ILUVDABEAN Senior Member Joined: 7 Mar 2005 Posts: 285 Location: California Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Gaggia Classic Grinder: Gaggia MDF/K-A Pro Series Drip: Capresso MT 500 Roaster: Nesco 1010/Behmor 1600
Posted Sat Jan 26, 2008, 9:04pm Subject: Re: Gaggia Goes Capsule!
Surely you dont think it can surpass a freshly ground,correctly tamped shot from a good machine. You know... beans that were roasted about five days ago,then ground precisely so that at a 30 lb tamp with a 25-30 second extraction you have exquisite espresso.These machines will have thier place to one degree or another but they wont surpass the high grade machines with fesh beans and great technique.But the way I look at it espresso is relatively new and more exposure and more people drinking it and learning about it, in the end can only be a good thing. As far as the bean itself and what it can yield we have only scratched the surface so more exposure is probably a good thing in the long run.Most endeavors have purists and those that push the limits in pusuit of excellence,that will never change....come pods,capsules or pills. In the end some settle for instant cofee while others want that perfect shot of espresso.The coffee world is big enough for it all.
Posted Sun Jan 27, 2008, 8:13am Subject: Re: Gaggia Goes Capsule!
I assume that this is gaggia's answer to the nespresso rage. Or the next generation "pod" machine.
The nespresso product that I had was really pretty good, too; much better than any pod espresso I've ever had. I wasn't very excited when I was offered an espresso and was slightly horrified to see the weird capsules, but was immediately was surprised when I smelled the shot pouring. It had the unmistakable, authentic, espresso smell that the pods--at least the ones I've had--just don't have. I'd ordered a latte, thinking it could drown whatever came out of that capsule in lots of milk, but I ended up taking one straight to taste this stuff. And liking it.
The nespresso machines are pretty neat, although I didn't have time to examine it closely. Having only seen photos online, I thought these things were cheap plastic a la one cup pod coffee makers. Not at all; the one I saw was some type of metal combo that was very nice and substantial, not to metion the great design. From a design standpoint, the nespresso has it all over the gaggia machines in general, and the capsule machines look like, well, gaggias. The portafilter thing is pretty retarded. The nespresso machines make no apologies--they don't try to look traditional.
The capsules are not real espresso, but the product isn't bad. Appreciation for traditional espresso doesn't automatically exclude an appreciation for the other forms. If the nespresso shot that I tasted is a good representation of the capsules, I would be interested in having one for myself. Doesn't mean it would replace my current set-up. Not a compromise at all, unless you make one.
roastaroma Senior Member Joined: 21 Nov 2007 Posts: 259 Location: San Francisco, CA Expertise: I love coffee
Espresso: Sirena Grinder: Rocky Drip: Bodum French Press Roaster: Blue Bottle Coffee
Posted Sun Jan 27, 2008, 10:50am Subject: Re: Gaggia Goes Capsule!
Ciao,
Much as we love to bash anything super-automatic, capsule technology could be the step forward that will (I hope) bury the ESE pod for good, the way flat screens buried CRTs & CDs buried cassettes. Now that 3 major firms are duking it out: Nestle (Nespresso), Gaggia, & Illy -- we may see further advances, and esp. penetration of key mass markets such as airlines and hotels, where potable espresso would be well-received. I sampled a Nespresso while visiting Macy's a few months back, and though I had to endure a bit of sales patter with my shot, I was surprised that the "ristretto" was actually drinkable -- not vending machine swill, but close to a commercial super-auto. I wouldn't want it every day, but I could accept it on a long transoceanic flight, for sure.
There's no telling what could happen if this really takes off. For ex., more specialty coffees could be added to the selection. SO Ethiopian Yirgacheffe in a capsule? Humans do the darndest things, y'know! [eyes roll]
Posted Sun Jan 27, 2008, 12:01pm Subject: Re: Gaggia Goes Capsule!
I guess Gaggia, being a pretty large company, has to sell what the public wants, or what the competition is selling. No room for integrity and idealism in big business.
I'm sure that superautos are capable of making good coffee, but I've yet to have a decent cup from one. Once I went into a cafe with a Gaggia machine and only after I had ordered did I notice the Nespresso logo on it. That coffee was pretty bad too.
That being said, most of the cafes and restaurants in my area that have traditional espresso machine make pretty awful coffee as well.
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