Capsule Machine

Many of us are accustomed to start your day with a cup of fragrant coffee. However, the modern rhythm of life does not always leave us time for the ritual of preparing the drink, and to facilitate the procedure of loading the coffee and solve the problems with the dosage, a capsule coffee machine was invented. Today such devices sell a huge amount. Simple and convenient to use, the espresso machine with capsules is ideal for home, office and other public places. The main thing is that you do not need to know the secrets of making a drink, all you need is to go to the car, check the water, then just insert the capsule and press the "On" button. And, depending on the type of capsule for the espresso machine, you can prepare a classic espresso with golden foam or the strongest ristretto, coffee with milk or sweet chocolate.

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History and modernity

The capsule coffee machine was invented by Eric Favre in 1978.A year later, the first models of the device appeared. However, their characteristics were far from ideal. A wide distribution of coffee machines of this type was obtained in the late 80's, and some models were put into mass production.

To date, there are several dozen major manufacturers of capsule coffee machines, which simultaneously produce both the apparatus and capsules for them. The technology of the devices is constantly improving. Modern models have tremendous functionality, they are able to independently prepare coffee in a matter of seconds, and the quality of the drink is not inferior to the taste of coffee, prepared by a professional.

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How is coffee prepared in a capsule coffee machine?

Capsule coffee systems differ from the usual coffee machines in that the whole process of preparing the grains - dosing, grinding, pressing, are performed in the factory. You just have to open the lid of the device, put the capsule inside and press the button.

Important! One capsule is designed to make one serving of the drink.

During the preparation of the drink, the capsule placed in the device is punctured, and hot water is passed through the resulting hole, at a pressure of 15-19 bar. Coffee is brewed lightning fast, within a few seconds.

Important! After the work is finished, the device does not need to be cleaned - just get the used capsule and discard it.

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Advantages and disadvantages of capsule coffee machines

Thanks to the factory packaging, the quality of the drink always remains consistently high. But this is not the only advantage of the device. Capsule machines are the ideal solution for those who want to make coffee quickly and without hassle.

Here are just a few of the positive qualities of capsule machines:

• Silent work.
• Extremely easy handling.
• No need to replace the filter, as in a coffee maker.
• Lightning fast delivery speed of the finished product.
• The quality of the drink is consistently high.
• Minimal effort to clean and maintain.
• The tightness of the packaging, so that coffee does not lose its properties.
• Compactness. Unlike traditional coffee machines, these machines can be placed in the smallest kitchen.
• Comparatively low price compared to conventional coffee machines.
• Multifunctionality and variety of the finished product. In addition to traditional coffee, the espresso machine with capsules can cook hot chocolate and tea.

There are flaws in capsule coffee machines:

• Limited choice of coffee. A classic coffee maker allows you to experiment with varieties of coffee, strength and ways of making a drink. Capsule devices do not give such freedom. Of course, manufacturers produce a whole new range of drinks, but their number is limited.
• The relatively high cost of a serving of coffee. In addition, you will always be tied to the use of certain capsules, and the price for them, when recounting for a cup of drink, easily covers many elite sorts of coffee beans.

However, all these shortcomings for owners of capsule coffee machines do not matter, because they want to prepare coffee quickly and without much effort.

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How to choose a capsule coffee machine?

To answer the question of what a coffee machine should be for a ready-made drink to bring pleasure, it is necessary to determine the following criteria:

• How many varieties of a drink do you want to cook. After buying a certain model, along with the device will be presented a list of available capsules, which can only be changed with the purchase of a new device.
• How many people will use the device. If you want to choose a device for your home, then stop the selection on smaller models. This will not only save you money, but will also enable you to prepare a drink in a matter of seconds, at any time of the day or night.
• How much you are willing to spend to buy. The price of the device depends on the characteristics and the manufacturer.

If you have decided on the criteria, then it's time to reflect on the technical characteristics of the equipment:

• Power. This parameter affects the speed of the preparation of the drink. The more power, the faster the coffee will be cooked. Choose capsular coffee makers for a home up to 900 watts.
• Volume of the water tank. This parameter affects the amount of the prepared beverage. The most optimal is a device with a liter tank.
• Water supply pressure. The pressure of the pump directly determines the saturation of the taste of the drink. The higher the pressure, the better, because the grains are brewed more qualitatively, while the smell becomes more saturated, and the content of useful substances increases. Buy a home coffee machine with a pressure of over 15 bar.
• Water heating system. In modern models, two types of heating are used: a boiler and a thermal block.
• Noise. If the device is to stand in the office, then excessive noise is clearly undesirable, and at home in the morning loud noises will not please anyone.
• Additional functions. If the manufacturers endowed the device with additional options: timer, automatic shutdown, display, manometer, waste container, this will allow you to fully enjoy the progress made.

Important! In any coffee machine, you need to use clean filtered water. If you do not have this option, then buy a machine with a water filter or a self-cleaning system.

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Models and manufacturers

In the West, where coffee capsules are known since the late eighties, more than a dozen systems of coffee machines are popular, in the CIS countries currently only four are the most popular: Nespresso, Tassimo, Cremesso and Dolce Gusto. Let's consider each of them in more detail.

Nespresso

The oldest capsular coffee system, known since 1986.The obvious advantages include a wide range of tastes and a huge selection of models of coffee machines from two manufacturers: DeLonghi and Krups.

Both companies offer a wide range of prices for devices and a very wide range of functions. Some models are equipped with a special jug for the preparation of cold or hot milk foam( "aerochino").In addition, there are other additional options: heated cups, hot water for tea, automatic shutdown, anti-drip system, the ability to install cocktail glasses, automatic cleaning, etc.

In general, Nespresso coffee machines are of high build quality and belong to the premium class, although there are also inexpensive options, for example DeLonghi EN 97.W.

Capsules

The market presents a palette of 17 flavors of coffee produced by the Swiss company Nestle, including 3 types of decaffeinated. Aluminum capsules with polymer coating, which allows you to store coffee in capsules for up to 1 year. The weight of coffee in the capsule is 7 g, which is quite enough for making a quality drink.

Price, depending on the variety, varies, but you can save extra by buying compatible capsules: Smart Coffee Club, Ethical Coffee Company. You can also use capsules of the Swiss company Delica, which are produced under the brand Café Royal, their price is much less for packaging.

Finally, you can use the option with empty capsules, you can pour the coffee into yourself according to your preference. A standard pack of coffee in 250 g is enough for about 35 servings.

Tassimo

Machines for the capsule system Tassimo, produced by Bosch, and capsules - the American company Kraft Foods. This capsular system differs from others in principle in several parameters: the capsule is made in the form of a disk, the technology of cooking is also different. Advantages of the system:

• Preparation of the drink as much as possible automated.
• There are inexpensive options with a built-in water filter.
• Long shelf life of capsules.
• Affordable price for a number of models.
• Prepares tea and hot chocolate.

Cons:

• Not very reliable construction of machines.
• The scanner must be cleaned frequently.
• Pressure rather modest: 3.3 bar.

Capsules

The palette of flavors of coffee is 11, capsules are made of food polymer and aluminum. The weight of coffee in the capsule is 9 g, this is due to the peculiarities of brewing technology, rather than the generosity of the manufacturer. Each barrel has a barcode, from which the machine reads all the necessary data: the amount of water, temperature, time for the preparation of the drink. The system allows you to prepare not only coffee, but also four varieties of tea and cocoa.

Coffee capsules are sold under the brand name Jacobs, hot chocolate under the Milka brand, and tea capsules under the Twinings logo.

Important! In addition to the usual capsules, the kit includes a disk that activates the self-cleaning program. A special indicator will tell you about the need for cleaning.

Cremesso

Coffee machines and capsules are manufactured under a single brand belonging to the Swiss company Delica. Undoubted advantage of the system is the fact that the company controls the entire cycle of coffee production, from growing it on plantations and ending with packing in capsules, brewing in machines. This can not boast of other manufacturers.

Important! In 2010, the company was certified UTZ - a world organization responsible for the quality of growing and processing products.

Cremesso capsule coffee machines very quickly prepare coffee and tea( 20-30 seconds), while consuming little energy( no more than 0.3 W).The machines of this company have the most stylish design. The volume of the removable water tank in various models varies from 0.65 to 1 liter, working pressure is up to 19 bar.

Important! More expensive versions of machines have a decalcification system and a programmable water and milk dispenser when cooking cappuccino.

Capsules

The range of flavors consists of eleven variants of coffee and 4 teas. Plus, in limited quantities, capsules are produced for the World Tour coffee machine, which contain exclusive varieties of coffee grown in various parts of the world.

Important! Cremesso capsules contain 7 g of coffee. Capsules are covered with a safe food polymer. Shelf life: 1,5 years.

Dolce Gusto

This is a cheap version of Nespresso, with the resulting advantages and disadvantages. Of the positive qualities:

• The price of capsules and coffee machines is low.
• Large palette of drinks( 20 flavors).You can cook not only different kinds of cappuccino, but also espresso, tea or hot chocolate.

System cons:

• A fairly fragile design.
• Coffee capsules 6 g.

Dolce Gusto machines are manufactured under the brand Krups. Prices for coffee machines are very democratic, but even in a budgetary version there are:

• switching of hot and cold water supply;
• height-adjustable cup holder;
• auto power off after 5 minutes.

The most expensive models have, to the already listed, the following additional functions: eco-mode, adjustment of portions of a hot beverage. The volume of the removable water tank in such models is twice as large( from 0.6 to 1.5 liters).

Important! All machines of the Dolce Gusto system are equipped with a special Termoblock technology, with which you can heat water in a matter of seconds. Maximum pump pressure: 15 bar.

Capsules

Capsules for coffee machines for Dolce Gusto are manufactured in two stages - first in England, at the factory in the village of Hatton, the filler itself( coffee, cocoa, tea collection) is prepared, which is then packaged in capsules at the Bouxwiller factory( France).

The range of flavors of the drink is very wide: 10 kinds of coffee( 1 decaffeinated), 6 types of coffee with milk, milk tea-latte with spices and 3 chocolate drinks.

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What to choose?

To answer the question, which capsular coffee maker is better, you must add up all the advantages and subtract the number of cons. Many experts were puzzled by this question, testing them from a practical point of view: how easy they are to manage and care, whether it's easy to install or remove capsules, whether you can program the required volume of the drink and how long the process of making coffee lasts. The energy consumption was taken into account, and how quickly the machine switched to the energy-saving mode, and also how long the purification of the device from scale and how much lead and nickel is contained in the finished drink.

Following the results of testing:

1. the highest score was awarded to Nespresso Pixie and Delizio Una.
2. The following models were rated "well": Bosh Tassimo TAS55 and Dolce Gusto Genio.

The same indefatigable Swiss decided to check which capsules are better by organizing a blind tasting at the central railway station of Zurich. The tasting involved 2034 people aged 18 to 74 years. It turned out that 55% of Swiss consumers preferred the taste of Delizio capsular coffee. We will not say that this is the best drink, because it's all about taste and the final choice is always for the consumer.

We hope that the information provided helped you decide on the choice of a capsule coffee machine, and every morning you make yourself and others happy with a fragrant invigorating drink.