Nespresso $1 promo.

[BBCWatcher]

The same reason why people are paying 20-30% markup for grabfood. Convenience

But what's the convenience?

Nespresso: Put coffee in machine, put water in machine, clean the machine fairly often, collect and take capsules to recycling.
Cone: Put filter and coffee in cone, put hot water in cone, toss the filter and grounds in the regular trash, rinse the cone.

I've used Nespresso machines, many times. Lots of hotels have them, for example. I've never once thought, "OMG this is amazingly convenient!" Rather the opposite, actually. Cleaning the machine is downright annoying.

OK, so maybe I've figured out a cone "secret": buy the cone and filters labeled as "2 to 4 cups," and use that for single servings.

I also get my coffee a bit quicker with the cone method, a nice feature in the morning rush.

I love gadgets and inventions that add value. But I just haven't figured out how Nespresso makes my life better. It'd actually make it worse since I can't chuck the machine in a dishwasher (if I want), and the machine gets icky pretty quickly. (I try not to imagine all the flora growing inside.)

 

[reddevil0728]

But what's the convenience?

Nespresso: Put coffee in machine, put water in machine, clean the machine fairly often, collect and take capsules to recycling.
Cone: Put filter and coffee in cone, put hot water in cone, toss the filter and grounds in the regular trash, rinse the cone.

I've used Nespresso machines, many times. Lots of hotels have them, for example. I've never once thought, "OMG this is amazingly convenient!" Rather the opposite, actually. Cleaning the machine is downright annoying.

OK, so maybe I've figured out a cone "secret": buy the cone and filters labeled as "2 to 4 cups," and use that for single servings.

I also get my coffee a bit quicker with the cone method, a nice feature in the morning rush.

I love gadgets and inventions that add value. But I just haven't figured out how Nespresso makes my life better. It'd actually make it worse since I can't chuck the machine in a dishwasher (if I want), and the machine gets icky pretty quickly. (I try not to imagine all the flora growing inside.)

maybe people see something you don't?

 

[BBCWatcher]

maybe people see something you don't?

And I'd love to learn what that is.

 

[reddevil0728]

And I'd love to learn what that is.

sometimes it is a preference thing. and there is no right or wrong to that. is like some prefer bitter over sour.

some prefer red over blue.

 

[oceanicmanta]

exploring getting a coffee machine and saw this promo. seem like a attractive deal

how does their machine compared to other machine e.g Nescafe dolce-gusto

hows the coffee from their native capsule?

do they allow capsules from 3rd party e.g Starbucks

I have tried Nescafe, but did not like their coffee from the capsule

Nespresso has 2 year warranty on machine which is quite good (dont know what Nescafe covers).

Machines r reliable, mine is almost 10yrs old, still working, but sometimes water temp is no longer as hot.

If u only drink black coffee, just get the Mini Essenza, the cheapest model (Original series) at $188, and is no different from other higher priced model ...

during CNY, there was a promo, get $48.80 of free coffee capsules which I thought was a very good deal

or wait for Taka 10% off promo, they will upsell u at the store though eg) get higher priced model, get extra discount but have to buy more capsules etc ... but Sales staff are pleasant

3rd party capsules can be used, if printed to say "Compatible with Nespresso machines" and these are readily available now

the best 3rd party brand I have been using is L'OR, UP $7, Offer $5 for a box of 10. at NTUC/CS ... taste and smell wise, Nespresso is still better .. have not tried Starbucks

 

[wira]

But what's the convenience?

Nespresso: Put coffee in machine, put water in machine, clean the machine fairly often, collect and take capsules to recycling.
Cone: Put filter and coffee in cone, put hot water in cone, toss the filter and grounds in the regular trash, rinse the cone.

I've used Nespresso machines, many times. Lots of hotels have them, for example. I've never once thought, "OMG this is amazingly convenient!" Rather the opposite, actually. Cleaning the machine is downright annoying.

OK, so maybe I've figured out a cone "secret": buy the cone and filters labeled as "2 to 4 cups," and use that for single servings.

I also get my coffee a bit quicker with the cone method, a nice feature in the morning rush.

I love gadgets and inventions that add value. But I just haven't figured out how Nespresso makes my life better. It'd actually make it worse since I can't chuck the machine in a dishwasher (if I want), and the machine gets icky pretty quickly. (I try not to imagine all the flora growing inside.)

dont think nespresso machines need to clean per se ?

just turn it on without capcules to flush and clean the insides daily will do ?

 

[CrashWire]

Am I missing something?

It's a different style. Some people just prefer the upmarket/European "feel" of espresso/cappuccino/cafe latte, and Nespresso offers one of the lowest barriers of entry (+ time saved) to achieve that, versus a premium grinder (essential to properly dial in espresso) and machine.

I like James Hoffmann's take:

 

[rrr2015]

Nope. I buy those, too. Ground or bean, as I prefer. I can even fashion a custom blend if I want.

People can spend money however they want, as long as it's legal. Personally I haven't figured out yet why I should pay Nespresso ~50 cents (~3X) more per cup. To each his/her own, of course, but these are among the "Money Mind" considerations worth keeping in mind.

if u just want a cuppa then nespresso not for you

but if you want to experience & learn different coffee beans & blends. nespresso offer convenience & value (especially for those new to coffee). you don't need to buy a whole bag just to try. no storage worries in humid SG since it's in capsule.

they also bring some limited & exotic single origin which often difficult find locally. and with popularity of nespresso machines more 3rd party (e.g starbucks illy lavazza etc) starts making nespresso compatible capsules

so personally i find that's nothing wrong paying more for better experience.

also you can't compare drip vs espresso extraction methods. some beans are better on drip while others on espresso machines

 

[rrr2015]

hows the coffee from their native capsule?

you gotta try to know what type of coffee you prefer. current limited offer aged sumatra, papua new guinea & miami blend. but these will costs more like 0.95/cup.

do they allow capsules from 3rd party e.g Starbucks

Starbucks works for sure, at least for me. i like house blend, pike place (medium). for strong coffee try espresso, there's even decaf available

some other brands work but not just as well sometimes. (maybe my machine old already)

 

[rrr2015]

dont think nespresso machines need to clean per se ?

just turn it on without capcules to flush and clean the insides daily will do ?

used capsule holder must clean say weekly otherwise it will grow moldy

they recommended descaling 6/12mths? can't remember, haven't done that since machine still working fine. i guess more of issue if you use hard water

 

[wira]

used capsule holder must clean say weekly otherwise it will grow moldy

they recommended descaling 6/12mths? can't remember, haven't done that since machine still working fine. i guess more of issue if you use hard water

yeah never descale my machine as well.

Nespresso patent for the capsules has expired i believe so theres lots of third party offering capsules that work with the machines including starbucks

 

[BBCWatcher]

if u just want a cuppa then nespresso not for you

but if you want to experience & learn different coffee beans & blends. nespresso offer convenience & value (especially for those new to coffee). you don't need to buy a whole bag just to try. no storage worries in humid SG since it's in capsule.

It's not about that for me. There are shops even in Singapore that sell as much or as little coffee as you want, excluding mail order and overseas shopping. I can make my own custom BBCWatcher blend if I want, in any quantity, then change it if I want any time I want. In any dollar amount I want, with no expiring credits or minimum commitment. I can adjust the grind if I want, or adjust the strength however I want, or both. I can be very coffee snobby if I want, and occasionally I want.

I also don't understand microwave popcorn. For me microwave popcorn adds no convenience. But the supermarkets stock a lot of it, and bagged popcorn as well. OK, obviously some people buy it.

also you can't compare drip vs espresso extraction methods. some beans are better on drip while others on espresso machines

Yes, of course.

 

[reddevil0728]

It's not about that for me. There are shops even in Singapore that sell as much or as little coffee as you want, excluding mail order and overseas shopping. I can make my own custom BBCWatcher blend if I want, in any quantity, then change it if I want any time I want. In any dollar amount I want, with no expiring credits or minimum commitment. I can adjust the grind if I want, or adjust the strength however I want, or both. I can be very coffee snobby if I want, and occasionally I want.

I also don't understand microwave popcorn. For me microwave popcorn adds no convenience. But the supermarkets stock a lot of it, and bagged popcorn as well. OK, obviously some people buy it.

Yes, of course.

So is it ok to drink/buy nespresso?

 

[Bam25th]

Let's run some numbers just for fun....

Nespresso

Machine = S$1
Lowest price capsule = S$0.74
S$35/month = about 47 cups
Let's assume you order S$70 at a time and get free shipping

Pour Over Filter

Daiso Cone ("Machine") = S$2
Daiso Cone Filters: S$2 per 90 = about S$0.02 each
RedMart Ground Coffee: S$5.40 per 250 grams = S$0.22 per cup (10 grams each)
Price per cup = S$0.24
(With no minimum purchase commitment.)

I haven't found the Nespresso to be particularly convenient, certainly not more convenient enough to justify 50 cents per cup extra. You've got to clean the machine once in a while, and that's a pain. The cone filter approach doesn't involve a lot of cleaning. You just throw away the filter, rinse the cone, and you're done. If you want to use more than 10 grams (one scoop) of coffee per cup, go for it. And you're not killing the environment with those capsules, even assuming they're recycled.

Am I missing something?

No mess when using Nespresso, and convenient lor. Very consistent tastes too.

Personal preference bah, some like 3 in 1 Nescafe kopi which is even cheaper, easier and tastier (according to them) then your cone.

 

[spectrearc]

Convenience is the key, I just want my coffee, not having to do all sorts of labour for it

Descaling u can just wait until machine almost stops, then use the descaling pack.

Compared against buying from coffeeshop it's def cheaper for me:- I think i also get free repair for the machine,

 

[celtosaxon]

During Covid I learned to make my own coffee as good (or better) than the hawker uncle, and it’s cheap, easy and convenient.

I buy Owl brand ground coffee from NTUC, $6.45 per half a kilo. One heaping spoon into my tea cup, dispense hot water and steep it for 6 min while I check email. I then use an ultra-fine strainer and pour it into a cup with sweetened condensed milk, stir, tarik, done. All this can be done very quickly once you get the hang of it… around 60 seconds excluding wait time.

 

[andyhtc]

I just buy a 2-in-1 coffee packet and DIY at about $0.30 per cup

But due to health reasons, I need to cut back on coffee and switch to black tea instead, which is even cheaper at $0.05 per cup

 

[celtosaxon]

I just buy a 2-in-1 coffee packet and DIY at about $0.30 per cup

But due to health reasons, I need to cut back on coffee and switch to black tea instead, which is even cheaper at $0.05 per cup

Same here, at one point I stopped coffee completely for several years, only tea. Now I have a coffee once or twice a week max… just to make sure I don get addicted again.

I have never calculated my per cup cost before. After doing that, I believe the sweetened condensed milk alone is roughly 15¢ per cup, and the coffee/tea is roughly 10¢ per cup, so around 25¢ total no matter it’s kopi susu or teh tarik. I also make cha yen (Thai tea) just to mix things up.

 

[Pearce]

Let's run some numbers just for fun....

Nespresso

Machine = S$1
Lowest price capsule = S$0.74
S$35/month = about 47 cups
Let's assume you order S$70 at a time and get free shipping

Pour Over Filter

Daiso Cone ("Machine") = S$2
Daiso Cone Filters: S$2 per 90 = about S$0.02 each
RedMart Ground Coffee: S$5.40 per 250 grams = S$0.22 per cup (10 grams each)
Price per cup = S$0.24
(With no minimum purchase commitment.)

I haven't found the Nespresso to be particularly convenient, certainly not more convenient enough to justify 50 cents per cup extra. You've got to clean the machine once in a while, and that's a pain. The cone filter approach doesn't involve a lot of cleaning. You just throw away the filter, rinse the cone, and you're done. If you want to use more than 10 grams (one scoop) of coffee per cup, go for it. And you're not killing the environment with those capsules, even assuming they're recycled.

Am I missing something?

What about the taste? Does both taste equally premium, foamy and fragrant?

 

[BBCWatcher]

What about the taste? Does both taste equally premium, foamy and fragrant?

For brewed coffee (drip coffee) the cone/paper filter method produces a cup of coffee at least as good as Nespresso can manage. If you specifically want espresso then that's when some sort of machine can add value.