Nespresso vs an Espresso Machine: What Made Me Choose

Starting with Nespresso

In my new office, we had both a Nespresso machine and a TCM E61 espresso machine. When I first joined, I started with Nespresso.

It was straightforward and convenient. I could put in a capsule, press a button, and get my coffee without having to learn much about making it.

I still don’t dislike Nespresso. For someone who’s busy and just wants a quick cup of coffee, I think it makes sense. Sometimes, convenience is what you want.

Learning the Espresso Machine

A colleague introduced me to the espresso machine and showed me how to make coffee with it.

There were a few steps to learn: grinding the beans, tamping the coffee grounds, pulling the shot, and then frothing the milk.

The whole workflow caught my attention. I liked how each step led to the next, and how professional it looked when someone knew what they were doing.

I wanted to learn that too. Being able to work the machine and make a coffee myself had that barista feeling that I enjoyed.

The office machine where I started learning to make espresso.

What Made Me Choose

To me, the coffee from the espresso machine tasted more intense. That was one thing I enjoyed, along with having more control over how I made it.

There were things I could adjust, like the grind size and how much coffee I used. It gave me more to try, and I liked having that room to experiment.

Then there was the milk and the latte art. After pulling the shot, I could froth the milk and try pouring a design on top. Since the artistic side was what first drew me in, that became another part of the process I looked forward to.

Making the coffee and getting to try a little latte art afterwards.

For me, making coffee this way feels like a small routine to start the day. I enjoy going through the steps and having a cup at the end that I’ve made myself.

That’s what made me choose an espresso machine for home too. I wanted to spend more time learning the process. Nespresso gave me a convenient cup of coffee, and the espresso machine gave me something I enjoyed doing.