So, will just have to grin and bear it, and also deal with the inconvenience of having to order capsules online!
(Plus, I don't trust Customs! Could lug it all the way there and be slugged the diff anyway!)
Folks might grumble about the cost of living here in CH but I am just doing some research on buying a Nespresso (De Longhi) coffee machine when I get back to Oz, and boy, I almost wish I hadn't got addicted to Nespresso here!! A little Pixie costs about $100 more in Oz than it does here.....and I have already looked at the 'taking it back in the luggage' option and I can't, too heavy, too much space.
Pamela,
I have a couple of questions, if you would be so kind as to answer:
1) I have never used a Nespresso machine. I ́ve always ground my own coffee beans to make an expresso. How is the taste? Is it as good as freshly-ground coffe?
2) Is Delonghi a good machine? I have the possibility of buying a used one for CHF300. Would you go for it?
3) Aren ́t the capsules a bit expensive compared to buying bags of coffee? Aren ́t they like .40 per capsule?
Would appreciate a response. Just arrived in Switzerland and am eager to buy an expresso machine, but I ́m torn between Nespresso and a normal (grind-your-own) expresso machine.
Kenneth
I have a used Nespresso König Edition from my cousin leaving Switzerland and thought to let go at the price of 70 CHF plus Postage. If you are looking for a cheaper alternative (it is not fully automatic), please send me a PM for photo etc. then.
Hi there.
I also used ground coffee beans in my machine in Australia and was quite happy with them. Since coming to Switzerland and using Nespresso machines, I am converted. I like the taste and with several varieties to choose from you should find something to suit you. There are mild and stronger flavours. You could try the coffee in your nearest Nespresso shop, they offer free tastings(expecting you to buy of course!)
De Longhi is a good machine, they make lots of different coffee machines. I see there are a few brands of machines for the Nespresso capsules, Krups is another one.
I suppose the capsules could be considered expensive, but personally, I am happy to pay for them. I bought some on Monday, a box of 10 cost CHF5.20. They will cost me even more in Australia when I get back!
Speak to jttraveller about his/her offer, it could be a good way for you to see if you like this type of coffee before committing to a more expensive machine.
Good luck, let me know how you get on!
Has anyone tried those capsules from Denner yet? I'm sorely tempted to buy some if the taste is the same for a cheaper price.
Think you'll find the Nespresso capsules are the only ones that fit their machines. Clever on their part!!
Correct me if I am wrong, but a Swiss friend buys the Denner (or Coop/Migros) ones for her big machine and I took one home to try in the Nespresso machine, but no luck.
we tried them...big disappointment. Taste like low cost coffee, they don't fit that well in the Nespresso machines and they have a huge packaging. Each capsule is wrapped in a small plastic pack to keep the flavour.
We tried them too. I though they were OK, but you don't get the variety of the Nespresso capsules. And yes, they do fall through the machine if you're not careful.
I don't really drink coffee at home; that's why I am looking to let go the machine. But I heard some negative experience about Denner capsules too...My take is if you want to save money, don't use Nespresso at all...else take the original capsules...
Mmmm, just enjoyed a cup now with 2 Tim Tams - haven't had one of them for over a year. (Australians, I suspect, will be the only ones to relate to that excitement!)
I was down at Aldi yesterday. there is a capsule machine - the brand name is Cascolino - which dispenses Martello coffee.
The machines were only 49 CHF and the coffee 2.49 CHF for 10 capsules. Lots of varied flavours and strengths.
here is a link - http://www.aldi-suisse.ch/ch/html/of...5_DEU_HTML.htm
The only problem was that all the coffee machines had been sold out in the first few hours. I tried two more Aldis and it was the same story.
Has anyone tasted the Marterllo coffee yet?
I will be trying again this week, when hopefully they have a new supply of these machines. For that price I will probably drink anything remotely coffee flavoured. Not sure which other capsules would work in this machine.
Hopefully, this will force the other brands to bring down their prices.
I guess you bought your machine since your post? Are you enjoying it?
I tried to buy it - but there was a professional looking sign on the window of two Aldis I went to on Monday saying the equivalent of :-
"Due to unprecedented demand we have sold all the stocks of the coffee machines. On the 27th October we will have a similar machine available in our store".
Looks like I will have to wait a few days and hopefully someone who managed to buy one can give a report on the coffee taste.
I am not sure, but these machines look similar to the Tschibo ones (89 CHF)
The Aldi in Baar near Zug had quite a few coffee machines yesterday, you might give there a try
Have you considered a Tchibo coffee machine, I have a Nespresso back in the UK and was going to get the same when I moved here. However, looking at the cost, I thought I would look around. I bought the Tchibo machine priced at 99Chf's, got 30Chf's worth of free coffee as well as a 20Chf's voucher thrown in. I actually prefer the Tchibo coffee to the Nespresso pods but that will just be down to personal taste.
To echo some of the other comments the Denner compatible capsules are OK but not as good as the proper Nespresso capsules taste wise, the packagaing is also a pain, as somebody else stated each capsule is individually wrapped in a foil pouch, they are bulky and a pain to store neatly.
Incidentally the Tchibo capsules are cheaper than Nespresso. Also to add, decent coffee either ground or bought as beans is not actually much cheaper than using the capsules.
The best value is to buy a Bialetti. They can be had for less than 30CHF. Use Lavazza coffee at 5 CHF a bag. It will fill your kitchen with an aroma that the Nespresso can't. Every Italian family has one. The coffee is still better in a bar in Italy, but for the economy minded it is the way to go.
The best DIY coffee I have had is from those machines that take the beans in and they grind just before. Deluxe ones have multiple compartments so you can rotate to mix or select one bean over the other. Fresher, and of course better on the environment than Nespresso.
If you want to make your Nespresso a little more eco friendly, try this:
I strongly agree with EvenPar. Bialetti is the simplest and cheapest option. And with a Bialetti Brikka you even get some creme, if you are into espresso. It just gets a bit difficult if you have visitors and every body wants a coffee.
Otherwise those fully automated bean to cup coffee machines are a good option. They are expensive to buy but cheap to run and are almost as good as a proper espresso machine.
The capsule machines like nespresso are by far the most expensive. The machines are cheap to buy, but the coffee is expensive and you're tied in to the price and coffee that Nestle or few alternatives have on offer.
I just bought one Martello (Verona) machine (Aldi). I am 100% happy, great flavor. (just tasted 3 of many flavors). After owned a Nespresso machine for two years, I am happy to go away from the absurd Nestle prices!
Finally, this guys from Nestle are bringing lawsuits to every new competitor for a simple reason: The product cannot be defended by better quality and flavor! Is just coffee, not a high-tech matter!
Sorry George Clooney! Sorry Nestle, "Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, shame on you."
The vid asks you to write to Georgie Boy asking him to use his influence with Nestlé to ask them to use Fair Trade coffee in their pretty lil capsules.