Getting to know the Nespresso Brewing System
Here are some commonly asked questions about the Nespresso one cup brewing system. We hope these answers help introduce you to the Nespresso brewing system and Nestlé capsules.
1: What models of the Nespresso system are available for the home?
Four different Nespresso one cup brewer models are available for homes: the Essenza, the Pixie, the Citiz, and the Lattissima. Each model is available in at least two colors, and some makes of the Citiz and Lattissima models can use fresh milk to brew cappuccinos.
Nespresso Essenza
The Essenza, Nespresso’s basic model, holds about 30 ounces of water — enough for about 20 espressos or 8 lungos. Water stored in the reservoir is heated in about 30 seconds, and a cup of espresso or lungo is brewed in about 20 seconds. The used Nespresso capsule is then discarded into a bin can hold up to 14 capsules. The Nespresso Essenza is available in black or gray and retails for around $199.
Nespresso Pixie
The Nespresso Pixie, a slightly smaller single cup brewer than the Essenza, holds about 24 ounces of water and has an internal bin that can hold 10 used Nespresso capsules. However, the Pixie can heat up the water to brewing temperature in 25 seconds — the fastest of any Nespresso brewer — and has an automatic shut-off. The Pixie retails for $249 and is available in five different colors.
Nespresso Citiz
Designed with a retro-modern look, the Nespresso Citiz model is the most diverse line of Nespresso one cup brewers. The Citz has a slightly larger water reservoir (about 34 ounces) than the Essenza, holds 10 used Nespresso capsules in an internal bin, and is available in five different colors. The basic Citiz brewer only brews espresso and lungo drinks, but an upgraded version includes an add-on that enables it to brew cappuccinos as well. The base Citiz model retails for $279 while the upgraded model is $349.
Nespresso Lattissima
Manufactured by DeLonghi, the Nespresso Lattissima holds about 41 ounces of water, has a removable milk storage container, a programmable coffee quantity system, and a bin that holds 12 used Nespresso capsules. The basic Lattissima models are available in red or black for $499. The chrome brewer is $599 and includes a cup warming plate. The $799 Lattissima Premium has a variety of customizable options to help you brew the perfect cup.
2: What models of the Nespresso brewing system are available for the office?
Nespresso Business Solutions offers four models of Nespresso single serve coffee brewers for the office: the Cappuccinatore CS20, the Gemini CS100, the Gemini CS200, and the Gemini CS220.
The Cappuccinatore CS20 and Gemini CS100 are single cup brewers that offices are able to order separately. The Gemini CS100 brews ristretto, espresso, and lungo drinks from the Nespresso capsule. If you add an espresso brewed by the Gemini CS100 to a cup of milk heated and frothed by the Cappuccinatore CS20, you can create cappuccinos.
Nespresso Gemini 220
With the Gemini CS200 and Gemini CS220, Nespresso has created an innovative double-headed extraction system that allows two people to brew their single cup coffee simultaneously. The Gemini CS200 can only brew ristretto, espresso, and lungo beverages from the Nespresso capsule. The Gemini CS220 comes with a 1-liter thermal container that can keep milk cool for 8 hours, so you can enjoy cappuccinos as well as the coffee drinks. Both systems also allow you to extract hot water for a cup of tea, but Nespresso currently does not offer any tea-based Nespresso capsules.
Nespresso also offers a tower for use with the Nespresso office brewers. The tower provides a convenient way to store Nespresso capsules, sugar, and other coffee accessories. Some towers include vending options for your Nespresso one-cup brewer. If you’re interested in a Nespresso system for your office, please contact Nespresso Business Solutions.
3: What are the Nestlé capsules and how do they work?
Nespresso Capsule
The Nespresso one cup brewing system uses propriety Nespresso capsules developed by Nestlé. The color-coded aluminum capsules are filled with the appropriate amount of ground coffee and then hermetically-sealed to prevent oxidation. Once in the Nespresso machine, a blade system perforates the seal and pressurized, hot water is used to brew the espresso. Since the Nespresso capsules are made out of aluminum, they can be recycled.
The Nespresso Gemini brewers — those in offices — use Nespresso capsules that are designed differently and manufactured using a combination of aluminum and plastic. Because plastic is incorporated into the manufacturing process, these capsules cannot be recycled.
4: What coffees are available for Nespresso one cup brewers?
Nespresso Capsules
Nespresso offers 16 different flavors — the 16 Grand Crus— for the Nespresso single cup brewing system. Each Grand Crus is packaged in a color-coded aluminum Nespresso capsule. The majority of the coffees are blends, but there are three single-sourced capsules (Brazil, Colombia, and India) available. Nespresso also offers three decaffeinated blends, and three blends that have been crafted to be extracted as a lungo rather than an espresso. The remaining seven blends are espressos.
5: Where can I buy Nespresso brewers and capsules?
Nespresso one cup brewers can be found at online retailers like Amazon.com. Retailers like Williams-Sonoma, Sur La Table, Macy’s, and Bloomingdales also offer Nespresso single cup brewers in their retail stores and on their websites.
Nespresso capsules are sold by Nestlé and can be ordered at the Nespresso website. A few select cities also have Nespresso Boutiques that sell Nespresso capsules. To find a store or boutique near you, visit Nespresso’s store locator on their website.
