Shawna

Best Coffee Pods: illy iperEspresso vs. Nespresso

November 20, 2014 By Shawna 19 Comments

If you’re shopping for a fancy new coffee machine for your kitchen, then there is a good chance that you’ve narrowed the options down to the illy iperEspresso coffee capsules or the Nespresso home coffee capsules. Making a decision between the two can be a bit of a challenge since they are each great coffee pod options. To help you select one, let us help you compare the two coffee capsule systems to determine which is the better purchase.

About iperEspresso Coffee Capsules

illy IperEspresso coffee capsules

If you do any traveling at all, then there is a pretty good chance that you’ve come across some cafes and coffee shops that serve illy espresso and coffee. In case this familiar red logo is not so familiar to you, here’s what you should know about illy – it is an Italian brand known for making high quality coffees since the 1930s. In recent years, the brand has been making a dent in the American market and is ready to take over your kitchen now. Keep reading for my mini illy Iperespresso review.

illy Iperespresso coffee capsules The mission of illy is to help you be your own barista and make the best coffee at home as you possibly can. The coffee capsules come in a pressurized, sealed canister or cube that locks in the ultimate freshness level. In fact, once you open the canister, you have to refrigerate the remaining capsules.

Using the illy iperEspresso coffee capsules requires the use of one of the home pod coffee machines made by one of the manufacturers that illy is working with, such as Gaggia and Francis Francis. Using these coffee capsules takes only around 30 seconds to get your cup of coffee. What appears in your coffee mug is a nice, rich espresso with a crema that is long-lasting. This perfect cup of espresso is the result of the two-phase extraction process that you get with this coffee capsule system.

illy Iperespresso

You can order these in either a canister, cube or single capsule packs. If you opt for the canister, then you get 21 capsules with a retail price of $18. In the cube, you get 18 coffee capsules at a price of $16.50. For the single capsule packs, you’re looking at a retail price of $13 for 14 individually wrapped capsules.

To give you an idea of how much the coffee capsule machine will cost you, here are some popular options that you can use:

Francis Francis for illy X7.1 iperEspresso Machine
Francis Francis for Illy X1 iperEspresso Machine
Illy Caffe Y1.1 Touch Espresso Machine
Gaggia for Illy Espresso Machine

Want to check the current prices on these at Amazon? Click Here. Please note that prices vary.

About Nespresso Coffee Capsules

Of the two, I would guess that Nespresso coffee capsules are the more widely recognized brand. It helps that they have been on the market in the US a bit longer than illy. An interesting thing about the Nespresso coffee pods is that you have two different lines that you can buy. Their Original line has the traditional coffee cup pod design. Their VertuoLine are rounded coffee capsules in two different sizes.

Probably the best thing about Nespresso is that you have a lot of choices of both coffee and espresso roasts with both of the lines of coffee capsules. This is great for small offices as well as people who like a little variety in their coffee routine.

When you go to order their capsules, you can just buy them as a single capsule purchase for most flavor varieties, with a few multi-packs available. See what I mean by looking at their site here. Prices are low too, with $1.10 per capsule being the highest price right now.

What’s unique about Nespresso compared to illy is that they have their own line of Nespresso branded coffee pod machines, as well as those by other manufacturers, like KitchenAid. To see all their machines at once, check out their official website here. You may need to shop around for the best price. Click here to look on Amazon now.

Prices for the Nespresso coffee pod machines vary. It’s quite the price range, which leaves something for everyone.

Conclusion – Which is Better?

After comparing the iperEspresso and Nespresso coffee capsules, it is clear that each offers great tasting coffee to the serious or casual java drinker. In fact, it is hard to find fault with either of them. But, overall I think that the Nespresso coffee capsules are better for most people. Here’s why:

cheapest coffee pods = Nespresso
cheapest coffee pod machines = Nespresso
most coffee varieties = Nespresso
richer cup of coffee = illy iperEspresso

As you can see, the illy iperEspresso only wins at one thing when comparing to the Nespresso – coffee yumminess. Of course, the Nespresso has a good flavor too.

Bottom line – if you’ve got the extra money to spend, then you are better with illy iperEspresso due to its richer and smoother coffee. If you’re on a budget or want the best value coffee pod system, then go with Nespresso. Either way, you get a great cup of coffee.

Review: Organic YogiTea Ginger Orange Vanilla

October 22, 2014 By Shawna Leave a Comment

yogitea organic ginger orange vanilla Recently, I was looking for a nice tea that I could drink at night that would have a good flavor without a lot of caffeine that would keep me up at night. Since I am a big fan of ginger tea, I decided to give this organic YogiTea a try.

This blend is Ginger Orange with Vanilla. And the ingredients are ginger, orange peel and vanilla. Overall, this was an excellent tea.

An important thing to note is that if you let it steep as long as the packaging recommends, you will get a very hot ginger flavor. But, if you leave it in the hot water for a shorter period, the ginger is milder and not as overpowering.

The orange and vanilla are a nice compliment to the stronger ginger. However, if you are not a fan of vanilla drinks (like cream soda) then you will not really enjoy this blend as the vanilla flavor is definitely noticeable.

This was a nice pre-bedtime tea for me. And I also found that it was nice to drink along with a slice of carrot cake. I imagine it would be good with any similar type of spiced baked good or gingerbread cookies.

After emptying this box of tea, I can definitely say that is is something that I would buy again.

Review: Clipper Organic English Breakfast Tea

October 15, 2014 By Shawna Leave a Comment

clipper organic english breakfast tea After spending some time in England and Scotland this summer, I have developed quite a taste for black tea with a bit of milk and sugar. And since English Breakfast is what was normally served over there, that is the exact tea that I want to drink at home.

Though I have tried other English Breakfast brands, this one from Clipper just might be my favorite.

It is organic with the only ingredient being the black tea, which is just how I like it. The tea bags are not bleached white, which is also something that is important to me.

As with most black teas, the flavor of this one is quite strong and robust. And when you add in just a little milk and sugar, it really shines. Don’t get me wrong though, it also tastes great just plain with nothing added to it at all.

One important thing that you should know is that when you buy the larger box like I did (see the photo), then the tea bags are not individually packaged. Instead, they are all in a type of plastic together in the box. So when you open it the first time, there is no real way to seal it back up other than to fold over the top of the bag. I’m not certain if air exposure does any harm to the flavor of the tea, but if you drink it rather quickly like me, then it might not matter as much to you.

How to Use a Vietnamese Coffee Maker

October 8, 2014 By Shawna 1 Comment

How to Use a Vietnamese Coffee Maker A Vietnamese coffee filter set is a highly portable coffee-making option due to its small size, light weight, and minimal pieces. It’s not just high portability that sets this brew style apart, though. When used properly, a Vietnamese coffee maker should turn out a completely distinctive brew.

Falling somewhere between American coffee and espresso, Vietnamese coffee gets its uniquely strong flavor through a simple drip process that is as easy as it is satisfying.

1) Mind the grind.

The holes on a Vietnamese coffee filter set are large by general coffeemaker standards, so a coarse grind is required to keep grounds out of your coffee. If you want to drink as the Vietnamese do, you can buy Vietnam’s top coffee brand Trung Nguyen online – click here. Alternatively, choose a dark roast, such as French roast, to get the best results.

For the freshest flavor, opt for whole beans and grind at home just before brewing.

2) Remove the damper if it’s still on the filter.

The damper is the secondary filter-like piece that comes screwed inside the filter (the cup part) of the coffee maker.

3) Add coffee to the filter.

Like most coffee producers, Trung Nguyen recommends 1 tablespoon of coffee per cup of water. This means roughly 2 to 3 teaspoons for the majority of Vietnamese coffee makers. Move the filter back and forth gently to distribute the grounds evenly across the bottom of the filter.

4) Screw the damper back on.

The secret to getting a good drip through your Vietnamese coffee filter is to get the damper positioned properly. The damper should rest directly against the coffee grounds without crushing them. The issue is how you go about accomplishing this when you can’t see the coffee below the damper.

After a few uses, you’ll get a feel for how tight the damper should be. Start by screwing the damper down until you can feel the grounds start to impede it, and then give it a half a turn more.

5) Set the stainless steel filter on top of your coffee mug.

Filters are designed with curved bottoms and rings to stay in place throughout the brewing process.

6) Bring one cup of water to almost a boil.

Pour not-quite-boiling water into the filter until it is about a quarter full and let the water seep through the damper for about 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, add the rest of the water to the filter and put the lid on top to keep the heat in.

7) Wait.

Once you pour the water in, the brew process should take at least five minutes to extract the rich, full flavor characteristic of Vietnamese coffee. Peek under the lid during your first few makings to make sure the coffee is seeping slowly enough. If the water filters through in less than five minutes, you won’t be getting full flavor from the brew process.

When the water filters too quickly, it means the damper was not on tightly enough and you should further tighten it during your next attempt at brewing.

8) Pour, soften and sweeten.

You can drink Vietnamese coffee straight, and may find it extremely gratifying if you’re a person who also downs espresso shots. Traditionally, Vietnamese coffee is served with a sugary twist, though.

Instead of American milk and sugar, Vietnamese coffee is typically tempered with sweetened condensed milk. The amount, of course, is dependent upon taste, but about 2 tablespoons is a good place to start. The condensed milk can be stirred into coffee at the end or added to the cup before step five.

For a different coffee experience, try it like some Vietnamese coffee drinkers take it. Put the condensed milk in the bottom of the mug, brew the coffee, and drink without stirring. You’ll get the strong, bitter coffee first and finish off with an abundance of sweetness.

Ca phe da

When it’s hot out, try your Vietnamese coffee cold. Simply brew as normal, stirring the condensed milk into the coffee, and pour over ice.

Method and Tips for Brewing the Perfect Cup of Tea

October 3, 2014 By Shawna Leave a Comment

Turkey. England. China.

Tea is such an integral part of so many cultures, it’s no surprise that there’s some debate over how the drink is best served. Turkish tea is brewed up strong, no milk allowed. English tea just wouldn’t be English tea without the milk. In China, tea is so sacred, it has its own ceremony.

If there is one thing all tea cultures agree upon, it’s that the brew process is vital. So, no matter how you take it, follow these tips to brew up a perfect cup of tea every time.

Selecting the Right Tea and Proper Tea Storage

The perfect cup of tea begins long before you put the water on to boil. True tea enthusiasts would never be caught with bagged tea in their cupboards, but tea bags are a perfectly acceptable tea option for busy tea lovers.

The downside of bagged tea is that using pre-measured bags takes away your control over how much tea you use in your brew, making it more difficult to get it “just right”.

Whether you use lose or bagged tea, though, storage is important. Store in airtight, non-clear containers in a cool, dry place to prevent smells from being absorbed and changing the tea’s flavor.

The Right Water for Tea

If you have quality tap water, there’s no reason not to use cold water straight from the tap. If you have hard water in your home, though, or funny-flavored water you don’t drink by itself, don’t use it for your tea. It will annihilate the flavor. Instead, use filtered water if you drink filtered tap water, or bottled water.

Water Temperatures by Tea Type

Different teas brew best at different temperatures. Brewing at the proper temp ensures that tea gets maximum extraction for fullest flavor without a bitter taste. For best results, follow the following rules for brewing:

Black and Herbal –boiling water
Oolong –water just below a boil (approximately 195 degrees)
Green and White – water between 160 and 185 degrees

Tea Amounts & Steep Times by Tea Type

Using the proper amount of tea per cup is key to a perfect brew. When using bagged tea, this is simple. Stick to one tea bag per cup.

For loose leaf tea, one teaspoon per cup is the general rule. For strong tea, increase the amount to one tablespoon per cup.

Steep tea according to type:

Black – 3-5 minutes
Oolong – 3-5 minutes
Herbal – 5-7 minutes
Green – 2-3 minutes
White – 1-3 minutes

Make Tea Your Own

Once you know the general rules for tea-making, throw them out the window. The perfect cup of tea is the one that best suits your taste, so don’t hesitate to increase or decrease the amount of tea you use per cup.

When working out your perfect tea amount/brew time, make alterations to the amount of tea you use, not the time you steep it.

Since ideal steep time and water temperature for teas are designed to bring about maximum extraction and flavor, its best to hold to those rules first.

Of course, in the end, the taste of the tea is all that matters, so steep as you see fit. Maybe you like a slightly bitter tang to your tea, and that’s quite all right. Don’t let anyone quash your personal tea pride.

Ultimate Tea Brewing Tips

A proper tea brewing method will bring your tea close to perfection. If you’re ready to take it to the next level, incorporate these tips into your process –

Tip 1: Get several small canisters, and mark them.

Keep one canister for each tea type, and don’t mix it up. Protect tea from moisture, air and light to retain its original flavor.

Tip 2: Use a thermometer.

Oh, yeah, it’s anal. Are you worried about OCD, or do you want perfect tea?

If you’re a full-time black tea drinker, you can do without it. If you drink green or white, a thermometer is the best way to get it just right.

Tip 3: Use a timer.

Stop trusting your own clock-watching. Get your steep time just right every time by setting a timer and staying by your brewing tea’s side. It’s only 3 to 5 minutes. Isn’t it worth the time?

Once you’ve got your perfect brewing technique down, it’s time to apply it to iced tea as well. Instead of making a full pitcher of tea and letting it sit in your refrigerator, start flash chilling tea for a freshly-brewed iced tea taste.