Nespresso Essenza

In the Photo: Left: The Nespresso Essenza D90 Manual espresso maker. Right: gift box of assorted coffee capsules. (Scroll down for more photos of the new Nespresso Boutique-in-Shop located in the downtown Vancouver Bay store.)


INVASION OF THE POD PEOPLE

Flowers die, and chocolates make her worry about getting fat, right? So what to do about Mother’s Day?

More than likely she’d prefer that you just called her more frequently, but if a gift is a “must do” on the agenda, then why not consider getting her a new pet for her kitchen counter?

We say “pet” because the more we look at it, the more the Nespresso’s new compact Essenza D90 machine starts to resemble a cute, little penguin. Even when it's filling a white espresso cup, the operation reminds us of those televised National Geographic specials showing Antarctic birds sheltering eggs or feeding chicks on top of their feet.

Okay, maybe we were buzzed on too much java at the time, but when checking out the various Nespresso models (available in a variety of shapes, sizes, functionality modes and price tags), we also started to see transformers, storm troopers and vintage sports car hood grills. The sight of one model in particular which drops down an extended maw to receive a coffee pod, prompted us to ask the sales clerk “Is it just us, or does this thing remind you of the creature from the Alien movie?

“Oh, everyone says that!,” she perked.

Obviously, just like cars, there are subliminal designs to suit everyone’s fantasy, and if yours relates to a Sigourney Weaver-style, morning road warrior, then Nespresso has a machine for you.

Personally, we’ll stick with the “penguin”. Priced at the starter level of $199, the lightweight yet solid little model is loaded with low maintenance virtue. It hardy takes any space at all on the counter. It has a see-through, refillable tank at the back so you don’t have to hook it into the plumbing, hence it will sit anywhere. It’s a snap to clean and it couldn’t be easier to use. Just pull up the top handle, drop in a coffee pod, whap the handle back down again and push a button. Voila! A piping hot shot of espresso immediately starts to pour into your demitasse, latte or cappuccino cup.

Yes, the pod, or what Nespresso terms “capsule” is the catch. Lots of people don’t care for them, and being a bit of a bean snob ourselves we’ve resisted the tyranny of the pod system for a long time. That being said however, the gourmet coffee prepackaged for the machines come in a wide range of flavours and strengths, and unless you have the super sensitive coffee palate of a Mark Prince, they taste remarkably good.

At about 50 cents a pod though, they will add up. But then compare that to $3 a shot from your local Starbucks. Although, on the other hand … if jogging to Starbucks is the only form of exercise you get, compared to the addictive ease of hitting coffee poppers every hour or so from a machine sitting on your desk … you might want to consider that in the trade off too.

All the machines, accessories, coffee pods, plus an assortment of designer coffee cups and spoons are on view at Nespresso’s spacious new showcase which opened in the basement level of the downtown Bay on April 15, 2008. A subsidiary of parent company Nestle, and headquartered in Switzerland, it’s only the second retail shop that Nespresso has opened in Canada (they have one store in Toronto, a few in major US cities, and many café/stores sprinkled all over the capitals of Europe.) The machines alone are also carried in many luxury gift and house ware boutiques such as the new Provide store in Vancouver’s Crosstown.

One item that will be hard to resist for Mother’s Day is the "Tasting Box" of 3 dozen coffee capsules that comes complete with a “map” under the lid like an old fashioned box of Black Magic chocolates. It you purchase the Essenza, or any of the other models, the Tasting Box comes packaged along with it.

You might even want to sign Mom up for Nespresso’s Coffee Club. That is, unless her phone is in good working order and you doubt it’s in your interest to keep her that well caffeinated.