Barcoded Coffee Pods Brew Themselves, Then Taste Strangely Alike
Nespresso's Vertuo system reads each capsule and picks the size and style for you, at the cost of pricier refills.
Pop a dome-shaped capsule into a Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe and the machine sets up the brew. It reads a barcode on the capsule and adjusts the settings needed for that drink.
There is no need to enter the size, flavor, or temperature by hand. Whether the capsule is meant for a short shot or a cold drink, the machine does that work for you.
It makes 5-ounce and 8-ounce cups, plus one-shot and two-shot espressos.
The trade is that Vertuo machines work only with Vertuo capsules. The capsules have a rounded shape and are bigger than Nespresso's earlier capsules, and keeping a stockpile can get pricey.
Inga Parkel, a former barista who judged machines on taste, how simple they were to run, cost, and looks, also found a flavor trade. She noticed a distinct aftertaste across capsules, so different flavors ended up tasting strangely similar.
Questions people ask
What drink sizes does the VertuoPlus Deluxe make?
It makes 5-ounce and 8-ounce cups, plus one-shot and two-shot espressos. The machine reads the barcode and adjusts the settings for the capsule, including espresso, latte, and iced coffee capsules.
Can the machine use other kinds of pods?
The machine is only compatible with Vertuo capsules. The review describes those capsules as rounded and bigger than Nespresso's earlier capsules.
Are the pods recyclable?
The pods are listed as recyclable. The review also flags cost and similar taste as drawbacks to weigh against that point.