Ah! How sweet coffee tastes, more delicious than a thousand kisses, milder than muscatel wine. German composer and musician, Johann Sebastian Bach, was so terribly fond of his coffee that he wrote a comedic Cantata known as Schweigt stille, plaudert nicht (or 'Be still, stop chattering') dedicated to the beverage. Research tells me that the performance was most likely held in Zimmerman’s Coffee House in Leipzig, Germany, which hosted a convivial musical society known as the The Collegium Musicum. Apparently the moral of the story is revealed in the tenth movement, when all three characters sing that 'drinking coffee is natural'. Stay with me, please, I am getting to the point. シ The folks at NESCAFÉ® know how much I love my coffee, so they kindly gifted me with a Dolce Gusto Circolo capsule machine and asked me to road test it with a view to promoting it as 'the perfect Christmas gift for a discerning loved one'. So, let's do this. First, the spin. Made by Nestlé and De'Longhi, I'm told that the NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto was the first capsule system available in Australia to make a range of both hot and cold beverages. There are six models (including Circolo, Gusto Jovia, Gusto Mini Me, Piccolini, Genio and Melody) with prices ranging from $99 to $229. Promoted as stylish, funky, energetic and fun, NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto machines use 'smart' capsules, which have been designed to regulate the pressure of the machine. A demo on the Dolce Gusto web site explains that once you've popped a capsule into the machine, a needle pierces the seal and water 'races in' at the right temperature with high pressure. The water is pushed through the roasted ground coffee, 'capturing' the flavour and aroma. Then a disk pokes through the foil in the bottom of the capsule and 'delivers the exact amount of pressure' for the brew you've selected. Sounds simple enough. The NESCAFÉ capsules are bulkier than the well known competitor's slimline pods. Interestingly, the NESCAFÉ capsules can be recycled by sending them to by sending them to TerraCycle for free. For each capsule received, consumers are awarded 'two points' or $0.02 per capsule that can be redeemed for a payment to your chosen non-profit organisation, school or charity. Capsules are available in boxes of 16 for around $8.49 and include flavours such as espresso intenso, espresso decaf, espresso ristretto, caffe Americano, cafe au lait, chai tea latte, cappuccino, skinny cappuccino, latte macchiato, caramel latte macchiato, hot chocolate, cappuccino ice, iced peach tea and mocha. These are available in supermarkets and on line, although we noticed that none of the supermarkets we visited stocked the full range. Those milk-based flavours have eight milk capsules, along with eight coffee or chocolate capsules. The road test...The Good Things team opened the box and set the machine up on the kitchen counter, before perusing the Quick Start guide (pictured below). Another (younger) fellow blogger/reviewer noted that he 'could easily decipher the pictorial instructions' that came with the machine. Well, I'm afraid it took these two fifty-somethings much longer to understand the different images, and we found ourselves laughing at our interpretation of some of the pictures, particularly number '5' with the eyeball. You can picture what we found ourselves doing, can't you. Ü A few explanatory words in plain English would have clarified the finer details for us middle aged 'oldies'. Of course, once you get the hang of it, the operation is indeed quite simple and not something you can forget. The parcel from NESCAFÉ included complimentary packets of cappuccino, hot chocolate (chocoletto) and espresso ristretto capsules, so we tested those first up. Both the cappuccino and hot chocolate ones have capsules of milk powder as well as separate capsules with the coffee or chocolate powder (eight of each in the box). The hot chocolate or chocoletto ingredients are whole milk powder, sugar and emulsifier (soy lecithin) in the milk capsule; and sugar, cocoa solids, emulsifier, 'flavour' and cinnamon. To me, the hot chocolate was reminiscent of the kind you might buy from a hospital vending machine, somewhat watery in taste and lacking in that depth of flavour and rich chocolate deliciousness. The finished product is delivered scorching hot every time we've tried it, so take care not to burn your tongue. The cappuccino ingredients are whole milk powder, sugar, emulsifier (soy lecithin), cow's milk and soy, and roast and ground coffee 100% Arabica. Curiously, the suggested quantities are 200ml of milk to 40ml of coffee, but this results in a decidedly weak blend. And even with the quantities adjusted, the milk seems to overpower in the cup (see the cappuccino pictured below). My sous chef, Peter, always orders a double shot espresso, while I prefer a macchiato with a dash of extra milk (however, we were not able to find a box of the macchiato capsules locally). The espresso ristretto delivers a reasonable glass of coffee and, certainly, my taste tester on this one has not complained. That said, he hasn't commented positively on the fruitiness of the blend either, which tells me the coffee is not nearly as good as it might be. We purchased a packet of the espresso intenso, and I could write 'ditto above' for that one. In short...The Good Things team has mixed opinions about the NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto Circolo capsule machine. Ask the sous chef and he will tell you 'Yeah, it's alright.' But, like the lady of the house, he misses the coffee aficionado experience of grinding freshly roasted, specially-sourced coffee beans and crafting a brew of espresso with a traditional coffee machine. The smaller versions of the NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto capsule machine would be absolutely perfect for travellers who cannot bear to be without freshly made coffee (as in those who never travel without a coffee plunger). Where the footprint of the NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto Circolo is a little too large for travel, it is perhaps better suited for apartments with smaller kitchens. We do, however, like the trendy, hipster design of the NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto Circolo capsule machine and its striking red colour, which is quite appealing. So, yes, the NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto Circolo capsule machine would make a good Christmas gift... for the right person. Disclosure: Good Things received a NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto Circolo capsule machine gratis to road test and review. The opinions expressed here are the personal views of the Good Things and do not necessarily reflect the views of Nestlé. So tell me dear readers, what are your thoughts on pod or capsule coffee machines? And have you ever travelled with a coffee plunger or mini coffee maker tucked into your luggage? I have!
25 Comments
27/11/2014 06:47:19 pm
I love your review. I so want a quick and easy coffee machine at work, but this is not one I would buy as I am a fussy coffee drinker. We have an espresso machine at home and a coffee grinder - the best way to make coffee imo.
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Lizzy
4/12/2014 06:56:49 am
Yep Tandy, I agree... we have a small espresso machine too and we enjoy trying different beans and blends and grinding our own!
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27/11/2014 07:03:53 pm
I don't drink a lot of coffee but when I want one, I want a good one.
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Lizzy
4/12/2014 06:57:06 am
I hear you, Maureen.
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Lizzy
4/12/2014 06:57:48 am
Thank you, Amanda... you could make much nicer hot chocolate the old fashioned way. In fact, I have a fabulous recipe here on Good Things.
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Sue
27/11/2014 08:17:14 pm
Thanks Liz - very thorough review as Amanda said. Was wondering whether to get one, but seems they may all have similar issues. I do like a weak coffee and have to have decaf after 1pm (or am still awake even later than normal!), so am particularly fussy about my coffee. The other half is more of a tea drinker (being English). Enjoyed your review nonetheless. Thanks. PS. I do travel with, dare I say it, a jar of instant decaf!
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Lizzy
4/12/2014 06:58:37 am
Thanks so much, Sue... instant decaf is a good idea for one who has trouble sleeping after caffeine.
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28/11/2014 07:13:42 am
It's certainly a very attractive appliance. Great road test. Amazing list of flavour options. I can see these being bought by people with smaller kitchens who love their coffee xx
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Lizzy
4/12/2014 06:59:02 am
Yes, it is, Charlie... and it would also be useful in a small office too. xo
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Linda
28/11/2014 08:27:52 am
Great review, very neat and quick.
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Lizzy
4/12/2014 06:59:23 am
Thanks Linda, much appreciated.
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28/11/2014 09:39:52 am
Hi Liz. Great post and good to see a non-subjective review. I've just been to Buena Vista Farm (Gerringong) to see how they harvest and roast their coffee (after my own hit'n'miss attempts) and knowing how complicated/time-consuming the whole process is, still prefer to carry through with a hand-grind? Also, do we really think that people who want to save time by using these gadgets are REALLY going to go to the trouble of recycling the capsules. Mmmmm. cheers
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Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:00:20 am
Hiya Ambra.... oooooh, I didn't know about Buena Vista at Gerringong... now I'm intrigued and want to visit next time I'm in the Kiama area! And, yes, you are right about the capsules.
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Eha
28/11/2014 12:51:14 pm
Liz: you have no idea how welcome and useful this critique has been for me! I love to try 'new' things and I guess George Clooney has made the whole coffee capsule idea more attractive for all of us :) !! Well, with my meagre purse I have kept on telling myself I don't 'really' need this, but . . . at the moment I have entered three competitions to win the very machine you were given to road test . . .and since I seem to have somewhat of a 'competition knack' have been hoping for an email from one source or other!! Hmm, have read similar crits to yours on quite a few occasions . . . would be nice to win, but no tears will fill my eyes if I don't either methinks!!
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Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:00:56 am
Ah Eha, George Clooney would make anything seem attractive, no? : D
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My Pete got himself a Nespresso machine and quite honestly (I have to make the coffee) it is quite a bother having to run water through to heat the cup first and even after a service the water seems to come out extremely slowly and the little catchment goody at the bottom needs to be emptied quite often.
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Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:02:27 am
Hi Mandy... I didn't know you had to do that with a Nespresso... the only ones I've had experience with were great big jobbies with dual machines and a milk frother... seemed a lot of work! Though I do like the flavours on offer by that competitor xox
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Jenny
29/11/2014 09:36:51 am
i have a plunger mug, and it has been all over Australia and much of the world with me. I can't tell you how jealous my travelling companions were on a Kimberley camping trip when I made real coffee for myself every morning ...
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Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:02:57 am
Ah, Jenny... a coffee aficionado for sure... you made me smile! : )
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29/11/2014 09:01:55 pm
Great review Lizzy. This looks like a very handy product for a quick cuppa :)
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Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:03:20 am
Thanks Bec, I suppose it could be handy.
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30/11/2014 09:05:22 am
my eyes are glazing over just lookign at that "quick guide"... as someone who writes procedures for a living, i'm sure there could have been an easier way!
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Lizzy
4/12/2014 07:03:42 am
Elizabeth you are spot on!
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5/12/2014 06:51:19 pm
I've never travelled WITH a coffee plunger, but it would be a great idea for the husband who can't function without a coffee in the morning!
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Cooking and writing have been a lifelong passion. Join me as I share with you my favourite recipes; postcards and morsels from my travels; conversations with cookery writers and chefs; and news on food, cookbooks and cooking. - Liz Posmyk
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