TL;DW: His three favorites were Ethiopia, Colombia, and Tokyo. Honorable mention to Ristretto Decaf, which was surprisingly better than regular Ristretto. Zimbabwe and Shanghai had some complexity and were interesting, but he didn’t really like them. Most either didn’t have much character (not offensive, but boring) or were overly roasty and bitter. His three least favorites were probably India, Palermo, and Cocoa Truffle. Edit: This was meant to help those who don’t have time to watch the video, but want to know the results. I’m not implying that the video is too long or that you shouldn’t watch it. It’s absolutely worth a watch to see his reactions and rants if you have time.
Thank you sir! Ethiopia was my go-to pod when I was still a Nespressohead, so I kind of feel validated that I at least had enough taste to gravitate towards that :D
@@wjsjswjsjs4264 In the 1970's Nestle pushed baby formula in third world countries, telling mother's it would make their babies healthier and stronger. Once their breast milk dried up, the mother's were stuck feeding expensive formulas to them. In many cases they didn't have clean water sources and babies got sick or died. This was a very evil way to increase their sales abroad.
They're marketting to coffee idiots, Coffee idiots would really enjoy a distinct cereal flavour, Then tell all their friends how awesome the new Nespresso thing is, and that normal coffee is just shitty...
I live in York County, Pennsylvania, USA, one of our native sons is Bob Hoffman of YORK BARBELL fame. I remember, decades ago, he was featured in our local newspaper and he mentioned that he only drank coffee once in his life, in the trenches of WWI, and I thought, no wonder he never drank it again, it most likely tasted like swill.
Well that's every nespresso capsule for the ORIGINAL size you could buy... time for round 2 with the Vertuo Plus capsules! Completely different flavours ;)
Imagine 500 years into the future. James Hoffmann could have been remembered as one of the greatest coffee experts in history. But they'll find only this video, and he will be remembered as "that guy who drank all the Nespresso".
@@manoz6194 you know times and fashions keep changing... 500 y ago people ate and drank different things as today. And it will be the same thing 500y from now. our recipes our ideas of eating and drinking will be history by then. What will they have instead? Possibly something we have never heard of because it is not yet invented or discovered. 500 years ago the western people or at least most them had never heard of coffee yet. people managed life without caffeein and it worked for them. caffeein is not something your body needs, caffeein is a drug. And maybe 500 years from now it will be forgotten and replaced with something else, something that matches their idea of life and enjoyment.
@@riffraffselbow That's usually how cheap coffees will cover up their bad flavors. Scorch it until all you taste is the roast and a hint of what it could be. Lol
I would love to see a secondary channel made: "James tastes things that he doesn't like and is slightly offended by". It would provide the most joy and entertainment of any form of media out there.
Nestle makes cereal, I imagine writing cereal and making each coffee taste like cereal is part of some grand scheme to get you to buy some cereal :D Speaking of Cereal, gotta buy some Cereal. Cereously
@@peteT269 nestle is a massive company BECAUSE of the horrible shit they do and have done. which ill remind you includes literal child slavery and causing the deaths of more than 1.5 million babies. maybe dont die on this hill.
I love this video because although it looks proffesional it gives me vibe of "your friend visited you and is roasting (hehe, get it?) your coffe machine but it's so eloquent you let him pass" and i absolutely love it
“Did you just give tasting notes to the nation of Japan” wasn’t a quote I expected to hear today tbh “The Japanese taste of sweetness and ginger” is a power move tho tbh
It’s absolutely genius. Not withstanding coffee culture in Japan, like most things in Japan, is extremely diverse and ridiculously meticulous. So to give a gross representation of that is just odd…
this is uncanny. I was literally thinking, “damn I could use a new James Hoffman video right now”, and then guess what I see when I look down on my phone. Thanks for such an amazing channel :)
It's strategic. Probably chooses his release time of his videos at the same time the highest percentage of his audience log into youtube. Welcome to modern marketing ;p.
I don't think there's anything paranormal going on. I'm always thinking I could use a James Hoffman video, so anytime he chooses to upload, I'll have wished he would
You, sir, belong to the rare few people on the Internet with a form of influence that is very transparent and carries genuine passion and friendliness instead of being a biased salesman. Subscribed! Please continue doing what you do!
My biggest aha moment was realising that I was paying 70€/kg... I'd never buy a packet of coffee at that price but for some reason, I was totally ok with buying these cute colour pops of mediocre coffee for an absolute fortune. It blew my mind...
Same. Never thought how overpriced these pods are. For some reason, I thought they were very reasonably priced :) Well, I guess we pay for the beautiful packages and convenience. However, I wonder if there are cheaper alternatives ? A good espresso machine will make a good coffee, but the machine is very expensive. Good coffee beans also not so cheap. Inexpensive espresso machine will make probably the same so-so coffee as Nespresso does. The conclusion is, if we stay within the range of reasonable prices, then Nespresso is not so bad, I guess. Sometimes I buy coffee from the bakery nearby, they have a professional machine, but it still makes only mediocre coffee, yet it costs more than making a coffee from Nespresso pod.
@@helenab9973 and the white gloved hunks that fill your expensive black paper bag and ask you what you enjoy drinking like it's the only thing they care about in the whole world. They "invite" you for a coffee, although it's just walking you to the bar where another hunk asks you what takes your fancy... It's a massive ego boost
I was about to buy my own "nespresso" machine while it was on black Friday sale for 30 dollars (from a local, well known brand).... and then I made my calculations and realised that the pods I'd have to buy for it constantly will end up costing so much more than the machine itself.. I could basically buy a new machine every month and more... it's way too overpriced. Much better option for that price would be to splurge and treat yourself to some premium coffee beans you've always wanted to try.
All that money on marketing, yet no one to QC the grammar that will be printed on tens of thousands of boxes. It's always very interesting to me where multi billion dollar companies choose to cut corners.
It's really strange you mentioned Ethiopean single origin being a great gateway into more complex coffees. I used to drink a lot of nespresso, and I once just randomly tried an Ethiopean single origin at a cafe here in Melbourne and it's opened my eyes to a wider world of taste.
the Ethiopian pod is amazing! I'm a bit sad that they do so many pods, but I really have to look out for the good ones. Most of them are mediocre, drinkable but not likeable in my view. And when I look what they apparently sell well, I wonder about the tastebuds of my fellow citizens.
I think one thing that is missing here is the use cases. As an “espresso” maker, it certainly is fair to taste them as such and have opinions on taste. It’s never going to be as good as a properly pulled espresso shot with great coffee. But, there is also the consideration of cappuccino and latte drinkers for whom the capsule in combination with the milk is the tasting standard. Obviously, the better the coffee, the better the cappuccino or latte. But, combining the extreme convenience with a “reasonable” shot for a cappuccino is still compelling. I have all manner of coffee makers and like my mocha pot and French press, etc. However, when you’re up at 6am and need to be out the door at 6:30 or 7:00, it’s very hard to think about anything longer in process without spending a fortune at a coffee shop on the way to work.
I started my coffee journey with Nespresso as it seemed quick and easy. Having moved on from there, I feel like someone has given me the keys to a whole new world of fun. The coffees I'm drinking now are light years better, but I still think Nespresso has it's place. I gave my machine to a friend who loves it as it is so convenient. And yes, I'm taking a selection of coffees I've discovered to him next time we meet so perhaps he gets to step out into the brave new world too 😊
So very much this. I started exclusively with milk drinks from my Nespresso because it mitigated some of the flavor. I thought, "ugh, I cannot learn to enjoy espresso." Then my wife pushed me over the edge of the slippery slope that is home espresso with a Breville/Sage Bambino Plus (an underrated machine that satisfies her auto-milk texturing needs and lets me dabble) and I'm a grinder upgrade and a few hundred pulled shots into my journey. Coffee is a magical world of endless options that has the potential for so much more. Glad to report that espresso can be amazing if it's done well. Convenience has its place, but if you care about flavor, take the next step beyond Nestle and its Nespresso empire.
@@earvenom Same here , i think ive had every pod machine , Dolce Gusto , Tassimo , Nespresso and Lavazza , then moved on to a Sage/Breville Barista , then settled on an ECM Sychronika and Niche Zero.
He's not good to watch as a coffee drinker. Coffee you've enjoyed for years suddenly tastes bad. You use the same cup, the same press, the same spoonfuls, but the damn thing tastes bad all of a sudden because you get it in your head that there is a guy out there doing everything right that you are doing wrong. I've spent $600 the past week trying to correct this
@@drowningin I mean it depends how frugal (cheap) you are. After a year I spent 60$ to improve my experience and try a french press and hand grind instead of just using my extremely old drip coffee maker to death. It's an improvement! I don't really feel the need to do better, might try some different beans I guess, but not motivated til my current cheap coffee runs out. But, I appreicate that cheap coffee more because of him. XD
This truly highlights everything we enjoy about you the most: your knowledge of coffee (and making it interesting for us) and your humor. Cheers to your continued success.
Me: "Experts are humans too. They just know more than we do but they're still perfectly normal human being." James talking to a coffee pod: "Have an opinion!"
James, for those wedded to their Nespresso machines it might be worthwhile you trying some self-fill pods for them that are on the market. This might give users a chance of getting a better coffee experience as well as preventing a lot of pods ending up on landfill. You could test how well they work in the machine, and what kinds of coffee would work well with the inherent limitations of the Nespresso machine.
I won a dolce gusto machine and my sister bought me a reusable pod, I've had pretty okay coffee from it. There are a lot of pods on the market for varying machines, it would be hard to test them all and it does require a bit of trial and error to get it right
This was basically me with my Keurig. I didn't like the waste plus how expensive k-cup pods are, so I got a few reusable pods and got pre ground coffee for it. That kickstarted my coffee journey, as I started researching different brands and sizes of grounds and eventually got my own grinder. I don't use the Keurig anymore.
@@leyline77 It comes out good. You just need to fill half of it, give it a good tamp, and then fill it up another tamp, then add a bit more before closing it off.
I have a Nespresso machine that brews Original pods in my bedroom. I use it when I need coffee to wake up cuz I’m not human until I have a coffee and this machine is fast and convenient. When I have more time in the morning or once I’m awake I’ll make a proper pour over with freshly ground beans. Or if I’m making a leisurely breakfast on the weekend, I like to make a French press or a stovetop percolator coffee. But when I want fast, I use the Nespresso pods. Coffee brewing is a fun hobby and I like to make coffee many different ways according to my whims. Sometimes I want a machine to do the work for me, and sometimes I want to put in the work myself.
My wife and I were dying laughing watching your suffering through the 13/13 and 12/13 pods. Thank you for enduring this torture test for our enjoyment, James. 🖕 Nestle and Nespresso.
Nespresso was actually my gateway to 'proper coffee' - got me into espresso-based coffee and then made me want more flavor, so got a grinder and a machine and started watching @James Hoffman!
Same story here. Filter coffee, senseo (pod filter coffe), Nespresso --> sage barista express = damn good coffee !! and it seems that this is just the beginning :)
Oh! I’m currently on the verge. Thinking I might leave nespresso machine behind and get into coffee, but I’ve never been that big of a coffee fan, I prefer to explore the tea, so I’ll probably stick with the Nespresso machine for a few more years.
The design has to do the heavy lifting the flavour should do. They do look marvelous, and makes you expect some amazing experience, and, dare I say, helps you imagaine a better taste into the stuff you drink
I have recently been introduced to the complex world of coffee after I left the Mormon church and the Nespresso machine I started with has been a huge help in beginning what I think will be a lifelong love of coffee. I was already aware of Nestlé’s history of being terrible and I figured it was probably an insult to experienced coffee connoisseurs, but it’s been a great way for me to get introduced to coffee that I can experiment with in my own home. This video offers a lot of insight into what I am probably missing out on!
it is very convenient, sometimes i still make a nespresso regardless of the fresh coffee i have still nothing beats the amazing aroma that comes from a fresh ground coffee for me
I was watching a Whisky taste video and they made an interesting point about being a snob vs an enthusiast. A snob will shut someone down for liking a low status whisky, an enthusiast will ask what they like and suggest other things to develop. I’d say the same with coffee, I grew up drinking instant so I’m not a coffee sommelier or anything! Just keep and open mind and an open palate
As a Nespresso drinker I really appreciate this video more than you can imagine. I find most reviews are incredibly biased and overhyped. As a disabled person I need a way to get my caffeine fast & without much thought, especially in the morning when my pain is quite high. That’s why I’m with Nespresso, there’s much better coffee out there, but it does make my life more manageable. Nespresso feels more like medicine to get my body going. It’s the hidden small coffee shop gems around the city I go occasionally to truly savour a really coffee. But after watching some of your other series I may try to replicate that at home on my good days. Anyway I think Nespresso needs more unbiased reviews like these out there. Their machines do meet a need but I think we as a society are forgetting what god coffee is. And I don’t think you have to worry about it promoting them in a positive light 😅. Would you consider reviewing their vertuo or limited edition pods? Thanks for another fantastic video!
For what it's worth my roommate had a keurig-like machine and reusable k-cups that he'd fill with his favorite ground coffee. The should be about as easy to use as Nespresso, cheaper, and it lets you choose what kind of roast to brew.
@@lulumoon6942 Seriously? I just got an espresso machine, I'm going to experiment. What about decaf? Is it the caffeine helping the pain or something else,? Hope you are right!
@@suew4609 from my experience and to my knowledge (take it as a grain of salt as i am not a doctor, only a person with chronic pain who has interacted with many) but moderate amounts of caffeine typically potentiate the effects of pain relieving drugs and NSAIDs. however if you suffer from chronic headaches you would want to limit your caffeine intake as stimulants like caffeine are known to cause headaches in high amounts and in some people moderate amounts. however that being said im sure just the energy boost one can get will make them feel better psychologically and likely physically at least a bit; but that being said i dont think coffee itself is necessarily something that will relieve pain // edit: google says coffee MAY have anti inflammatory properties so hey worth a shot. i always feel a bit better while sippin my coffee lol
For me, coffee pods are like microwave/ ready meals. It's quicker, sometimes more convenient, and is usually just fine but making from scratch is always better.
I've tried quite a lot of pods and company aside, Nespresso succeed in overall consistency and drinkability for me. I agree with James that a lot of their pods are fairly indistinguishable, but for a very straight forward and reliable drink, I dont think anyone else has hit Nespresso's level yet.
@Squant that's the worst take I've heard for so long. I can't think of a single microwave meal that I couldn't cook myself much better, mind you that I am not a particularly good cook as well.
Really appreciate your open approach to tasting. You don't hide what you don't like, but say what's nice and what you like. Very good personal quality is saying "It's not for me" instead of "It's not good". Love your content and approach.
This video is perhaps the greatest example of how James is just so intrinsically entertaining to watch. As the weird coffee person that I am, I have zero interest in ever buying or drinking anything by nespresso, but this is honestly one of my absolute favorite videos ever on this channel (and I’ve seen all of them)
I used to work at a Nespresso boutique and I completely agree with you about the cereal notes. It's such a bland flavor and they use it way too often. They were extremely popular though, especially with the older customers. Customers knew what they liked and were afraid to experiment with new flavors. They would get a "varied" bunch of all cereal notes (cosi, capriccio, etc.) and in my mind I would call them the "safe flavors". I asked a young woman what notes she liked and she said cereal, and I was very surprised. Something I really liked about working there was finding out how much you can learn about a person through the type of coffee they liked, and you would start predicting their order immediately after hearing their second sleeve, you start noticing the pattern. I also agree with the roast. Even when it had an intensity level of 6 or 7, people would sample it and say it's strong and I would agree. I quickly got tired of the strong coffee. I understand that a lot of people love the intensity and it's the reason why they love Nespresso. A lot of our customers would often say that they can't do Keurig or Starbucks coffee anymore.
Timestamps of moments that cracked me up: 5:58 "character: kind of a five but a disappointed five. No, I'm revising that back down to a four." 6:45 "Have an opinion!" 11:27 "I will stop rolling my eyes... maybe" 15:06 "WhY diD I sIP tHAt again!" 15:13" the best accidental national compliment I've seen in a while (...) Are you saying that the Japanese are sophisticated and naturally sweet? Did you gave tasting notes to the nation of Japan?" 17:03 "it is making me think of the syndrome more than the city right now.." (the laughter after tasting it) 18:48 "I don't think coffee should taste like cereal" (You would think that was a given but... we don't know anymore) 22:59 "Ohhh I smell you" (Catching the Robusta in there) 24:39 "OH THAT'S THE ONE" 🤢 31:45 (laughs because it is comically terrible)
Stages of James' Caffeine decline Round 1 15:07 Addiction Pace quickens 17:12 Incoherence Speech slurs Round 2 22:32 The expected beginning 23:02 "Well Leavened" 23:36 I wouldn't want to take a second sip either 24:34 "This might hurt you" 24:40 Someone call a medic? 26:30 He's back, false alarm The decaf range Definitely helped day 2 31:43 Thank You, James, for trying far too much coffee shop we don't have to
We've been using Nespresso machines and pods for a number of years now. Having watched this video we decided to branch out and try some compatible pods. So far Roar Gill and Moving Beans have been up there, but with so many to choose from and not knowing which are deemed 'great tasting' its difficult to know which ones to try. Would love to see James review some different brands of compatible pods, preferably compostable ones.
@@chayneznfayme to answer your question, no. I do not 'have' to use pods. I also have an AeroPress which is currently being paired with fine Colombian and Nicaraguan coffee and is producing rather delicious cups of coffee. Your question should really be why use pods? Put simply, it's the convenience of it all. It's very simple to fire up the Nespresso machine, make a decent cup of coffee and crack on with work. I'd rather steer away from the Nespresso/Nestle brands and use food waste compostable pods where possible - hence the push for compatible reviews.
@@kuppatea I'm yet to taste anything resembling decent coming from a pod machine regardless of brand of the pod. The technology appears defective to me. I bet you could knock out a much much better coffee with an espresso machine in only slightly more time.
In the conclusion section, it would be nice to see a final list of all pods ranged by complexity! (for those who somehow still want to order Nespresso pods).
James Hoffman's most favorite: Ethiopia, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Tokyo Vivlato Lungo, Shanghai Lungo James Hoffman's most disliked: Palermo and Cocoa Truffle
The notification for the video literally popped up as I was finishing pouring my v60 using James' method. Sweet timing, now I've got something to watch as I enjoy my coffee! (Ironically as James doesn't enjoy his)
Just had to come back to this video, if only for the "oh no.." to the Indian pod. Laughing way harder than what one would expect. But the subtle, very British, kind, yet unwavering brutality of the slow "no", from the almost gasping and inwards breathing- and the tone and volume just turned down to the absolute. Almost like feeling the cold grip of death and knowing you are about to die; ".. oh no..". Just great to watch
@@fodi1kanobe From what he describes there, I think this is a case of just really not his type of coffee. I think so, because what he describes is strongly resembling my memories of an Indian monsoon-coffee I had recently. And I hated it. I fiddled around with it for a bit, tried different brew methods and grind settings, but all of it for me ranged from okay-ish to only drinkable with extra milk. None of tasted over- or under-extracted, but the basic flavor just didn't work for me. At the same time, my boyfriend loves it. I brewed one large carafe in the morning for both of us and with this roast, he loved it and I kinda suffered through it. So I'd chalk this one up to differences in taste and expect this capsule to actually be decent Indian monsoon-coffee, which happens to not be James' thing.
why people tend to associate every personal reaction with big political and social things i wonder? James just didn't like the taste of this specific Nespresso pod, and I as a south-american don't like the taste either, I can say I hate it but it's just the taste of this kind of coffee, that's it!
I only drink the Ristretto capsules and I think you’re on spot with your review. I researched coffee and espresso for about a year now and I will get my first machine and grinder next week. I am super exited for this transition. Thank you James!
I enjoyed watching this way too much. I feel like British humour only can truly capture the horror of the “bitter, bitter aftertaste”. It was also very informative in that now I know it isn’t just me and I don’t have to keep wasting money trying to figure out what capsule is right for me. Cheers!
Drank Nespresso for years, finally moved to a little Gaggia at home, but still drink at work on my own machine (mostly for convenience and because the Keurig offered is so much worse). Finally realized how similar and unremarkable the N'espresso pods are that I switched to secondary brands. Now I can boast having the same easy mediocre experience cup after cup for half the price.
true! i use nespresso cause in college it is as good as it gets for convenient dark coffee, and i found that Peet's pods are IMO better than nespresso brand for much cheaper
Although I found keurig to be brown water not worth drinking, Not everything has to be top of the line to be enjoyed. Just because I spend $20 on a fancy burger doesn't mean I cant also enjoy some slop from the local fast food place. People act like coffee snobs but then say things like "ehherm I ONLY DRINK BLACK COFFEE" but if you really loved it you would drink any way its presented to you. If a packet of instant coffee is the only thing I have access to, get that hot water ready because Im going in.
Haven't had cereal in my house in more than a decade but I now want a cereal cabinet that plays James saying 'Cereal. Oh, yeah.' each time you open the door.
I would like to see another video with all the specialty coffee pods that can be found on the market and brewed with the Morning machine. I think that would be much more enjoyable and the results would surprise many people.
The short answer for selling cereal: adding grain to the roasting bill saves money. And rather than hiding it like some american coffee brands do (folgers and maxwell house come to mind), nestle has chosen to sell it as a feature.
I've never had Nespresso but I did have a Starbucks this morning, and it's amazing that no matter where I set my expectations, they always disappoint me.
@@frds_skce I haven't gotten coffee from Starbucks in a few years. We have an espresso machine in the house, we got it a few months ago and it is a life changer. It's so nice to be able to make good coffee. But, if I really, really really needed coffee and there was none around for a hundred miles, maybe I would get one at Starbucks. And I would be disappointed!
The beauty of Starbucks is that no matter which outlet you go anywhere in the world they are consistently bad, so that way you won’t ruin your morning since you already know what to expect.
We've a choice between a pot of cheap dark coffee or Nespresso, so I nearly always go for the Nespresso. It's a big improvement on the pot of coffee but don't taste much difference between the pods as the video shows , so would really appreciate this.
I just went to Stockholm and spent the week staying with my girlfriend's coffee addicted family. "Roast, roast, roast" is exactly what the Swedes like and they all said that they drink the exact same coffee as everybody else and everybody uses Moccamasters. I did, however, have a couple of really good pour overs at a chain called Johan & Nyström. It was also the most hipster interior design I've ever seen.
Was just going to say this. Swedish pride themselves in drinking ridiculously "strong" coffee, and growing up, the predominant flavour profiles that were appreciated were "bitterness" and "bogwater"; acidity was frowned upon and had no place in a good coffee.
Thankfully, we're moving away from it as local roasters educate people about light and medium roasts, single and blended origin, etc etc. ...that said, I once dated another swede who said their guilty pleasure was "gas station coffee. you know, the glass pot darker than your future, has been near-boiling for 8+ hours and is basically battery acid? yeah, I can get the weirdest craving for that sometimes."
Also if coffee isn't done in a MoccaMaster or percolator here? Then it's boiled in a coffee pot on on the stove or over an open fire. Reeeally want me some "kokkaffe" right now.
Yes, they would taste better. He's using a machine from the current generation and those will add a very strong burnt bitterness to any pod. They really messed something up in their tries to make the machines cheaper...
We have very different tastes in coffee and I love that!! I worked for a Nespresso call center when the Master Origins were released. My favorite from the set was India and least favorite was Ethiopia 😂 I love that you had a completely opposite reaction to them. It just goes to show how different everyone's tastes can really be
The offensively inoffensive Vienna capsule is often my first coffee of the day. It’s there for me in 30 seconds when I’m desperately trying to come to terms with the unfortunate reality of consciousness. Which is kind of the point of Nespresso for me. If you find a capsule you enjoy, it’s somewhere between good and not bad, consistently and with immediate convenience. Zimbabwe is definitely one of the most interesting capsules they make, I wish they would do more like this. But it’s interesting how similar the coffees are between two of the most popular coffee brands in the world: Starbucks and Nespresso. They clearly understand what will be “good” to the average person.
@@fawku100 He is definitely not getting paid for this. If he were he is doing a bad job selling it. But not disclosing sponsorship is a big illegal NoNo. He wouldn't risk the trust he built up for this
My wife and I are avid Nespresso drinkers simply because of the ease of use. I think I have tried around 90% of the ones you tasted here! I was nervous every time one of my favorites showed up to see your opinion, but I was pleased that we are aligned! Their Ethiopian capsule is by far the best one with the Colombia as a close second. We really like the vanilla and caramel capsules for lattes because they add just a hint of that sweetness without needing to add any syrups. But we normally pair it with another capsule like Ethiopian, Colombia, or Shanghai! Thanks so much for all your content! 8)
This should be titled "34 minutes of James Hoffman roasting coffee"
Ha. Nice.
I lol'd
Perfection.
He’s not roasting it’s prepackaged garbage espresoooh I see what you did there
lmfao
TL;DW: His three favorites were Ethiopia, Colombia, and Tokyo. Honorable mention to Ristretto Decaf, which was surprisingly better than regular Ristretto. Zimbabwe and Shanghai had some complexity and were interesting, but he didn’t really like them. Most either didn’t have much character (not offensive, but boring) or were overly roasty and bitter. His three least favorites were probably India, Palermo, and Cocoa Truffle.
Edit: This was meant to help those who don’t have time to watch the video, but want to know the results. I’m not implying that the video is too long or that you shouldn’t watch it. It’s absolutely worth a watch to see his reactions and rants if you have time.
Thank you!
Thank you
You forgot to mention cereal!
Here “👑” you dropped your crown king.
Thank you sir! Ethiopia was my go-to pod when I was still a Nespressohead, so I kind of feel validated that I at least had enough taste to gravitate towards that :D
Timestamps for my fellow coffee/Hoffman addicts:
ESPRESSO
2:01 - Cosi
2:29 - Chiaro
3:03 - Capriccio
3:34 - Volluto
4:00 - Volluto (decaf)
4:25 - Corto
5:02 - Scuro
SINGLE ORIGIN
5:28 - Nicaragua
6:11 - Indonesia
6:49 - Ethiopia
7:42 - Colombia
8:31 - India
9:41 - La Cumplida
REVIVING ORIGINS
11:02 - DRC
11:55 - Zimbabwe
13:09 - Uganda
WORLD EXPLORATION SERIES
14:19 - Cape Town Envivo Lungo
15:09 - Tokyo Vivalto Lungo
16:03 - Shanghai Lungo
17:02 - Stockholm Fortissio Lungo
17:42 - Vienna Linizio Lungo
18:25 - Buenas Aires Lungo
ISPIRAZIONE ITALIANA SERIES
20:52 - Venezia
21:32 - Firenze Arpeggio
22:31 - Napoli
23:40 - Roma
24:17 - Palermo
25:35 - Genova
26:05 - Ristretto
26:49 - Ristretto (decaf)
LIMITED EDITION
27:41 - Novecento
28:34 - Millennio
BARISTA CREATION FLAVOURS
30:08 - Vanilla Eclair
30:50 - Caramel Crème Brulée
31:24 - Cocoa Truffle
32:25 - Conclusion
True hero commenter
Thank you for your selfless act!
this community is fucking amazing. Thank you
Thank you!!
+++
Respect for speaking honestly about how evil Nestlé is right at the beginning.
@@Crashawsomethey probably threw a shit ton of money at him, can’t blame him
Had to give this comment a like to make the number say Nestlé. I mean 666.
nestle did nothing wrong
@@wjsjswjsjs4264 In the 1970's Nestle pushed baby formula in third world countries, telling mother's it would make their babies healthier and stronger. Once their breast milk dried up, the mother's were stuck feeding expensive formulas to them. In many cases they didn't have clean water sources and babies got sick or died. This was a very evil way to increase their sales abroad.
@@wjsjswjsjs4264 you know nothing John Snow
James: “I’m worried I might say good things about a horrible company”
Me, 30 minutes later: “oh you needn’t have worried, mate”
"Boss, should we rinse out these cereal vats before we process the coffee?"
"Nah, it'll be fine"
They're marketting to coffee idiots,
Coffee idiots would really enjoy a distinct cereal flavour,
Then tell all their friends how awesome the new Nespresso thing is, and that normal coffee is just shitty...
@@phs125 Not at all Coffee Idiots, as long as they have a coffee they enjoy they are winning over everyone else not enjoying it as much as they are.
why did i hear that in @The Drinker's voice?
@@reubenl3973 fancy runnin into such a cultured person here
@@damndave3237 that's all i've got.
Didn't think we'd be getting a horror-themed episode for Halloween, but here we are. Thanks James!
It's a cereal killer movie!
@@gvigary1 such an undervoted comment 😂
It is Halloween for James right?
@@gvigary1 hahah underrated comment!
Lol
I live in York County, Pennsylvania, USA, one of our native sons is Bob Hoffman of YORK BARBELL fame. I remember, decades ago, he was featured in our local newspaper and he mentioned that he only drank coffee once in his life, in the trenches of WWI, and I thought, no wonder he never drank it again, it most likely tasted like swill.
Pennsylvania represent, from up here in Hershey.
Holy crap I didn't know York barbells were a product made in Pennsylvania. I am from the Allentown area of PA.
Well that's every nespresso capsule for the ORIGINAL size you could buy... time for round 2 with the Vertuo Plus capsules! Completely different flavours ;)
your a sick sick man Evan
James' Vertuo video is one of his funniest.
I have a Vertuo Plus and there are some ok coffees in the range. Great for a quick faff free coffee. I also have a Sage Barista Express which I love.
You master torturer you 😃
@@KennethPaul hahahahhaha
Imagine 500 years into the future. James Hoffmann could have been remembered as one of the greatest coffee experts in history. But they'll find only this video, and he will be remembered as "that guy who drank all the Nespresso".
A fate worse than death
In 500 years there will be no coffee
@@hussainmahmoud7881 what will we have instead? Bionic caffeine implants?
@@manoz6194 funny of you to assume we are still around then. At the rate we are destroying our own planet 500 years seems like a stretch
@@manoz6194 you know times and fashions keep changing... 500 y ago people ate and drank different things as today. And it will be the same thing 500y from now. our recipes our ideas of eating and drinking will be history by then. What will they have instead? Possibly something we have never heard of because it is not yet invented or discovered. 500 years ago the western people or at least most them had never heard of coffee yet. people managed life without caffeein and it worked for them. caffeein is not something your body needs, caffeein is a drug. And maybe 500 years from now it will be forgotten and replaced with something else, something that matches their idea of life and enjoyment.
This is probably the only man who can roast coffee by saying "it tastes like coffee" so eloquently and yet simplisticly.
lol, "roast" :D
as James repeatedly mentioned, the problem here was _too much_ roasting!
and yet I know exactly what he means when he says that.
It's amazing how such an offensive company can make such inoffensive coffee.
@@riffraffselbow That's usually how cheap coffees will cover up their bad flavors. Scorch it until all you taste is the roast and a hint of what it could be. Lol
1:59 Cosi
2:29 Chairo
3:03 Capriccio
3:33 Volluto
4:01 Volluto Decaf
4:25 Corto
5:04 Scuro
5:28 Nicaragua
6:12 Indonesia
6:50 Ethopia
7:42 Colombia
8:31 India
9:43 La Cumplida
11:04 Drc
11:55 Zimbabwe
13:09 Uganda
14:20 Cape Town
15:09 Tokyo
16:03 Shanghai
17:03 Stockholm
17:41 Vienna
18:25 Buenos Aires
20:51 Venezia
21:31 Firenzie Arpeggio
22:00 Firenzie Arpeggio Decaf
22:32 Napoli
23:40 Roma
24:17 Palermo
25:34 Genova
26:05 Ristretto
26:50 Ristretto Decaf
27:42 Novecento
28:32 Milennio
30:08 Vanilla Eclair
30:50 Caramel Creme Brulee
31:24 Cocoa Truffle
Edit: fixed spellings
Which one did he rate the best?
@@eSKAone- would like to know too
He had good things to say about the Tokyo blend
It s ColOmbia. Columbia is an university. You must be murican. Thank you for the list though!
Ethiopian seemed to have most respect from him.
I would love to see a secondary channel made: "James tastes things that he doesn't like and is slightly offended by".
It would provide the most joy and entertainment of any form of media out there.
James drinks alcohol and tastes things that he doesn't like and is slightly offended by*
You haven't been paying attention. See the back catalog.
The world needs this
@m0ro lets be real, thats basically what this channel is.
yes would love to see that
Nestle makes cereal, I imagine writing cereal and making each coffee taste like cereal is part of some grand scheme to get you to buy some cereal :D Speaking of Cereal, gotta buy some Cereal. Cereously
Haha, that’s perfect!
😂
"Cereously." LOL 😄👍🏾
i was wondering why everything was cereal
I already had some aversion towards Nestle, and now I learn that they are cereal killers as well.
I really appreciate you acknowledging the fact that Nestle is a horrible company right at the beginning, James! Cudos.
Yep, a great f*** you Nestle from Denmark too! :)
Nestle is a massive company, and summarising it lasily as "horrible" is just ridiculous.
@@peteT269 It's even lazier to ignore everything Nestle has done as a global company.
@@peteT269 Luckily random folk on the internet don't owe you their effort. Fuck Nestle.
@@peteT269 nestle is a massive company BECAUSE of the horrible shit they do and have done. which ill remind you includes literal child slavery and causing the deaths of more than 1.5 million babies. maybe dont die on this hill.
I love this video because although it looks proffesional it gives me vibe of "your friend visited you and is roasting (hehe, get it?) your coffe machine but it's so eloquent you let him pass" and i absolutely love it
15:00
I can confirm we are indeed "sophisticated and naturally sweet", and it's about time someone appreciated us for that 😂😂
UwU
@@johnmalin4933 Siiiiiimmmpp!
Holy shit, that is so funny that they not only make bad tasting code, but such a stupid mistakes on their product boxes
@@ShiftLockRU Always taste test your own code after writing it
Should I tell my gf that she is sweet and sophisticated? Wwwww
“Did you just give tasting notes to the nation of Japan” wasn’t a quote I expected to hear today tbh
“The Japanese taste of sweetness and ginger” is a power move tho tbh
It’s absolutely genius. Not withstanding coffee culture in Japan, like most things in Japan, is extremely diverse and ridiculously meticulous. So to give a gross representation of that is just odd…
this is uncanny. I was literally thinking, “damn I could use a new James Hoffman video right now”, and then guess what I see when I look down on my phone.
Thanks for such an amazing channel :)
It's strategic. Probably chooses his release time of his videos at the same time the highest percentage of his audience log into youtube. Welcome to modern marketing ;p.
I don't think there's anything paranormal going on. I'm always thinking I could use a James Hoffman video, so anytime he chooses to upload, I'll have wished he would
@caleb I was just thinking the same
You, sir, belong to the rare few people on the Internet with a form of influence that is very transparent and carries genuine passion and friendliness instead of being a biased salesman. Subscribed! Please continue doing what you do!
You can absolutely see James getting more caffeinated throughout the video. He increases his talking speed by 1-2% after each one.
The Bee Movie but everytime they say "bee" it gets faster.
@@AssaultFlamingo Thank you
I've been trying to decide if the change ramping up after each tasting is the caffeine, or the resentment
I’m glad James stopped when he did, I was fearing for his health/sanity!
I switched to the start of the video to compare while watching, he definitely went there 😂
My biggest aha moment was realising that I was paying 70€/kg... I'd never buy a packet of coffee at that price but for some reason, I was totally ok with buying these cute colour pops of mediocre coffee for an absolute fortune. It blew my mind...
Same. Never thought how overpriced these pods are. For some reason, I thought they were very reasonably priced :) Well, I guess we pay for the beautiful packages and convenience. However, I wonder if there are cheaper alternatives ? A good espresso machine will make a good coffee, but the machine is very expensive. Good coffee beans also not so cheap. Inexpensive espresso machine will make probably the same so-so coffee as Nespresso does. The conclusion is, if we stay within the range of reasonable prices, then Nespresso is not so bad, I guess. Sometimes I buy coffee from the bakery nearby, they have a professional machine, but it still makes only mediocre coffee, yet it costs more than making a coffee from Nespresso pod.
@@helenab9973 and the white gloved hunks that fill your expensive black paper bag and ask you what you enjoy drinking like it's the only thing they care about in the whole world. They "invite" you for a coffee, although it's just walking you to the bar where another hunk asks you what takes your fancy... It's a massive ego boost
@@wuffles101 true, but lately I just order online , so no more free tasting, "expensive" paper bag ego boost for me :).
@@faradeth74 Thanks! I was planning to try that.
I was about to buy my own "nespresso" machine while it was on black Friday sale for 30 dollars (from a local, well known brand).... and then I made my calculations and realised that the pods I'd have to buy for it constantly will end up costing so much more than the machine itself.. I could basically buy a new machine every month and more... it's way too overpriced. Much better option for that price would be to splurge and treat yourself to some premium coffee beans you've always wanted to try.
I’m gonna start introducing myself as a “sophisticated and naturally sweet” coffee lover from Japan…😂
I guess I'll go by "Velvety, thick and pleasantly bitter" coffee lover from Italy then
damn Im "moldy and a dishonor for humanbeing", I do like chocolate flavor...
Breed?
All that money on marketing, yet no one to QC the grammar that will be printed on tens of thousands of boxes. It's always very interesting to me where multi billion dollar companies choose to cut corners.
@@finalshade14 i like to interpret this reply as the world's bluntest pickup line
It's really strange you mentioned Ethiopean single origin being a great gateway into more complex coffees. I used to drink a lot of nespresso, and I once just randomly tried an Ethiopean single origin at a cafe here in Melbourne and it's opened my eyes to a wider world of taste.
same, my first GOOD coffee was Ethiopian origin single farm in a cafe
the Ethiopian pod is amazing!
I'm a bit sad that they do so many pods, but I really have to look out for the good ones.
Most of them are mediocre, drinkable but not likeable in my view. And when I look what they apparently sell well, I wonder about the tastebuds of my fellow citizens.
@@peteshulver9221 I live in Toronto and now need to try this from Demello! Thanks for the recco.
I think one thing that is missing here is the use cases. As an “espresso” maker, it certainly is fair to taste them as such and have opinions on taste. It’s never going to be as good as a properly pulled espresso shot with great coffee. But, there is also the consideration of cappuccino and latte drinkers for whom the capsule in combination with the milk is the tasting standard. Obviously, the better the coffee, the better the cappuccino or latte. But, combining the extreme convenience with a “reasonable” shot for a cappuccino is still compelling. I have all manner of coffee makers and like my mocha pot and French press, etc. However, when you’re up at 6am and need to be out the door at 6:30 or 7:00, it’s very hard to think about anything longer in process without spending a fortune at a coffee shop on the way to work.
So he was right then
James's little laugh and the "idiot" in the end is so heartwarming wholesome🥺
Them: "You just haven't tried the right pod yet"
James:
"I have tried them all and they are mostly overpriced garbage"
Hold my pod.
You can see him slowly losing his sanity for us. Mad respect for this guy
woah, just starting the vid and he aready feels more insane then usual
would have loved if he'd combined all the excess coffee in one big bowl and reviewed THAT
That was probably how they made that last pod ;)
The review for that one would probably just be that it tastes like cereal. :P
let me guess... cereal, burnt, woody, rubber tasting Robusta-dominant overextracted old school coffee
I hope Safiya Nygard does something like that, a frankencoffee!
@@krissp8712 haha yes, I totally thought of Safiya with this comment too! Frankencoffee 🤣
James the end of this video, “why is everything vibrating??”
Freight not! He spits it out and will live to see another day
@@bobert6644 You still absorb coffein in your mouth.
@@HDBenni minute amount relative to the whole shot of course
🤣
"I CAN SEE SOUNDS!"
Finally the sequel to your Tom Scott video: "I like coffee - can Nestlé change that?"
I started my coffee journey with Nespresso as it seemed quick and easy. Having moved on from there, I feel like someone has given me the keys to a whole new world of fun. The coffees I'm drinking now are light years better, but I still think Nespresso has it's place. I gave my machine to a friend who loves it as it is so convenient. And yes, I'm taking a selection of coffees I've discovered to him next time we meet so perhaps he gets to step out into the brave new world too 😊
So very much this. I started exclusively with milk drinks from my Nespresso because it mitigated some of the flavor. I thought, "ugh, I cannot learn to enjoy espresso." Then my wife pushed me over the edge of the slippery slope that is home espresso with a Breville/Sage Bambino Plus (an underrated machine that satisfies her auto-milk texturing needs and lets me dabble) and I'm a grinder upgrade and a few hundred pulled shots into my journey. Coffee is a magical world of endless options that has the potential for so much more. Glad to report that espresso can be amazing if it's done well. Convenience has its place, but if you care about flavor, take the next step beyond Nestle and its Nespresso empire.
@@earvenom Same here , i think ive had every pod machine , Dolce Gusto , Tassimo , Nespresso and Lavazza , then moved on to a Sage/Breville Barista , then settled on an ECM Sychronika and Niche Zero.
100% true. Light years apart ...
I barely drink coffee. But watching James just makes me want to try various coffees.
He's not good to watch as a coffee drinker. Coffee you've enjoyed for years suddenly tastes bad. You use the same cup, the same press, the same spoonfuls, but the damn thing tastes bad all of a sudden because you get it in your head that there is a guy out there doing everything right that you are doing wrong.
I've spent $600 the past week trying to correct this
@@drowningin I mean it depends how frugal (cheap) you are. After a year I spent 60$ to improve my experience and try a french press and hand grind instead of just using my extremely old drip coffee maker to death. It's an improvement! I don't really feel the need to do better, might try some different beans I guess, but not motivated til my current cheap coffee runs out. But, I appreicate that cheap coffee more because of him. XD
Well. Not really nespresso after this.
@@drowningin you are a consumer bro
On no sports days I drink more coffee than anything else 💟
19 minutes in and James is getting so animated. Is he going to survive this torture.
To me it, looked like he was getting drunk on that coffee!
Nespresso, NOT EVERYTHING has to taste of CEREAL!! hahah poor guy
This truly highlights everything we enjoy about you the most: your knowledge of coffee (and making it interesting for us) and your humor. Cheers to your continued success.
Dont forget being offended and grossed out
Me: "Experts are humans too. They just know more than we do but they're still perfectly normal human being."
James talking to a coffee pod: "Have an opinion!"
,pkmmpo.
0
N
As he drank more and more espressos his speech got faster😂 very informative and entertaining video, thank you!
Dear James Hoffman, you are quickly becoming the Top Gear of coffee, and I'm so here for it.
Yeah if Top Gear was just James May and was mostly about how cars work with very little fun
@@reuben4364 You should check out James May's youtube channel.. it's exactly how you describe, and people love it 😝
Idk about that
TONIGHT, James drink a log, Tom drink some fake tea and nespresso goes brrrrr.
Without the racist undertones 😅
(I still like the guys, but yikes)
"what's the roasting level?" well I don't know about Nespresso but James' roasting game is on point in this video!
James, for those wedded to their Nespresso machines it might be worthwhile you trying some self-fill pods for them that are on the market. This might give users a chance of getting a better coffee experience as well as preventing a lot of pods ending up on landfill. You could test how well they work in the machine, and what kinds of coffee would work well with the inherent limitations of the Nespresso machine.
Do you recommend a reusable pod for the original Nespresso machine
@@admnerysrodriguez4633 Apparently the coffee does not come out well.
I won a dolce gusto machine and my sister bought me a reusable pod, I've had pretty okay coffee from it. There are a lot of pods on the market for varying machines, it would be hard to test them all and it does require a bit of trial and error to get it right
This was basically me with my Keurig. I didn't like the waste plus how expensive k-cup pods are, so I got a few reusable pods and got pre ground coffee for it. That kickstarted my coffee journey, as I started researching different brands and sizes of grounds and eventually got my own grinder. I don't use the Keurig anymore.
@@leyline77 It comes out good. You just need to fill half of it, give it a good tamp, and then fill it up another tamp, then add a bit more before closing it off.
I have a Nespresso machine that brews Original pods in my bedroom. I use it when I need coffee to wake up cuz I’m not human until I have a coffee and this machine is fast and convenient. When I have more time in the morning or once I’m awake I’ll make a proper pour over with freshly ground beans. Or if I’m making a leisurely breakfast on the weekend, I like to make a French press or a stovetop percolator coffee. But when I want fast, I use the Nespresso pods. Coffee brewing is a fun hobby and I like to make coffee many different ways according to my whims. Sometimes I want a machine to do the work for me, and sometimes I want to put in the work myself.
"I will stop rolling my eyes... maybe." "Cereal. Hooray!"
I love watching James' rants as he gets increasingly caffeinated ❤️
My wife and I were dying laughing watching your suffering through the 13/13 and 12/13 pods. Thank you for enduring this torture test for our enjoyment, James. 🖕 Nestle and Nespresso.
I'd rate this video 10 out of 13. It's fantastic.
Oh shit it's Johnny! Love your work man!
@@beforever thanks dude!
I only drink Napoli :0 ... I like it. Dam
That was hilarious! I think there's potential here for a whole new genre, 'coffee comedy'!
My previous job used to have a Nespresso machine and those flavoured coffees were my guilty pleasure.
Nespresso was actually my gateway to 'proper coffee' - got me into espresso-based coffee and then made me want more flavor, so got a grinder and a machine and started watching @James Hoffman!
Same here! When I came from normal coffee to espresso it was a big step for me, and wanted more! Also bought a grinder and machine to discover more :)
Same story here. Filter coffee, senseo (pod filter coffe), Nespresso --> sage barista express = damn good coffee !! and it seems that this is just the beginning :)
same here
Oh! I’m currently on the verge. Thinking I might leave nespresso machine behind and get into coffee, but I’ve never been that big of a coffee fan, I prefer to explore the tea, so I’ll probably stick with the Nespresso machine for a few more years.
"That's not even a good Spinal Tap reference" was actually a really good Spinal Tap reference.
I'm 20 seconds in and had to pause to say "What an intro, the visuals and the audio are exceptional!"
One thing we have to admire about Nespresso is their branding and identity. Pods & Sleeves Graphic designs are just marvelous.
Yeah true but inside is crap
The design has to do the heavy lifting the flavour should do. They do look marvelous, and makes you expect some amazing experience, and, dare I say, helps you imagaine a better taste into the stuff you drink
Placebo effect is a powerful one 💟
they have terrible PR, so not really. if you see a nespresso logo you think cheap shite, where I live at least.
Identity? Lmao
I have recently been introduced to the complex world of coffee after I left the Mormon church and the Nespresso machine I started with has been a huge help in beginning what I think will be a lifelong love of coffee. I was already aware of Nestlé’s history of being terrible and I figured it was probably an insult to experienced coffee connoisseurs, but it’s been a great way for me to get introduced to coffee that I can experiment with in my own home. This video offers a lot of insight into what I am probably missing out on!
it is very convenient, sometimes i still make a nespresso regardless of the fresh coffee i have
still nothing beats the amazing aroma that comes from a fresh ground coffee for me
I was watching a Whisky taste video and they made an interesting point about being a snob vs an enthusiast. A snob will shut someone down for liking a low status whisky, an enthusiast will ask what they like and suggest other things to develop. I’d say the same with coffee, I grew up drinking instant so I’m not a coffee sommelier or anything! Just keep and open mind and an open palate
@@AndrewFill you sound like a fellow tribesman? are you in the not a cult?
Hey fellow exmo! I got into coffee over the last year or two and have used an off brand keurig lol. Hey it works!
@@mhspeaks I know right! I realized I like it strong tasting so this was the most cost effective method.
I really want that opening shot of James drinking and the nespresso pods falling on his face as a poster
James is like coffee Jesus, allowing himself to be tortured, and sacrificing himself for the benefit of the world.
Praise be 🙏🏼
Let's make Coffee Jesus a thing.
@@awatt 🤣🤣
WWJD
Coffee Jesus. I like that
As a Nespresso drinker I really appreciate this video more than you can imagine. I find most reviews are incredibly biased and overhyped. As a disabled person I need a way to get my caffeine fast & without much thought, especially in the morning when my pain is quite high. That’s why I’m with Nespresso, there’s much better coffee out there, but it does make my life more manageable. Nespresso feels more like medicine to get my body going. It’s the hidden small coffee shop gems around the city I go occasionally to truly savour a really coffee. But after watching some of your other series I may try to replicate that at home on my good days.
Anyway I think Nespresso needs more unbiased reviews like these out there. Their machines do meet a need but I think we as a society are forgetting what god coffee is. And I don’t think you have to worry about it promoting them in a positive light 😅. Would you consider reviewing their vertuo or limited edition pods?
Thanks for another fantastic video!
For what it's worth my roommate had a keurig-like machine and reusable k-cups that he'd fill with his favorite ground coffee. The should be about as easy to use as Nespresso, cheaper, and it lets you choose what kind of roast to brew.
Well said, in same position, and I was even a barista long ago in college. Coffee is great for pain relief. Best to you, friend.
I've seen heaps of videos criticizing these pods. I've only seen negative reviews. I was starting to think noone liked them
@@lulumoon6942 Seriously? I just got an espresso machine, I'm going to experiment. What about decaf? Is it the caffeine helping the pain or something else,? Hope you are right!
@@suew4609 from my experience and to my knowledge (take it as a grain of salt as i am not a doctor, only a person with chronic pain who has interacted with many) but moderate amounts of caffeine typically potentiate the effects of pain relieving drugs and NSAIDs. however if you suffer from chronic headaches you would want to limit your caffeine intake as stimulants like caffeine are known to cause headaches in high amounts and in some people moderate amounts. however that being said im sure just the energy boost one can get will make them feel better psychologically and likely physically at least a bit; but that being said i dont think coffee itself is necessarily something that will relieve pain // edit: google says coffee MAY have anti inflammatory properties so hey worth a shot. i always feel a bit better while sippin my coffee lol
For me, coffee pods are like microwave/ ready meals. It's quicker, sometimes more convenient, and is usually just fine but making from scratch is always better.
Pretty much spot on here. My nespresso is used about as much as my microwave, too. 2x a month more or less.
very nicely put
I've tried quite a lot of pods and company aside, Nespresso succeed in overall consistency and drinkability for me. I agree with James that a lot of their pods are fairly indistinguishable, but for a very straight forward and reliable drink, I dont think anyone else has hit Nespresso's level yet.
An electric water pot, a french press and pre ground coffee in the morning is the most easy.
@Squant that's the worst take I've heard for so long. I can't think of a single microwave meal that I couldn't cook myself much better, mind you that I am not a particularly good cook as well.
"I'm just cross enough" what a very refined expression of disgust.
35 minutes of james subjecting himself to pain. this is what the fans really crave.
Really appreciate your open approach to tasting. You don't hide what you don't like, but say what's nice and what you like. Very good personal quality is saying "It's not for me" instead of "It's not good". Love your content and approach.
"It feels a bit like it's aiming to be kind of inoffensively coffee, and as a result I am offended."
Best part for me, I was rolling in laughter
This video is perhaps the greatest example of how James is just so intrinsically entertaining to watch. As the weird coffee person that I am, I have zero interest in ever buying or drinking anything by nespresso, but this is honestly one of my absolute favorite videos ever on this channel (and I’ve seen all of them)
"A five, but a disappointed five." - Oh, James, you silly sausage. You do crack me up sometimes.
eu nunca pensei em ver o Ronaldo chamando alguém de salsicha abobada, mas aqui estamos
Lol.. "you silly sausage " 🤣
I used to work at a Nespresso boutique and I completely agree with you about the cereal notes. It's such a bland flavor and they use it way too often. They were extremely popular though, especially with the older customers.
Customers knew what they liked and were afraid to experiment with new flavors. They would get a "varied" bunch of all cereal notes (cosi, capriccio, etc.) and in my mind I would call them the "safe flavors".
I asked a young woman what notes she liked and she said cereal, and I was very surprised. Something I really liked about working there was finding out how much you can learn about a person through the type of coffee they liked, and you would start predicting their order immediately after hearing their second sleeve, you start noticing the pattern.
I also agree with the roast. Even when it had an intensity level of 6 or 7, people would sample it and say it's strong and I would agree. I quickly got tired of the strong coffee. I understand that a lot of people love the intensity and it's the reason why they love Nespresso. A lot of our customers would often say that they can't do Keurig or Starbucks coffee anymore.
Timestamps of moments that cracked me up:
5:58 "character: kind of a five but a disappointed five. No, I'm revising that back down to a four."
6:45 "Have an opinion!"
11:27 "I will stop rolling my eyes... maybe"
15:06 "WhY diD I sIP tHAt again!"
15:13" the best accidental national compliment I've seen in a while (...) Are you saying that the Japanese are sophisticated and naturally sweet? Did you gave tasting notes to the nation of Japan?"
17:03 "it is making me think of the syndrome more than the city right now.." (the laughter after tasting it)
18:48 "I don't think coffee should taste like cereal" (You would think that was a given but... we don't know anymore)
22:59 "Ohhh I smell you" (Catching the Robusta in there)
24:39 "OH THAT'S THE ONE" 🤢
31:45 (laughs because it is comically terrible)
The last two time stamps killed me 🤣🤣🤣
Don’t forget 14:05 “Why has this gone to 13? That’s not even a good Spinal Tap reference.”
"character: kind of a five but a disappointed five. No, I'm revising that back down to a four."
That's my dating profile.
15:06 That makes me laugh. XD
Stages of James' Caffeine decline
Round 1
15:07 Addiction
Pace quickens
17:12 Incoherence
Speech slurs
Round 2
22:32 The expected beginning
23:02 "Well Leavened"
23:36 I wouldn't want to take a second sip either
24:34 "This might hurt you"
24:40 Someone call a medic?
26:30 He's back, false alarm
The decaf range Definitely helped day 2
31:43 Thank You, James, for trying far too much coffee shop we don't have to
Thanks for making me smile, most entertaining UA-cam comment ever :)
We've been using Nespresso machines and pods for a number of years now. Having watched this video we decided to branch out and try some compatible pods. So far Roar Gill and Moving Beans have been up there, but with so many to choose from and not knowing which are deemed 'great tasting' its difficult to know which ones to try.
Would love to see James review some different brands of compatible pods, preferably compostable ones.
My favorite is the Starbucks house blend pods from tesco ect, they are not compatibles but made by nespresso, often on special as well.
Do you have to use pods?
@@chayneznfayme in nespresso machines..yes.
@@chayneznfayme to answer your question, no. I do not 'have' to use pods.
I also have an AeroPress which is currently being paired with fine Colombian and Nicaraguan coffee and is producing rather delicious cups of coffee.
Your question should really be why use pods? Put simply, it's the convenience of it all. It's very simple to fire up the Nespresso machine, make a decent cup of coffee and crack on with work. I'd rather steer away from the Nespresso/Nestle brands and use food waste compostable pods where possible - hence the push for compatible reviews.
@@kuppatea I'm yet to taste anything resembling decent coming from a pod machine regardless of brand of the pod. The technology appears defective to me. I bet you could knock out a much much better coffee with an espresso machine in only slightly more time.
In the conclusion section, it would be nice to see a final list of all pods ranged by complexity! (for those who somehow still want to order Nespresso pods).
That would be interesting to see
James Hoffman's most favorite: Ethiopia, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Tokyo Vivlato Lungo, Shanghai Lungo
James Hoffman's most disliked: Palermo and Cocoa Truffle
Palermo: "Lingering and brutal." is the new tagline that I want them to adopt. Nestle, lean into it!
Nestle has already gotten 'lingering and brutal' down pat. :shudder:
@@KeithOlson Fact.
The notification for the video literally popped up as I was finishing pouring my v60 using James' method. Sweet timing, now I've got something to watch as I enjoy my coffee! (Ironically as James doesn't enjoy his)
That was a nice joke at the end. Go to hell.
James’s descriptive powers combined with the honest facial expressions made this one of the funniest videos I’ve watched for some time.
Just had to come back to this video, if only for the "oh no.." to the Indian pod. Laughing way harder than what one would expect. But the subtle, very British, kind, yet unwavering brutality of the slow "no", from the almost gasping and inwards breathing- and the tone and volume just turned down to the absolute. Almost like feeling the cold grip of death and knowing you are about to die; ".. oh no..". Just great to watch
I died at that point.. Indriya is my favourite pod lol.
@@fodi1kanobe From what he describes there, I think this is a case of just really not his type of coffee. I think so, because what he describes is strongly resembling my memories of an Indian monsoon-coffee I had recently. And I hated it. I fiddled around with it for a bit, tried different brew methods and grind settings, but all of it for me ranged from okay-ish to only drinkable with extra milk. None of tasted over- or under-extracted, but the basic flavor just didn't work for me.
At the same time, my boyfriend loves it. I brewed one large carafe in the morning for both of us and with this roast, he loved it and I kinda suffered through it. So I'd chalk this one up to differences in taste and expect this capsule to actually be decent Indian monsoon-coffee, which happens to not be James' thing.
why people tend to associate every personal reaction with big political and social things i wonder? James just didn't like the taste of this specific Nespresso pod, and I as a south-american don't like the taste either, I can say I hate it but it's just the taste of this kind of coffee, that's it!
I can't stop watching his reaction to the India pod 8:59
I only drink the Ristretto capsules and I think you’re on spot with your review. I researched coffee and espresso for about a year now and I will get my first machine and grinder next week. I am super exited for this transition. Thank you James!
“Distinct cereal notes, that sounds charming” I’m rolling 😂
Honestly 30 minutes of James sarcastically reviewing Nespresso pods whilst dunking on Nestlé was a pleasant surprise to find in my sub box.
I enjoyed watching this way too much. I feel like British humour only can truly capture the horror of the “bitter, bitter aftertaste”. It was also very informative in that now I know it isn’t just me and I don’t have to keep wasting money trying to figure out what capsule is right for me. Cheers!
As a Patreon supporter, you can keep the machine.
Tbh I don't think any of his Patreon supporters want it lol
Christmas coming up, they can maybe regift it to a friend or family member that might appreciate it in their coffee journey.
Or gift a reusable pods plus some of his coffee ( that’s what I would do)
Drank Nespresso for years, finally moved to a little Gaggia at home, but still drink at work on my own machine (mostly for convenience and because the Keurig offered is so much worse). Finally realized how similar and unremarkable the N'espresso pods are that I switched to secondary brands. Now I can boast having the same easy mediocre experience cup after cup for half the price.
true! i use nespresso cause in college it is as good as it gets for convenient dark coffee, and i found that Peet's pods are IMO better than nespresso brand for much cheaper
Although I found keurig to be brown water not worth drinking, Not everything has to be top of the line to be enjoyed. Just because I spend $20 on a fancy burger doesn't mean I cant also enjoy some slop from the local fast food place. People act like coffee snobs but then say things like "ehherm I ONLY DRINK BLACK COFFEE" but if you really loved it you would drink any way its presented to you. If a packet of instant coffee is the only thing I have access to, get that hot water ready because Im going in.
@@CrunchyTire real shit 💯
@@CrunchyTire I genuinely like instant, freeze-dried coffee, compared to the expensive but shit sold at Starbucks.
Which Gaggia did you choose?
"its aiming to be inoffensively coffee and as a result, i am offended"
this got me.
Thanks
Haven't had cereal in my house in more than a decade but I now want a cereal cabinet that plays James saying 'Cereal. Oh, yeah.' each time you open the door.
I would like to see another video with all the specialty coffee pods that can be found on the market and brewed with the Morning machine. I think that would be much more enjoyable and the results would surprise many people.
The short answer for selling cereal: adding grain to the roasting bill saves money. And rather than hiding it like some american coffee brands do (folgers and maxwell house come to mind), nestle has chosen to sell it as a feature.
My favorite......'ohhhhh I smell you'....(takes a sip) finishes like a hard shot of whiskey 😂😂 22:57
I've never had Nespresso but I did have a Starbucks this morning, and it's amazing that no matter where I set my expectations, they always disappoint me.
why did you even get one if you are not expecting that much?
@@GuardTower because sometimes you need coffee and that's all that is available, rarely but it can happen
@@Kyarrix Never go to Starbucks despite how badly you need caffeine at the moment.
I would rather drink tea than Starbucks' coffee
@@frds_skce I haven't gotten coffee from Starbucks in a few years. We have an espresso machine in the house, we got it a few months ago and it is a life changer. It's so nice to be able to make good coffee. But, if I really, really really needed coffee and there was none around for a hundred miles, maybe I would get one at Starbucks. And I would be disappointed!
The beauty of Starbucks is that no matter which outlet you go anywhere in the world they are consistently bad, so that way you won’t ruin your morning since you already know what to expect.
Oh geez, I read the title only and laughed out loud. Before I even watch this I can imagine the look on his face.
Please also test some of the third party pods! Every office worker that only gets a Nespresso machine provided will thank you.
We've a choice between a pot of cheap dark coffee or Nespresso, so I nearly always go for the Nespresso. It's a big improvement on the pot of coffee but don't taste much difference between the pods as the video shows , so would really appreciate this.
Just found your channel and I have to say: what a great and honest content. Looking forward enjoying the rest of your videos.
Your cinematography has just gotten so good over time. I always love seeing how you'll shoot the intro shots of all your videos.
"I'll spare you the spitting part."
He's saving that for his OnlyFans page.
For 4.99 a month: I’ll talk deeper about mouthfeel.
The slurp is an extra 10 bucks
Top tier comment, kind sir! x'D
OnlyJames
Thank you for these. I choked on my coffee.
I just went to Stockholm and spent the week staying with my girlfriend's coffee addicted family. "Roast, roast, roast" is exactly what the Swedes like and they all said that they drink the exact same coffee as everybody else and everybody uses Moccamasters. I did, however, have a couple of really good pour overs at a chain called Johan & Nyström. It was also the most hipster interior design I've ever seen.
Most Scandinavians think more roast = best coffee.
Was just going to say this. Swedish pride themselves in drinking ridiculously "strong" coffee, and growing up, the predominant flavour profiles that were appreciated were "bitterness" and "bogwater"; acidity was frowned upon and had no place in a good coffee.
Thankfully, we're moving away from it as local roasters educate people about light and medium roasts, single and blended origin, etc etc.
...that said, I once dated another swede who said their guilty pleasure was "gas station coffee. you know, the glass pot darker than your future, has been near-boiling for 8+ hours and is basically battery acid? yeah, I can get the weirdest craving for that sometimes."
Also if coffee isn't done in a MoccaMaster or percolator here? Then it's boiled in a coffee pot on on the stove or over an open fire. Reeeally want me some "kokkaffe" right now.
The 'Johan' of Johan and Nystrom moved to Gothenburg and opened his own roastery called Gringos Nordic. They do some great stuff.
Thank you for this. My brief consideration of purchasing a Nespresso (after being a Bialetti user for decades) evaporated instantly.
It’s wonderful how you always try to be as polite as possible 😂
Someone needs to be out here correcting Nestle's dangling modifiers. Sophisticated and naturally sweet indeed!
Where did hi say about nestle? If you know, tell me please
Dangling modifiers are a scourge, and I'm alightly amazed they managed to fit one in such a short packaging blurb!
Can you break open your top three pods and brew them like a weird coffee person would? It'd be interesting to see if that might taste better
Yes!!!
He does that in this video, but not with the top 3 pods: ua-cam.com/video/pO06RC4pvr0/v-deo.html&ab_channel=JamesHoffmann
Yes, they would taste better. He's using a machine from the current generation and those will add a very strong burnt bitterness to any pod. They really messed something up in their tries to make the machines cheaper...
I am halfway through and if this poor dude is not crying caffeinated tears by the end, he is braver than I will ever be.
We have very different tastes in coffee and I love that!! I worked for a Nespresso call center when the Master Origins were released. My favorite from the set was India and least favorite was Ethiopia 😂 I love that you had a completely opposite reaction to them. It just goes to show how different everyone's tastes can really be
James is the only man on Earth who could have a calloused tongue.
Smokin’ Ed Curry enters the chat:
Gay man enters the chat
gigitty
@@renndar talking ‘bout yourself?
Could be. Who f’ing cares?
The little notes in the edge are really top notch in this video. Kudos!
It was funny to see your delivery get slightly quicker and more manic towards the end of the first tasting session. Great video, thanks!
The offensively inoffensive Vienna capsule is often my first coffee of the day. It’s there for me in 30 seconds when I’m desperately trying to come to terms with the unfortunate reality of consciousness. Which is kind of the point of Nespresso for me. If you find a capsule you enjoy, it’s somewhere between good and not bad, consistently and with immediate convenience.
Zimbabwe is definitely one of the most interesting capsules they make, I wish they would do more like this. But it’s interesting how similar the coffees are between two of the most popular coffee brands in the world: Starbucks and Nespresso. They clearly understand what will be “good” to the average person.
I guess Nestle moved their cereal copywriters to Nespresso pods. Sweet notes of Cookie Crisp, Golden Grahams and Shreddies in every espresso.
I'm just trying to figure out if this is Kellog's new anti-masturbation measure. Corn flakes is a type of cereal, after all.
Finally James acknowledges the existence of these! I have actually been curious about his take on those burnt beans in metal cups for a while now.
he is getting paid to do this .... Nespresso is crap :/
Indeed, Nespresso is trash.
Their latest machine is even worse, as you can no longer use 3rd party better quality cups, due their usage of a "barcode"
@@fawku100 He is definitely not getting paid for this. If he were he is doing a bad job selling it. But not disclosing sponsorship is a big illegal NoNo. He wouldn't risk the trust he built up for this
@@fawku100 not everyone is so low on the ethical scale as you
@@fawku100 what are you on about, he shit canned them all lol
My wife and I are avid Nespresso drinkers simply because of the ease of use. I think I have tried around 90% of the ones you tasted here! I was nervous every time one of my favorites showed up to see your opinion, but I was pleased that we are aligned! Their Ethiopian capsule is by far the best one with the Colombia as a close second. We really like the vanilla and caramel capsules for lattes because they add just a hint of that sweetness without needing to add any syrups. But we normally pair it with another capsule like Ethiopian, Colombia, or Shanghai! Thanks so much for all your content! 8)
COLOMBIA, why is it so hard? its even written.
@@SantaTeresaCoffeeRoasters I appreciate you. 8) Fixed!