September 30, 2008
Not sure if you've seen this one, but the Nescafe Dolce Gusto has come to the US and its design is turning a few heads. The folks at Nescafe have been known for unique and interesting designs with their coffee/espresso makers and this bird-like design is sure not to disappoint. This single cup coffee maker is not of the Nespresso capsule/espresso variety, but does use single serve capsules that are designed o be a bit more flexible and offer a range of drinks including espressos and lattes.
So, while some outlets are mentioning the new unit, our sister site, Single Serve Coffee has a US model Nescafe Dolce Gusto in house for review. They have also been checking out a Euro spec unit for about a month now.
Available in Red, White or Black at Amazon - Nescafe Dolce Gusto (Pre-order now, available October 15)
September 26, 2008
I am always in favor of hitting a few sampler packs ever now and then to broaden your exposure to different coffee flavors. You may just find something that you love better than what you are enjoying today. The investment is low and the payout potentially high. One brand that I like is Compagnia dell'Arabica. They have several single origin espresso pods, which at first glance may not be ideal for several reasons, as I believe that solid blends create the best espresso, and that single origin coffee may be best enjoyed as a lighter roast that is drip brewed vs espresso brewed. That aside, I was pleasantly surprised to see that these pods offered a lot of flavor diversity and a great little experiment.
At Pod Merchant, they have a sampler of 22 ESE pods for $15.
- Purissimi Caffe Arabica (4 pods)
- Brasil Santos (4 pods)
- Colombia Medellin Supremo (4 pods)
- Kenya 'AA' Washed (4 pods)
- Biologica (Organic) (4 pods)
- Decaffeinatto (2 pods)
September 22, 2008
It's time to order the next Special Edition from Nespresso called Jinogalpa. Jinogalpa comes from Nicaragua's best arabica coffee and is split roasted to reach different roast colors then blended after roasting. Nespresso describes it as having "full body, and a smooth crema that reveals soft tones of sandalwood as well as subtle and refreshing herbal accents."
Targeted at a 40ml brew into an espresso shot, the Intensity "6" shot should be a good one. I am looking forward to mine coming. Last year's sold out fast, you can order at Nespresso
September 19, 2008
Jura Capresso has been listening at its focus groups and has the ENA 5 a thin powerful super automatic that is loaded with features but won't load down the countertop with a huge machine. At just 9-inches wide, and 17 inches deep it's about the size of a legal pad. It's also now available at Amazon.
Eco-Friendly Green is in - We all are pretty aware that conservation is a good idea, and the Ena comes with a Zer o Energy Switch, which fully disconnects the unit from the electrical grid, drawing zero power. Some people aren't aware of all the power consumed by those components around the house which by staying in "standby" mode, still gobble up power. Not the Jura Capresso Ena 5.
While slim, it doesn't miss out on the features though:
Programmable to 3 strengths, 1-16 ounces, and two brewing temperatures.
Grinder with 5 fineness settings
Stainless thermoblock heater
37 ounce water reservoir
7-ounce bean hopper
Water filtration built in.
1450 watts
14 in. high, 9 in. wide, 17 in. long
Weighs 20 lb.
At Amazon - Jura Capresso ENA 5
September 18, 2008
Maybe it's the weak dollar, maybe it's the meltdown on Wall St, or maybe it's just our luck, but the Handpresso is now just $129.
We enjoyed getting our Handpresso in January, covering it with an Unboxing of the Handpresso, and then a First Impressions post quickly after that.
I still use it at work to get some good espresso in a land that doesn't have much in the way of strong coffee.
at Whole Latte Love - the Handpresso Wild
September 16, 2008
Tully's just sold its wholesale operations to Green Mountain Coffee Company, but maintains control of its retail stores. The roasting and distribution arrangements will now be handled by the K-cup Kings over at Green Mountain. I happen to love the Tully's French Roast K-cups when I am not drinking espresso's.
More at SeattleTimes
September 15, 2008
Caribou has launched their fall drink line up to welcome in the cooler weather. The Pumpkin flavored drinks are ready at your local Caribou coffee cafe. An hey, if the weather is still a little steamy in the late summer where you are, grab a cooler.
- Pumpkin Cooler - A creamy blend of pumpkin, spice and coffee makes for a surprisingly refreshing cooler.
- Wild Pumpkin - A masterful mix of pumpkin, spice, white chocolate, espresso and cream that's like pumpkin pie right out of the oven.
September 5, 2008
We have been drinking Covim Caffe Espresso pods over the past few weeks, and without cutting to the chase found them to be quite tasty. We received both the Gold Arabica and the Orocrema espresso pods which are both 7 gram ESE pods. Our current preferred method of pulling a shot in the warm Summer heat is to use our Handpresso, and the results have been excellent. But first, how about some background on Covim and how they source the coffee and make their pods:
The procedure implemented by Covim for the production of coffee in pods starts with the selection of the plantations, continues with control, separate roasting of the different varieties and careful blending which ends with the packaging of the product in single-dose portions so that an Italian-style coffee can be enjoyed in every workplace, in Italy and abroad. The paper pods, made in standard and small formats, are packed in a special single-serving sachet in a protected atmosphere, which guarantees lasting quality and freshness of the coffee. They are available in four varieties: Orocrema, Gran Bar, Gold Arabica and the decaffeinated Suave, in cartons of 150 units or in handy 25-pod dispensers. Pods weigh 7 grams.
Sounds good to us, as we said earlier the results are excellent. Here's the two blends we sampled.
- Covim Caffe' Gold Arabica - 100% Arabica blend of Brasil Santos, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Santo Domingo. Very Aromatic with strong body and slight acidity. Excellent aftertaste.
- Covim Caffe' Orocrema - A blend of 20% Arabica (blend of Brasil Santos, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Santo Domingo) with 80% Robusta (blended from Southeast Asian and African countries).
Absent acidity, full body, and fine aroma.
Continue reading: "Review: Covim Caffe Espresso Pods - Gold Arabica and Orocrema"
September 2, 2008
It's no secret that Starbucks is having trouble and that they are closing "underperforming" stores - 600 of them in fact. With 600 fewer stores, especially the slow potentially money losing ones, Starbucks hopes that they can firm up their business and start making money at a better rate.
While those stores may be money losers, they are also customer's home cafe's where "the usual" gets ordered up thousands of times a day. Is your corner Starbucks closing?
Here's a full list of stores (PDF link) that are slated to close from Starbucks.
Nescafe Dolce Gusto Coffee/Espresso Maker In the US
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