Nespresso Gran Maestria Review

Nespresso has two lines of capsule-based espresso machines:

• OriginalLine: Their original line (duh) that used a 19 bar pump to extract shots from capsules
• VertuoLine: Their new line that uses Centrifusion (rapid capsule spinning) to extract shots from barcode-enabled capsules but also brews standard coffee up to 17 oz

For our money, OriginalLine machines are better than VertuoLine machines because their pump produces more authentic espresso, the coffee tends to be hotter, and there's no barcode scanning system meaning you can find less-expensive third-party capsules.

The Gran Maestria is a premium model comes with two knobs — one for espresso, one for lungo — which each have 5 different shot size settings:

• Espresso: 0.85 – 2 oz
• Lungo: 2.37 oz – 5.05 oz

It also comes with a couple of nice extras that give the Gran Maestria a luxury feel:

• A cup warmer positioned on the left side of the machine, which gets up to 188°F
• An Aeroccino3 frother for cappuccinos, lattes, and other specialty beverages
• Collapsible platform on right side (as you're looking at it) for the frother

The Gran Maestria doesn’t combine your espresso and foam for a one-touch specialty beverage, but it isn’t that hard to combine the two yourself.

And if you thought the Nespresso CitiZ & Milk's 1720W powerr draw was powerful, prepare to be awed by the Gran Maestria’s 2300W needs. That ensures rapid heat-up with simultaneous brewing and frothing.