Review: Nespresso Cafezinho do Brasil Returns!

 

Guess who's back? That's right it's me the much missed Nespresso Cafezinho do Brasil! I was so surprised when I saw this on a visit to an actual Nespresso store. The original Cafezinho do Brasil blend was released back in 2016 (see my review Nespresso Cafezinho do Brasil) and I still have family members who talk about how much they miss it.  

The packaging and capsules look exactly the same as they did in 2016 - but the big question is do they still taste the same? The Nespresso assistant assured me that the blend had not changed and that the taste is still identical. 

The good news is that the 2021 edition of the Nespresso Cafezinho do Brasil does taste just as good as I remember. The flavour is robust and strong but without any bitterness or aftertaste. It tastes smooth and fresh whilst still packing a punch with a unique strength. My husband also agreed that this was as good as the original. 

If you were also a fan of the 2016 release of Cafezinho and have tried the latest version then I'd love to know what your thoughts are in the comments below.

Grocery Gems Review: Nespresso Cafezinho do Brasil

RATING: 10 out of 10.
Buy them again?: Yes - I will be back for more.
Purchased: Nespresso store.
Price: £4.20p per sleeve.

Review: New Nescafé Gold Vegan Oat, Almond & Coconut Latte Sachets

Nescafé Gold has released three new dairy-free varieties of their instant coffee sachets. I used to love these type of sachets when I was younger. I haven't had them for years but the release of these plant based lattes was enough to get me interested in coffee sachets again!

Each sachet is quite large and makes a decent 200ml of coffee. There are 66 calories per cup for the Oat and Almond varieties and 62 calories for the Coconut.

Almond Latte: Almond milk is my first choice of dairy free milk so I was excited to try this one first. It was sweeter than I was expecting with a mild coffee flavour. I would definitely have this as a soothing afternoon pick me up.

Oat Latte: This one was actually my favourite of the three. It seemed frothier and tasted creamier than the other two which made me enjoy it even more. 

Coconut Latte: The coconut aroma is quite strong here and leaves an aftertaste that I didn't really like. This is purely personal taste as I'm not really a fan of coconut milk. My vegan family members all enjoyed this one more than me.

Grocery Gems Review: Nescafé Gold Dairy-Free Oat, Almond & Coconut Latte

RATING: 7 out of 10 for the Oat and Almond.
Buy them again?: Yes.
Vegan:  Yes.
Purchased: Tesco.
Price: £2.50p each (currently on offer for 2 packs for £3.00p). 

Review: Nespresso Master Origin - Nicaragua & Indonesia

A quick review of two varieties from the new Nespresso Master Origin range - Nicaragua and Indonesia. There are also varieties from Ethiopia, Colombia, India and Mexico available (although the last one only seems to be available for the newer Vertuo machines). 

The Master Origins varieties have replaced the Pure Origins range which included favourites such as Dulsão and Indriya. It's still possible to buy some of the Pure Origins varieties online but they are now listed as *last chance to buy*.

Nicaragua: The Nicaragua Master Origin has an intensity of 5 and is described as possessing a 'smooth honeyed texture with sweet cereal notes'. I found it to have a pleasing initial crema and  a sweet, mild flavour. Disappointingly the flavour seemed to get weaker as I was drinking it and I'm not sure that this packs enough punch for my tastes.

Indonesia: The Indonesian blend on the other hand has a fuller flavour and more distinctive profile. I preferred this stronger blend with it's slight hint of bitterness. It's described as being 'velvety thick, wildly aromatic with notes of cured tobacco'.  The first thought I had when I tried it (and before I read the description) was that it had a slightly smokey undertone. It's certainly unique and, although I enjoyed it, I don't think either of these coffees are going to make it onto my regular Nespresso orders.

I'm still keen to try the other varieties in this range, especially India, which has an intensity rating of 11. Let me know what you thought of the Master Origins range and whether you'll be missing any of the Pure Origins coffees in the comments below.

Grocery Gems Review: Nespresso Master Origins:

Rating: Nicaragua - 5 out of 10; Indonesia - 6 out of 10.

Buy Again: Probably not.

Purchased: Nespresso.

Price: £3.90p (10 capsules).

Fine Coffee Club Gingerbread Cookie Flavoured Espresso (Nespresso Compatible)

A very quick review of this limited edition flavour from the Fine Coffee Club. I've tried their Nespresso compatible pods before (see original review - Fine Coffee Club Review) but I haven't ordered them again in a long time. However, I couldn't resist when I saw this gorgeous looking new festive flavour - Gingerbread Cookie. 

I have to admit I've been very disappointed in the official holiday flavours from Nespresso this year - so much so that I haven't even reviewed them yet. I always review the latest flavours from Nesperesso but I just can't muster the enthusiasm this year.

Anyway onto the Gingerbread Cookie flavoured espresso from Fine Coffee Club. These were thankfully just what I was hoping for. The coffee flavour itself is good, it's strong without any bitterness. The Gingerbread Cookie flavour is delicious - there's just enough ginger and biscuity hints coming through to make the coffee interesting but not too much to make it cloying. It's the perfect balance.

I'll be keeping an eye on any future flavoured coffees from the Fine Coffee Club and I definitely want to try their Earl Grey Tea and Hot Chocolate pods for the Nespresso machines next! If you've tried any of these let me know what you thought in the comments below!

Grocery Gems Verdict: Fine Coffee Club

RATING: 8 out of 10.
Buy them again?: Yes.

Purchased: Online www.finecoffeeclub.co.uk
Price: From £2.80p per box of 10 pods.

Review: Jordan's Skinny Syrups Pumpkin Spice & Pumpkin Caramel

I've been looking for a decent pumpkin spice flavoured syrup to try to recreate my favourite Starbucks Pumpkin Spice latte at home without much luck. So far I've tried the Pumpkin Spice Syrups from Monin and Sweetbirds which were both a total waste of money. The Sweetbirds one especially was so horrid it had to be thrown away. 

The Skinny Syrups brand is one that I've found a few times before in TK Maxx. I like their sugar free Vanilla and Gingerbread syrups and prefer them now to the full-on sugary kind. My husband bought me their Pumpkin Spice and Pumpkin Caramel varieties as a gift recently (I think he paid a fortune on Amazon) and thankfully I enjoyed both varieties more than the other brands I've tried.

The Skinny Syrups Pumpkin Spice has a nice amount of spices coming through with the sweet pumpkin, especially scentwise. It doesn't come through as much in the actual flavour although it does add plenty of sweetness - a little goes a long way with these. The Skinny Syrups Pumpkin Caramel variety is even sweeter and has a creamy undertone. As they're both sugar free they do have a bit of an artificial aftertaste, which might ruin the flavour for some - I found it especially noticeable in the Pumpkin Caramel variety.

Even though neither of these flavours is a patch on a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice (why don't they just sell Pumpkin Spice syrups instore already?), I'm glad that I tried both these flavours. I would probably buy the Skinny Syrups Pumpkin Spice variety again next year. but I'm still waiting for a proper Pumpkin Spice syrup!

Grocery Gems Review: Skinny Syrups Pumpkin Spice

RATING: 7 out of 10.
Buy It again?: Yes.
Nutrition: 0 calories.
Purchased: Amazon.

Review: Limited Edition Nespresso On Ice

As soon as I heard about the new Nespresso On Ice coffee capsules I knew I had to try them. Luckily my husband has a Nespresso store near his work and was able to get one of the gorgeous assortment boxes. 

There are two varieties in this latest Limited Edition; the Intenso On Ice and the Leggero On Ice. I adore the Mediterranean themed packaging and especially the colours used in the designs, it's simply stunning.

Nespresso Intenso On Ice:  The Intenso On Ice is described as a bold coffee specifically designed to provide an intense yet refreshing iced beverage at home. The flavour here is excellent, creating a full bodied coffee with a deeply roasted flavour. There's no bitter aftertaste at all as these blends have been developed to curb the acidity when used with ice.

Nespresso Leggero On Ice: The Leggero On Ice has a milder flavour and is described as a mild coffee with a fruity and balanced aroma. This is probably my favourite Nespresso coffee of recent years. I'm hoping that this will not stay a limited edition as it's too good not to buy regularly! The flavour is just delicious (I had mine over ice and with frothed, cold soya milk), with a natural sweetness and smoothness. I didn't need to add any vanilla syrup to curb the bitterness, which I usually do when using a regular Nespresso capsule to make an iced coffee. The Leggero On Ice is just perfection all on it's own. 

Overall I highly recommend giving both of these new Nespresso On Ice coffees a try. I'm planning on stocking up on these very special Limited Editions - especially the Leggero On Ice. 

Grocery Gems Review: Nespresso On Ice

RATING: Leggero On Ice - 10 out of 10, Intenso On Ice - 8 out of 10.
Buy them again?: Yes.
Purchased: Nespresso store.
Price: £3.90 per sleeve.

Review: New Costa Coffee Banoffee Frostino

I was excited to hear about this new Coffee Banoffee Frostino at Costa Coffee. I still miss the delicious (and sadly limited edition) Coffee, Oats, & Banana Smoothie that they launched earlier this year - see my review here : Costa Coffee Oats & Banana Smoothie Review.

The Costa Coffee Banoffee Frostino is a creamy iced drink made with fresh banana, espresso, milk, ice and topped with a caramel drizzel and fudge pieces. I've had this drink twice now and both times it's been made with lots of ice which gives it a very thick texture that slowly becomes easier to drink. I would prefer it with slightly less blended ice and a bit more coffee but it's still a very refreshing (and sweet!) drink for these warmer days. The whole thing is not as delicious as their previous banana smoothie, that one had a bit more of a banana and coffee hit, but it's definitely one I'll be buying again this summer. 

If you've tried this drink then I'd love to know your thoughts in the comments below. 

Grocery Gems Review: Costa Coffee Banoffee Frostino

RATING: 8 out of 10
Buy them again?: Yes.
Purchased: Costa Coffee.
Price: £3.50p.

Review: Nespresso Selection Vintage 2014 - Limited Edition

The latest limited edition from Nespresso sees the release of it's first 'aged' coffee. Using Arabica coffee beans from the Colombian Highlands that were harvested three years ago, Nespresso pioneered a new method to store and the beans and allow them to mature. The result is described as a new taste experience with an extra mellowness and woody flavour.

The packaging is very striking and captures the 'aged vintage' theme well. There is obviously a strong visual reference to wine with the cork pattern and colouring.

The coffee itself is rich and smooth but with a unique flavour profile. The initial taste is intense and strong but soon mellows out to a slightly milder flavour. I don't know if the vintage theme played tricks on me but I could also taste a little hint of fruitiness in there that reminded me of grapes and wine. The overall flavour is very different to my usual Nespresso choices and it won't be replacing the wonderful Cafezinho do Brasil as my favourite ever limited edition. However, it's easy to appreciate the richness of the flavour in the Selection Vintage and I've already been back to the Nespresso store for more.

Grocery Gems Review: Nespresso Cafezinho do Brasil

RATING: 7 out of 10.
Buy them again?: Yes.
Purchased: Nespresso store.

Review: New Costa Coffee, Oats & Banana Smoothie

A quick review of the new Costa dairy-free breakfast smoothie - the Coffee, Oats & Banana Smoothie. I didn't know this existed until I saw the review on The Excited Eater and I knew I had to try it straight away.

The Costa Coffee, Oats & Banana Smoothie is a blend of coffee, Alpro oat drink, one whole banana, oats, a little ice and some honey (which can be left out to make this drink vegan). The consistency is not as thick or heavy as a traditional smoothie, it's actually quite thin and easy to drink. There were a few oaty 'bits' as I was drinking which added to the texture. I don't know why I've never thought of adding coffee to a banana smoothie but the result is surprisingly delicious. 

Image: Costa Coffee

The mild coffee flavour and creamy oat milk make a delicious combination with the sweet banana. I actually couldn't taste much of the honey itself but I'm sure it added to the sweetness. Despite being a thinner smoothie it's still very filling and kept me going until lunch. I'm definitely going to try to recreate this one at home!

If you've tried this drink then I'd love to know your thoughts in the comments below. 

Grocery Gems Review: Costa Coffee, Oats & Banana Smoothie

RATING: 9 out of 10
Buy them again?: Yes.
Nutrition: 255 calories.
Purchased: Costa Coffee.
Price: £3.50p.

Review: Limited Edition Monin Mocha Syrup

I'm a big fan of Monin syrups and have quite the collection of different flavours at the moment. Currently in my cupboards I have the popular Gingerbread and Vanilla syrups alongside more unusual flavours, such as; Speculoos, Apple Pie and even a Peach Iced Tea syrup. However, the latest limited edition flavour for Monin syrups is a staple for any coffee lover, the classic Mocha. 

At this time of year I often treat myself to a flavoured coffee made at home. We're lucky enough to have a Nespresso machine with a separate gizmo that makes frothy milk. My husband whipped up this layered latte using the Mocha syrup which looked gorgeous. After stirring it all together I could really taste the smooth cocoa flavour. Surprisingly this flavour is not as sweet as other Monin syrups, perhaps because it also enhances the coffee flavour too. 

The previous Monin limited edition flavour, the Chocolate Cookie, is much sweeter in comparison. It gives the coffee a sugary chocolate hit. The Mocha syrup is subtler and provides more balance between the coffee and chocolate flavours.Of course, Monin syrups are not just for coffee, they can also be used in milkshakes. In fact one recipe suggestion given on the back of the bottle is for adding the Mocha syrup to a glass of milk rather than coffee. I'll be giving that a try next!

Grocery Gems Review: Monin Mocha Syrup

RATING: 7 out of 10.
Buy it again?: Yes.
Purchased: Available at Sainsbury's.
Price: £3.00p (currently on offer for £2.00p).

PR Sample. 

Review: Nespresso Cafezinho do Brasil Coffee Capsules (Limited Edition)

Nespresso latest limited edition, which I believe was released last month, is the Cafezinho do Brasil. I love the name! The word 'cafezinho' is a cute way of saying 'small coffee' in Brazilian Portuguese. It's a single origin coffee or as Nespresso like to call it a Pure Origin Grand Cru. It's described as an intense coffee, inspired by the Brazilians' love for strong coffee, and is rated as a 9 intensity. 

The bright yellow and green packaging representing the Brazilian theme is carried across the sleeves and through to the capsules themselves. I love just how fun and vibrant this packaging is.

The coffee itself has a wonderful flavour that is strong and intense without any bitter notes. It's a lovely blend that is bold enough to perk me up in the morning but still smooth enough to be enjoyable. I much prefer it to the Nespresso Dulsão do Brasil (which is too weak for my tastes) and I wish the Cafezinho do Brazil would replace it as a permanent edition! 

Grocery Gems Review: Nespresso Cafezinho do Brasil

RATING: 10 out of 10.
Buy them again?: Yes - I've already been back for more.
Purchased: Nespresso store.
Price: £3.80p per sleeve.

Review: CaféPod Coffee Pods (Nespresso Compatible) & 20% Discount Code

I reviewed the CaféPod range of capsules in 2014 (see review HERE) but earlier this year they've undergone a rebrand and redesign. Not only are the innovative boxes much sleeker but more importantly there is now more coffee per pod and stronger flavours overall. 

Discount Code

GROCERYGEMS20

If you haven't given CaféPod a try before or haven't tried their coffee for awhile then it might be time to rediscover the range. CaféPod have offered my readers 20% off any coffee purchase for first time customers, excluding subscription. It's valid until 30th September, with one use per customer. 

Just use the code GROCERYGEMS20 at the checkout.

www.cafepod.com

I was sent four CaféPod varieties to try out; two from their Single Origins range, Sumatra and Colombia, and two of their strongest blends, the Ristretto and the Supercharger. I did find that all the blends were much stronger than the first time I tried this range. I also preferred the new box design. They're about half the size of the previous boxes so are much easier to stores. I also liked the easy-open design and dispenser.

CaféPod Colombia: This was one of my favourites of the four. It produced a wonderfully thick crema on top of each cup of coffee. The flavour is satisfyingly strong but with a silky smooth blend which is just how I like my coffee. 

CaféPod Sumatra: The Sumatra blend is even stronger than the Colombia but still without any bitterness. The crema was not as thick but the overall flavour was robust and rich. It's smooth enough to enjoy with or without milk and I didn't need to add any extra hot water.

I was excited to try out the new updated CaféPod Ristretto and also the awesome looking Supercharger. I love the bright orange box with the battery charger symbols on the back - exactly what I need in the morning! 

CaféPod Ristretto: I enjoyed the previous CaféPod Ristretto but I have to admit that this one is definitely stronger. It has a full bodied flavour and I prefer it with the addition of milk. It's also great as a base for lattes.

CaféPod Supercharger: This is the newest addition to the CaféPod range and their first capsule with a 12 intensity. Funnily enough I actually found this blend to have a smoother and more mellow flavour than some of the others. It definitely has an intense coffee kick but the overall flavour is lovely and smooth. I usually find the higher intensity Nespresso pods too intense and bitter for me but that's not the case here.

Overall, I was really impressed with the improvements to the CaféPod range. I didn't find any of their coffees to be weak tasting (which I did for a few of them last time). It's definitely worth a try for anyone who loves coffee - there's a great Taster Pack on their website which includes eight different blends. 

I used a Nespresso Inissia machine (the type with a lever that is pushed down) for this review and tried each coffee with and without milk (just a very small amount of almond milk).

PR Samples. 

Snack & Shopping Haul from Cartagena, Colombia

A family friend recently visited the beautiful city of Cartagena in Colombia. Luckily for me they also brought back an impressive array of treats for everyone. Apparently there were lots of grocery stores and supermarkets dotted around so it was easy enough to pick up Colombian brands. I must admit that when I go abroad this is one of the things I find most interesting and I always bring back a few groceries!  

Juan Valdez Vanicanela & Chocolate Café Colombiano: Colombia is famous for it's coffee production but I hadn't actually heard of this brand before. Juan Valdez is actually a popular coffeehouse chain in Colombia and I was lucky enough to try out a few of their flavoured instant coffees, a Chocolate flavour and the Vanicanela which is a blend of vanilla and cinnamon. These coffees are both absolutely delicious with natural flavours rather than being too artificial or overpowering. The Vanicanela is gorgeous with a delicate vanilla flavour and a hint of authentic cinnamon. The Chocolate flavoured coffee is delicious too, so smooth and a perfect balance of flavours without being too sweet. 

Juan Valdez Cafés de Origen Gourmet Selection: I also received this lovely ground coffee gift set featuring gourmet coffees from different regions of Colombia. We've been making these in a cafetiere each morning and they really provide a great kickstart to our day! All the varieties we've tried so far have created a smooth tasting, perfect cup of coffee.

Jet Chocolate: Jet is the most popular candy bar in Colombia and was apparently easy to find in a small supermarket near the hotel that my friend stayed in. They brought back two varieties, the original milk chocolate and a new Cookies & Cream version. The milk chocolate Jet was not really edible as the chocolate itself had a sour 'off' flavour. I'm not sure if this was because it had suffered some heat damage or if it's just too similar to Hershey's for my taste. In contrast, the Jet Cookies & Cream is a white chocolate and Oreo-type cookie confection that was much tastier and enjoyed by all.

Plantain Chips: I've always been a fan of plantain chips (see my reviews HERE and HERE) and these two are no exception. The NatuChips Platano Maduro had a lovely golden colour and rich fried flavour with a hint of salt, whilst the Turbana Chips had a delicious hint of Lime for added flavour.

NatuChips Yuca: Fried yuca is apparently popular in Latin American as a side dish and snack food. It's said to be a creamier and sweeter alternative to fried potatoes. I haven't had a chance to try this chip snack version yet but I'm really intrigued to try them - I'll update soon! 

Kellogg's Cinnabon: The supermarkets in Cartagena also had a lot of American groceries at very reasonable prices. I've been wanting to try this Kellogg's Cinnamon cereal for ages and it's impossible to get hold of in the UK (at least without paying a small fortune!). As a cinnamon fan, I really enjoyed this cereal and I wish Kellogg's would release it here too.

Wayuu Mochila Bags: Not food related, but you really can't go to Cartagena without buying one of the stunning handmade Wayuu bags - the more colourful and patterned the better! I also have one in black with a colourful strap that I wear more often, but this neon bright one just makes me happy to look at it!

I hope you enjoyed this Colombian shopping haul. A massive thank you to my lovely friend for utterly spoiling us all with these treats! 

Review: Nespresso Limited Edition taste of Mexico and Rwanda

Nespresso recently launched their latest limited edition Pure Origin Grand Cru capsules; the Umutima wa Lake Kivu from Rwanda and the Tanim de Chiapas from Mexico. I appreciate Nespresso's aim of bringing it's members more coffees from around the world and I was keen to give these newest varieties a try.

 

The packaging is quite different from the usual muted colour palette from Nespresso. Both the sleeves and capsules are both vibrantly decorated, with patterns reflective of their countries of origin. 

 

Nespresso Umutima wa Lake Kivu: This Pure Origin Grand Cru from Rwanda has an intensity rating of 6 which is much lower than I would usually go for. I prefer the Nespresso coffees that have an intensity rating of 8 and higher. However, I was pleased to find that this coffee has a very robust and strong flavour. It's described by Nespresso as having fruity notes and a darker roast for strength and texture. I could certainly taste the darker roasted quality of this coffee which gives it a deeper, layered taste, without any bitter notes.

Nespresso Tanim de Chiapas: The Pure Origin Grand Cru from Mexico actually has a slightly higher intensity rating of 7. The flavour here is quite multi-layered but I found that it was much lighter and sweeter overall when compared to the darker Rwandan blend. I still enjoyed the smooth and sweet flavour here and especially liked it with a little added milk (almond milk in my case).

Overall, I am quite surprised to find that I would recommend both these Pure Origin Grand Crus. I expected the lower intensity rating would equal a flavour that was too weak for me (which is usually the case with the lower intensity Nespresso) but that was not the case at all. Both coffees offer delicious, complex, and layered flavours, and I'd happily take both of them over the previous limited edition Nespresso from Peru. I especially like the fact that they both provide a different taste experience, with the Rwandan Grand Cru having a more intense, dark flavour, and the Mexican Grand Cru giving a more mellow, sweet flavour.

Let me know if you've tried either of these - I'd love to know if you enjoyed them too.

Grocery Gems Review: Nespresso taste of Mexico & Rwanda:

Rating: 8 out of 10. 

Buy Again: Yes.

Purchased: Nespresso.

Price: £3.80p (10 capsules).