nespresso review

Nespresso machine: yep, it’s bad.

People were asking me about this machine that appeared our building recently as I’ve (somehow, mysteriously) gotten something of a reputation as an espresso hound. Despite my general mistrust of these super-automatic machines I felt obligated to try it out. Indeed, as I’d feared, the output was bad: despite using the “ristretto” pod and “pull” (meaning button), the shot was watery with weak thin crema. The espresso tasted simple and bland, without much by way of nuance or flavour and had the starbucks-style rubber/tire early taste that indicates old beans that weren’t treated kindly even when they were fresh. But, to be charitable, it wasn’t as bad as some of the pods I’ve tried — I tried a Nespresso machine which used the taller, thimble-shaped pods in a store last year and could barely choke down its acrid, chemical-tasting output — and, well, it spit out an espresso in 30 seconds for free.

I’ll stick with my Rancilio, but in a pinch this thing is actually better than the coffee bar espresso.