Nespresso Limited Edition Grand Crus

You’ve seen the advert … the beautiful well-dressed woman sitting on the stylish rooftop of a Nespresso boutique who’s approached by Oscar-winning actor George Clooney who offers to get her another coffee.  It’s a Vollluto (sweet and light) and to prove the point she enjoys her Nespresso coffee more than the company of a good-looking man she shouts to everyone else that he’s inside the building.  For those of you who haven’t seen it it’s on YouTube in both English and French.

The Nespresso Inissia pod machine by Krups is cheap.  Cheap in comparison to the other Nespresso machines but like anything, you can drive a Bentley if you have the money. If you don’t, and drive a VW like me then you’ll love this Nespresso Inissia machine which is well under £100.  Great technology, less ostentatious yet producing excellent results.

The machine has a water reservoir to the back and the drip tray and cup holder (which flips up to hold a larger cup) is easily attached to the front.

Twenty one different grand crus are on the market and a sample of some comes in the box.

Suggested cup sizes include Ristretto (25ml); Espresso (40ml); Lungo (110ml)

I loaned a red machine and there are colours  to match any modern kitchen and include cream, orange, blue, black and white.

The pods slot into the top of the machine, once the arched ‘brake’ is released and re-applied, then water is forced through the punctured pod at 19-bar pressure which results in a thick creamy coffee – a little like the head on a pint of Guinness.

When the capsules have been used, they’re released into a container so a new one can be dropped into the slot.

Intenso are multi-origin blends, which like fine wine feature many different characteristics – these are best enjoyed in a short cup.  Don’t be fooled by the Intensity level, it’s defined by the roasting and not the caffeine level so a 12 doesn’t mean it’ll blow your head off.  It indicates its body, bitterness and degree of roasting.

There are four blends of Espresso and three espressos which are Pure Origin, single source beans sourced from selected territories in India, Colombia and Brasil.

Lungo are three Grand Crus made specifically for a longer cup.

There are three Decaffeinato pods.

Three gourmet variations on the Livanto (one of the espresso blends) are best in a short cup (Espresso) and include Vanilio, Ciocattino and Caramelito.

New for Spring are two limited edition Grand Crus capsules – Cauca and Santander – both from Colombia.  At opposite ends of the country the Cauca beans are grown in south-west Colombia where coffee is grown on the mountain sides and feels the benefit of the equatorial sun.  I’m sure you know what’s coming next .. yes the Santander is from the north-east where the area is drier, steeper and bushes surrounded by mountains forming the other end of the Andes Cordillera mountain range.  The coffee plants are shielded from the sun from high trees which makes for a completely different taste profile.

The orange capsule produces great crema and it’s a great looking espresso.  It smells sweet and tastes incredibly strong and rich.  The Caura is as green as the lush area where it’s grown and is much milder and has a simple taste.  I tried the Caura with milk and having whipped up some hot, frothy full-fat it worked incredibly well as a cappuccino.  It was sweet and finished well with a lingering taste of caramel.

There are Nespresso Boutiques all over the UK and Ireland and a sleeve of ten capsules of the new Crus are £3.50 for 10.

I was a little sad to see it go.

You can buy Inissia machines at all decent high street retailers and via the Nespresso Boutique online.

Did you read my review on the Ninja Coffee Bar?