Welcome to The PODcast, PodMerchant's newsletter of espresso pod tips, news, education, and deals. Back issues of The PODcast are available online. This newsletter is published in HTML with images and styled text. If you are reading the "text only" version, you are missing much of the content.

PodMerchant News

It's finally here! The mystery product that I've been hinting at for the last two issues is now in stock. If you've visited our store you've probably already seen it. If not, Ladies and Gentlemen, (drum-roll please...) may I introduce the HandPresso Wild hand-held portable espresso maker!

The HandPresso is a terrific find and we are very happy to be selling it in the U.S. So far, we are the only importer of this product. It just became available in December in France, the home base of the HandPresso company.

As we know, espresso is made by forcing hot water through ground coffee under pressure in about 30 seconds. To do this, traditional machines have a boiler to heat the water and a pump to provide the pressure. The Handpresso uses hot water heated externally and hand-power for pressure. The Handpresso has a built-in pump, operated just like a bicycle pump. You stroke it until the gauge's pointer is in the green zone — 16 bars of pressure. The portafilter cap is then removed and hot water poured into the reservoir (please be careful not to burn yourself). The hot water might come from many different sources — a Thermos at the park, a campfire out in the woods, or the microwave oven at the office. Once the reservoir is filled, you then lay an espresso pod in place. The portafilter cap is then attached and secured.

Now the fun begins. Simply turn the unit over and gravity places the hot water in contact with the pod. Push the Espresso Start button and the stored air pressure forces the water through the espresso pod, out the spout, and into your cup. It's that simple. For more shots — simply repeat.

The Handpresso Wild is constructed superbly. The high quality of the fit, finish, and heft was a pleasant surprise. Many of the parts are constructed of velvet-finish plastic to give a good grip and be cooler to the touch. The unit arrives in an elegant black box. In all, the HandPresso Wild is a first-rate product, and PodMerchant is proud to offer it to our customers.

The HandPresso Wild is offered at $149. Sound pricey? Well, this is no toy, I assure you. You can read our HandPresso Wild Report for more information, or directly purchase the HandPresso Wild. Of course PodMerchant customers can use their PODcast coupon for 10% off of this item.

Other Product News

We bought too much of Amigos Extrabar pods. Take advantage of our mistake. We've cut $4 off the price. Now only $9.95 for a box of 25. That's only 40 cents each for an excellent Northern Italian blend.

New on the shelves and at a discount, the Bristot Premium Espresso Capsules are far less expensive than Lavazza capsules. These fit the Lavazza Espresso Point machine. If you are a capsule user, you should definitely give these a try and save big bucks. Also available in cases of 100.

Lastly, we've rejiggered our samplers again. We've taken the more expensive pods out of the Super Sampler so as to offer this at a better price. The higher end pods are now available in the Premium Espresso Pod Sampler. This sampler contains Covim products, Hausbrandt products, illy, Compagnia dell'Arabica Biologica (organic), and Lucaffe's Blucaffe' blend. Note: sampler contents are subject to change without notice.

Coffee News

Machine Taste-tests Coffee

This is neat. Scientists have devised a machine that can measure flavor components of coffee. It is said that the machine can judge the taste and aromatic qualities of eight different types of espresso nearly as accurately as a panel of cuppers. The device analyzes gases released by a heated espresso sample. It then interprets this chemical data into taste qualities such as "roasted," "flowery," "woody," "citrus," "toffee" and "cocoa." So far, no news of it detecting the defects — the unpleasant and unwanted components.

I look forward to reading the full article in the next issue of Analytical Chemistry. More info now at LiveScience.com.

PodMerchant Coupons

PODcast subscribers get a 10% discount coupon with each issue. Just enter the code below on the Shipping Selection screen during checkout.

• Only one coupon per subscriber per issue.
• Coupon expires when the next issue is published, or at the end of the next month following publication of the issue, whichever comes first.
• Coupons are only valid for PODcast subscribers — we check use of coupons against the subscriber list.
• For more information, please see our PODcast Coupon FAQ.

For 10% off your next order — Enter code: XXXXXXX (note, that is "P-C-Zero") and please press the "Redeem Coupon" button or the coupon will not be entered.

That's all for this issue of the PODcast.


Kevin Garrett, The PodMerchant.