By Scott Kramer
My hands are shaking as I write this. I’m completely focused. Yet I’m bursting with energy. And I’m pretty sure I’ve exceeded my target heart rate. But no worries. I’ve simply been testing out the Nespresso Lattissima Touch from the company’s OriginalLine. I’m beyond caffeinated. And elated.
In fact, I’ve only had the machine for a week and I’m already addicted. Thankfully for my health, it’s just a review unit that needs to be returned later this week. My story actually began in April. I was staying overnight at a friend’s house where there was a Nespresso espresso maker on the kitchen counter. I commented on how cool the machine looked and was soon offered an espresso. Within 10 minutes, I was downing my third shot. “No more,” my wife yelled. “You’ll be up all night.” She was wrong, by the way. Slept like a baby.
A few weeks later, I checked into an upscale hotel for work. And instead of a coffee maker in the room, there was the identical Nespresso machine as my friend had — and a nice supply of pods. Uh-oh. I knew right away this was going to be an issue. For the four days I spent at the hotel — with little time in the actual room, mind you — I ran through 25 or 30 pods. I even called the front desk at one point for a mid-day pod restocking and asked that if I made the same request the next day, to please hang up on me.
My hands are shaking as I write this. I’m completely focused. Yet I’m bursting with energy. And I’m pretty sure I’ve exceeded my target heart rate. But no worries. I’ve simply been testing out the Nespresso Lattissima Touch from the company’s OriginalLine. I’m beyond caffeinated. And elated.
Nespresso Lattissima Touch
In fact, I’ve only had the machine for a week and I’m already addicted. Thankfully for my health, it’s just a review unit that needs to be returned later this week. My story actually began in April. I was staying overnight at a friend’s house where there was a Nespresso espresso maker on the kitchen counter. I commented on how cool the machine looked and was soon offered an espresso. Within 10 minutes, I was downing my third shot. “No more,” my wife yelled. “You’ll be up all night.” She was wrong, by the way. Slept like a baby.
A few weeks later, I checked into an upscale hotel for work. And instead of a coffee maker in the room, there was the identical Nespresso machine as my friend had — and a nice supply of pods. Uh-oh. I knew right away this was going to be an issue. For the four days I spent at the hotel — with little time in the actual room, mind you — I ran through 25 or 30 pods. I even called the front desk at one point for a mid-day pod restocking and asked that if I made the same request the next day, to please hang up on me.
I considered buying a Nespresso machine right then, but my wife cautioned me as she knew how it was going to take over my mornings. In this case, she was probably right.
Fast forward to August, and I got the opportunity to test this particular Nespresso near-top-of-the-line model — just to see what it would be like in my own house. I never want to send it back. But my heart might be in danger if I don’t.
Unlike the other Nespresso units I used, the Lattissima Touch has a built-in milk frother. There are six buttons on the top of the machine — aside from the power button — each offering a different drink from a single espresso shot up to a double cappuccino or a Milky Mountain Macchiato. You can control the texture or thickness of the froth, as well. Most of the time, I’ve just been opting for straight espresso. My son has quickly become a fan of single cappuccinos with thick froth. And even my wife who really is more of a tea drinker has taken to cappuccino this week. The Lattissima Touch heats up ice cold milk in just 25 seconds, and pumps out coffee with impressive 19-bar pressure.
Every morning, it has exceeded my expectations. Hey, I love my Keurig that we’ve had for five years. But while coffee is coffee, there’s just something about shots of espresso. To avoid any future health scares, I’m reluctantly concluding my review period this week with a single shot of dark espresso — my favorite.
The Lattissima Touch I tested will set you back $500. But if you add up the cost of cappuccinos at Starbucks, Peet’s, Tim Hortons or Dunkin Donuts, this pays for itself over the course of time. In my case, that payoff would turn very quick.
Scott Kramer is veteran, Southern California-based writer primarily versed in golf and personal technology. Studying Computer Sciences in college, and then working as a programmer/software engineer for about a decade, triggered my passion for today’s high-end, high-tech gadgets. I can’t help myself whenever I see any kind of cool new personal technology. I feel compelled to further check it out and see what it’s all about. And even if I have no use for it personally, I’m always thinking who it might best suit. There are exciting new innovations emerging daily that are shaping the future and simplifying life. And I hope to be your eyes to that world, through the words of this column.