Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Off Topic Coffee Machine Suggestions

Could anyone recommend some online coffee bean shop?
Sorry for the off topic.

I'm sure that there are many such traders around the globe, but my two recommendations are Cooper Coffee and EightPointNine.

Thanks, that's what I need.

FWIW, in a web chat with De'Longhi, it transpired that their Eletta range (at least) only uses 7g of coffee in preparing any drink - whether that is short, standard, long, or, extra long coffee. No wonder, then, that I experienced (diluted) thin and bitter coffee taste prior to returning my De'Longhi Eletta Cappuccino to John Lewis.

By comparison, the Miele CM6110/CM6310 (made by Jura) permits variable coffee adjustments between 6g to 14g per individual drink (in addition to variable water level per drink).

So, in choosing your super-automatic coffee machine, check first on how much coffee is actually used in the brewing process.

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Rats! Now my Tassimo has broken. Must find coffee...

Yesterday, I visited my local 'Nespresso Boutique' for a demonstration of their machines. I wasn't disappointed.

Imagine that you were able to participate in a blind taste test - between (my returned) De'Longhi Eletta Top B2C machine and a Nespresso, you might be forgiven in believing that the De'Longhi had produced the real thing, while slop had been produced by the Nespresso.

In my demonstration of the Nespresso the reverse was true - by a country mile!

I sampled a medium-sized Ristretto based cappuccino, with milk produced by their Aerocinno (which I already own). It really hit the spot. I was very pleasantly surprised - and subsequently ordered a Krups CitiZ.

I was also impressed by Nespresso's commitment in providing a loan machine if and when a customer's brewer became faulty (in or out of warranty). It's a free service in warranty, or for a flat fee out of warranty.

Locally, Waitrose stock a wide variety of NX (Nespresso compatible) capsules, including my favourite Carte Noire pods. Also, they now sell 4 different PG Tips flavoured tea NX capsules.

My new Citiz will suffice while I await the Black Friday/New Year sales. Whatever the merits of Nespresso, I can't do without a proper B2C machine.

BTW, I hadn't appreciated that my Tassimo only produced drinks at 3.3 bar pressure, unlike a B2C machine at 15 bar pressure. By comparison, Nespresso produces coffee at 19 bar pressure.

FWIW, I've settled on the Taylors of Harrogate "Brazil Yellow Bourbon Espresso" capsules. Really hits my taste buds; strong, but not bitter. Available from Tesco, Sainsburys, and Waitrose.

Has anybody found a Nespresso compatible capsule with "Fig Seasoning" a la the greatest old "Bramah" Viennese coffee offering of years gone by.
This was a regular favourite in the 1970's.

Hey Spinaltap I thought you were a chocolate lover from Bournville

Hector

As the years have progressed, I now much prefer the taste of dark chocolate. I really don't like Cadbury milk chocolate anymore.

Thankfully, Cadbury bought Green & Blacks before Mondelez took over - so my dark chocolate requirements are easily satisfied.

As for advice on Fig flavoured coffee capsules, I suggest adding Monin Fig Syrup to an existing coffee brew.

It wasn't necessarily my preferred Jura model, but I've just bagged 50% off a Jura Impressa A9 from John Lewis. With the refund from my old VeroCafe, the overall cost will be £175.

Crossed fingers that the quality of coffee will live up to Jura expectations.

On the Nespresso, having tried a selection of different intensity drinks, I do have a taste for Nespresso 'Darken' (intensity 11): I can't imagine why.

If anyone's interested, John Lewis currently have the Jura Impressa A9 (Platinum) - that I recently bought - in their clearance sale, at £575.

That's almost 50% off retail (the 'aluminium' version on John Lewis is £1,150).

You can read my review of the Impressa A9 on the John Lewis website.

May be some coffee machines going at the last remaining BHS stores today. Everything for sale, including fixtures and fittings - may extend to the cafe appliances.

I'm without my Jura A9 since John Lewis broke it beyond repair during a maintenance pitstop. Sad, as it made really great Coffee.

I'm presently 'slumming it' with my Nespresso CitiZ while I research a suitable Jura replacement. Incidentally, Starbucks' Espresso NX pods are really good.