Nespresso Pixie @ SGD 398

Image courtesy of Nespresso

Here's an image of the Nespresso Pixie, that was launched on 15 April 2011.

A coffee addict, I want the flexibility to enjoy a well-extracted cup of coffee at home whenever I so desired. However, that would entail purchasing an expensive Espresso machine which would take up more kitchen counter space than I had room for and quite a bit of cleaning. I didn't have the time nor energy for that level of maintenance as work takes up a very large part of my time.

I resisted the concept that Nespresso offered, as I was convinced that capsule coffee seemed way too convenient to be of comparable quality, till I was introduced to it from a Barista's point of view at a Coffee Appreciation Class at Asian Food Channel. At the end of the day, the flavour and aroma of coffee relies on the freshness of the beans, the type/blend of beans, the skill of the Barista, the pressure that the Espresso machine can produce for optimal extraction, the temperature of the water etc.

For a coffee drinker without any Barista training or a proper Espresso machine, Nespresso produces a close second to Barista-pulled coffee with minimal maintenance required. Add to that the concept of sustainable coffee through the company's Ecolaboration philosophy, I was sold and bought a Nespresso Citiz with a separate Aeroccino to froth milk.

The Pixie is impressive because it is the smallest machine Nespresso's produced so far and it heats up the water in less than 30 seconds, allowing the user to start brewing coffee faster than with the current machines. In addition to being more energy efficient through a faster start up time, it has a power saving feature that automatically powers off after 9 minutes of inactivity. It has a nifty water level detection feature that warns the user of low water levels with a red backlight. The capsule cage moves out towards you when the handle is lifted to allow for easier capsule insertion.

I used the machine at the launch, initially, the fact that the drip tray wouldn't stay up without a glass to hold it up bothered me. I'd gotten to used to the flip tray staying put on the Citiz. Kai (short for Khairul), the Barista from Ion Orchard boutique explained that the tray was designed to drop back down when the mug/glass is taken away to catch any coffee drips as it doesn't have a separate drip tray like the Citiz. I

I contemplated swapping my Citiz for a Pixie because of the enhanced features and I was getting a little fixated on the chrome handle but it wouldn't be very environmentally conscious of me to swap a perfectly functioning machine for a newer and sexier one. If you don't already have a machine, I say definitely go for the Pixie as it's energy efficient which is great for speedy brewing and only needs a very small space. It's available in 6 vibrantly bold colours to suit your kitchen decor and personal preference in colours.

The launch of the Pixie machine is accompanied by a new range of accessories in the colours of the 16 Nespresso Grand Cru capsules. These double-walled stainless steel cups are great as they do not conduct the heat from the coffee to your hand.

For home machines, there are 16 coffee blends also known as the 16 Grand Crus ("Grand Cru" is a term that's more easily recognized in wine descriptions). Occasionally, a Limited Edition Coffee is released, like the Onirio, a level 5 intensity coffee blend that comprises 2 Arabicas from the Sidama region in the south-west of Ethiopia (Arabica from Sidamo & Arabica from Yrgacheffe). The Onirio is a floral and slightly spicy coffee with hints of Jasmine and Orange Blossom. Its best served as an espresso but because of its floral and citrusy notes, is versatile enough to be incorporated into cocktails calling for a blend of coffee and citrus flavours. As the Onirio exudes a bouquet of white flowers, it is contained in a pearly white capsule. Limited quantities available on a first-come-first-served basis in boutiques worldwide from 22 April 2011. Hurry before the stocks run out.