Sometimes fate works in mysterious ways or, as luck would have it, in my favour. For months, I’ve been looking and asking around for everyone’s opinions on the best capsule system coffee maker. My sister makes me beautifully flavoured coffees. My girlfriends invite me over for coffees using these coffee makers but they all had different brands, all singing their praises and which capsules (or ‘pods’) fit which coffee makers. It was way too technical for me. All I wanted was a nice cup of coffee.

Then the call came from a PR company I had done some work for asking if I’d like to try one of the De’longhi NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® Mini-Me coffee machines. Are you kidding? Yes please. I couldn’t believe my luck and I couldn’t be more happy with the NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® machine. It makes a damn fine cup of coffee and its small size means it won’t take up too much valuable bench space. Something I don’t have a lot of in my tiny kitchen.


Mini-me creates café quality coffee at home, as well as iced teas and hot chocolates. The unique pressure pump – similar to the pressure used in cafés – not only produces an authentic café-style taste every time, it also creates a delicious crema layer and frothy milk, giving home-brewed macchiatos, cappuccinos and café au laits a genuine café taste.

As well as receiving two boxes of different flavoured pods to try  (the Chai Tea Latte and the rich Espresso Ristretto) I received this handy pod holder.
My poor electric kettle has been banished to the rear of the counter top. With the ease of use and delicious cups of coffee from my new NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® coffee maker, who needs instant anymore?
Disclaimer:  I was given a NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® to review. All photos and opinions are my own.