Number 2 son works at a Nespresso Boutique in the university district in Seattle. So we got a Nespresso machine for Christmas - not one of the fancy ones - and we regularly get bag-loads of capsules delivered to us.
I was skeptical. I like fancy coffees as much as anyone, but for daily consumption, the Mr. Coffee and fresh-ground beans from San Francisco Coffee Roasters that we get at Costco produce terrific coffee - and are cost-effective. If I want an after-dinner espresso, we have a Moka pot. Espresso machines have to be really expensive and take up a lot of space before the results beat a Moka pot, and in my opinion Keurig offers a sliver of convenience at too high a cost with too average a result.
So Nespresso wasn't on my list either. But the machine and capsules didn't cost me (if you don't factor in the amount of money it cost to raise and educate the boy). So...what the hell.
It makes good coffee. Many of the capsules leave me asking, "WTF?" But some are really good, and others are really good if you heat some milk in the microwave and make it cafe au lait. This morning I'm having the Cafe de Cuba, and it's exceptional.
Would I recommend it? Well, if you're snobby enough about coffee to turn your nose up at a drip maker, but not snobby enough to bother with pour-over or a French Press, but you don't want to shell out more than a grand for a coffee maker, then sure. I think it makes better coffee than a Keurig, and it matches any sub-$1000 espresso machine I've encountered without the hassle.
Would I do it if I had to pay for machine and pods? Nah.
But I do occasionally visit the boutique. I think it's a cool place. More my speed than hanging out at Starbuck's. And I get a discount.
