The WSJ had a conversation with Nespresso's CEO Jean-Marc Duvoisin to talk about Nespresso's plans, and hurdles in the global marketplace. At a high level, Nespresso is using George Clooney in Europe as their spokesman as he supports a more mature market, while Penelope Cruz is the spokesperson in the US, where the market is just developing.
Nespresso has hit some speed bumps with competition getting around their patent fortress, and while that creates some headwinds, Duvosin is kind in his words indicating that competition is good. I think the PR spokesperson took care of that for him.
Finally, Nespresso expects that they will continue to expand in the US, and start to expand in China, noting that China will be a slow and steady expansion.
Nespresso has long battled for patent control over what goes into its machines, and the UK just ruled for Dualit, and will allow them to continue to sell their Dualit capsules in the UK under the Dualit NX name.
This comes months after a German court ruled that compatible capsules can be sold there without infringement issues on Nestle patents.
Several times a year, Nespresso launches a special capsule that drives demand and excitement among users. The Variations are flavored capsules that come out for the holiday season, and then a couple of times a year, usually in the Spring and the Fall, Limited Editions come out focused on a special blend of coffees, backed by some powerful marketing concepts.
Nespresso likes these for a few reasons, as it drives sales, excitement and a fresh story into the Nespresso line. Oh, yea, and they charge more for the capsules too.
This year, the Spring Limited Edition wraps the experience in the coffee culture of Italy, essentially coming home to the espresso culture's roots.
On the Strong Side
The Napoli capsules is a blend of South American, African and Asian beans that have a dark, complex and STRONG flavor with a bit of a Robusta finish. The capsule sis said to be an 11 on a 10 scale, much like the fabled Kazaar all Robusta blended capsule. With the Napoli, Nespresso is pushing a "Black Gold" concentrated coffee concept of taking the espresso as a Ristretto, (25ml) or an even shorter 15ml. I typically like this type of blend, so my money is on the Napoli in this kitchen for preference. No idea what it would register as a standard espresso (40 ml).
The Trieste is a bit less intense, but not by much. The Trieste capsules will be 100% Brazilian and African Arabica beans with a nutty and chocolatey flavor coming in at a 9 on the 10 intensity scale, also as a Ristretto (25ml).
Nespresso recommends Ristrettos on both the Naoili and Trieste. The Napoli is said to be an eleven on their strength scale, while the Trieste comes in at a nine.
Nespresso started shipping their Limited Edition 2013 Napoli and Trieste capsules for the Spring season. The new pair of capsules are meant to capture the coffee culture of these Italian cities with different espresso blends, roasted to bring out a bold flavor.
The Napoli capsules is a blend of South American, African and Asian beans that have a dark, complex and STRONG flavor with a bit of a Robusta finish. The capsule sis said to be an 11 on a 10 scale, much like the fabled Kazaar all Robusta blended capsule. With the Napoli, Nespresso is pushing a "Black Gold" concentrated coffee concept of taking the espresso as a Ristretto, (25ml) or an even shorter 15ml. I typically like this type of blend, so my money is on the Napoli in this kitchen for preference.
The Trieste is a bit less intense, but not by much. The Trieste capsules will be 100% Brazilian and African Arabica beans with a nutty and chocolatey flavor coming in at a 9 on the 10 intensity scale.
Order now, if they prove popular, they'll be gone soon. Price is $0.70 per capsule.
Read more about our announcement a couple of weeks ago on the first signs of the Napoli and Trieste capsules.
My sources are indicating that the new Spring Capsules from Nespresso, the Napoli and Trieste capsules will be available from Nespresso Club April 10 at the call center, and online a day earlier.
The capsules are usually announced early in the week, so we'll see, as the announcement could be as early as next Monday or Tuesday.
A lot of people have been asking "When will Nespresso's Napoli and Trieste capsules launch in the US?" - they've already launched overseas, and we usually get the news and the capsules a few weeks later. The time is ripe for a new Spring Limited Edition.
Of course, as soon as we get some in we'll post a review of the Nespresso Limited Edition Napoli and Triste capsules.
The new Limited Edition espresso capsules focus on the coffee culture of Italy, and will be packing some stiff espresso credentials, coming in high on Nespresso's intensity scale. Read more on the Nespresso's Napoli and Trieste Limited Edition Espresso Capsules.
Nespresso will be launching two new espresso capsules the Spring, the Nespresso Napoli and Trieste as limited editions. The two blends will tuck into the line as part of the annual tradition of adding temporary capsules to offer some excitement, news and variety. Nespresso recently stated that they would expect to have more variety, and potentially at higher prices, like the Limited Edition Hawaii Kona capsule that sold for $2 per capsule.
The Napoli capsules is a blend of South American, African and Asian beans that have a dark, complex and STRONG flavor with a bit of a Robusta finish. The capsule sis said to be an 11 on a 10 scale, much like the fabled Kazaar all Robusta blended capsule. With the Napoli, Nespresso is pushing a "Black Gold" concentrated coffee concept of taking the espresso as a Ristretto, (25ml) or an even shorter 15ml. We'll have to see.
The Trieste is a bit less intense, but not by much. The Trieste capsules will be 100% Brazilian and African Arabica beans with a nutty and chocolatey flavor coming in at a 9 on the 10 intensity scale.
A few articles popped up over the weekend that Nespresso may be moving on from George Clooney and going with Penelope Cruz as their spokesperson by the end of the year when Clooney's contract expires.
Nespresso released their super-Special Reserve blend for $2 per capsule, and subsequently sold out pretty quickly (not as quick as the Coconut Variations though). The sales of these expensive little buggers reportedly pushed revenue and profits up a noticeable amount. According to Bloomberg, this won't be the last example of super premium offers that Nespresso turns out. While I forked over my $20 for a sleeve, I was disappointed in the overall flavor of the Kona Reserve; it just wasn't for me.
Nespresso announced that they have a new capsule in their Grand Cru line called the Lizinio Lungo, a capsule designed to help welcome in the day. With its split roasting, Nespresso brings together Colombian and Brazilian coffee to bring out the highlights of each origin. The Brazilian brings out a roasted cereal and malt note, while the Colombian brings out the bright light notes.
The Linizio Lungo's name comes from the Italian word inizio, which means the beginning, inspired by the bright flavors and its intended use as a breakfast drink. It's lighter and less intense than a lot of other Nespresso capsules, as the Linizio comes in at a "4" on the "10" intensity scale.
The orange capsule will get its own orange stainless steel Pixie Cup in the spring.
UPDATE: April 25, 2013, Nespresso has broken ground on the new facility and plans on having it operational by 2015. The symbolic "stone" laying includes the unveiling of a large aluminum coffee bean that was made from the aluminum of about 800 nespresso capsules (shown above).
Nestle's Nespresso brand is growing, and they expect it to continue at a break-neck pace; new ads in the US, and a new Nespresso U machine globally keep the pressure up on the growth side. the new facilities will expand their Nespresso Capsule capacity significantly to keep up with global demand.
Nestle, the parent company of Nespresso is investing about $200M in a current production facility at Avenches, Switzerland, adding production lines, quality assurance labs and more. Meanwhile they are investing over $300M in a new facility in Romont, Swizerland that should be completed and online by 2015.
While you may be good about recycling, are you up cycling things around your house to new uses? I've been using the Outpresso to recycle my Nespresso Capsules, but I never thought I would see a watch face made from a crushed Nespresso capsule. The flattened capsule forms a uniquely designed face of a beautiful wrist watch. Each one is slightly different given the crushing behavior of the used capsules.
The watchmaker, Blacier, uses a hand winding mechanism, and proudly displays the non-battery, green state of their watch's mechanism via the clear glass back plate. The hand winding should last for approximately 42 hours according to their website, so daily winding is recommended.
Cost of the Blancier watches start at 495 Euros…. at Blancier Watches - Grand Cru Watch
Nespresso has a deal going on right now that will give you a $100 credit from the Nespresso Club store after buying a Nespresso Machine for $199 and above. The special runs from 11/23 through 1/21/13.
Nespresso has 16 Grand Crus to choose from, and delivers to your house in a couple of business days. I've been pretty happy with my deliveries, and after running through the sampler that comes with the machine, you can pretty much nail it down to one or two that you like, and grab a few boxes of them in the first order.
Eligible machines include; The narrow and sleek Nespresso Citiz, the even smaller Nespresso Pixie, the espresso and latte brewing Lattissima Plus, The big and powerful Nespresso Maestria. The Nespresso U is technically eligible, but watch out; Amazon sells it for $198.95, five cents less than Nespresso's stated $199 floor. Not sure if this makes a big difference, but I'd hate to lose out on $100 of free capsules over five cents. Nespresso does list the New Nespresso U as one of the potential machines, but I am not sure about the requirements on your proof of purchase and how they might check the purchase amount.
See more at the Nespresso Rewards page where you enter your information for the credit. The credit is good for one year after you receive it.
We recently talked about Cafe Vergnano Nespresso Compatible Capsules in Australia and they are now available in a limited fashion at some Bed Bath and Beyonds.
UPDATE 12/11: Macadamia Nut Variation is out of stock too.
Nespresso blew it out this year with their Coconut Variation 2012 capsules (See my Full Review of Nespresso Variations 2012), and who knew it would be so popular. If you are one of the lucky or smart ones that have all the Coconut Capsules that you want; you did better than me. By the time I realized that these were some of the best capsules in years, they were sold out.
I was hoping that somewhere there were some extras in the world and that they would find their way to the US market. Sadly, it's not going to happen.
A Nespresso spokesman confirmed, "We are unfortunately sold out of our Nespresso Coconut Variation. They were very popular, and they did sell very fast."
On top of the 16 Grand Cru varieties that are offered year round, every year, Nespresso has a holiday set of Nespresso Variations; flavored espresso capsules that are a new twist on a shot of espresso. Always flavored, these variations are always fun to trey.
Nespresso still has the Hazelnut and the Macadamia Nut Variations at the Nespresso Club
Melvin : I would like to ask expert can the Pixie produce read more BilgeRat: I purchased the Domepod version, and it worked great while read more Angie: We've had the machine for almost a month and it read more SH: Just confirmed... These capsules now avail. for order in Canada read more John: I love these products, but I really wish Nespresso would read more
Nespresso CEO Talks Expansion in the US and China
Continue reading: 
Mailing List
Subscribe - RSS
Recent Comments
