Hello everyone!
I'm a coffee lover, and this drink is linked to various events and associations in my life. I don't want to imagine my life without it.
I usually brew it with my espresso machine, sometimes in a French press. Occasionally, I'll grab my capsule coffee maker from the cupboard and think, 'It's time to buy a coffee machine.' The ristretto one, specifically, because it makes the real deal.
But, as I was saying, life's full of improvisations, and sometimes I buy coffee in capsules. It's a convenient way to get my favorite drink when I'm out and about, and those Nespresso machines are always available.
I've tried a ton of capsule coffees over the years. I've got my own rating system. Today, I want to tell you about Jacobs Espresso #7 Classico capsules. Not the best, but not the worst in my ranking.
xa0
WHERE TO BUY?
I usually order a bunch of packs online in advance. For example, on Yandex Market or Ozon. The prices are super reasonable. Last summer, I bought Jacobs #8 capsules for 100 rubles per pack.
This time, I bought Espresso #7 in a 5-pack for 264 rubles without any extras. Not the cheapest price, but cheaper than the original Nespresso or Starbucks.
xa0
PACKAGING
The box is a comfortable size. I've got respect for Jacobs for that. I don't like those long boxes with capsules, like Nespresso, or square cubes, like Julius Meinl. Although Meinl seems to be working on fixing their packaging. Anyway, that's not the point here.
Coffee in capsules Jacobs Espresso #7 Classico - review
On the back, there's information from the manufacturer. I don't like that they don't specify what kind of coffee they put in the capsules. 'Roasted and ground coffee' is a pretty vague concept. Yes, they mention Arabica and Robusta in the marketing text, but the ingredient list is more important, so I'm still not sure what's actually in the capsules.
Jacobs Espresso #7 Classico Coffee Capsules - My Review The best part about these capsules is that they're hermetically sealed, which I think extends their shelf life way beyond a year. I've had no issues with stale coffee yet.
Jacobs Espresso #7 Classico Coffee Capsules - My Review The coffee's packed into aluminum capsules, just like Nespresso. I've had some issues with plastic capsules not getting properly pierced by my machine, resulting in a subpar cup of coffee. But with these aluminum ones, I've had no such problems.
Jacobs Espresso #7 Classico Coffee Capsules - My Review I've been using this system for a while now, and I'm impressed with how well it works. The aluminum capsules are a game-changer for me - no more worrying about plastic ones not getting pierced properly.
Jacobs Espresso #7 Classico Coffee Capsules - My Review The whole system just works as it should, and I'm loving the convenience of it all.
Coffee in capsules Jacobs Espresso #7 Classico - review
♳ I've got to be honest, I was thinking about the environmental impact. The aluminum capsules are recyclable, and Nespresso takes their capsules for recycling. I'm not sure if they accept Jacobs capsules, but I'm not exactly swimming in free time and energy to collect and transport coffee capsules. I've got my recycling down to sorting for the 'blue bin' Check out the details here. Go ahead and throw some tomatoes!
xa0
PREPARING THE COFFEE
It's super easy. Even a kid could do it! Just insert the capsule and press the button. A few minutes later, you've got a perfect cup of coffee.
Coffee in capsules Jacobs Espresso #7 Classico - review
I'll say it again - if the machine is working properly, there's no problem with Jacobs capsules.
Coffee in capsules Jacobs Espresso #7 Classico - review
The coffee comes out with a creamy foam, just like you'd get from a coffee machine.
xa0
TASTE AND AROMA
The taste and aroma of the coffee capsule depend on both the capsule and the cleanliness of the machine. If you don't clean the machine regularly, the coffee ends up tasting terrible and smelling awful. I've tested this on multiple machines and different capsules.
So, let's start with the aroma. The coffee smells like coffee, but not strongly. Your neighbors won't be complaining about the smell. The aroma is classic, without any weird notes or added flavors.
The taste is middle-of-the-road. It's not super strong or overpowering. This coffee is smooth, with no bitterness or acidity to speak of.
I'd say the bitterness is medium. The lack of acidity is actually something I appreciate - I'm not a fan of sour coffee.
The sweetness of the Espresso #7 is below average.
I wouldn't call the flavor balanced - the bitterness really dominates.
And yeah, if you make an Americano instead of an espresso, the coffee will be watery. For me, that's actually a good thing.
There's no cherry, berries, or grapes in the flavor - just a straightforward, no-frills coffee with a distinct 'stomach-friendly' taste. Either they over-roasted it or they added too much robusta (remember, the packaging says it's a roasted coffee). Who knows?
For me, that distinctive taste isn't a minus. It's one of the acceptable options for me. I won't be drinking sour coffee, but I'd take stomach-friendly or bitter.
If we're talking about the 'stomach-friendliness' of the coffee, Espresso #7 has much less of it than Lungo #8.
The coffee's strength is just right - like a standard espresso or Americano you'd get at a cafe. Not as strong as you'd get from a French press, but not as weak as the stuff they serve in a school cafeteria.
Coffee in capsules Jacobs Espresso #7 Classico - reviewStraightforward coffee in terms of strength, taste, and aroma. Nothing special, but not bad either. Since my taste preferences are based on associations (I've had coffee with a similar taste before and it was great), I actually like it.Yeah, milk doesn't ruin it. But it does smooth out the already flat, one-dimensional flavor. And if you add milk to an Americano, it's basically just water with milk and coffee notes. For me, that's perfect for a daily cup of coffee.
Coffee in capsules Jacobs Espresso #7 Classico - reviewI'd definitely recommend Coffee in capsules Jacobs Espresso #7 Classico!
✔️ Not the best, but a decent option.
I don't need to get carried away with superlatives here - it's just a solid, mid-range coffee.
✔️ The price is right for the quality you get.
✔️ The capsules play nice with my Nespresso machine.