Barista gold: specifications
Dimensions: 16 “D x 7” W x 11 “H
Weight: 14.77 pounds
Water capacity: 40 oz
Drinking sizes: 1.4 Oz, 2.7 Oz, 3.7 Oz, 5 Oz, 8 Oz, 12 Oz
If you read my deep dive on nespresso original vs virtue machines, you will know that I personally prefer original nespresso machines to the new virtue line.
However, with Nespresso Original, you are limited to a single size of Pod and, at most, two sizes of drinks, which means that it is less suitable for those who love long cafes.
The Barista coffee maker is the perfect circumvention solution for this limitation, offering a size of Pod XXL alongside classic Nespresso capsules to make 6 different drinking options.
In addition, the Orsta coffee maker is a beautiful solution and at many prices. It is well done and looks really intelligent, as long as you don’t mind gold, brand image.
The machine has only three buttons, so it is very easy to use, but depending on the pods you use, it can make six drinking sizes.
Although you will be limited to the XL Capsules de l’Or for longer coffee drinks, you can choose from the original Nespresso capsules of any brand to make your espresso drinks, which is a level of versatility that you will not get with the Nespresso virtue system.
In other words, this machine offers the best of both worlds. I tried the full barista system with a beautiful just as beautiful milk for two weeks – here is why I think it is one of the best Nespresso machines you can buy.
Gold Barista Review: Price and availability
If you want to buy this machine without Milk Frotr, expect to pay just under $ 200. It is currently $ 188 on Amazon, and the complete system with Ctrother milk will cost $ 229.
In the United Kingdom, the complete system costs ÂŁ 203 but is reduced to ÂŁ 147 at Amazon at the time of writing. The autonomous machine is $ 109 but reduced to only ÂŁ 75 at the time of the editorial staff.
Gold Barista Review: Design
It is a robust and well done machine. The Black Matt exterior is all the curves, with shiny keys. It is pleasant to use and the water tank (which has a capacity of 40 OZ) is easily rising.
One thing that confused me when I installed this machine for the first time is the shiny panel at the front of the Barista system. He glance As something you should be able to interact with, maybe to start brewing or choosing your drink size. But it is actually purely decorative, hence the gold logo.
The actual controls are at the back of the machine. There are three: Ristretto, Espresso and Lungo, but according to the pods you use, you can end up with a double of each.
This can be divided on two coffee cups to serve you and your partner, for example, at once. Or, you can use a Pod XXL and prepare a double espresso or long classic coffee using the Lungo button. The parameters are as follows:
- Limited (ordinary pod)
- Expresso (ordinary pod)
- Lungo (ordinary pod)
- Restricted ride (XXL POD)
- Double espresso (xxl pod)
- Double Lungo / Classic (XXL Pod)
Overall, it is a very easy -to -use machine. It warms up fairly quickly (I timed 11 seconds when brewing an espresso) and is quite silent (hitting 68 dB when you prepare an espresso). This is strong enough compared to my favorite original Nespresso, the citizen, who takes 15 seconds to preheat and hits 75 dB during brewing.
Gold Barista Review: Performance
I made every drink size during the barista system test. The first thing to note is that, even if you can use any Nespresso original style clove for regular cafes, you will need to order backups from the XXL gold pods, which can only be purchased from gold.
So, if you like to experiment with flavors, there is less offer for longer coffee sizes.
The first thing I made was a Lungo coffee using an original pod, and I was immediately impressed by the fluidity and freshness of this coffee while it poured.
The brewing was sparkling and caramel in color, settling in a strong black cafe with a good thick layer of cream on the top. The flavor was rather dark roasted (most Nespresso pods will have tasted this way, people like that!) So he had a fairly strong taste despite a longer plan of an espresso size pod.
I then used an XXL pod to make two espressos in one. One thing that I noticed after having prepared a few coffees in this machine is that it takes a little time to stop dripping.
This is a problem with almost all coffee makers, but Philips tries to overcome this with a large drain tray that rises for easy emptying. This has the additional bonus to adapt larger cups under the distributor.
Coffee had a very strong taste using the XXL capsule. I was also satisfied with his look and the thick and full -bodied finish of the cream.
I took the coffee temperature when he sank and he struck 163 ° F or 72 ° C. It is not as hot as a fresh coffee of an espresso machine, but it is a perfectly drinkable temperature, and the beverage did not taste.
I also tested the milk friction that accompanies it with this coffee maker, so I decided to make a latte using the Ristrett setting.
The milk friction has a minimum and maximum filling line and a removable whisk to heat the milk without foaming. There is a singular button at the front, but it is a versatile gadget. It can heat and foam the milk, heat the milk without foaming and foam cold milk for tasty ice cafes.
The temperature of my sparkling milk was 154 ° F or 67 ° C, which is the ideal temperature for cow’s milk, but could be at the risk of burning vegetable milk which should generally remain under 149 ° F / 65 ° C.
My simple suggestion to solve this problem is to slightly collect the friction before the end of the foam. You will always end up with a good layer of foam on your coffee, which best suits a robust cappuccino.
How does the Orsta coffee maker compare?
Compared to other Nespresso machines on the market, gold is gaining in many categories. In my opinion, the original line machines produce a better taste but will limit you to the duration of your coffee, so including a pod xxl gold makes the barista system more versatile than nespresso pixie and nespresso lattissima one.
Nespresso Virtuo Lattissima is my best rated Nespresso machine at the time of writing. It has an integrated milk distributor and has Nespresso virtue technology which takes a range of capsule sizes and prepares optimal shooting for each pod.
This machine can also prepare six drinking sizes: espresso, double espresso, gran lungo, cup / coffee, viola and carafe. However, the Crema on virtue cafes generally fades quickly and you will be limited to the Nespresso-Brand pods.
To tell the truth, I would choose one of the people or more if I was on the market for a nespresso, but some users could prefer an integrated milk distributor that you can get on the Lattissima Virtuo and Lattissima One machines.
Should you buy the O or Barista coffee maker?
I am a big fan of this machine, especially with regard to value. As I mentioned above, I prefer nespresso machines online original on the virtue range for flavor and versatility, but these machines often end up being more expensive and less versatile due to the one size of the pod.
Thus, in my opinion, the Barista gold system offers the best of both worlds. Using XXL pods, you can get 6 different drinking sizes and when used alongside the attractive and user -friendly milk cushion, it is able to make a range of cakes based on icy milk and hot milk.
It is also at a price good at prices, looks great and is easy to use. The only limitation is that you will be limited to the XXL gold capsules for longer coffees, and you will have to empty the drain tray from time to time because of its slinging once the flow is finished.