Eeek, what do Nespresso & Virgin have in common?

admin

Ok not sure if everyone can read this [from Financial Review] but Virgin has proudly announced they are now offering Nespresso http://www.afr.com/business/transport/aviation/virgin-australia-unveils-new-airbus-a330-fullyflat-bed-seats-20150816-gj0f0o?&utm_source=social&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=nc&eid=socialn:twi-14omn0055-optim-nnn:nonpaid-27/06/2014-social_traffic-all-organicpost-nnn-afr-o&campaign_code=nocode&promote_channel=social_twitter#ixzz3j7Zruv2k

for those who can't get into the link, here's the main part of the text: "Australia's obsession with coffee has reached a new height: 30,000 feet. Virgin Australia will now introduce Australia's first Nespresso machines in the sky, with its flight attendants able to whip up a fresh cappuccino or long black using one of three blends for business class passengers flying on its A330s between the east coast and Perth.

"I know it sounds like a small thing, but I can't find anyone who likes airline coffee," said Virgin chief executive John Borghetti, who once worked as a barista at his family's cafe in Melbourne. "Now, the Nespresso coffee here is as good as the one you'll get in your home. I think it is very, very important. If it is good enough for George Clooney …" "

GeekKopi

its a step in the right direction, anything is better than instant coffee i say.

mycuppa

Most of the coffee served in flight has been filter brew, e.g. percolator, drip, etc. and some of this has been quite acceptable to drink. There have also been instant offerings. One of the domestic airlines serves a very nice Sumatran Gayo Supreme Fairtrade Organic as it's filter coffee and in the last 12 months I have enjoyed this immensely on short flights. As with any coffee beverage, if the preparation of the brew is not performed according to the right technique, it won't taste decent. Surprisingly, it is possible for drip/filter brewing to be made with less than ideal ratios by staff who are rushed for time or not aware of the correct procedures, or do "silly" things like keep topping up hot water without changing the grounds. The drip coffee I had earlier this year on a short domestic flight way surpasses anything that Nespresso can serve up. Virgin CEO is a perpetual headline grabber - this is just a lame story about a minor change that benefits the privileged few who can afford to fly domestic business class - you know, those with that "sense of entitlement and their families" courtesy of the hard-working over-taxed citizens.

Kevohere

on 1439956471:

Virgin CEO is a perpetual headline grabber - this is just a lame story about a minor change that benefits the privileged few who can afford to fly domestic business class - you know, those with that "sense of entitlement and their families" courtesy of the hard-working over-taxed citizens.

Surely you're not referring to Bronny and her political cohorts :exclaim:  :D

Intense Coffee

Last week attended a conference in Sydney at the Menzies. A number of Nespresso commercial style machines available. Ideal for such an event in terms of practicality etc no doubt. I decided I should at least give them a try to see if there had been improvements. Tried all 3 of their "blends" all as Short blacks. Unable to drink any of them beyond the 1st sip. Bitter & tasting burnt. Even tried combining 2 of them. No doubt frothy milk and spoons of sugar would have helped the medicine go down. Graham

FreshCoffee2

on 1440200245:

... ...Ideal for such an event in terms of practicality etc no doubt... ...Tried all 3 of their "blends" all as Short blacks. Unable to drink any of them beyond the 1st sip. Bitter & tasting burnt. Even tried combining 2 of them. No doubt frothy milk and spoons of sugar would have helped the medicine go down. Graham

Perhaps nestles coffee pod system is "practical" because they put that stuff out and leave the attendees to do make their own coffee, thus saving time on staff making filter coffee out the back and bringing out the air pots. So...practical for the venue rather than the clients. Also possibly a saving on cost of coffee per se, because when people are left to make their own, many will invariably not bother to, especially the "espresso is too strong for me" crowd, and those that are not well versed in the use of the milk foamers. Ultimately the biggest problem with the stuff is the coffee (beans or roast or both) they roast to put in the pods, and if you wont tell them I wont either. Yes...to many it honestly tastes like poison. Thats not to say the quality of the beans is not good. It could be good coffee blended in a way that doesnt suit the market... And I am afraid that very often, no amount of milk or sugar can resurrect something that starts off from a base point that tastes like that. Seriously, people need to realise the fad value of all this and get real about espresso/ cappuccino/lartay/piccolo etc etc etc. Espresso (and its derivatives) is not the be all and end all of "good" coffee and is harder to nail than other types of brew. It also doesnt suit function type events (unless the organiser is going to lay on one of the very expensive large automatic machines OR a good barista and full commercial manual set up so that patrons are still not making their own). Espresso is just one type of brew, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with good infusion and filter coffees when expertly brewed.

jwiley86

This is great! I still have flights where they serve me instant coffees. They give me the coffee powder sachet and hot water. I even had to mix them by myself.