Taste of Dolce Gusto Lattes I am very interested in this machine, BUT, I hate sweet lattes/cappuccinos. I like espresso and steamed milk only. No flavoring or sugar. Does anybody out there have this machine that does not like sweetened coffee? Are these lattes good? Taste of Dolce Gusto Lattes I am very interested in this machine, BUT, I hate sweet lattes/cappuccinos. I like espresso and steamed milk only. No flavoring or sugar. Does anybody out there have... » Read More Taste of Dolce Gusto Lattes I am very interested in this machine, BUT, I hate sweet lattes/cappuccinos. I like espresso and steamed milk only. No flavoring or sugar. Does anybody out there have this machine that does not like sweetened coffee? Are these lattes good? « Show Less
110374
Here is some good information on this machine and others if you are interested:http://www.nichepage.com/n/kitchenware/single-cup-coffee-maker
110375
The caps are slightly sweet, the lattes a bit more so. These is a Skinny cap made with skim milk and no sugar that you might like. I personally find the taste of steamed milk to be slightly sweet, so I don't taste a great deal of difference. YMMV
930768
Laura, I only made it with hot water. I'm not fond of the cold cappuccino drinks. I do love it. Better than any I've had in a good Italian restaurant.
815023
Daily use 5yrs+. Pull shots back to back, no problem, IMHO. By the way I never froth milk with steam. Put milk in 2 cup measure, micro wave, and froth with little hand held Swedish frother. Makes "thick paint" consistency for several cups in seconds. I think it's a total waste using a boiler's steam. Incidentally I never sully my espresso with milk, nor do Europeans except at breakfast sometimes. Of course as you prefer but try straight, yes, a little sugar, for a while. Ever notice European espressos are served in cups too small for lattes? Great espressos are always served straight unless you drink like it's desert? Happy Trails Daily use 5yrs+. Pull shots back to back, no problem, IMHO. By the way I never froth milk with steam. Put milk in 2 cup measure, micro wave, and froth with little hand held Swedish frother. Makes "thick paint" consistency for several cups in seconds. I think it's a total waste using a boiler's steam. Incidentally I never sully my espresso with milk, nor do Europeans except at breakfast sometimes. Of course as you prefer but try straight, yes, a little sugar, for a while. Ever notice European espressos are served in cups too small for lattes? Great espressos are always served... » Read More Daily use 5yrs+. Pull shots back to back, no problem, IMHO. By the way I never froth milk with steam. Put milk in 2 cup measure, micro wave, and froth with little hand held Swedish frother. Makes "thick paint" consistency for several cups in seconds. I think it's a total waste using a boiler's steam. Incidentally I never sully my espresso with milk, nor do Europeans except at breakfast sometimes. Of course as you prefer but try straight, yes, a little sugar, for a while. Ever notice European espressos are served in cups too small for lattes? Great espressos are always served straight unless you drink like it's desert? Happy Trails « Show Less
741243
I did that with the first one. Tastes like strong coffee with a little sweetness. Doesn't taste anything like espresso. I had the next one mixed with just a little milk (about an inch in a 12oz glass) and it barely tasted like coffee.
898259
I have enjoyed Gevalia coffee almost exclusively for about 10 years, and I am very satisfied with the taste of Gevalia coffee made with the Tassimo. I don't own a French press so I can't compare it to that, but it certainly isn't like instant coffee. It is not in any way inferior to the Gevalia coffee I make with my regular coffee maker. The machine makes near-perfect Espresso with the crema, and the Suchard hot chocolate is excellent. The only thing that's a real drawback about the Tassimo is the quality of the milk product with the Cappuchino or Latte. They aren't that good. However, I would ascribe this to the quality of the milk product itself, not the machine. I have enjoyed Gevalia coffee almost exclusively for about 10 years, and I am very satisfied with the taste of Gevalia coffee made with the Tassimo. I don't own a French press so I can't compare it to that, but it certainly isn't like instant coffee. It is not in any way inferior to the Gevalia coffee I make with my regular coffee maker. The machine makes near-perfect Espresso with the crema, and the Suchard hot chocolate is excellent. The only thing that's a real drawback about the Tassimo is the quality of the milk product with the Cappuchino or Latte. They aren't that good.... » Read More I have enjoyed Gevalia coffee almost exclusively for about 10 years, and I am very satisfied with the taste of Gevalia coffee made with the Tassimo. I don't own a French press so I can't compare it to that, but it certainly isn't like instant coffee. It is not in any way inferior to the Gevalia coffee I make with my regular coffee maker. The machine makes near-perfect Espresso with the crema, and the Suchard hot chocolate is excellent. The only thing that's a real drawback about the Tassimo is the quality of the milk product with the Cappuchino or Latte. They aren't that good. However, I would ascribe this to the quality of the milk product itself, not the machine. « Show Less
1180062
I bought one of these machines and that was one of my concerns as well. In fact I returned the first machine becuase I thought something was wrong. The second machine seems to throw a lot of sugar on the side as well. I think it must just be a part of the design. You can break off the sugar from the side and give it out as a kind of Rock Candy. It does taste a little different then just sugar since it has been melted and reformed. Dont know that you are doing anything wrong, I just think its the machine.
1417280
I apologize for not giving a more clear answer. I've never had coffee from a Vertuoline so I can't comment on it. But I've made close to one hundred lattes on my De'Longhi machine and have been happy with the temperature of coffee and milk with every cup. I haven't ever measured the temperature of the espresso and steamed milk made from my machine. And I don't own a thermometer to do it--or I would measure it and give you the results. But I drink several lattes each week--and sometimes each day--from Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, etc., and the temperature of the milk and espresso made by my machine seems to be the same--if not very close--to those. I apologize for not giving a more clear answer. I've never had coffee from a Vertuoline so I can't comment on it. But I've made close to one hundred lattes on my De'Longhi machine and have been happy with the temperature of coffee and milk with every cup. I haven't ever measured the temperature of the espresso and steamed milk made from my machine. And I don't own a thermometer to do it--or I would measure it and give you the results. But I drink several lattes each week--and sometimes each day--from Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, etc., and the temperature of the milk and espresso made by my... » Read More I apologize for not giving a more clear answer. I've never had coffee from a Vertuoline so I can't comment on it. But I've made close to one hundred lattes on my De'Longhi machine and have been happy with the temperature of coffee and milk with every cup. I haven't ever measured the temperature of the espresso and steamed milk made from my machine. And I don't own a thermometer to do it--or I would measure it and give you the results. But I drink several lattes each week--and sometimes each day--from Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, etc., and the temperature of the milk and espresso made by my machine seems to be the same--if not very close--to those. « Show Less
1692946
I have been frequenting the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf retail stores for years. I like my coffee to taste like it does when I place an order at the stores. When I add milk to my coffee for a latte' I use 2 heaping tablespoons. When I add the powder to black coffee I use 3 sometimes 4 heaping tablespoons. (This is for a 16 ounce cup of coffee) It really is preference! I would play with the taste until you find what works for you. Make sure you mix it good or it will be lumpy and will also become gummy at the bottom. I use a frother which works great! You can get one on amazon. Bonjour makes a great one! This powder is not only great in hot coffee but I love to blend it with cold, strong coffee or coffee extract and ice in the blender ( sometimes with milk) and blend it, it is also great in tea and the powder adds amazing flavor to smoothies! I hope this helps you?????????
1053092
The temperature is fine for me, it's a drinkable temperature, but it's no where near as hot as the milk you get in a Starbucks latte. Some have complained to me about the milk not being hot enough. I believe a newer Nespresso machine has adjustable temperature for even hotter milk.
255740
I use a similar size scooper like they do at Starbucks. I put in 4-6 scoops or teaspoons an use a liquid vanilla sweetner like the one at Starbucks, to taste, then I put ice an use vanilla soy milk about 2 cups, you can use any type milk you like. I mix an it tastes just like the Starbucks green tea latte. Enjoy! I found out how to make it from some very helpful baristas.hope this helps.
2182278
It can be a bit of a jolt to learn that espresso machines are about half the cost of great espresso. I use this Gaggia Classic. My Rancillio grinder cost more. Think it through, there are many bean types and freshness varies. Both effect grind. If you buy truely fresh roasted beans they should be ground slightly coarser, still quite fine, for first 4 or 5 days. Then less fresh they dry out a little and need slightly finer grind to control 22sec brew time. Store whole beans in really air tight containers, non refrigerated. The "art" of great espresso is how you grind it. That takes long experience. If you get a truely fresh roast and grind just right you cup will fill with 50% golden foam and it will taste a little sweeter. I still need a little sugar but never milk or foam. Starbucks has an advantage with their always fresh roasts. By the time you can "pull" a good single shot 2oz espresso you might agree with me, LOL. They still give me trouble........... Happy Trails
1900148
I've used the components of the cappucino and hot chocolate together and it's pretty good (although it ain't no Starbucks, ya know?). But I must say, I'm debating returning the thing, as well. The temperature of the beverage is lukewarm, and the coffee tastes watery and burnt, although there was a post in here about a suggested remedy. I also agree with the recent post about feeling remiss diiscarding those discs that will decompose around the year 20,000. Does anyone know if there's a calorie/fat mesurement on the creamer that's used for the cappucino?
1167689
You can only use the Dolce Gusto pods by Nescaffe. They are available at Sears and Frys or you canbuy them on-line.. Ron
2272048
Definitely. This machine is designed to produce espresso and it has the capability to steam and froth milk. Essentially the French café au lait and the Italian caffè latte is 1/3 espresso to 2/3 steamed milk, or a three ounce double serving espresso to five ounces of steamed milk.There can be a slight learning curve when it comes to frothing the milk. Make sure you are using a fresh and cold skim or 2% milk. Bleed your frothing tube line before lowering it into your frothing pitcher. Water will dilute the milk if line hasn't been bled.
2115650
That's because you have not tasted the coffee! The cost of each capsule comes down to .55 cents.If you get an expresso at Starbucks it's going to be what, $1.80 or so?Not to mention waht you will save in cappuccinos and lattes!I thought like you until I tried it!If you like good coffee, you've got to try this stuff.Did I also say how easy it all is?
1333206
There are big differences in the machines. The Keurig is essentially a *coffee* machine. It makes a standard cup of coffee. Yes, it can do flavors, and there are dozens and dozens of different varieties, but it is pretty much limited to straight coffee. (There's a hot cocoa K-cup, but it's made by Green Mountain. You know how famous Green Mountain is for their hot cocoa? They're not. There's a reason.) With that much variety, you're just about assured of finding a coffee to your taste. The brewing cycle is optimized for straight coffee (though there is some flexibility there). Temperature is sometimes an issue; some people find the coffee not quite hot enough. The Tassimo, on the other hand, has far fewer varieties of coffee, but a much greater range of beverage TYPES. It makes latte, cappuccino (regular or skinny), espresso, chai tea lattes, hot chocolate, black and green teas. It makes a nice three-level latte macchiato. The temperature of the finished product is higher, and it has Starbucks pods that taste very much like the real thing. But in general, it probably does not do straight coffee quite as well as a Keurig, and there are certainly many fewer bean types, roast types, and flavors for the Tassimo. We finally decided on a Tassimo, and we love it. And that's something you'll generally find to be true no matter what you buy. It's been our experience that unless you're a coffee connoisseur (in which case, neither machine beats the more labor-intensive brewing methods), you will probably be happy with either machine.
389793
Ive had Tassimos for more than a decade. I don't think the cleaning process for this one was any different than earlier models and it might be louder than some pod style coffee makers. I won't fret that much about it and just enjoy drinking coffees, expressos, lattes, teas etc that are miles better than anything that other inferior brewer that begins with a K can produce.BTW, I wouldn't buy the latte creamers that they sell, even the "skinny" variety that they eventually introduced. Just put the milk in a grande or venti size ceramic cup, microwave it for about 2-3 minutes until it foams and then add the expresso to the cup. Makes a better latte than using the relatively expensive creamers Ive had Tassimos for more than a decade. I don't think the cleaning process for this one was any different than earlier models and it might be louder than some pod style coffee makers. I won't fret that much about it and just enjoy drinking coffees, expressos, lattes, teas etc that are miles better than anything that other inferior brewer that begins with a K can produce.BTW, I wouldn't buy the latte creamers that they sell, even the "skinny" variety that they eventually introduced. Just put the milk in a grande or venti size ceramic cup, microwave it for about 2-3... » Read More Ive had Tassimos for more than a decade. I don't think the cleaning process for this one was any different than earlier models and it might be louder than some pod style coffee makers. I won't fret that much about it and just enjoy drinking coffees, expressos, lattes, teas etc that are miles better than anything that other inferior brewer that begins with a K can produce.BTW, I wouldn't buy the latte creamers that they sell, even the "skinny" variety that they eventually introduced. Just put the milk in a grande or venti size ceramic cup, microwave it for about 2-3 minutes until it foams and then add the expresso to the cup. Makes a better latte than using the relatively expensive creamers « Show Less