Bosch Tassimo TAS2001

This machine will make you a cup of espresso, cappuccino, latte, hot chocolate, tea or even more hot beverages at a push of a button. The Tassimo system includes special T-DISCs (capsules) with barcodes, which are read by the machine to set the correct water temperature, pressure and brew time for each drink. One of the cool things about the T-DISCs is that they come in known flavors such as Milka chocolate, Starbucks coffee or Twinings tea. For the milk based flavor, you will have to combine two T-DISCs (for example, a chocolate capsule, and a milk capsule).

You can adjust the height of the cup stand for small espressos or tall lattes, and also manually set the strength of the drink. I really like this machine because it is very competitive price wise, and you get to pick from a large set of flavors for your drink, and not only coffee. It is also easy to find the T-DISCs from major Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Morrsions, Somerfield and Boots stores, or you can find them online at the Tassimo online store as well.

I wouldn’t say this is the machine for someone who is looking for an espresso only machine, but if you want to prepare different drinks, and you are on a tight budget, this is definitely a good option to consider.

Technical Specification

• Barcode system ensures perfect drink every time
• Manual adjustment of drink strength possible
• Dimensions (mm): H273mm x W204mm x D334mm
• Flow heater technology means virtually no heat up time and minimal waiting between drinks
• Easy to use interface with one button
• Height adjustable cup stand for different size cups
• 2 litre removable easy-fill water tank
• Automtic de-scaling function
• Highly energy efficient due to flow heater
• On-off switch on front of appliances
• Dishwasher safe parts
• Storage compartment for service T-DISC and quick instruction manual
• Cable storage at back of appliances

Check out price comparisons and user reviews for the Bosch Tassimo TAS4011GB Multi-Beverage Machine.

Here is a video by Bosch on the machine..

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1. Bosch Tassimo TAS4011GB
2. Tassimo T-DISCs – Where to Buy
3. Tassimo Coffee Machines History

Dolce Gusto Piccolo

The technology behind Dolce Gusto coffee machines deliver a 15-bar pressure system and Thermoblock. This ensures that your espresso dose is delivered with high quality and a foamy froth, rich crema and luxurious flavor.

The Dolce Gusto Piccolo has a custom control lever that lets you decide and customize customize your coffee’s strength and mixture. Also use the lever to alternate between hot and cold beverages.

Technical Specification

• White, Red, and Black stylish design
• High 15 bar pressure with Thermoblock Boiler
• Stainless Steel and height adjustable drip tray
• Dishwasher safe capsule holder
• 0.62 Liter removable water tank
• Machine Size 11.3(H) x 6.26(W) x 8.66(L) in

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1. Dolce Gusto – Coffee is Not Just BLACK
2. Dolce Gusto – Nescafe Dolce Gusto
3. Nescafé Dolce Gusto Circolo

• The Nescafé Dolce Gusto System
• Nescafé Dolce Gusto Circolo
• Nescafé Dolce Gusto Capsules Roundup

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2. Dolce Gusto – Nescafe Dolce Gusto
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Watch this new video by Douwe Egberts, follow the link at the end of the video, tell your coffee story, and you can win a free trip to Amsterdam!

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If you already know about Tassimo you may have encounted two types of machines for it online and wondered which you should go for. I am talking about the Braun Tassimo coffee machine and the Bosch Tassimo coffee machine. Here is some information for you about the history of these two machines.

Braun Tassimo TA1200

Bosch Tassimo TAS4011GB

The first Tassimo machines, which were designed for Kraft Foods products, were the machines made by Braun in 2005. Those are still to be found at certain stores and online but Braun are not manufacturing those machines anymore. Instead, production responsibility was moved to Bosch because of the potential conflicts of interest arising from Braun’s owner P&G also being active in the coffee market.

Bosch expanded its subsidiary plant in Slovenia in 2007, and invested €7m in production equipment and R&D to make the first Tassimo T40 (or TAS40xxGB) models. Since last year, the company has been producing the TAS65xxGB models and now the 85xxGB models, with built-in Brita filters, LCD screen, and a lit cup tray (improvements from the older TAS40xxGB models).

Read more about the Bosch TAS4011GB in our related post.

Related posts:

1. Tassimo Bosch TAS2001 Review
2. The Tassimo Capsule System
3. Bosch Tassimo TAS4011GB

Saeco Odea Giro

Saeco is the Italian based leading espresso machines company and is controlled by PAI Partners. The company, which also makes machines under the well known Gaggia brand, produces traditional coffee machines, capsule system coffee machines, and bean to cup coffee machines. All together it has 30% of the European market, and has reportadly sold 318 million Euro over the 12 months that ended March 31.

Philips among others, holds the technology behind the Senseo coffee machines, which produce espressos using coffee pods, with a Philips coffee machine.

Philips Senseo HD 7852/50

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Caffitaly Nautilus

The Nautilus coffee machine is perfect for making espressos and lungos, but it also has a milk steaming nozzle, so you can prepare more sophisticated beverages like cappuccinos and latte machiattos. I got my hands on a silver Nautilus unit and I have to say that I’ve really enjoyed it so far.

Caffitaly Nautilus Silver

The Nautilus looks very stylish when closed. You can see the large 1.2 Liter water tank which is very easily pulled out for refilling.

Caffitaly Nautilus Silver

In the photo above, you can see the empty capsules disposal container which fits up to 15 empty capsules, but you will probably want to pull it out and empty it a little sooner than that, just for keeping everything clean. Raising the silver lever, opens up the capsule base, where you place the full capsule just before making your beverage. When you are done with making your espresso, lifting the lever again automatically pops the capsule out right into the empty capsules container.

Caffitaly Nautilus Up Close

The Nautilus has 2 modes: Coffee preparation mode, and milk steaming mode.

Clicking on buttons “A” and “B” changes between modes. Because the boiler needs to be heated to a higher temperature for milk frothing, it is recommended to first brew the coffee, and then change to steaming mode. You may actually need up to 30 minutes for the boiler to cool down and go back to coffee preparation mode, so make sure you make all the coffee before working on the milk.

The knob marked as “C” controls the coffee brewing or milk frothing operation. It is a simple manual operation, so depending on the mode the machine is at, pull or push the knob to brew coffee or let out steam. When satisfied, just bring the knob back to the middle. There is no automatic dosing here.

The big lever marked with “D” opens up the capsule base (when lifting it). After placing a new capsule, you push it back down, and only then the machine is ready to brew the coffee.

The coffee flows out of the coffee pouring hose marked with “E”, and the steam for milk frothing shoots out of the nozzle marked with “F”. Take a look below at the steamer in action.

Caffitaly Nautilus Steamer

Here is a short video I took of the complete operation of making an espresso:

Another video – This time take a look at the making of a perfect cappuccino with the Nautilus:

To summarize, we are looking at a beautiful coffee machine for your home. It is perfect for making espressos and lungos. If your main beverage is cappuccino, then this machine is not the milk frothing device, but that is often the case with these machines. You can find great standalone automatic milk frothers out there, so don’t let that stop you from getting this beauty.

A technical summary of the Caffitaly Nautilus:

• Uses the patented Caffitaly capsules system
• 17 Bar high pressure pump.
• Thermoblock technology boiler
• 1.2 Liter water tank
• 15 empty capsules disposal container
• Weight: ~ 5kg
• Dimensions: W: 24cm H: 30cm D: 32cm

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1. Caffitaly / Gaggia Service Contact
2. Caffitaly Capsules – Where to Buy
3. Caffitaly System for Coffee Machines

Krups Nespresso xn2007 with Nespresso Aeroccino Demonstration

• Another Krups xn2000 demonstration video

Krups Nespresso xn5000 Le Cube Demonstration

• Promotional demonstration video of the Le Cube
• Promotional long video of the Le Cube

Nespresso Delonghi Lattissima EN660/670/680 Demonstration

• Another Demo of the Delonghi Lattissima EN680
• Yet another demo of the Lattissima

Nespresso Siemens Porsche Design Demonstration

• Nespresso Siemens Porsche Design promotional video

Nespresso Magimix M200C Demonstration

Nespresso Aeroccino Demonstration

You are welcome to post links to your videos or other videos you find online.

Thank everyone for making these beauties and helping everyone who is reading this post

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Green Coffee Beans

Coffee Plants

The coffee drink is prepared from roasted coffee seeds, more known as coffee beans. The coffee beans hide inside coffee berries which grow on the coffee plant, Coffea. Once the berries are picked, they are stripped of their skin to reveal the coffee beans. After a cleaning process, the beans are then sorted according to their size and wholeness, packed and shipped from country to country. The beans in that stage are also referred to as “Green coffee beans”.

Coffee Roast

The next stage in the life of coffee beans is the roasting stage. The coffee beans are roasted evenly at a temperature of 288°C (550°F). After around 8 minutes of roasting, the beans crack, double their size and loose half of their weight. During the roasting the beans produce among others, an oil called “Caffeol”. The Caffeol gives the coffee its flavor and aroma which we like so much. The beans continue to be roasted until the desired level, from “light roast” to “dark roast”.

Following the roast stage, the coffee beans are cooled down and allowed to “breath” air between 10 hours and 3 days, depending on the type of roast, type of coffee beans, and the amount of beans. It is important to then air seal the coffee, since the oxygen harms the coffee, and makes it loose its flavor.

Before brewing the coffee at your local cafe or at your home using your very own coffee machine, the beans must be ground. You can then get your coffee drink in many delicious ways, but that will be discussed in other articles…

So are you going to get a cup of coffee or what?

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