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The new L’Or Barista Coffee & Espresso system from Philips seems to be marketing itself that way, but while it’s got good looks going for it, it’s the coffee that counts, so let’s put it to the test in this hands-on review.
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What is the L’OR BARISTA Coffee & Espresso System?
In a nutshell, this is an automated espresso machine that uses Nespresso original pods to make both espresso and coffee.
When placing it on your counter, be sure to have at least a 6-inch height allowance as the long top lid opens vertically for installing a capsule. It barely clears my cupboards.
Pressure extraction
This machine uses 19 bars of pressure to extract espresso.
Making espresso
The espresso making process is quite simple; lift the tall lid until the pod drawer opens. Drop your pod in round side down and close the lid until you hear a click. Hit the power button and let the machine warm up; this takes about? Seconds. Then once the power button stays lit you can choose your size of drink. Press the drink size button once and your beverage will start to flow.
The machine will use both spouts to create a double shot Ristretto, Espresso, or Lungo coffee depending on your setting. Alternatively, you can add two smaller cups under each spout for a quick dual coffee cup preparation. Once you finished preparing the coffee, the emptied capsule dispenses to a bin which you can pull above the drip tray. This drawer can store several used capsules before you need to empty it.
Initially the first handful of times I use the machine I feel like the espresso was quite watery. I don't know whether this was due to the pods or just part of a break-in. But I was pretty disappointed with what I got. After a couple of days though the espresso seemed to get a little creamier.
Espresso quality
After my initial break-in. I found the coffee brewed quickly and seemed much more espresso like. I would definitely say the quality is absolutely comparable to a standard Nespresso machine. I’m a fan of Nespresso coffees-I know the issues around recycling so I always send mine back to Nespresso. I find though that this is a quick easy and high-quality way to get my morning double shot of espresso; without having to drive to my local café and without having to fuss with a manual machine.
I tried both Nespresso Pods and L’Or pods, and found the machine worked perfectly with both. I also enjoyed my trial of L’Or pods too. The coffee was rich and flavorful, and the pods are identical in size and shape to Nespresso version.
Versatile
I actually think this machine is super versatile; one of the only other machines I've tried that can do single serve coffees is a Keurig machine, and they don't tend to do espresso. The fact that this machine, well it does have a larger footprint, makes two different kinds of coffee and espresso quite well is a huge plus in my opinion.
Speed
The brewing speed on this machine is actually quite impressive. You can make a shot of espresso in less than 30 seconds, and a regular size mug of coffee takes about one minute.
Overall review: Philips L’OR espresso machine
Overall, this is a pretty good machine. One of the biggest selling points is going to be its versatility; it will make both single serve cups of brewed coffee as well as quality espresso under one roof. The quality of the coffee was extremely impressive and the fact I can use Nespresso pods or Philips L’Or pods gives me a lot of options. The larger than average water tank is a boon for espresso making but also means you don't have to refill if you're making a couple full mugs of coffee. Similarly the large pod discard bin holds a lot and won't require constant emptying. I also found the noise level to be extremely moderate; some Nespresso machines I have tried make a loud buzzing noise that can be annoying first thing in the morning. But this machine seems a lot more muted.
When it comes to the downsides probably the worst thing I can pick on is that the machine itself is on the larger size; even though it's bigger than the average Nespresso espresso machine, it is significantly smaller than most other coffee makers. How much this will factor into your decision will depend on how much counter space you have. The tall height of the lever on top may also affect your placement.
In short I've become a huge fan of this machine and I can absolutely recommend it to coffee afficionados who are looking for a little more versatility than the average Nespresso machine can provide.
The Philips L’Or Coffee & Espresso System sells for about $189USD. Canadian availability seems limited at the moment with only the occasional listing on Amazon at an exorbitant price.