18.Coffee Machine Pod Review

18.Coffee Machine Pod Review

You've probably seen a machine like this at a coffee shop or in an office breakroom, but did you know that 18.18.coffee machine pod coffee machine pod is actually a brand-name product of the much larger Swiss corporation Nestle? The company's Nespresso division has been working on pod-based brewers since 1976. The word "Nespresso" feels as if it's become synonymous with single-serve pod machines, in the same way that you hear the name Kleenex when someone says the words "paper towel."

Unlike drip or French press coffee, which require grinding, measuring, and prepping, and can take several minutes for the coffee to brew, a single-serve pod brewer can make a cup of coffee in a matter of seconds.18.coffee machine pod This is because the machine heats water to a specific temperature, then pumps it through a filter that has ground coffee in it. The water passes through the coffee, which releases its undeniably great flavor and the rest of the brewed liquid drops into the drip tray to be poured into your cup.

In addition to brew speed, a pod coffee maker is also convenient because you don't have to worry about a messy pot of drip-style coffee, or the extra cleanup that comes with a French press.18.coffee machine pod You can simply pour your coffee in a mug or travel tumbler, and used pods automatically fall into a receptacle attached to the brewing unit for easy disposal. Moreover, many of these machines can also make cappuccinos and lattes, and even some can brew iced coffee.

The machine I tested brewed one small, eight-ounce Nespresso-style espresso shot in about two minutes. The larger, ten- and twelve-ounce pods took just as long or shorter to be ready. The machine is fast, but you have to remember that the pods aren't real espresso (they're an elliptical version of the thimble-shaped capsules used in traditional Italian espresso machines) and aren't as good as fresh-ground beans.

Nespresso has made the machine's design a bit fussy, with a lot of red and gold plastic parts to attract attention. It has a fairly large water tank and a pod storage drawer with an automatic door that opens when you push a lever. Pods are fully recyclable, but unless you have access to free Nespresso recycling bags and prepaid UPS labels or drop-off points, the process of returning used pods can be a pain. (New Yorkers, however, can just drop their used pods in blue recycling bins, no bag needed.) I would prefer a less expensive machine that could use refillable pods, but even the more affordable Nespresso machines don't accommodate them. Pods from other manufacturers can be purchased online, so this isn't an insurmountable hurdle for those who want a Nespresso-like experience at home.