PODcast #58 : Espresso Pods News

Welcome to The PODcast, PodMerchant's newsletter of espresso pod news, education, tips and deals. Back issues of The PODcast are available online.

Espresso Elucidations

A Couple of Noteworthy Espresso Machines

I'm always on the lookout for good espresso machines. These two are notable and deserve a mention.

Elektra NivolaPod

The Elektra NivolaPod is a pod-only machine from Elektra, a manufacturer of commercial espresso machines. You decide on the styling. The Nivola's 50's-retro-futuristic styling may be just what you want in your kitchen, or the last thing you'd ever consider. Though it is pod-only, it is not a "jaws-type" (clamping) machine. Not having the opportunity for a hands-on assessment, I do not know if their system adequately prevents seepage around the pod, but I expect it does a fine job.

The Nivola's housing is made from cast aluminum, and is available in polished aluminum finish (shown) and in red varnish.

If you do go shopping for a NivolaPod, note that there is also a ground coffee machine (the Nivola). If you want the pod-only machine, shop carefully. Note, this is an expensive machine, selling for over $1000.

The Elektra Nivola and NivolaPod are available from various retailers in the US. I see also that a merchant is selling the Elektra NivolaPod Espresso Machine on Amazon. As you are probably aware, buying through Amazon has certain protective advantages. In the interest of full disclosure, if you purchase through the above link, PodMerchant will make a small affiliate commission from Amazon on the sale (does not affect your price).

Here are the Google Shopping results for Elektra NivolaPod. A regular Google "web" search will yield some more results.

More information on the NivolaPod and Nivola is available at the manufacturer's website, www.elektrasrl.com.

Ascaso Steel Uno Professional PID Espresso Machine

Here's a machine that I'd really like to get my hands on. OK, it's not a pod-only machine. It takes grounds or pods (using a pod filter basket). What makes this machine desirable is that it has a PID controller. This feature allows the user to precisely adjust and maintain the temperature of the boiler in order to get the perfect water temperature for a given coffee / grind. For example, one coffee blend may taste great when extracted at 195 F, while tasting bitter at 201 F. Another coffee may be best extracted at 200 F, but come out sour at 196 F. The PID allows the operator to program and precisely control the temperature of the coffee boiler.

The PID ("Proportional - Integral - Derivative") controller minimizes overshoot and undershoot of the temperature. In a boiler without a PID controller, when the boiler cools below the set-point (desired temperature), the heater is turned on until it reaches the set-point, then switched off. In reality, the temperature will continue to rise somewhat and overshoot (shoot past) the desired temperature. Same problem on the way back down (dropping below the set-point). Thus the temperature of the boiler will oscillate, constantly seeking the desired temperature, and only occassionally hitting it. The PID controller's smarts minimize these over and under shoots of temperature.

Ascaso typically makes pod-only versions of their machines. I hope that they decide to do so with this one. Unfortunately, the Ascaso website does not have any information on the PID-equipped version of the Ascaso Steel Uno Professional.

Here are the Google Shopping results for Ascaso Steel Uno Professional PID. A regular Google "web" search will yield some more results.

Coffee News

New Pricing on FF! X1 Machines

FrancisFrancis! has dramatically lowered prices on their X1 machines. Previous MSRP was $900 for the colored models, and $1000 for the stainless steel. New price: $600 for colors, and $700 for stainless ($300 reduction for all). These machines are "versatile" machines, taking both ground coffee and pods. Colors available are black and red.

Coffee Prices Going Up

Arabica coffee futures trading on ICE (IntercontinentalExchange) began to climb sharply in mid-June. Over the past eight weeks the market has climbed nearly 35 percent, reaching its highest price in 12-1/2 years.

Story here: Your Morning Cup O' Joe's Price May Be Rising.

This price increase will not affect PodMerchant's prices unless and until the costs are passed onto us by the roasters (perhaps this is the reason for illy's recent price increase). Or, if we are lucky, we may not even see it. Last time market speculation drove up green bean prices, it dropped back down before it affected our purchases.

PodMerchant News

Espresso Pod Reviews at PodMerchant

We've had a product review feature for a long time. You can review any product from its detail page. I finally got around to creating an page showing all customer reviews. Suddenly, the number of reviews submitted has jumped dramatically. I guess the feature was just a bit too hidden, but it's out in the open now. Check out the Espresso Pod Reviews page, and we encourage you to offer your feedback on the various pods. Both positive and negative reviews are welcome. All we ask is that the comments are useful and instructive for your fellow espresso drinkers.

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Keep on brew'n...


Kevin Garrett, The PodMerchant.