You have probably been seeing plenty of this 1 cup wonder lately, but what just what is all the hype about? It's a coffee machine. Ok.... It makes hot beverages one at a time. That's nice.... You can't use regular coffee or espresso beans, you have to purchase their special coffee dohickeys called T Discs - even for the milk. That blows...
Many coffee companies are starting to make their own T Discs for this machine including Nabob Maxwell House and Starbucks but you have to hunt a little to find them. The advantage, Kraft says, is that you are getting a perfectly measured identical cup every time.
However, there are several disadvantages worth considering. The T Disks have to be thrown out after use. They come in a box and are comprised of plastic, aluminium, polyester and polyethylene laminate - all of which, goes straight to the trash can after your beverage is brewed. They can not be reused. You can pull it apart to get at the plastic part and recycle that, but extra effort is required. Since the "milk" (a "milk product" that lives on the shelf) also comes in this format, you will throw away 2 disks per cappuccino. In contrast, the only garbage you'll get from using a traditional espresso machine is coffee grounds.
If you are a coffee aficionado, you will turn your nose up at this machine. It is simply impossible to get the same intense flavor of a good strong Italian espresso with the Tassimo because the T Disks are made to suit the bland North American taste bud. We also suspect the Italians wouldn't allow it.
Despite our reservations, we recently sampled a cup of their espresso. It was everything you would expect from a hospital coffee vending machine.
We'll take the extra 3 minutes and make a proper espresso, thanks.
What do you think? Have you tried this? Do you like it?
Tassimo.com
Many coffee companies are starting to make their own T Discs for this machine including Nabob Maxwell House and Starbucks but you have to hunt a little to find them. The advantage, Kraft says, is that you are getting a perfectly measured identical cup every time.
However, there are several disadvantages worth considering. The T Disks have to be thrown out after use. They come in a box and are comprised of plastic, aluminium, polyester and polyethylene laminate - all of which, goes straight to the trash can after your beverage is brewed. They can not be reused. You can pull it apart to get at the plastic part and recycle that, but extra effort is required. Since the "milk" (a "milk product" that lives on the shelf) also comes in this format, you will throw away 2 disks per cappuccino. In contrast, the only garbage you'll get from using a traditional espresso machine is coffee grounds.
If you are a coffee aficionado, you will turn your nose up at this machine. It is simply impossible to get the same intense flavor of a good strong Italian espresso with the Tassimo because the T Disks are made to suit the bland North American taste bud. We also suspect the Italians wouldn't allow it.
Despite our reservations, we recently sampled a cup of their espresso. It was everything you would expect from a hospital coffee vending machine.
We'll take the extra 3 minutes and make a proper espresso, thanks.
What do you think? Have you tried this? Do you like it?
Tassimo.com
Posts
3 comments:
I feel your review of the Tssimo Beverage System, was very biased, and unopen-minded in this society...Many people have many views on many things...just because you have your own webpage...certainly doesnt make you an authority on All the subjects you attempt to chew up, based on YOU self-cenered attitude.
Thanks for your comment. Perhaps my review was a little harsh, but it is just my opinion. I do not claim to be an expert of anything and I do invite people to respond as you have.
I am not a fan of new products that do not consider the environment with excess packaging as this product does. Even if certain aspects are recyclable that still uses extra energy to dispose of. This product did not work for me though others may like it.
I am unclear how my opinion makes me self centered? Perhaps you can elaborate on that?
Hi Ali,
I have had a Tassimo for well over a year now and I love my unit. I am not as excited about the espresso either, but the cappuccino I find as good or better than a Starbucks version and I appreciate the speed and ease of use to make a single cup of coffee.
I even wrote up a webpage talking about the features and hwy I love the unit so much, it's available here, http://www.squidoo.com/buy-tassimo
I also agree there is considerable waste with the packaging, but I wouldn't call that self centered!
Also from all my research the European versions of the T-Discs are apparently tailored for the European market and much stronger blends of espresso and cappuccino.
Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts!
Bill
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