Nespresso’s latest pod coffee machine was my wake-up call to what a cuppa can be
Nespresso, makers of the ever-popular coffee pod machines found in Australian kitchens nationwide, has just unveiled its latest creation, the Vertuo Pop.
Despite slipping into the Vertuo series of Nespresso machines with an affordable price tag of AU$229, the Vertuo Pop is far from entry-level in terms of performance. Launched in Australia today (March 20th), I’ve been fortunate to have had a Nespresso Vertuo Pop proudly displayed in my home since last Thursday. I quickly found that my mornings changed forever for the better.
Let’s start with the machine itself. It’s available in a range of six colors – Aqua Mint, Mango Yellow, Pacific Blue, Coconut White, Liquorice Black and Spicy Red – giving you the usual black and silver choices alongside the usual choices found on others Coffees is seen, a wide range to match your home decor machines.
It’s also super compact, measuring 13.6 x 42.6 x 25 cm (W x D x H) so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding space on your kitchen counter. While the compact size means the detachable 0.56L water tank is also small, this has so far proven to be enough to brew at least four coffees. In contrast to the VertuoPlus (opens in new tab)the water tank is firmly attached to the back of the machine and cannot be moved sideways.
If you’ve ever used another Nespresso coffee pod machine, you’ll have no trouble figuring out how to pour yourself a delicious cup of coffee from the Nespresso Vertuo Pop. All you have to do is open the top, insert your pod, close it and press the single button on top to ready your morning elixir. I personally found the Vertuo Pop a little noisy when brewing, but my roommate has said it’s a lot quieter than Nespresso Citiz espresso machine. (opens in new tab)
I surprisingly found this process a bit trickier than expected. Pushing the lid down and locking it wasn’t always confidence inspiring as I didn’t know exactly when to move the locking slide and didn’t want to force it for fear it might break. At the Vertuo Pop’s opening event, other guests seemed to have similar concerns, and most had to seek help from one of the staff members present. But after locking and loading a few pods over time, my confidence has increased.
What sets the Vertuo range apart from Nespresso’s other coffee pod machines is that you can brew a much wider range of coffees in addition to a single or double-shot espresso.
That was a wake up call for me. Not least because of the higher dose of caffeine, but also because it turned out that my knowledge of coffee was obviously lacking.
Each Vertuo coffee pod has its own unique barcode, which the Vertuo Pop reads with its proprietary Centrifusion technology to determine the absolute best way to brew the specific pod loaded into the machine. This, says Nespresso, allows for “quality flavor and crema every time.” And based on the handful of coffees I’ve tasted so far, I have to agree.
For myself, a simpleton who enjoys a double shot flat white with oat milk in the morning, I have found the Vertuo Pop to be an incredible teacher in the world of coffee. It was amazing to be able to make a coffee so easily and immediately notice taste differences between beans and origin.
And that’s not all the Vertuo Pop can do. It actually has a party piece that no other Nespresso Vertuo machine can claim: expert mode. Expert mode lets you further customize your coffee, revealing a wealth of new options along the way. To activate, simply press the top button twice. The light on the button will turn blue-green to show you did it right.
What does expert mode do? It will again read the barcode of the coffee pod you loaded into the machine, but will now pour out either a double shot, a single shot, or a ristretto, depending on the size of the coffee pod loaded.
Nespresso would like to emphasize that the Vertuo Pop not only reduces the brewing time in expert mode. Instead, it adjusts the extraction parameters, including the amount of water to use, temperature, flow time, and speed, to ensure you’re still getting the best flavor and aroma possible.
Nespresso adds that expert mode is perfect for the discerning Australian coffee drinker, making any coffee pod of your choice perfect for pairing with milk. The coffee maestros claim that 91% of Australian coffee drinkers add milk to their order.
In line with that stat, Nespresso is offering the Vertuo Pop for purchase as a standalone device for AU$229, or you can buy one with the Aeroccino 3 milk frother for AU$319.