2010 and I would imagine it is going fast now. I bought three times the sleeves this year knowing how much I liked it last time.

Kazaar is not for everyone, and its 12 on a 10 scale intensity is a bit of hyperbole, but not very far off. It is intense, and packed with flavors that while strong, are not overdone, not overly roasted just to make a strong impact. If you like "Classic" Italian espresso blends, you should try Kazaar. Those classic blends add Robusta coffee to add some base notes and a lingering finish to the cup. Nespresso took a 100% Robusta blend, as the goal, and started crafting the cup at the growing stage by improving the growing, processing and roasting steps in an effort to accentuate the positive and minimize the sometimes terrible burnt rubber flavors that can come along with a Robusta bean. If you've ever tasted Robusta alone, it's amazing to see that Nespresso has created Kazaar out of what is usually a barely tolerable bean.

More after the jump….

Kazaar 2012 Tasting

Similar to the 2010, the 2012 Kazaar is intense on flavors, and a delight to the senses. The bitterness is there, along with a lingering smoky coffee flavor. I detect chocolate flavors, and an absence of the notes that usually come with acidic, more lightly roasted coffees like flowery citrus notes. Its syrupy flavors also come through and give you layers of flavors to savor, that screams bold.

I had one lonely Kazaar capsule left over from 2010 that I kept in the back of the freezer and tasted it versus the new version - While slightly different, I have to say that 2012 tastes just as good as I expect, and really can't tell if the age of the 2010 capsule or the blend changes in the new capsule are to blame, but to me, the 2012 is a solid espresso.

This year, I ordered up some espresso cups and saucers from the Nespresso Ritual Collection to add to my collection. They were launched for the original Kazaar Limited Edition and I thought I needed a change up to the daily routine. Their shape mimics the Nespresso Capsule itself, and appears as put white until you lift the cup and reveal the accent colors on the inside rim of the saucer. They also have a ristretto size, ranging up to a mug, while offering bowls and saucers to complete your tableware.

The Nespresso capsules can be brewed in the Nespresso Pixie, the Nespresso Citiz, the Nespresso Essenza C-100 or the Nespresso Le Cube brewers.

At the Nespresso Club Store - Kazaar Limited Edition

Review: CBTL Americano Espresso Maker

2012-01-17T01:22:02Z

The CBTL Americano offers another option for single serve espresso and coffee on a standardized platform that has jumped the ocean from Europe. based on the CaffeItaly platform, this capsule-based machine is a different standardization from other makers, but rests squarely on a firm infrastructure, offered in the US by CBTL.com They sent me this machine right around the holidays, and I have been using it ever since.

The machine line-up is concentrated in a more affordable price range of $139 - $179, as compared to other capsule-based systems. The CBTL Americano offers more brew sizes and a slightly larger footprint on your counter space versus the other models. With a 15-bar pump, and a single and lung setting, the machine is more of an espresso model versus a single serve coffee brewer, but they seem to have a trick up their sleeve in the making of the capsules to that they can create both well enough - more later.

The Americano is available at Bed Bath and Beyond as well as online at CBTL.com and Bed Bath and Beyond online. CBTL offers a nice range of four espressos, a small handful of regular coffees, and some tea capsules. They also offer a few select decaf varieties in the mix. Cost is about $0.65 - $0.70 each with is roughly on par with other capsule based systems like Nespresso.

Read on for details on the machine, directed capsules and the espressos after the jump......

CBTL Americano Machine

The CBTL is a little deeper than a Keurig B-70, and larger overall than a typical drip brewer. It's deeper (13.5-inches) than it is wide (7-inches), letting you shoe horn it into a narrow space on the countertop- it's about a foot tall (11.5-inches). The Americano is available in red, black and silver, which should accommodate just about anyone's tastes. The materials are plastic in general, which should not be a surprise in a sub-$150 capsule-based machine.

The 51-ounce reservoir allows you to brew for several days without filling it. If you are brewing more coffee than espresso shots, you'll need to re-fill more often, but I found it big enough to handle both fairly well without needing to refill too often.

The on/off switch is side mounted, and does not have a timed standby mode, a slight miss for those of us who have ever walked off and gone to work without turning off espresso machine.

Brewing with the CBTL Americano

Most mornings I have been brewing up espressos, making a quick shot before taking off from work. I liked the fast warm-up and fast brewing of the espressos. Warm-up is reasonably fast, and fits well in the morning breakfast routine. An espresso brews in about 15-20 seconds, but a regular coffee takes a good bit longer - around a minute+. The Americano can brew a short and long espresso, as well as an 8, 10 and 12-ounce coffee, and a 9-ounce "Iced coffee" setting.

The capsules load easily in a slot at the top with the lift of the silver handle. i had no issues with capsules getting stuck, but the mechanism is a little sticky and less fluid than I would have liked. When the lever is lifted and the new capsule added, the old capsules drop down into a bin that holds about 10 spent capsules. The drip tray can be moved to accommodate an espresso glass up to a travel mug. To adjust, you can rotate the drip tray and pull it out of the slot, place it in a different one and twist to lock it. The drip tray holds a reasonable amount of liquid, so it can be emptied infrequently.

The CafeItaly Capsules

Like other single serve coffee systems, the capsules are at the heart of the overall platform. If you buy into the CBTL Americano machine, you are sitting firmly on a broad-based system that is Italian based, and distributed in the US by CBTL. The Cafeitaly capsules are plastic, with a couple of plastic disks inside to not only hold the coffee or tea leaves, but also disperse the water as it gets pumped through at up to 15-bars. All coffee, espresso and tea capsules have a disk on the top of the coffee and the bottom of the coffee to disperse the water and make it flow properly throughout the cake.

An interesting difference between the espresso capsules and the coffee/tea capsules is the fact that the non-espresso versions have the "bottom" of the capsule covered with a thin adhesive metallic disc versus plain plastic for the espresso. My guess is that the difference allows the machine to develop higher pressures required to brew a good espresso.

Regular Coffee on the left; Espresso on the right

I typically brewed on the short, espresso setting, putting about two ounces through the capsule making a solid tasting espresso shot. The espresso capsules tend to be darker and stronger than I think many will be used to, so make sure you try all of the capsules in the sampler before grabbing a huge supply of just one variety.

Italian Espresso - This is a dark, smoky roast that has a slightly chocolate finish. It certainly tastes like a "traditional" espresso.
Premium Espresso - Again, a strong and slightly less dark espresso, was roasted with a lighter touch, giving you hints of caramelized sweetness, with some lingering bitterness in the finish
Continental Espresso - A smoother bodied espresso with a lighter roast, and less smoky flavor
Decaf Premium - as usual, the decaffeination process whacks the coffee a bit, but this time taking away some of the bitterness to leave a strong upfront flavor with a cleaner finish.

Overall, the espressos are a good line-up, and I enjoyed both the premium and the continental the most - I tend to like sweeter and more caramelized coffees. All of these were good straight, with s bit of sugar and easily stood up to milk. The espresso's brew up with a full body, plenty of strength and a nice layer of crema.

Review Summary

The CBTL Americano is a value oriented single serve espresso brewer that delivers a good espresso, authentic and strong. The variety of coffees and teas are a bonus, and one that we took advantage of over the last few weeks. A large reservoir and spent capsule bin made maintenance easy, and with capsules available at local Bed Bath and Beyond stores, the system looks convenient to re-charge.

The CBTL Americano is available at CBTL.com

Tasting Nespresso Kazaar - Get Ready for Monday's Release

2012-01-14T23:47:52Z

In preparation for Monday's release of the 2012 Kazaar, you might want to watch the video below that Nespresso put out on Kazaar, walking through the tasting steps. If you need a little more, check out our Review of Nespresso Kazaar when it first came out over a year ago. Personally, I have one capsule left over from the last round that I have kept in the freezer. I am pretty excited to have it back, and I won't be just ordering a single sleeve of this stuff. I expect it to go fast.

We announced that the very popular Kazaar would be back in 2012, back in November, and have been looking forward to it ever since. Yea, the "12 on a 10 scale" intensity rating is pure PR hype, but it works and may just be pretty accurate. I like it better than the Ristretto "10's" that are available each and everyday.

While I was on the road this week, I saw the this news on Twitter. If you aren't following @NespressoUSA on twitter, maybe you should… that's where they announced the Nespresso 2012 Kazaar Availability.

Coffee Cupping - Explore Your Cup Today

2012-01-09T04:10:15Z

Over the holidays, I had the opportunity to cup coffee in the State Street Gimme Coffee location in Ithaca - a fun hour or so, and it taught me to take a step back, slow down and explore more flavors that I have in a long time. While we cupped coffee in a slurry brew in some very controlled conditions, you should try a few steps on your own at home to explore on your own:

Grab a Coffee Tasting and Flavor Wheel - it will give you a good start so you can taste some of these great flavors present in coffee.
Learn about tasting vs aroma - you can taste sweet, salt, bitter and sour; the rest is really aroma that really make coffee amazing
Brew up a pair of coffees, or espressos and taste them side-by-side - hopefully you can brew them easily and quickly so that they are similar in temperature
Smell the coffee, and look for aromas while using the aroma side of the coffee tasting wheel. There's a lot, but start in the middle and move out as you uncover new details.
Taste - notice where you taste the acidity; there is a lot of acid in coffee, and it really plays a huge role in how coffee. Look at the Taste side of the wheel, see what you taste, but then flip back to the Aroma side and see what you "Taste" when you drink it. It's great. Some use a spoon to slurp it, to aerate the coffee aromas as you bring it into the mouth. Go ahead; make some noise!
Finally, decide if you like the cup.

I like to pick up a new and different coffee or espresso on a regular basis, and cupping new coffees can be fun to learn what you like, and what you don't.

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2012-01-09T03:47:02Z

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CBTL Americano Espresso and Coffee Maker Arrives for Review

2011-12-23T02:19:14Z

The CBTL Americano is a capsule based system that allows you to brew coffee, tea, and of course espresso. The system has its roots in Italy, and so does the coffee, which is packed in Italy. The CBTL machine is based on the Caffitaly capsule system which is offered in several countries. Here in the US, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf has introduced the CBTL Americano machine in the US and is selling it through their website as well as Bed Bath and Beyond.

The CBTL® Americano model features six cup sizes, automatic beverage proportioning for consistency cup after cup, a 50 oz water tank, adjustable drip tray, automatic capsule ejection, used capsule storage, and energy saving features and retails for $149.99.

CBTL® is designed to be used exclusively with The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s array of more than 20 hand-selected premium espresso, coffee, hand-plucked whole-leaf tea, and specialty flavored capsules. With the one-touch milk frother and The Coffee Bean famous French Deluxe™ Vanilla and Special Dutch ® Chocolate powders, you can make your own delicious vanilla lattes, chai tea lattes, cappuccinos and more.

The CBTL Americano just showed up today for review, and we've already brewed up a couple of capsules. We're going to crank out a bunch over the holidays and get back with a full review after the New Year.

More at CBTL Website for the CBTL Americano

Gift Idea: Bodum Pavina Glasses

2011-12-19T13:03:37Z

The Bodum Pavina line is a pretty cool line of glasses and offers enough sizes to fit most any need. I like the espresso shot glasses, especially in the cooler months because the eespresso shot stays warmer longer in the double walled design. The glass is borosilicate glass that is mouth blown and dishwasher safe. While I have heard of some breaking, the tough laboratory style glass has never broken on me and I simply love the look. I have a set for espresso and a set of regular coffee/Lattes (15-ounce).

They are available in a wide variety of sizes - espresso (2.5 ounce), 8.5 ounce,12 ounce, 15 ounce and the super sized 21 ounce. They are also available in white porcelain with colored grips.

A couple of my favorites at Amazon - Bodum Pavina 2-1/2-Ounce Double-Wall Espresso, Bodum Pavina Double Wall Glass, 12-Ounce

Nespresso The Citiz vs. The Pixie - Which is Better?

2011-12-16T12:37:37Z

Nespresso has two very good espresso brewers that are similar in style and purpose, which has a lot of people asking Which is better, Nespresso Citiz or Nespresso Pixie? I think the answer might be both, but let's take a look why.

Nespresso Citiz

The Nespresso Citiz was influenced by the tall and slender sky scrapers in the city landscape and was introduced in 2009 offering a new take on compact and effortless espresso brewing. It came in a handful of colors, and with a relatively small footprint, took over as my favorite Nespresso machine very quickly.

The tank is 1 liter, and the empty capsule bin holds about 10 capsules, giving you ample periods of time between any "maintenance". The Citiz also features automatic brewing - push the button once to start and it automatically shuts off when the Espresso or Lungo is brewed. These brew volumes are user changeable.

The Citiz also shuts off after several minutes when not used. No more is the machine on all day when you forget that it was on after you left for work.

Nespresso Pixie

The Nespresso Pixie is, in my opinion a refinement of the Citiz, further pushing the engineering limits to get the most minimalistic espresso machine that meets consumer needs for convenient, excellent espresso. The reservoir is downsized, and seemingly so is the spent capsule storage - meaning that you can go through almost 10 espressos before emptying the capsules or adding water. Still OK in my mind.

The dimensions of the Pixie are smaller in a meaningful way. while the Citiz was small width-wise, it is a deep machine. The Pixie is not, and measures a little shorter and a little less deep.

The Pixie offers two innovations that I appreciate: 1) Low Water Alerts - when the reservoir is low, the "aura" of the Pixie's water reservoir glows red so that you can add more water before you run the thing dry, and 2) features that I will call energy-smarter. These energy-smarter features allow the Pixie to heat up in only about 30 seconds, which is almost nothing, allowing me to hit "On", get a capsule, get a cup and only have about 10 seconds to wait before the thing is ready. The speed makes warming up a non-event. It is shorter than the Nespresso Citiz, which I already thought was fast. The second feature in the energy-smarter set is that the Pixie can shut down after only 9 minutes of non-use, saving power; the catch is that since it takes no time to heat back up, you don't mind coming back for a second shot to heat it back up again.

Jumping back to the Low Water alert feature, this is important because running these pumps dry isn't good for the pump and it takes a while to re-prime the pump. So the warning lights allow you to avoid headaches or re-priming the machine.

Light turns from White (l) to Red (r) when the water is low.

Pixie vs Citiz for Espresso: Winner Pixie
With the low water, and energy innovations, a smaller countertop footprint and a lower price overall, the Pixie is a clear winner in my mind. If you want a great espresso brewer, the Pixie has more features and a smaller footprint. But wait, there's always more.

Citiz plus milk - While an afterthought type of design, the Citiz plus milk is a full counter top based espresso and frothing set-up that allows you to make lattes and cappuccinos in one place. This is a nice touch, and I can see how may would like this type of all in one approach. I will point out that you can always add the Aeroccino to a Pixie and just store it next to the Pixie for use yourself, mimicing the functionality just not the look. So if you like the capability and the look of the citiz plus Milk - the winner is the Citiz. see - the answer really can be both.

At Amazon - Your Choice:

Breville Dual Boiler Retro Espresso Machine BES900XL

2011-12-11T15:56:12Z

I came across a review lately that I wanted to pass along on the Breville Dual boiler Espresso machine. The designers at Breville took this one in a different direction sparing little in an attempt to make sure that the Dual Boiler meets the needs of the high end consumer of espresso.

While many other pump driven espresso machines offer you a single boiler that heats water for brewing to less than boiling then does double duty as a steaming boiler, the Dual Boiler, well you guessed it, doesn't. The dual boiler system gives you instantaneous ability to flip from brewing to steaming and back without any lag, and without any concerns about water temperature and quality. It really doesn't stop there, that's just the beginning. this is an impressive machine.

more after the jump.....

The Breville Dual Boiler gives you:

Twin stainless steel boilers for brewing and steaming
Twin water pumps
Steam wand precision controlled with a steam lever
Temperature controller selection to set your own brewing temperature, with a design that gives you high quality temperature control in the brew head
Low Pressure pre-infusion to ready the grounds for extraction (user adjustable)
Integrated tamper
Portafilters - comes with a single wall (professional type) and double walled pressurized version for the folks who worry less about grinding and tamping
and a shot clock that helps you pull the perfect shot

This little slice of heaven will set you back though, tipping the scale at over $1,000.

Here's a great walk through on the machine from SeattleCoffee Gear.

Available at Amazon - Breville Dual Boiler BES900XL Espresso Machine

Konitz Espresso Cafe Cups

2011-12-07T13:22:51Z

Here are some fun Espresso Cups from Konitz that reminds me of a fun espresso cafe. They jump out a bit more than a plain white espresso cup, but they look more fun than over the top.

So, while the We'll see how they shape up versus Bodum Pavina Double Walled Espresso glasses are still my favorites, these from Konitz would fit in nicely in my kitchen.

Dishwasher and microwavable safe - capacity 3-ounces

at Amazon - Konitz Espresso Writing 3-Ounce Cups and Saucers, Set of 4, Black/White also with the same design as Latte Cups - Konitz Café Latte Writing 12-Ounce Cups, Set of 4, Black,White

Outpresso - Great Gift for the Green Nespresso Lover

2011-12-06T12:41:28Z

Outpresso is a compact device that separates the coffee from the aluminum in Nespresso coffee capsules, making it feasible to put the spent aluminum capsules in the recycling bin. The Outpresso make short order of your used Nespresso capsules, and since there are no broad scale Nespresso recycling programs here in the US like there are in Europe, you need something to easily do it yourself.

Recycling is pretty easy. Just put the spent Nespresso capsule in the little indentation on the Outpresso, push down the lever and squeeze out the coffee grounds. They stay in the little bin underneath. I tap the grounds out in a bowl for composting or right into the trash depending on the time of year and the mood I am in. I rinse the grounds off the crushed aluminum capsules and put them into my metals recycling bin. Done. It takes about 5 minutes a week. - See my Full Review of the Outpresso.

So, if you have a green Nespresso user on your gift list, consider the Outpresso.

At Outpresso USA

Illy Collection 2011 - Francisco Clemente

2011-12-05T12:29:40Z

Illy has an iconic espresso cup design and uses it to show off some wonderful artistic creations each year. Illy invites artists from around the world to reinterpret the espresso cup, with various painted versions. This year, artist Francesco Clemente, the Italian born contemporary artist created several different cups for the collection that include colorful explosions to brighten your day.

These Illy Collection Cups are available in a collection of six espresso or six cappuccino cups for $150 and $175, respectively.

At Illy - Francesco Clemente Illy Collection Cups

Krups XP4600 Silver Art Collection Espresso Machine; Design Flair Included

2011-12-05T03:00:51Z

I saw this and thought it was one of the sharper designs to come out of Krups in a while. TheKrups Silver Art Espresso machine (XP4600 model) looks like an amazing machine that has some pretty good stats backing it up to offer a solid cup of espresso any time you want. It has a 15-bar pump with a quick heating thermo-block heater.

The exterior of stainless and chrome with a wooden handle to the portafilter. The reservoir is nearly a quart, with a portafilter that will handle either ground coffee or ESE Espresso pods. The unit is programmable and of course the steam wand will allow for well steamed or well frothed milk.

At Amazon - The Krups XP4600 Silver Art Collection Espresso Machine

Nespresso Variations 2011 Review - Chcolate, Cherry and Vanilla Blossom

2011-12-02T12:26:28Z

Once again, Nespresso has brought a surprising set of variations to brighten up your holiday season. This year, they continued with a few running themes, sour fruit, and indulgent confection, and again give you a chance to pause and wonder if these flavors are meant to go with espresso.

I learned a long time ago to just go with it and trust that if I didn't like something, it was only about $12 lost. More often or not, I have really enjoyed the flavor variety, and there is no time like the holiday season to enjoy a little whimsical indulgence. If I judged a book by its cover, I may never have tried a few of my favorites like Crystalized Ginger from 2008 and Apricot from 2009. Of course, I also like "regular" flavors like last year's reprise of the Almond flavor in the 2010 Variations.

Base of Livanto

If you enjoy the Livanto capsule blend on a regular basis, like I do, you're probably pretty happy to have the 2011 Variations based on this capsule. I would pick it because it is a dark but still moderate blend that has enough acidity to play up sour fruit flavors, but is not overly acidic to kill anything requiring a velvety smooth body.

more after the jump.....

Nespresso Variations Review

Overall, I will say that in ascending order, I like the Vanilla Blossom, the Cherry and topping the heap, the Dark Chocolate. They are all good showings this year, with the vanilla being a little weaker than average for my tastes.

Vanilla Blossom - said to have a delicate harmony, this flavor blend has more vanilla aroma initially than it does throughout drinking the cup. Be sure to enjoy the aroma as soon as possible, because it's great to smell as the espresso is brewing. This is really its selling point; a wonderful aroma. I will say that I would have loved to have seen the Vanilla Blossom in a lighter espresso blend that is more in tune with the light airiness of a Vanilla Blossom. I mark it down because like the "Absolute Vanilla" from 2010, it has a strong and slightly bitter finish that is not as sweet/confection as I would like.

Cherry - to start, I am not a big Cherry fan..... at all. This is probably why I enjoyed this Variations offering so much; the full flavor with hints of ripe cherries carried by a good amount of Livanto acidity to get a good punch of flavor. The flavor is strong enough to overcome the coffee, but not so strong that it tastes overdone. The character is a fresh cherry, without so much flavor that it comes off as sweet almond, which some artificial cherry flavors can do. The flavor is sweet, and can be over sweetened if you add too much sugar. A winner.

Dark Chocolate - The Dark Chocolate is well suited to sit atop the espresso platform; at home in a slightly acidic, and bitter existence. It does well and really fills out when you add a big of sugar, and really is at home in the presence of milk; either as a latte or simply with a subtle macchiato. I happen to like the Dark Chocolate as my favorite Variation of 2011. It's not at all milk chocolate candy bar with a long sweet finish; it's more of a semi-sweet chocolate with a cocoa finish. It is however, a respectable cocoa/chocolate that you can enjoy as a small treat any time of the day.

Review Summary

Once again, I can recommend that you at least try all three of the Nespresso Variations this year, and then decide for yourself which to order more of. You see what my favorites are, but yours are different, and I find that when I offer up some of these, people who don't normally like a stark espresso warm up to the idea. That's probably why Nespresso likes these variations right at the holidays - more triers and more buyers of their machines.

The Nespresso capsules can be brewed in the newest Nespresso machine, the Nespresso Pixie, the super slim Nespresso Citiz, the Nespresso Essenza C-100 or the Nespresso Le Cube brewers.

Learn More at the Nespresso Variations Site

Variations are available for order at the Nespresso Club

Nespresso Capsule Holder Carousel

2011-12-01T13:20:39Z

I ran across this the other day and wanted to pass it along. I am always on the lookout for capsule holders because I hate having the capsules rolling around in a kitchen drawer. Some are vertical holders, while some mount on the wall, some are handmade out of bamboo, but this one is a carousel much like those designed to hold K-Cups.

Great Accessory and Gift for the Nespresso Drinker

It holds up to 40 capsules, and rotates 360-degrees with a chrome finish. The carousel is about 10-inches high and about 6-inches in diameter.

At Amazon - Nespresso Carousel Capsule Holder