Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Eating and Drinking => Kitchen Natter => Topic started by: compostqueen on January 11, 2015, 23:33
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Anyone got one? Would you recommend it?
I'd like to make good coffee at home but without the fuss. I like the look of the Barista type machines but without the faff :)
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Dunno much about them, but have had coffee from one at friend's house. Capsules seemed expensive to me (razors are free, the money is in the Razor Blades, Nespresso seems to be the same type of thing to me!), but there was some Intellectual Property court case recently which, I think, means that 3rd party can now make them - which should bring the price down.
I use a Moka Pot
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/de/Moka2.jpg/180px-Moka2.jpg)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moka_pot
That won't make fancy Cappuccino etc (by itself), but it makes an excellent percolated cup of coffee. I use cheap supermarket Lavazza Espresso (ground) coffee, stick the pot on the stove and its brewed an excellent cuppa in next to no time (although mine isn't a traditional & iconic :) Aluminium Bialetti Industries one, as I have an induction hob)
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I have a tassimo because I prefer their coffee pods, BIL has Nespresso one that has a milk frother but it's never very warm when I have one,nor good taste,but that could be the pods they choose. With the tassimo I order the pods online,but don't buy the latte or cappuccino ones- they have milk pods with them. I buy the espresso pods & get 16 pods of coffee as opposed to 8 coffee & 8 milk. I microwave my fresh milk & zizz it with a little hand held frother. We,ce had on for 5/6 years. No fuss,no mess. Having said that I'm considering getting the real deal type one if & when we move house, but only a small one like a De Longhi,my friend has one & uses Illy coffee, it really makes a good cup, & seems to be little mess.
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Anyone got one? Would you recommend it?
I'd like to make good coffee at home but without the fuss. I like the look of the Barista type machines but without the faff :)
Oh yes, yes, yes, yes on all fronts.
I have had one for years.
Easy to use, brilliant coffee. Wouldn't be without it. Mine came with the milk frother and it makes amazing cappuccinos.
My sister had a barista style big beast machine but it was such a faff to use she hardly ever used it.
Other people are now making pods that fit the nespresso machines but the coffee is 'orrible.
It produces quality coffee that you get in the better class of coffee shops for a fraction of the cost. And Nespresso have a recycle scheme for the used coffee capsules.
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I've got that Bialetti pot Kristen but it doesn't make a good espresso I don't think. Mine is the tiny one mind you and I reckon because it's tiny, and it goes directly on my gas hob, that it burns the coffee. I have it turned down to its lowest setting and watch it like a hawk to whip it off the heat as soon as it's bubbled up to the top pot.
Hmm Tassimo or Nespresso? Rubs chin. I might just go up to John Lewis and do a taste test
My niece has a £500 De Longhi but the coffee is lukewarm at best!
I don't need milk frother as I don't do milky, frothy coffee, just espresso for me and Americano for my OH
Thanks folks for your information. I knew I could count on you. Off to browse Tassimo now. Tara a bit x
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I have an espresso machine (DeLonghi), not Nespresso. It's very good (though I agree, you have to preheat the cups if you want hot coffee), but as we now live off grid I tended not to use it that much, especially early in the morning before the sun is up (we have solar panels). A friend of ours recently gave us an AeroPress gadget, essentially a cafetière but which operates by means of pressure due to the rubber stopper on the plunger. I didn't think that much of it because it's plastic, doesn't look like much, etc. But the coffee it makes is surprisingly good, much better than a Bialetti-style coffee pot according to an Italian friend of ours, considerably better than the usual style of cafetière and it knocks the socks off filter coffee. Obviously you can't build up the same pressure as an espresso machine, but the coffee is very good.
For twenty odd pounds, you might think it worth a try. Very easy to use, takes up next to no kitchen space, you can use coffee from anywhere, and it's so easy to clean you wouldn't believe. In particular, there's no chance of limescale developing, which we found to be a problem with the espresso machine, as we have very hard water.
In case this sounds too much like an ad, I have absolutely no connection with the company! I haven't added a link but they're easy to find at all the usual online outlets.
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I've got that Bialetti pot Kristen but it doesn't make a good espresso I don't think. Mine is the tiny one mind you and I reckon because it's tiny, and it goes directly on my gas hob, that it burns the coffee. I have it turned down to its lowest setting and watch it like a hawk to whip it off the heat as soon as it's bubbled up to the top pot.
Mine is a biggun - makes a large mug-full in one go; bigger ones exist, but I struggled to find one that woudl work on Induction hob. I run the hob on full tilt ("Boost" even) until it is bubbling and then turn it down somewhat (don't need to go lower than 6) for a few seconds to finish off, otherwise it would spurt about.
No idea if you would think the taste of mine was any good though ... drop in if you are passing?!
I might just go up to John Lewis and do a taste test
I think that's an excellent ideal
I don't need milk frother as I don't do milky, frothy coffee, just espresso for me and Americano for my OH
Seems a lot of kit for just an Espresso? (and for Americano would you just add boiling water to Espresso? or is that a cop-out?)
However, if you would be likely to treat your dinner guests to any-coffee-you-want then a capsule machines would earn its keep.
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... I agree, you have to preheat the cups if you want hot coffee
Sorry, wandering off topic, but talking of 'spensive kitchen gadgets we have a boiling tap (Quooker). Excellent for instant coffee and brewing tea, as well as hot water for pans and so on of course, but also excellent for warming a cup, or some plates for the meal 'coz we forgot to put the warming drawer on!
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A friend of mine bought me a full size Bialetti from her travels but my son bogged off with it when he moved out. Cheeky chuff! :nowink:
I'll have a look at the Aeropress one. Thanks Snoop
I wanted one of those boiling taps when we had our new kitchen but my husband was having none of it. I had to beat him up practically to get a mixer tap :nowink:
Yep I get that about the Americano. OH reckons he doesn't like Espresso coffee but he doesn't realise he's drinking it in his Americano. Dafty he is
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It has to come down to which taste you prefer, so if you can compare before buying that's great. I don't own anything Nestle (20 years of boycott) but lots of my family have various capsule thingies, so I've taste tested. Personally I prefer the coffee from the moka pot or cafetieres - I find it's a heavier/deeper taste and I'm only allowed 1 cup per day.
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I do agree with you about Nestle, and I do feel really bad about not boycotting but I am afraid that after lots of trying other coffee over the years I prefer their coffee. And until Costa do a machine with capsules..... :wub:
I think John Lewis is an excellent idea. They do taste tests there and that is what swung it with us.
And if you are in John Lewis' kitchen department you might find lots of other lovely, very necessary items that you absolutely cannot do without. ::) :D
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And if you are in John Lewis' kitchen department you might find lots of other lovely, very necessary items that you absolutely cannot do without.
Been there ... done that ...
Took my Mother, aged 90, to John Lewis (she was a big fan) in a wheel chair (difficulty walking far, rather than invalid as such).
"What do you need Mother?"
"Batteries for my radio, I like to listen to the farming program in the early hours when I cannot sleep ..." (I'd got to the electrical department before that sentence finished!!)
Located and bought batteries.
"Anything else Mother?"
"No, I don't think so ... Did I get your wife anything for her birthday?"
"No Mother, I don't believe that you did" (she had long since been any good at remembering such things, and we had never bothered to remind her).
"Is there something she would like?"
Being in the electrical / white goods department reminded me:
"Actually Mother, she has been talking about getting an Ice Cream Maker"
"What a good idea" (I expect she said "my boy" at that point, she was of that generation!)
"Summon that nice looking salesman over there" (again, in the style of "that generation"!)
So I parked Mother's chair, walked over the the salesman:
"Can I help you Sir?"
"What's the most expensive Ice Cream Maker you have?"
One and only time in my life that I have said that !!
So Mrs K is now the proud owner of a very spivvy Ice Cream Maker :D
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That's soooo naughty :lol:
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I do agree with you about Nestle ... And until Costa do a machine with capsules.....
Those boycotting Nestle probably won't be happy with this route either but:
I tried some Starbucks instant coffee on a whim (it was in Waitrose, might be on sale in all supermarkets??). I'd be very happy to serve that instead of percolated to dinner guests and very much doubt they would tell the difference. I reckon its a decent grade instant with some finely ground real coffee powder in there too.
They do two types, I've tried them both, but I only thought one of them was good enough to fool my chums and, right now, I'm blowed if I can remember which one it was - so buy one of each for a test :)
Expensive. Comes with a small measuring spoon, so don't be put off by the small size of the tin (Ocado site say "Price per 100g: £12.27")
Edit: Looks like it is a 55g tin and it says "24 Servings"
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I do agree with you about Nestle ... And until Costa do a machine with capsules.....
Those boycotting Nestle probably won't be happy with this route either
S'ok both, my boycotts are my own personal choice, wasn't trying to make a point by my post. Luckily for me I prefer other coffee. ;)
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my boycotts are my own personal choice, wasn't trying to make a point by my post.
On the contrary, I think your are right ... and I am weak :(
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my boycotts are my own personal choice, wasn't trying to make a point by my post.
On the contrary, I think your are right ... and I am weak :(
Ditto. I am a slave to my tastebuds. :wub:
I went through so many fair trade coffees but yuck.
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I do agree with you about Nestle, and I do feel really bad about not boycotting but I am afraid that after lots of trying other coffee over the years I prefer their coffee. And until Costa do a machine with capsules..... :wub:
I think John Lewis is an excellent idea. They do taste tests there and that is what swung it with us.
And if you are in John Lewis' kitchen department you might find lots of other lovely, very necessary items that you absolutely cannot do without. ::) :D
I also boycott Nestle.
Tassimo do Costa pods.
Just another thought my Daughter makes cold brew coffee, she makes an enormous amount of coffee grounds up with a small amount of hot? Water, leaves it over night, filters it,refrigerates it then uses a small amount & tops up with hot water , she orders the coffee but you can use any I think. I bet you could gurgle it. Does taste nice & you can adjust the strength to taste. I can even drink it black.
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I went through so many fair trade coffees but yuck.
Don't know if you can get it where you live, but the Lidl Fair Trade organic coffee is surprisingly good. Much better than you'd expect for the price (here it's just 3 euros 99 cents for 500 grammes). Plus it's a bit cheaper than their other stuff (Bellaroma comes to mind as the brand), which is pretty awful.
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I love proper coffee but rarely have time to make it. Next best thing I have found in an instant form is Azerra Intenso. Made by Nescafe they also do an Americano and I think a cappacino which im not interested in. Better than any other instant ive come across
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It has to come down to which taste you prefer, so if you can compare before buying that's great. I don't own anything Nestle (20 years of boycott) but lots of my family have various capsule thingies, so I've taste tested. Personally I prefer the coffee from the moka pot or cafetieres - I find it's a heavier/deeper taste and I'm only allowed 1 cup per day.
This +++
I'm an addict, but a plunge pot (cafetiere) very early morning (viennese coffee), then the perc drip or a trad Moka pot during the day, no Nescafe ever (or Starbucks either.)
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Love my nespresso machine but don't use it everyday. I go through bouts with it. Would highly reccomend it.
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As a matter of interest, what sort of price do these things work out at for a cuppa? (Ignoring the capital cost, so just the Capsules and any other consumables / maintenance bits)
I suppose I ought to count how many brews I get out of a packet of Lavazza coffee in my Moka pot :)
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As a matter of interest, what sort of price do these things work out at for a cuppa? (Ignoring the capital cost, so just the Capsules and any other consumables / maintenance bits)
I suppose I ought to count how many brews I get out of a packet of Lavazza coffee in my Moka pot :)
About 29 to 35p depending on the type of capsule.
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Well done on the ice cream maker front :D oooh coffee ice cream :tongue2:
I'll have a look that coffee!
Not tried Lidl one but i did buy their top range teabags and was not impressed. The one in a Twinings look box I'll pop in as i was after some plastic storage boxes on offer
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Well done on the ice cream maker front :D oooh coffee ice cream :tongue2:
I'll have a look that coffee!
Not tried Lidl one but i did buy their top range teabags and was not impressed. The one in a Twinings look box I'll pop in as i was after some plastic storage boxes on offer
Coffee icecream with a coffee and chocolate ripple was a favourite with me. :lol: :D
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About 29 to 35p depending on the type of capsule.
Ta. Its a "far bit" then :)
I just had a look on Tesco online:
Lavazza Caffe Espresso Ground Coffee 250G @ £3.75
I use a scoop to fill the Moka and that measures 15g, so give-or-take that's 16 brews from a 250G pack which is 23p - a similarly "fair bit". I reckon I might get a bigger cup from my Moka though - measured that at 240ml
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Not tried Lidl one but i did buy their top range teabags and was not impressed. The one in a Twinings look box I'll pop in as i was after some plastic storage boxes on offer
Agreed. However desperate I get here for teabags, I never buy the Lidl ones. They're awful. Their non-organic coffee is pretty dreadful too. Don't buy it unless it's the fair-trade organic stuff.
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Lidl sell pads and pods , nothing fancy but are very good i thought.
i bought a converter for my machine so i can use ground coffee as well.
chrissie b
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I have a Senseo machine (Philips & Douwe Egberts), more than happy with the results and just as quick as boiling a kettle and making a cup of instant. Lidl used to sell pods that are compatible with the Senseo, but I've not seen them for a few weeks now so suspect they may have discontinued them. The "proper" DE pods in Tesco are £4 for 20 mug sized pods, ie 20p per mug. It's now several years (probably 7 or 8 years) since we first bought a Senseo, and I've since bought another one for my office .... like Chrissie we have an adapter that allows use of any ground coffee, but this doesn't fit the newer machine (almost but not quite).
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w3e have the tassimo, and yes it makes nice coffee, we looked at nespresso, until we spotted you can only get nescafe products for it. my preference is still my huge mug, 2 spoons of coffee 4 spoons of sugar and a dribble of gingerbread syrup (the mug hold 3 standard mugs worth). we have got an adapter thingie so we can use the tassimo for just hot water (to make instant coffee / tea) which seems to do the job.
Grendel
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Is the adapter thingie the cleaner disc? I never thought of using that for making tea I could do away with the kettle
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no it has a rotating bit and different bar codes for different size cupfuls we got it from the tassimo website.
Grendel
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Ok thanks I'll take a look.
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here - https://www.tassimo.co.uk/Accessories/TASSIMO%20Hot%20Water%20DISC%20Green?eshopProduct=951094
Grendel
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That looks great Grendel, thank you. I bought my mum a Breville hot water dispenser when she couldn't pick the kettle up any more. When she visited here & stayed in while I went somewhere I was worried how she'd make herself a cup of tea.
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We recently stayed in an hotel that had a Nespresso machine in the room and they gave you three different pods. It produced the measliest amount of foulest tasting coffee it has my misfortune to taste.
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I plan to have a test drive. My neighbour swears by hers and I thought I'd venture to John Lewis as they have lots of machines on test
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I love the coffee from my machine. I wonder if the one on the hotel might have needed descaling.
Enjoy your trip to John Lewis CQ. I loves john Lewis. :) :) :)They have so many very necessary things.
I am off there tomorrow with my son who needs advice on hobs and cookers for his new kitchen. And expect I will be treated to lunch too. :)
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I went to John Lewis, dragging OH with me, yonks ago it seems, but it seems to have paid off and I suspect Santa will be bringing me one :D he grudgingly admitted he liked the coffees he sampled
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Oh, well done Santa :D :D :D
Don't forget to leave out some mince pies and coffee liqueur to say thank you. :lol:
You will get a good start to Christmas Day with a good cup of coffee. Everyone who has coffee at mine agrees that it is brilliant coffee.
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the only bad cups we have had from ours have stemmed from a batch of the milks that somehow went off, now we just make it up and add milk.
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I see on the TV ad's that the likes of these machines,,you have to buy there coffee enough to fill a tiny little
cup,,,,
When i go to Tesco for fuel you go in to pay and there it is stuck in the corner a Costa coffee machine,,
I must say i can not stand coffee the taste / smell or even when someone stirs a coffee the stirs your tea ugh !