Espresso machines are old and classic, and we all had our fair share of espresso coffee. Every time we get coffee from the nearest Starbucks, we get coffee from an espresso machine. And some of us even have these machines at home!
Nespresso machines, on the other hand, are new and intriguing and have recently gained a lot of traction in the coffee world.
Although the two words sound so identical, there is indeed a large discrepancy between them.
In this article, we are going to give detailed differences between Nespresso vs. espresso machines to help you make the right choice from home.
What Is Nespresso?
Nespresso is a manufacturer of pod brewing machines and patented coffee pods. Headquartered in Switzerland, this brand is an operational division of the Nestle Group. The name of the brand, “Nespresso,” is a subtle fusion of Nestle and espresso, which is a traditional Nestle brand style.
Now the pods used in a Nespresso machine are small coffee capsules that contain one-time servings of coffee. And they are designed specifically to be used in Nespresso machines.
How Does a Nespresso Machine Work?
The overall mechanism of the Nespresso machine is very basic.
As parts of the coffee capsule are perforated, and water is pumped and squeezed against the heating system inside the capsule, the coffee is brewed. With most such machines, you will have the option to subtly change the composition of your brew, and that influences the amount and strength of coffee you obtain.
What Kind of Drinks Can You Get from a Nespresso Machine?
Nespresso has initially released 16 different types of coffee capsules to use with their Nespresso machines. The different types of coffee capsules can be divided into four categories- Espresso capsules, Pure Origine capsules, Lungo capsules, and Decaffeinato capsules.
Firstly, Espresso capsules, known as “shorter coffee,” are high-quality, mainstream coffee that is enjoyed by most. Secondly, Pure Origin capsules are Espressos of a specialized nature that can be associated with a specific point of source.
Thirdly, Lungo capsules, known as “longer coffee,” are formulated to be used with about double the volume of water in the espresso. And lastly, Decaffeinato capsules are highly specialized Nespresso capsules.
Despite the differences, the process and results are not much different from espresso machines.
What Is Espresso?
Espresso is a blended portion of coffee prepared as “shots.” At the beginning of the 20th century, it emerged in Italy with the invention of espresso machines.
It is generated with the help of an espresso machine by driving compressed warm water through finely roasted coffee beans.
How Does an Espresso Machine Work?
The machine’s initial process involves the steam generation and pressurization. Then, the hot water is squeezed into a precisely ground coffee puck.
However, there are various kinds of espresso machines available, and they require different levels of manual inputs. While some are fully automatic, some are semi-automatic. And, the latter needs a certain degree of manual intervention and supervision.
If you don’t want to spend that much on a super-automatic espresso machine, you’re going to have to deal with a significant learning curve to get your espresso.
What Kind of Drinks Can You Get from an Espresso Machine?
Based on the techniques, variety of ground coffee, and several other variables, you can obtain different types of coffee.
But the basic brewing method is the same thing. Generally, it causes the development of cream at the surface of the espresso. In the espresso culture, the brown foam is the signature part, although it adds almost nothing to the taste of the coffee.
Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Nespresso or Espresso Machine
Let us take a look at the factors you must consider before making your final decision;
Ease of Use
Ease of use is always an important factor when it comes to machines. And it is no different when it comes to the debate between Nespressovs. espresso machines.
Nespresso machines are very easy to use and intuitive. So, they are excellent for beginners. As these machines just use coffee capsules, you don’t have to grind coffee with a grinder.
And, they don’t have many customizable factors, which we will get into later in the article. Due to the lack of flexibility, anyone can use them on the first attempt.
On the other hand, espresso machines involve a much more complex mechanism, especially semi-automatic ones.
Flavor
Designed for home and family use, Nespresso machines are simple to use and are not customizable. Coffee from Nespresso is, by no means, bad. It definitely has a nice taste, much like a regular espresso.
However, owing to a lack of depth, this coffee cannot achieve the very same level of taste as conventional espresso coffee. At all times, an accurately drawn espresso shot from a mechanical lever machine is better than a Nespresso coffee.
So, if you’re a barista or a major coffee junkie, you should not waste your money on a Nespresso machine. Investing a little more in an espresso machine will definitely be worth it for you.
Speed
If you value speed, the decision is going to be easy for you.
Nespresso machines are faster, and using them requires much fewer steps. You just need to insert a coffee capsule and press a switch. Within a minute, your coffee will be made. On the contrary, espresso machines provide more precise and flavourful solutions. So, they take longer to process.
Basically, if time is of the essence, you can’t get a better option than a Nespresso machine.
Customization
While Nespresso coffee is much more reliable, it is also much less flexible. This means, even though the mechanism is perfect for beginners and home users, it’s not suitable for an avid coffee connoisseur. The shortage of customizable features on a Nespresso machine will not work for a coffee enthusiast.
If you enjoy the process of precision and creativity with your coffee, you should go for an espresso machine, preferably a semi-automatic one, if you don’t want to spend too much. These machines ensure a decent mix of flexibility and functionality.
But, if you’re motivated solely by ease, and the taste isn’t the biggest priority, a Nespresso will get the job done.
Price
First, let us take a look at the individual prices of the two machines. Nespresso machines generally cost around $200. On the other hand, espresso machines come at a lot of different prices. A good espresso machine, be it semi-automatic or fully automatic, ranges from $100 to much higher than $1000. Here is the list of automatic espresso machines and you can check the quality and price.
However, there are other additional costs that you should consider. For instance, if you get a Nespresso machine, you have to keep buying coffee capsules. And, they do tend to cost a lot.
As for semi-automatic machines, you will need to buy a grinder first. And, that will cost you a decent sum of money.
In the end, the overall cost of Nespresso coffee tends to be lower than the other.
Should You Get a Nespresso or Espresso Machine?
Now, the final decision when choosing between these two coffee machines is different for everyone. There are a few considerations that will go into your decision between the two.
If you are on a budget and price is an issue, then you should get a Nespresso machine. And, if you want something simple and fast, you should go with the same option.
But if you want quality coffee with customizable options, and the price is not an issue, you should definitely invest in an espresso machine.
First, determine which factor is most important to you. From there, the rest of the process is easy.
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Final Words
Now that we have provided detailed information about the two options, along with their differences, you should be able to make the right choice between Nespresso vs. espresso machine.