Note: This is a guest post written by Mitch Monaghan, Nespresso Coffee Ambassador
If you live in Australia, there’s a high chance that you, your family, and your friends will all share an obsession with coffee. Nespresso’s latest Australian Coffee Report from YouGov showed 87% of Aussies consume coffee, with the average person drinking 2 – 3 cups a day. More, if you’re like me, and meet that quota before 10am. All this to say that coffee machines are an unsurprisingly popular gift idea here in Australia – even more so in the current context of the rising cost of living with 63% of Aussies claiming they are making coffee at home currently as part of a plan to save money.
But with so much choice on the market today, finding a coffee machine that’s right for you or your loved one can be overwhelming. So, before you head online to start looking, there’s a few important questions to ask yourself which can narrow down the search and make sure it’s a gift they’ll actually use.
[1] What does the coffee taste like?
Taste comes first, so test the machine before you buy. Unless you’re a highly skilled barista, there’s always room for error when grinding your own beans at home, versus a capsule machine that removes the guesswork for you. So, visit your local retailer or Nespresso boutique and ask to test the machine you’re interested to understand the user experience and end result. Quality also comes down to the coffee you use.
It doesn’t take long for coffee beans to lose their quality and flavour, which is why Nespresso’s sustainably sourced, roast and ground coffees are hermetically sealed in infinitely recyclable aluminium to prevent oxidation, protect coffee aroma and guarantee optimal cup freshness. You are always welcome to test Nespresso coffees for free at your nearest Boutique, so I encourage you to pop along!
[2] What kind of person are they?
Each machine comes with different benefits. If your loved one is a creative type who wants to make authentic latte art like a barista, you should consider machines with a built-in steam wand like the Vertuo Creatista (check out Craving Tech’s review on Vertuo Creatista). Alternatively, they may prefer to be hands off in the kitchen, and so a Vertuo Lattissima (Craving Tech’s review on Vertuo Lattissima) which manages the milk preparation for them, could be a better fit.
[3] What is their kitchen space like?
While it may feel generous gifting a huge coffee to your loved one, it can cause issues if they’re short on kitchen counter space. Understand the space available first and then find a machine to match. For people with less room to spare, the Vertuo Pop is a wonderful option as our most compact Vertuo machine yet, as it can slot into almost anywhere. It also comes in six vibrant colourways to suit any home aesthetic.
[4] Is it a sustainable choice?
When considering the environmental impact of your chosen coffee machine, there are many elements to consider, from the use of recyclable materials to the overall carbon footprint of the machine, and whether a capsule recycling solution like Nespresso’s exists. Precision design is important as it ensures only the exact amount of coffee, water and energy is used to brew a cup of coffee, reducing waste. It’s why a cup of coffee made using the Nespresso system has a comparable footprint to a French press or drip filter machine, and a significantly better footprint compared to a full automat or bean-to-cup system. To be sure, always check for the brand’s sustainability credentials.
[5] What’s your budget?
Affordability is top of mind for most Aussies at the moment. However, it’s important not to sacrifice quality in favour of a deal. You can still get great quality for affordable prices, such as Nespresso’s Vertuo Pop for just $229 solo or the Essensa Mini for $219.00. Now is also a great time to save on machines in the lead up to Mother’s Day, with many more deals available. Nespresso is offering 25% off selected machines when you buy 100 capsules, between 1 April – 12 May, and 15% off selected accessories between 29 April – 20 May. These simple questions should help guide you to a choice that’s the perfect fit for your loved one – and your gift will be appreciated that much more when it’s clear some careful thought when into it.
Visit www.nespresso.com/au to view full terms and conditions. To claim, purchase any 100+ capsules, plus a selected machine within the same transaction. Max 3 claims p/person. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer unless otherwise specified. T&Cs apply: Visit www.nespresso.com for more details.
Offer open to AU/NZ res 18+. Includes all Les Collections (accessories), Aeroccino Milk Frothers and Food & Bites. Excludes Post Recycling Bags, After Sales Parts, Barista milk frother, Descaling Kits & Gift Cards. Discount applied automatically at checkout. Offer can be redeemed multiple times in separate transactions. Offer cannot be combined with any other offer unless otherwise specified. Visit www.nespresso.com for full terms and conditions
