Battle of the Single-Cup Coffee Makers: Nespresso vs. Keurig
Both Nespresso and Keurig make brewing systems that produce single cups of premium or gourmet coffees although limited to the variants each company manufactures. Keep in mind that in comparing Nespresso vs. Keurig, you will possibly be locked into your choice’s coffee pod variants because their brewing systems do not allow pods of the competitor brand to be used in their system. Read through this comparative review of Nespresso and Keurig so you’ll have a better grasp of both brands.
Nespresso
Nespresso machines utilize special aluminum capsules with partially perforated holes to brew their espresso, cappuccino (in models with milk frothers), and coffee. The holes are punched in different patterns that determine the flow and pressure gradients a particular drink requires. Since their patent expired, off-brand capsules for tea and hot chocolate surfaced in the market but are not advisable for use as it may void warranties. Some of the few dozen brands Nespresso brews are Brazilian Dulsao, Colombian Rosabaya, Ethiopian Bukeela, Hawaiian Kona, Indian Indriya, and Maragogype Special Reserves. Their coffee preferences include caramel-infused grounds, vanilla-enhanced brews, lungo coffee, spiced coffee and limited edition grounds.
Nespresso has its centrifuge-based system for brewing which takes up less than 4 minutes. The machines will set you back from $90-$300 and this is still negligible because the overall price per serving will cost more in the long run with each cup costing you $0.75 to $2.00. That’s a lot of times more than the price of coffee grounds available in stores. That’s why it’s no surprise how adamant the big companies are in getting patents for their pods to keep off-brands from manufacturing generic pods that’s compatible with their brewing system. Nespresso machines need periodic “blank brew” cleaning every 2 to 3 weeks. To do this, run tap water and white vinegar or any mild cleaner through the machine 1 to 2 times. A thoroughly cleaned machine will preserve the purity of your brew. With proper use and maintenance, your Nespresso machine can last 2 to 5 years while pods can retain its freshness for 18 months.
Keurig
Keurig machines utilize coffee pods, branded as K-Cups, to brew their beverage preparations such as coffee, tea, hot chocolate and cold beverages (in some models), but cannot brew espresso. These K-cups are plastic containers with a foil cover that contain enough coffee for a single serving. Keurig also partnered with other popular beverage brands for their K-cups such as Green Mountain, Folgers, Tully’s, Caribou, Twinings, Celestial Seasonings, Starbucks, and Donut Shop. Keurig is a popular choice for tea lovers because Nespresso doesn’t have connections with tea companies. There are more than 200 varieties of K-cups for use in Keurig machines. Keurig machines use pressure-based systems in brewing and can prepare a cup of drink in under a minute for some models up to a little less than 4 minutes.
The machines will cost you around $80-$200+. The machine’s price is negligible because the cost per serving will set you back more in the long run with each cup’s price starting at $0.75 to $2.00. That’s multiple times more than the cost of coffee grounds available in your friendly stores. No wonder the big companies are fighting hard to patent everything and keep off-brands from creating generic pods for use in their machines. Keurig machines need to undergo periodic “blank brew” cleaning every 2 to 3 weeks. This is done by running tap water and white vinegar or any mild cleaner through the machine once or twice. A properly cleaned machine preserves the purity of your brew. Your Keurig, if used and maintained as directed can last 2 to 5 years while K-cups can stay fresh up to a year and six months if unaltered.
?With this knowledge, which company reigns supreme in the Nespresso vs. Keurig battle? It’s hard to say for sure. Both companies are the leading brand in their respective home continents and both are also unable to achieve worldwide domination. The winner really will depend on your choice of brewing system. If you want a wide array of choices in your K-cups, you’ll get that from Keurig. If you prefer the ability to brew espresso and cappuccino, Nespresso will not disappoint. At the end of the day, it will all come down to your taste.
