There’s a misconception in Malaysia that good-quality coffee means it is:
- Made by a barista from your favourite cafe/coffee store
- Expensive and does not taste any different from instant coffee packs
While we agree that coffee from both sources is great in its own way, they do lack something. Usually, the former lacks good value and the latter is less potent or not consistent in taste.
Don’t get us wrong. We like our coffee whether it’s from a cafe or from the petrol station. But sometimes, all we want is to stay at home and enjoy a cafe-like quality drink but at the cost of instant coffee. This is when coffee machines for your home come into play, and we cannot help but suggest the Nespresso machines and their capsule coffee.
For us, we found Nespresso capsule coffee to be:
- Pretty close in flavour and texture when compared to cafe drinks
- Actually affordable, especially in the long run
- Way faster to prepare and are just as fun as brewing your own cafe-like drinks at home
Even if you have been looking into Nespresso merchandise for a while, we at ProductNation would highly encourage you to visit Nespresso’s physical boutiques in order to taste if their capsule coffee suits your tastebuds.
Otherwise, if you’re new to the brand, here is more to know about Nespresso machines and their capsule coffee, all of which are based on our personal experiences.
Do check out our personal experience with the Nespresso Atelier!
It’s more value for money than you think
This will probably sound absurd to you at first (because it did for me–the editor), and it’s likely true for those who usually drink non-espresso drinks. But hear us out; the “higher” price point upon first purchase will quickly pay for itself when compared to using a barista-quality coffee machine and such.
Take coffee brewed with Moka Pots, for example. They cannot be compared in taste. Like Nespresso, Moka Pot coffee offers a taste close to actual Espresso. The difference is that Nespresso will always offer the same quality and consistency whereas Moka Pots can vary if you’re not experienced or detail-oriented.
Moreover, price-wise for a first-time beginner investment, they are very similar.
You see, you’ll need a grinder for your coffee beans and it should be of decent quality. If the size of the mechanism is off, it affects grinding consistency as well as the taste of the beans (true story for the editor; the acidity can differ). Therefore, it pays to have a good coffee grinder which can cost above RM100 for a budget hand-turned one, or nearly RM300 for a budget machine.
Not to mention, this novelty catches up real quick.
For the best-tasting coffee, you have to get freshly-roasted coffee, so you can’t buy bulk at once (which usually provides the best value) or it just won’t taste fresh. Might we add that freshly-roasted beans actually only have a month-long shelf life? Otherwise, they’d be stale-tasting.
This means you are looking at spending more for, say 250g of beans at RM25 (roughly 10-15 cups of 200ml coffee), versus 1kg of beans at RM75.
Not to forget; who wants to keep waking up every day and spend 20 minutes just to brew their coffee? We’ve tried living like this, and though we liked it but only for so long.
Consistent, potent & tasty coffee every single time
Thankfully, Nespresso machines are pretty consistent in their operation, along with the taste of the coffee capsules. So if you get a machine like the Nespresso Atelier which comes with several coffee options + a built-in milk frother, you can wake up to cafe-like drinks any time and any day.
In our experience (at the launch of the latest Nespresso x Pierre Herme collection), the consistency of the drinks was lovely. We did not detect any hints of coffee being over-extracted (which will taste really acidic) nor did the coffee taste weak. Satisfactory Crema was there, the milk stayed frothy for long, and shots were extracted from the capsules pretty fast (under 30 seconds).
Nespresso’s coffee variety is very flexible
So you might think that you are only confined to Nespresso drinks right out of the capsule. Well, that’s not the case.
As mentioned earlier, some machines like the Nespresso Lattissima One and the Atelier come with a built-in milk frother. If you don’t know, most coffee and milk-based drinks are not too different from one another in terms of way of preparation. This means with Nespresso machines, you’re able to modify the ingredients while enjoying the right coffee texture.
So say if you want a Hazelnut latte or a cup of Mocha, just add in some syrup or a piece of chocolate, then add in your milk and froth it right away! Only then do you insert a Nespresso capsule into the machine to start the coffee extraction.
Not to mention; even the most basic Nespresso capsules are made with a variety of notes (hints of flavours). Some are much nuttier (Ex, Cocoa Truffle; great for chocolate drinks) whereas some are fruitier (Ex. Cosi; great for a sweeter drink) in taste.
Editor
Jodee Tan chevron_right
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Nespresso Gifting Ideas for Malaysians
Even if you aren’t looking into their higher-end machines, the best part is that there’s something for everyone from the Nespresso range, be it a milk frother or glassware.
So if you’re ready to learn more about Nespresso, do take a look at their Festive Season merchandise which not only has limited edition flavours to try but also glassware and deals. They make great additions to your home or even as a gift too!
If you love your black coffee (Espresso or Americano), the limited edition Infiniment Espresso is one to get. Derived from Arabica beans which are grown in Tolima, Colombia; the beans benefit from the location’s high altitude, volcanic soils and tree shade. The result is an indulgent coffee profile that tastes just right for this season.
Details
- Notes: Fruity, Cereal
- Great for Espresso & milk-based drinks
- Co-created with Pierre Hermé; renowned French pastry chef and chocolatier
Inspired by the tartness of raspberry which is a common ingredient in your delectable French patisserie; the Infiniment Fruité is an aromatic marriage between the flavours of smooth, malted cereal and the alluring profile of raspberries. This makes for an espresso flavour that is not just naturally sweet on its own but also goes well with syrups and milk.
Details
- Notes: Fruity (berry), Cereal
- Great for Espresso & milk-based drinks
- Co-created with Pierre Hermé; renowned French pastry chef and chocolatier
Nothing speaks decadence like a good cup of coffee especially when roasted with a lovely, nutty profile which adds a touch of savoury. For those who enjoy coffee with their pastries and want it just right in taste; you’ll not go wrong with the Infiniment Gourmand Saveur Noisette. The beans are derived from cereal-noted South American Arabicas.
Details
- Notes: Almond biscotti, vanilla
- Great for Espresso & milk-based drinks
- Co-created with Pierre Hermé; renowned French pastry chef and chocolatier
Great for home baristas and coffee lovers alike; the Atelier machine lets you enjoy a variety of coffee recipes without fuss and frills. All you need are just right at the touch of a button.
Easy to use with its one-touch button design, choose any recipe drink from a hot Flat White to an Ice Frappe. Speaking of which, the machine also features a detachable and dishwasher-safe milk frother which lets you froth not just lukewarm or cold milk, but also plant-based milk.
Details
- Capsule capacity: 12
- Removable water tank: 1L
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 43.4 x 27.9 x 11.9 cm
- Feature 9 built-in recipes
- Useable for cold and hot drinks
- Features milk frothing directly into a cup
- Workable on vegan/plant-based milk
- Comes with a complimentary View Coffee Mug
Those who want to look into getting a Nespresso machine should consider the Essenza Mini. Compact in size, the Essenza Mini is made to prepare your cup of espresso to start your day right. With two programmable buttons that can be made to prepare Espresso and Lungo; the Essenza Mini is also easy to use and look after.
Details
- Capsule capacity: 6
- Removable water tank: 600ml
- Dimensions (W x D x H): 11 x 20.5 x 32.5 cm
- Come in two styles: curvy or triangular
- 2 Programmable buttons
- Features an Automatic Off Mode
- Compact in size
Quality tumblers for coffee are underrated. Why would you want to use a non-insulated bottle and just have lukewarm coffee by noon when you can have hot coffee all day long?
Constructed with double stainless-steel walls and then encased with coloured shells; the Nomad Travel Mug ensures that your beverage stays the way you like it. As it is designed with a push-to-open opening, drinks will not leak out all of a sudden too.
Details
- Capacity: 300 ml
- Dimensions: W76,5 x H150 mm
- Open without lid: H125 mm
- Dishwasher-safe
This is for all the Nespresso fans and coffee lovers out there. If you already have access to a Nespresso machine, why not discover more flavours and have fun with Nespresso’s 2022 advent calendar?
Featuring 24 little doors, each compartment contains a different flavoured coffee, including the three that are co-created with renowned chef Pierre Hermé. As a bonus, the box is designed sturdy so it can be reusable too.
Details
- 24 different flavours
- Presented in sturdy and elegant packaging that’s reusable
[This post was made in collaboration with Nespresso Malaysia.]