The world of coffee machines

[beansbeans!]

We are in the market for a new coffee machine and we really have no idea as to what we want to get.

We currently own an Aldi machine but it hasnt been used for months now, due to dh not liking the taste of the coffee.

So with the good old aldi machine being out. And Im pretty sure we are after a pod machine too, because it is faster, cleaner and easier in the morning rush. .

So what machines are good at the moment?

Thanks

[CoNNiE_Melb]

Nespresso has the best coffee... But it's also the most expensive I believe. However, you can use the Woolies pods in it.
It really depends on how how much of a coffee snob you are! Hehehe

[Jaycee]

I have a Nespresso Delonghi and I love it!

I use the piazza pods and they're great, many different flavours

[Phteven]

I'm way too much a coffee snob to consider a pod machine so I can't help you there but if you decide to go with a proper espresso machine I have the Sunbeam Cafe one which for a home machine under 1k makes pretty awesome coffee.

I don't think you will ever get a great coffee from a pod machine because coffee is only as good as the beans you use and pods just can't replicate the flavour and creme of freshly ground beans. To get a great coffee at home you need fresh, good quality beans and a good grinder.

[LionsandBears]

We have a Lavazza Mio, as I avoid Nestle products like the plague. Also, Lavazza coffee tastes better

We buy the pods at the Good Guys - they are about $11-13 per box of 12 and we buy 3-4 boxes a month. We also have a milk frother that was part of the deal. I think the pod machine and frother cost about $300 18 months ago.

We used to have a proper espresso machine, but once it broke, we decided not to get another one - too lazy to clean it properly. We also found we used it less than we do the pod machine.

[little_O]

A manual machine will make the best coffee. We have a rancilio Silvia which is the only domestic machine they make. Best coffee.

My mum purchased a nespresso gaggia (I think) for their travel machine. Depending on the pods it's a pretty good coffee and you have the convenience factor too. You can also use the d'oro pods in it too.

[Nai]

A manual machine will make the best coffee. We have a rancilio Silvia which is the only domestic machine they make. Best coffee.
.

Same here and it is very easy to operate and get better coffee than most cafes can make.

We got my mum a pod machine from Target that takes the Piazza D'oro pods which seem to be reasonable in quality and have a good range for my step-father who only has decaf and hot choc for when the kids stay. It takes the n'espresso ones too but we don't use Nestle products in the our family so she doesn't get them.

[AnyDream]

Have you experimented with the pods? Woollies has a range of pods (select & Gloria Jeans) that fit in the Aldi machines. Ok so it's not barista coffee but it might extend the life of the machine you already have.

[Ladylove]

I am really fussy with my coffee and I keep going back to my good old fashioned Bodum stove top percolator. Trick is to get a stainless steel one NOT aluminium which heats up too quickly making coffee taste yuck.

[Melbournemumma]

We have the breville machine and love it. Previously we had the Sunbeam ccafe series machine and loved that too. I second Zazaou. You never get the same taste as with freshly ground coffee. It might take a little longer but is worth it for the coffee. We have even had coffee at some shops and found our machine at home would have made us a better coffee for cheaper

[CoNNiE_Melb]

Can I ask why some people are anti Nestlé products? Excuse my ignorance.

[lady_neon]

What Zazou said

[LionsandBears]

Can I ask why some people are anti Nestlé products? Excuse my ignorance.

That's a whole other thread but a number of points:
* unconscionable marketing of artificial breast milk in 3rd world countries, where parents don't have access to clean water, resulting in deaths of infants
* use of what amounts to slave labour in cocoa & coffee farming

if you google it, you'll see a lot more information.

[jackrose]

I'm happy to supply some names of some roasters MelbourneMumma

Dh is currently in South America speaking with farmers and sourcing our green beans for the coming year and I can absolutely vouch for the quality of the coffee he produces You can find his coffee through his roastery SmallBatch. They run a subscription service via their website and are incredibly passionate about their product.

The other roasters I hold in high regard in Melbourne based on the quality of their green bean sourcing and the ethics behind their business are Seven Seeds and Proud Mary. I know the owners of these businesses and they are passionate, quality based producers.

Other roasters in Melb who can hold their own quality wise are Wide Open Road, Padre coffee, St Ali/Sensory Lab and Market Lane coffee. Some are bigger operations than others but all have an abiding passion for coffee.

There are some other roasters around of course, but these guys are the few that I know better and can vouch for.

[beansbeans!]

thanks Jackrose, I shall do some googling.

I do agree that manual machines and really coffee cannot be surpassed. I shall google those companies and go from there... You dont by chance know of any in the sydney area?

[jackrose]

I am afraid I am not familiar with the Sydney scene as closely as I am with the Melbourne scene so I can't recommend anyone personally. If I wanted to find a good roaster in Sydney, blind, I would start with the SMH good cafe guide. The awards for best cafe and roasters etc were only recently announced and if you check out those lists - and the coffee brands that supply to the winning cafes (and cafes awarded 3 beans) you should get a pretty good idea of who the best roasters around town are. I know that this approach works pretty well in Melbourne.

The other thing to look out for is roasters/cafes who offer COE coffees or "Cup Of Excellence" coffees. COE coffees are premium coffees from single origins (in some cases single farms) that are judged by independent coffee tasters to be superior coffees then are released to the world coffee market to be auctioned off. This means the buyer pays a higher price for the coffee as it is guaranteed to be good and the farmer gets a better price for the coffee rather than the $ going to a middle man. It is a good sign that the roasters is serious about their coffee, respects the farmer who grows it and is not looking for bargain basement product.

I think with these two approaches you should be able to find a good, reputable and ethical coffee supplier. It is amazing how far the coffee industry had come in recent years with small producers raising the bar of coffee in this country.

[Melbournemumma]

Jackrose pass on some names :-).

We sometimes by online from a roaster in Sydney.