I'm known around the office as the Coffee Queen. Anyone who knows me knows that I'm crazy about my coffee and will most times see me with a cup in hand. Trust me when I say that if I don't get my morning latte, my mid day cappuccino, and my "right before I pick up the kids" espresso, I'll go crazy. I know... I've got a serious problem. But, it's not just the fact that I'm drinking the caffeinated beverages and allowing them to soak into my system to keep me going, I actually love the taste. A good quality flavor and aroma are very important to me. With that said, I recently had the privilege of testing out the Keurig B70 coffee machine. I'll admit that I was a bit skeptical for a couple of reasons. I had read reviews of the machine and the quality of the coffee that it produced. I had heard that it was more for people addicted to caffeine, and not so much for those addicted to the delicious taste of a great cup of coffee. I was wrong! Not only did I get to get to choose from a plethora of flavors of coffee, but the K-Cup capsules that are used also come in a variety of teas and hot chocolate. And let's face it, with the weather here in New York getting cooler and cooler, who doesn't love an instant cup of hot chocolate? The machine brewed me a cup of delicious coffee in seconds. It came out hot and there was absolutely no clean up!! All I had to do was remove the capsule and throw it in the garbage. I am in love. If you get the chance check this machine out— it is great for the holidays and entertaining. If someone wants decaf, great. If they want French vanilla, great. Take my word for it, this is the best instant brew coffee machine I have ever used.

Kris
Sales Department

First off, let me say one thing…I hate using a straw on hot beverages. Call me old-fashioned but I like to sip, not suck on my coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. That said, there’s a growing population more comfortable with the idea than I’ll ever be. To such individuals, I’d like to introduce the Java Wand.

Not to start any gossip, but if a French press were to mate with a Krazy Straw, the resulting offspring would be a Java Wand. This gadget is pretty much a glass straw with a tiny French press filter attached to the bottom. To make a cup of Joe, you basically add a teaspoon of ground coffee to a cup of hot water and stir using the Java wand. Supposedly after a few seconds, you should have drinkable coffee on your hands—which can be enjoyed through the straw. 

Somehow I doubt this doohickey can replace a good espresso machine or compete with the Handpresso…but to each his or her own. Would you use the Java Wand?

Tho
Writing Department

Aimee Kick wearing her coffee filter prom dress - Photo courtesy of Francis Howell School District

Prom, mention the word and I can’t help but shake my head in shame. Like many girls in my senior class, I practically drowned myself in a taffeta poof, laughingly sold as a ball gown, just to make an impression on the “big night.” And I remember, vividly, the fear that ran rampant among the female population in the months leading up to the big dance—what if, God forbid, some other girl wore the same dress as you?

Where some teens may find anxiety, others see opportunity. Aimee Kick, of Francis Howell North High School in Missouri, managed to be the belle of the ball in a one-of-a-kind dress, and she did it with the help of a few coffee filters. Yup, coffee filters!

Like most girls her age, Aimee wanted to stand out. But instead of scouring the department stores for the perfect dress, she was looking around the supermarket for inspiration—toying with the idea of making a gown out of aluminum foil, vegetables, tea bags, bubble wrap, and stamps before settling on coffee filters sewn into a fabric shell. 

It took Aimee a month to cut, fold, stain, dye, blow-dry, and sew her creation into form. The hard work was worth it; Aimee ended up with an avant-garde dress that was the toast of the town. Hmmm…wonder if she wore a coffee ground corsage. I bet you’ll never look at a coffee filter the same again. Does anyone have any other uses for coffee filters? We'd love to hear them!

Tho
Whole Latte Love Writing Department

Some of my fellow coffee nuts are purists. They believe that fresh ground coffee brewed in a commercial style espresso machine is the true way, the only way. Being a coffee nut myself and knowing all the rules and regulations makes this very difficult... I am going to break my silence on a big secret....I love Nespresso capsule coffee (GASPS!) Thats right, I love it and I drink it every day. I have a Nespresso C-100 under my desk. I'm a Nespressoholic and I'm proud of it.

Capsule coffee is a great alternative for those of us who don't have a lot of room but want a great quality espresso. The capsules are totally sealed and can be kept in your office drawer (or in my case, filing cabinet) and do not require refrigeration at any time AND they last for up to 12 months! If you have enough room for something the size of a football (American style), you have more then enough room for one of these little machines. They have removable water tanks, so I take mine to the sink in our little kitchen and rinse it out and refill it. After the capsules are spent, they drop down into a little basket container. The C-100's drip tray and basket are linked as are most other models. I take them both to our kitchen and dump the capsules and rinse out the drip tray. Occasionally I use some dish soap to get it squeaky clean. The machine is relatively quiet when it is brewing, but is a bit louder if there is no capsule in it. My coworkers hardly notice the sound of it brewing at all. There is almost no noise, no mess, no standing in front of a machine for what seems like eons for a good espresso! How can you go wrong? I have also committed some major sins against my little C-100. I have accidentally left it on all weekend more then once and let it run dry, also more then once. Yet it has not died yet. I do not recommend doing this to any machine and I'm sure Nespresso will be appalled at hearing this, especially since I work in technical support. But I think it is a testament to the machines durability for sure.

Capsule coffee is taboo in the chic circles of espresso fanatics. I say no! All Nespresso capsules are hermetically sealed to prevent any air exposure and taste as fresh as the day they were ground. The capsules come in a great variety, from very, very strong to light and mild. They have a basic range, their standard espressos which they have all the time. My favorite is Cosi – smooth and mild, perfect to wake me up and get me through the day. I know that sounded cheesy but it is true. I love the Cosi blend and I sip it as a straight espresso with just a little Splenda brand sweetener. (No calories, a girl has to watch her figure you know!) There are also the “Lungo” coffees. They are for those of us who also enjoy a small but perfect cafe crema. These capsules are designed to brew a larger volume. Once a year the Nespresso company comes out with a special blend or blends. These are available in limited quantity so you have to keep your eye open on the Nespresso site to see when they are coming out. Their most recent addition are “Pure Origin” coffees from Brazil, India, and Colombia. My co-worker Maria and I really enjoy the Rosabaya from Colombia. Let me tell you something else about Maria, she a real Italian. She was born in the US but her parents are from Calabria and Napoli, so she really knows her espresso. And if she loves the Nespresso as much as I do, it must be good! We both drink it daily.

The capsules themselves are about 55 cents each for the normal espresso and Lungo Ranges. The special coffees like special editions and pure origins coffees are slightly more. You can only get the capsules from Nespresso. Some people may think that this is a downside. But it is actually a bonus. You only have one source for the coffee which means that you do not have to shop around. You are also guaranteed freshness. Nespresso will not allow any other company to sell their coffees so they can keep an eye on their product to ensure freshness and quality. They also offer outstanding shipping rates and you can order as much or little as you want at a time. You will still save money on your daily store-bought espresso or cappuccino if you invest in the Nespresso system.

I know I have definitely breached the coffee connoisseurs code by telling you all of this, but you should know that to get a fantastic coffee, latte or cappuccino, you don't have to be any sort of expert or even a novice. You just have to know what tastes good and what you like.

Kathy
Tech Support

See the entire line of Nespresso Capsule Machines!