Delicious Senseo Espresso Pods

Have you seen the range of pod espresso machines in stores? Do your friends have one of these machines, or lucky you, do you use espresso pods yourself? Do you hanker after one? I know I do.

Good coffee used to be the preserve of the enthusiast and connoisseur. Coffee house espresso machines can cost upward of $8000, and while the domestic version of these may be affordable, they can't really make an espresso that tastes the same as your local coffee house - the reason? Pressure. A commercial espresso machine is built to supply around 8-10 Bar - that's 8-10 times atmospheric pressure. Also note that it's espresso not expresso. The word is Italian and is short for "caffe espresso" which means something like "freshly made-to-order". No-one appreciates coffee like the Italians, and nobody makes coffee quite like they do.

The alternative, stove-top machines as favored in Italy are cute, but they to are under-powered and require constant watching. It's a bit of an art to make a good coffee that way.

It's interesting to note that, contrary to the common view, espresso coffee is brewed with pressurized hot water and not with steam. In fact, it's crucial to keep the water below its boiling point of 212 deg F/100C to prevent any leeching of volatile compounds holding the coffee's flavor.

The recent invention of espresso coffee pod systems is the answer. A pod espresso machine delivers the taste of ground coffee with all the convenience and speed of making instant.

So we have the taste - and that is the most important factor - the taste of good espresso and all coming from the tiny package of an espresso pod. Machine manufacturers have worked with established coffee suppliers to offer a top quality range of espresso pods. For example, Philips is probably the manufacturer you will see most, and they have worked with Douwe Egberts the traditional Dutch coffee company to give a wide selections of Senseo coffee pods, including espresso pods. Senseo is the name for Philips' pod machines.

The Philips/Douwe Egberts Senseo espresso pods range includes Dark Roast, Classic Roast, Columbia Blend, Brazil Blend, Kenya Blend and Decaffeinated espresso coffee pods. The Dark Roast and Classic Blend pods also come in a Mug size for the thirsty ones.

After taste comes convenience. There's nothing I hate more than cleaning my traditional espresso machine or my French press (cafétière). With a pod espresso machine, it's simple. All you do is pop open the machine and discard the used coffee pod. Other than that, only a quick wipe down with a damp cloth is necessary to keep your coffee maker a clean machine. And if one of your guests wants decaf, it's a simple matter to pop in a decaffeinated coffee pod. Columbian Blend Mike? No problem! Some coffee manufacturers provide caffe latte and cappuccino-style espresso pods too.

A Senseo pod espresso machine is easy on the energy bills too. A pod espresso machine only heats up the amount of water it needs. Machines come in one or two cup models. While this may seem restrictive, it's the norm for espresso. Even those $8000 machines normally fill a one or two espresso cups from one load. Just watch next time you are in a coffee shop. It's also no trouble because the machines are quick and this is exactly because they don't have pints of water to heat.

When you purchase a machine, be careful to make sure the range of espresso pods are to your taste. Manufacturers' pods are not interchangeable. Choose a brand with a good range too. While you may be totally devoted to Columbian Blend today, you might find that next year you have a constant craving for a French roast. Such is life.

In summary then, what do we make of these newcomers on the coffee-lover's horizon? Why should I get a pod espresso machine? It boils down to taste and convenience. What factors should I consider when choosing to go down the espresso pod route? Firstly, get a brand that you trust. Secondly, choose a brand with a good range of coffees. If you aren't sure about the coffee, try to taste the products before you buy them. Your final recommendation is to make sure you get the pod espresso machine that you feel comfortable with in the kitchen. Make sure you purchase the coolest-looking one!