The Seriously Sexy French Coffee Maker I Love Showing Off (It Makes Barista-Worthy Brews — and It’s on Sale!)
If you’re like me, then coffee is everything. I’m talking a minimum of three to four cups of joe a day — and don’t talk to me until I’ve had my first. So, when I heard about a French coffee brand launching in the U.S., I was listening. L’OR Coffee was born in France and the name means “gold” in French — hence their commitment to providing the gold standard of coffee. I got to test out their brand-new BARISTA system (it’s on sale both on their site and on Amazon right now!) as well as their coffee and espresso capsules. It’s really important to me to note that this is a … sexy coffee machine, which are not words I ever thought I’d type. It’s also slim, sleek, minimal, and doesn’t take up a lot of space on your countertop! But it’s not all about looks: This machine is also super functional and built to last.
Arguably the coolest thing about the coffee maker is this: The machine is compatible with different-sized capsules! Whether it’s a Nespresso original pod or one of their coffee and espresso capsules, this BARISTA machine will instantly recognize it. Plus, you can choose six different beverage sizes, three for each type of pod (coffee or espresso).
Another special aspect of this machine is that this is a high-pressure system that is supposed to extract more flavor from each pod. For each capsule that I tried, the flavor really came through; each drink was smooth, and had a layer of crema, which is the “delicate top layer of luxurious golden foam that enhances flavors and aroma in every cup for a velvet-smooth drinking experience.” Aka, it was good.
The only drawback to this otherwise great coffee machine is that there isn’t a milk frother attachment, which is the only reason it didn’t immediately replace my Nespresso machine. I tend to prefer espresso drinks (lattes namely) over coffee so, for me, it’s hard to beat the convenience of having a milk steamer already integrated into the machine. Also, I am lazy in the A.M. so doing the extra step of heating and frothing milk is a little too much to ask of me personally. (Luckily, there are plenty of great, affordable frothers out there.)
Overall, this is definitely a machine worth investing in, since it can take the place of two of the most popular coffee pod machines for a comparable price, and it looks good doing it. If L’OR ever releases a new BARISTA system with a milk steamer, it’d instantly be on my wishlist. Now, BRB — I need more coffee.
Buy: L’OR Barista Coffee System, $159 (normally $189)