Customer Reviews

Bosch TAS6515UC Tassimo Single-Serve Coffee Brewer, Twilight Titanium

5 star:		(80)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(21)

 

 

I have wanted a one cup brewing system for a long time but hesitated after sampling the Keurig system beverages at a gourmet cooking shop demonstration. A friend and I made our selections and had the coffee brewed for us. The initial delight with trying out a new machine was quickly replaced with the reality of a very weak, tasteless, stale cup of coffee. We both took a sip and tossed the cups in the trash. The woman demonstrating the system kindly offered us the choice of another variety, but the results were the same. The idea of the beverage system was clearly better than the execution.

Over the last couple of years I've sampled a few other Keurig varieties, and continued to be disappointed. So, I was skeptical, but hoped the Tassimo would produce a higher quality product, and without question it did not disappoint. Will this replace a $1200 espresso bar? No. Will it replace your favorite coffee shop's concoctions? No. But it makes an excellent cup of coffee, a plus when you just want a cup and don't want to brew a whole pot, and it makes excellent coffee drinks along with tea.

The Tassimo Bosch T65 automatic hot beverage system comes with clear instructions and minimal requirements to get started. An optional water filter is included. This filter is very similar to the one I use in my Cuisinart Grind and Brew coffee maker. In both instances use of a filter is optional but since the quality of the water used to brew coffee or tea greatly affects the end results, I always use either a filter or filtered water.

The unit is incredibly quiet and efficient - the water heats up immediately. There are warning lights for almost every eventuality from too little water in the tank, to when it is time to descale the unit. The machine itself has a nice solid feel -- not flimsy. The maintenance requirements are no worse than those for any quality coffee maker -- they need to be kept clean for optimal performance.

The discs have a barcode which when read, permits each drink to be precisely brewed for optimal taste. But, if after sampling a disc, a level of customization is desired, there is a manual over-ride to permit a smaller size stronger drink or a larger weaker cup. I made one cup after another without any delay. The water tank is large -- 61 ounces -- so it doesn't require frequent filling.

A criticism of the Tassimo over the Keurig is the availability and selection of the discs but I found the discs in many easily accessible retailers including a couple big box store's grocery departments, and of course, they are all over the internet. Currently two free packages of T discs are available when registering the product on the Tassimo web site. This provides a great opportunity to sample a variety of discs and find favorites. The discs I've sampled are listed below. There are currently five different Starbucks varieties available alone. Tazo and Twinings teas are also among the selections, and many more I look forward to tasting.

Starbucks Café Verona - my favorite by far. The coffee is strong and delicious. Even when cold the coffee maintains its flavor. Not quite the coffee shop quality but very close.

Starbucks House Blend - very good. The cup brewed was delicious but the flavor took a drastic dive as the cup cooled and became almost undrinkable. Drink it hot.

Gevalia Signature Blend - this is the only variety I tried and would not buy again. Although it isn't weak, the coffee tastes like bad vending machine brew. A little stale with a flavor reminiscent of coffee brewed through old gym socks. Ugh.

Gevalia Cappuccino - good flavor. The brew is almost a perfect balance of milk (2% so relatively low fat) to espresso with a decent, although not luxurious amount of foam. The coffee is strong enough to have a presence in the cup, although an extra espresso disc can be used to create a stronger coffee flavor.

Gevalia Latte - good flavor. Again, a nice balance between the milk (same 2% variety as above) and espresso flavors. I preferred the latte but would buy both again.

Maxwell House Latte - coffee flavor too weak. This latte is definitely improved by using two espresso discs with one creamer (same 2% used in the Gevalia products) otherwise the coffee flavor disappears into the background and the milk is entirely too prominent.

Maxwell House House Blend Decaffeinated -- a medium brew. The coffee isn't as bad as the Gevalia, but it also isn't Starbucks. There is a slighly smoky aftertaste, which I actually liked. This will do nicely when I've met my caffeine threshold. Currently, the only decaffeinated options are this one, Gevalia Signature Brew (see below) and Gevalia Espresso. Hopefully, Starbucks will create one soon.

Suchard Hot Chocolate Syrup - good tasting chocolate but odd drink. This is a very watery, non-dairy chocolate drink. I've read reviews from people who adore the drink, but I would definitely add a little milk or cream. I did try using creamer T disc but the hot chocolate lost too much of the chocolate flavor. The Suchard, and an espresso disc and a little milk made a passable mocha, but the milk needs to be heated. I understand the Milka T discs, initially only available in the foreign market are now available and that variety makes a delicious cup of hot chocolate. Milka will be in my next disc order, and I will post an update. I will keep experimenting with my remaining Suchard discs and see if I can find a great combination of flavors.

Twinings Chai Tea Latte - very pleased with flavor but contains Splenda and sugar - weird. Nevertheless, I found this chai tea latte delicious, and will definitely buy it again. That said, I do not have a problem with Splenda. Some people have a sensitivity to the sweetener and also notice an aftertaste. I noticed no aftertaste and wouldn't have known the drink contained Splenda if I hadn't read the package. The creamer is the same 2% product noted in the latte and cappuccino products.

Although not necessary, I found using a warm cup (microwave with a little water for 30 seconds) added to the enjoyment. I look forward to sampling the Seattle's Best Coffees, the Milka hot chocolate, the other Twinnings and Tazo teas. This is a quality machine with plenty of delicious coffee and tea selections readily available and it lives up to the promise of an automatic beverage system, something the Keurig system failed to do for me.

Update:
Milka Hot Chocolate -- did not disappoint -- it is a creamy rich hot chocolate that is absolutely delicious. For mocha simply add an espresso disc. This is one variety I will always have on hand. And, there are only 90 calories per serving and 2.5 grams of fat.

Gevalia Caramel Latte Macchiato -- has a decidedly artificial caramel flavor which although not overpowering is unpleasant. I won't buy again. A better idea would be to buy a quality caramel coffee syrup and add it to the Gevalia Latte.

Gevalia Decaffeinated Signature Blend coffee -- ugh, not surprisingly it has the same dreadful flavor as the regular Gevalia Signature Blend coffee. The Maxwell House decaffeinated T disc is far superior.

Update II:
Maxwell House Morning Blend -- brews a large 12 ounce cup of medium strength coffee. The taste is fine, again slightly smoky. I will definitely keep this on-hand for emergencies.

Maxwell House French Roast -- produces a decent bold cup of coffee. I find the quality of the Maxwell House T discs superior overall to the Gevalia regular coffee brews. The espresso Gevalia disc is the only exception because the Maxwell House espresso is too weak.

Starbucks Africa Kitamu -- absolutely amazing bold cup of coffee without bitterness or any aftertaste. This variety has taken over as my favorite from Starbucks Verona. If you drink bold coffee black, this is the T disc to buy. Delicious.

Update III:
2/19/2010 The recently released Starbucks Latte Primo and Cappuccino Primo are absolutely superior to the Maxwell and Gevalia milk based coffee drinks. Starbucks has created their own milk T-Discs and both the cappuccino and latte versions are a significant improvement. Both milk discs contain a small amount of sugar although I did not detect any sweetness in taste. Perhaps the sugar helps balance the cooked milk flavor. The most important improvement is found in the taste of the espresso T-Disc that comes with both drinks. The flavor is fabulous and we can only hope that in the future the espresso discs will be sold separately. I wrote a detailed review of both the Starbucks Cappuccino Primo and Latte Primo under the actual product listings. I also added photos of the drinks brewing because they layered so beautifully. I continue to use my Tassimo daily and remain absolutely delighted by its performance.

Update IIII:
12/19/2010 I recently ordered two Carte Noire coffees, Kenya and Voluptuoso, from the Tassimo website and found both delicious. This is a European brand that although readily available on the website is a bit more difficult to locate in stores in the US. The Kenya variety is sold on Amazon and the Voluptuoso is available in a variety pack, but as I write this both are out of stock, but they are worth tracking down.

Regarding cup size, they rest between a shot of espresso and a full cup of coffee which also accurately describes the flavor. These are bold, yet smooth flavored strong coffee blends that are not in the least bit bitter and have a lovely layer of crema (dark creamy foam) resting on top. I highly recommend both varieties.

I've been a Keurig fan for years and I was hesitant to try the Tassimo mainly because I wasn't familiar with the brand. I received the Tassimo today and I am more than pleased with it.

Pros:
Great flavor! Really, really great flavor. As I said, I've been in love with many of Keurig's K-cups for years and I didn't think anything could top it but the Tassimo is just as good, maybe even better. The flavor is very strong but if you like it milder you can adapt it to suit your taste.

You can brew espresso, lattes or cappuccino. The latte and cappuccinos are brewed in a two step process-the packages come with an equal amount of espresso and latte (or cappuccino) milk mix. You brew the espresso disc first, then insert the milk mix disc to finish the drink. (however see note below about cleaning)

It comes with an adjustable cup stand. You can remove it for very tall mugs or adjust to the highest height to accommodate espresso cups. (Eliminates splashing on the side of the brewer-the coffee seems to come out at high pressure at the end of the brew cycle).

Although it is programmed to read barcodes to add the precise amount of water, you can customize your brew by reducing the amount of water added, or add extra water to the cup at the end of the cycle for a milder taste.

Set up is easy.

It comes with a "cleaning disc" that stores in the back of the machine. The machine reads a barcode on every disc to see how much water to use. When it reads the cleaning disc code it prompts you to "brew" 4 times. Simply follow the instructions on the LCD screen.

The water reservoir is very large and easy to fill. There is a carrying handle and the top comes off completely.

The display is pretty impressive if you like LCD displays, written, flashing instructions and multi colored lights. It's a little over the top and unnecessary but I have to admit it impressed me.

Cons:
The discs aren't as easy to come by as K-cups. My local store carries about 15 K-cup varieties and not one T-disc. While I'm sure I'll be purchasing most of the discs online, I like to have the option of running into town to pick them up if I run out. Not only that but I haven't found any good deals on the T-discs (amazon and many other sites often have K-cups at significantly discounted prices). So far no such luck with Tassimo. Although you can get 2 free packages for registering your machine and even more free items if you sign up for their delivery service.

According to the manual, the water filter should be replaced every 8 weeks. That adds up over time.

***BIG CONSIDERATION FOR LATTE/CAPPUCCINO DRINKERS***
The manual suggests that after each milk based drink is dispensed you clean the piercing unit and do the cleaning disc process.

I sincerely hope that's just an overly cautious suggestion to prevent the taste from showing up in the next drink. If the entire process really has to be done every time (to prevent milk from sitting and spoiling in the unit or something) then this clearly isn't a quick and easy solution when you want a latte. So if you're looking to buy this to make one latte, cappuccino or hot chocolate a day, I'd strongly suggest calling customer service and getting more information on this "Important Note". I wouldn't want to spend 15 minutes going through the "clean disk" cycle and take apart the piercing unit (3 pieces) just for one drink. When I make a milky drink I make a regular coffee right after it to flush out the milk. I hope that's good enough!


So bottom line, Keurig vs. Tassimo:
I feel Keurig has lower prices and availability going for it: K-cups are everywhere and come in hundreds of varieties.
Tassimo offers more functionality (specifically cappuccinos and lattes) and possibly a higher end taste. I like being able to offer guests an espresso, cappuccino or latte without having to have extra machines taking up room in the kitchen.


UPDATE:
A year later and I love this machine even more than I did in the beginning. It is still running perfectly and I'm happy to see that T-discs are starting to pop up everywhere so I'm no longer paranoid about running out of them or getting bored of the selection. I would still highly recommend this machine...and have done so to many of my friends who rave about the coffee and lattes I serve them.

Update: if ever you find the Tassimo doesn't read a disc, simply wipe coffee off the bar code window (if you clean your system with auto clean this won't happen) Your disc is NOT wasted. Just put it back in and hit start. No coffee leaves the t disc so you never waste a disc.

I was able to compare all aspects of the following coffee makers:
The Keurig B40 Elite Gourmet (my parents own it)
The Keurig B70 Platinum Single Cup (we owned it and loved it until it recently died)
The Bosch Tassimo Titanium (we have been using it for the last month, ordered on Amazon)

So, because I always value lots of research myself prior to any major purchase, I thought I'd share my own personal observations and results should anyone else be comparing the two brands. Although I prefer my current Tassimo, there are aspects of the other coffee makers I also really like and that you might personally prefer over the one I chose so I thought, rather than simply saying which one I like best, I will pass along a first-hand comparison that my be helpful to other shoppers so they could decide what they like most...as a big shopper myself on Amazon, I thought my own comparison may save others time.

Size:
KB40: (Keurig B40) 10x13 1/2x13
KB70: (Keurig B70) 10 3/4x14x13
TT (Bosch Tassimo Titanium) 8x11x13

Speed:
This was one of my most important features but it may not be yours. The Bosch Tassimo was the only one that has a "stand by" system so the machine goes into stand-by after use, using less electricity but ready to use instantly without heat-up (By instantly I mean 4 seconds.) The Keurig does not have stand-by so you will need a 4 minute heat-up time but after that it's the same amount of time.
KB40: 4 min heat up time for first cup
KB70 4 min heat up time for first cup (but see notes, below, about the programmable "on" button if you wake up at the same time each day)
TT: due to a "stand-by" system you do not have to turn the coffee pot on and heat up water ever because this has a flow-through water heater for faster brewing, rather than heating the whole tank resulting in 4 second brewing for first cup. However, if you choose to unplug your coffee pot or never use the stand-by system for some reason the heat up time is about a minute.

Water tank size:
KB40: 48 oz
KB70: 60 oz
TT: 67 oz

Warranty:
All one year

Water Measurement:
On the Keurig you are going to get the same amount of water for every drink, depending upon the setting you have to manually input. On the Tassimo, there is a barcode on all the T discs that the coffee maker reads and automatically adjusts the water and temperature needed for that beverage. For example, a smaller T disc would automatically adust your water so the beverage is not diluted. However, should you prefer a weaker cup, you can hold down the button to add more during every brew. Which brings me to taste...
I always found my Keurig to be on the weak side unless I was brewing a 5.25 oz up. I don't find this to be true for my T-discs, even in very large cups of coffee. Incidentally, the Starbucks brand makes a large cup and very full-bodied if that's desired.

Types of drinks:
All offer cocoas, coffees, teas, lattes, cappuccinos, espressos I think Keurig actually has more choices at this time than the Tossimo.

Sound:
KB40 VERY loud and vibrating
KB70 less loud, still vibrates
TT: very quiet in comparison, no vibration

Other notes:
The KB70 allows you to change the temperature of your coffee and, although it doesn't have a stand-by mode to brew instantly, it does have a programmable on/off so that you can have it turn on at a certain time each day which is almost as good. This didn't work for me because I might want a coffee at 6am but if I want a tea at 4pm I would have to wait 4 minutes for heat up with the Keurig, but have it instantly on the Bosch since it can stay on standby at all times, powered down but not off and ready to brew instantly. The KB70 has a digital clock on it and the Tassimo does not. The Tassimo shows less coffee drips at the base than the Keurig if anyone does grab their cup too soon in a rush. The Tassimo comes with 2 Mavea Water Filters. Although they are optional, filtered water does take your coffee taste up a notch...even the Starbucks company insists on their machines (even in corporate offices) having the filter due to the taste change. So we use it...it just plugs into the water tank so it's easy to use or not. The Tassimo has a cup stand light that switches off when not in use for 5 minutes. The cappuccinos and lattes are better waaaay better on the Tassimo but regular coffee is really good on both...I like a bold cup though so I prefer the Tassimo not using more water in relation to coffee...doesn't taste as watered down even on the really light blends, the flavor comes through in my opinion.

Also note: The T-discs take up less room. If you keep a dispenser on your counter you can have lots of t-discs in them without refilling the dispenser frequently because they are flatter and more round rather than tall.

Conclusion: I like my parent's Keurig B40 which made me buy my Keurig B70 which I liked a lot until we used it to death and I decide to try out the Tassimo Titanium. Although each has aspects that are great, I love my Tassimo far more...HOWEVER, if some of the things that were important for me aren't as important to you, I think anyone would be happy with the Keurigs too over a regular brewer.

Here are some comparisons to a regular coffeemaker rather than a one cup:

The flavor of coffee is broken down by three things: light, heat, and air. Every time you open a bag of coffee to measure out and fill a regular coffee maker, you break down the taste because of this. Also, a regular brewer is cheaper but there is more waste. We always dumped out leftover coffee. Now we only brew what we drink. Also, as your pot sits, it is also exposed to the aforementioned elements making it stale. With either the Keurig or the Bosch Tassimo, you always get a fresh cup.

If you have guests, it's excellent because you can have various types of coffees and teas and each person can push one button and brew their own. You don't have to stop your entertaining at a dinner party to keep refilling coffee or asking if anyone needs any refills, or stop to brew a few pots during dessert...I have this at the end of the counter and there is no wait time...anyone can easily serve themselves with no instructions and there is no mess, no coffee measuring spoons, no coffee canister on the counter, no coffee beans in the trash or disposal, or spilling on the floor. Just take out the t-disk and throw it in the recycling bin. At least I can do that in Austin...it may be in the trash in other areas which would be a negative for the extra waste from the discs or keurig cups.

I like this product. In fact, the Bosch TAS6515UC Tassimo Single-Serve Coffee Brewer is probably the best feature residental single-cup coffee machine. I believe it is important to evaluate this product against its price point. In other words, does it has a good performance-to-price ratio?

The Tassimo machine is easy to use and attractive. It is relatively quiet for a coffee brewer. I have tried many T-Discs including, Starbuck House Blend, Gevalia Signature Blend, Gevalia Signature Crema, Grevalia Morning Roast, Gevalia Latte, Gevalia Cappuccino, Gevalia Caramel Latte, Gevalia Swiss Hazelnut, Twining's Chai Tea Latte, Suchard Hot Chocolate Syrup, Milka Hot Chocolate... . These beverages are not café quality, and some are better than others. The truth is everyone's preference is different and it is subjective. I personally love the Suchard Hot Chocolate Syrup and find the Milka Hot Chocolate unexciting. However, I know plenty other people have the opposite view. Overall, these T-Discs are generally good and they are excellent for a single-cup coffee machine. It will never be as good as your favor coffee spot, but it is easier on your pocket. It will not save you as much money as like a coffee brewer, but it is simpler and faster -- harass free. If you are a regular coffee drinker, this machine can save you time and money in the long run. Needless to say, Keurig is Tassimo's greatest competitor and Keurig has the larger market share. Keurig K-cups are slightly cheaper and easier to find than Tassimo's T-discs. Moreover, Keurig offers a much greater collection of coffee drinks. However, Tassimo brews each hot beverage according to the bar code on the T-Disc, so it can precisely prepare each drink. In short, it does not brew all the coffee the same way, whereas Keurig uses a generic method for all coffee drink. In addition, Tassimo can prepare a wonderful cup of steamy latte or foaming cappuccino, something Keurig cannot do. Tassimo milk drinks, let's it be latte or cappuccino or milk chocolate, are made from real dairy milk. Personally, I prefer Tassimo's philosophy, but this is a personal preference and potential buyers should carefully weigh the pros and cons.

Interestingly, Tassimo other models are this model's strongest competitors. Unlike other reviewers who gave this machine a 4-star because the machine did not meet their expectations, Tassimo TAS6516UC has exceeded mine. It has many features, but some do not directly affect its core function. There are two cheaper and older Tassimo models, TAS1000UC and TAS4511UC, and they can and will prepare hot beverages exactly the same. They also read the bar codes from the T-discs and will follow the brewing instructions. TAS4511UC shares the same functions as this new TAS6516UC machine except in three areas (this is confirm by an email exchange with Tassimo consumer service). This TAS6516UC has a LC Display to guide users through some functions and services. It has a cup light stand, and it is slightly quieter. The LCD shows the same information as the indicator light on the power switch, so it is redundant. The cup light is solely artistic and can impress your guests, but that is it. The original TAS1000UC is cheaper still. It is essentially same as TAS4511UC, except it does not have a built-in water filter system. Built-in water filters are not as useful as it sounds. People who believe they need a filter would have had one already, and people who don't think they need one will not buy the filters, especially these are not cheap filters. I intentionally removed the built-in filter on my machine because my water source is filtered with a higher grade filtration system. Installing the built-in water filter to this machine would be unnecessary and would reduce the usage space in the water tank. In the end, the three machines are similar. If all you want is a machine which makes great beverages, then any model will do just fine.

Tassimo does advice people to clean the piecing system after brewing milk drink. The exact phrase is: "After dispensing a milky drink or hot chocolate drink, we recommend that you first clean the piercing unit and then the brewing unit using the Service T-Disc before making another drink." This is a precaution because Tassimo uses real milk and milk can spoil easily. If you were to brew a milky drink Friday and come back Monday morning, then the trace of milk in the system would have definitely gone bad. That being said, spoiled milk does not always cause people to get sick, especially in trace amount. I am sure all of us have the experience of accidentally drinking more than a few drops of foul milk and most of us have not gotten sick from those incidents. Tassimo is being careful here, and indeed one should clean the piercing system either at the end of the day or in the beginning of the day. However, if you are to brew one drink after another, there is truly no reason to clean in between each brew.

Again, this machine is better than the previous models, but the improvements are minor. So depending the price difference, which changes from time to time, potential buyers may also want to consider the two older models.

This is my third Tassimo coffee maker. The first, a Braun Tassimo TA 1400 Hot Beverage System still works, though I recently gave it to friend. It is much louder than the Bosch machines including the Bosch TAS4511UC Tassimo Single-Serve Coffee Brewer, Silk Silver which I just moved to my office. Both Bosch models are significantly better than the original Braun.

The key to excellent coffee is not just in the grind. Good coffee requires good water and a descaled coffee maker. With the Braun machine, this requires you to keep track of the date of the last filter change. On both Bosch machines this is done electronically and even better so annoying but attention grabbing red lights tell you to descale, and once you mix the scaling solution in your reservoir it completes the process automatically. What this means practically is that your server will be at maximum efficiency most of the time.

Tassimo offers a wide variety of coffees, teas and even Tassimo Suchard Hot Chocolate T-Discs, 8 Count, 12.7 Ounce Bags (Pack of 2), which is really good. Expresso, latte and cappuccino lovers can easily make them without a dedicated expresso maker. Just buy the T-discs (Gevalia Espresso T-Disc, Gevalia Latte T-Discs for Tassimo Hot Beverage System, 8 Espresso and 8 Creamers (Pack of 2), Gevalia Cappuccino T-Disc. Tea lovers will find lots of selections from Tassimo Tazo Awake Black Tea, 7 T-Discs, 0.7 oz. net., and Twinings Earl Grey Tea, T-Discs for Tassimo Coffeemakers, 16-Count 1.7-Ounce Packages (Pack of 3), to Twinings Chai Tea Latte, T-Discs for Tassimo Hot Beverage System, 16-Count Packages (Pack of 2). Starbucks coffees are also available.

Why should you use single servings? The first and best reason is that it is more efficient. How many half pots of coffee have you thrown away? Secondly, it is flexible. At Christmas dinner last year we had a whole range of coffee requests to accommodate- American coffee, lattes, decaf, hot chocolate. With a Tassimo system this is not a problem, nor is their any waste.

So how does this Bosch machine differ from the previous model? One nice feature is the light which comes on over the cup during brewing and serving. The internal electronics are a bit jazzier as well. But mainly you want this coffee server for making the perfect cup of joe, every time.

I've tried a lot of single-serve coffee machines in hopes of finding something that was really GOOD. The pods weren't worthwhile, the coffee was inconsistent in quality and tended towards the "yuck" too often. Traditional brewing techniques on the single serve concept also didn't work well--the coffee was awful. K-cups also didn't deliver a cup of coffee that I enjoyed, despite trying a number of different brands. The "My K-Cup" being filled with my own fresh ground coffee was economical, however the quality suffered immensely, leading to abandoning of the Keurig machine.
I Love this Machine!
It makes wonderful coffee, expressos, cappuccinos or lattes. The flavor is comparable with coffee house flavor and convenience. No frother to clean up, simple to use. You do, however, have to read the directions completely--this isn't a machine that you just plug in and turn on and it works without a hitch--if you don't read the directions, it will become aggravating very soon.
Downside to the Tassimo (And the reason its not got 5 stars!) limited available brands/flavors of t-disks. expense of t-disks (Still far less than the average of $4 per cup at the coffee houses) Occasionally unable to read the bar code on a t-disk, resulting in a wasted disk.
Overall, I'd recommend the machine to a friend, its really good coffee and consistent in flavor. It won't replace my other coffee maker or percolator, but it will have a place on my counter for those times when I want a really good cup of coffee without the hassle of making a whole pot.

*Ten months later, the machine is dead, but will be replaced. Customer service from Tassimo for accessories and coffee is dreadful, nothing like the experience found from ordering from Amazon, although they do have varieties not found with Amazon. Skip ordering direct from Tassimo and save yourself a lot of aggravation! I love the coffee, but the machines are apparently less-than-reliable about working long term and dealing with the Tassimo customer service is likely to inspire the consumer to unexpected levels of aggravation. It's disappointing that the vastly superior product that Tassimo could have on the market is being overshadowed by other single serve machines primarily because of that lack of efficient customer service. My enthusiasm for the Tassimo machine has faded considerably after its early demise and the customer service experience, and today I'd be much more likely to get or give a Keurig machine despite its inferior coffee because of price, coffee availability, ability to fill "My K-cup" with my own coffee, and better customer service reviews. I downgraded it to a 3 star "I like it" because the coffee is great...when the machine works and I don't have to deal with Tassimo customer service.
**UPDATE: After three phone calls, and weeks of waiting, I still have no machine. I would have to say that any buyer should apparently regard a Tassimo warranty as utterly worthless and completely non-existent. The story about the shipment of the replacement has been changed with each phone call, so I truly question whether it will in fact ever arrive. As an unreliable small appliance without a warranty, this is a one-star product.

Tassimo coffee tastes truly amazing. So far I've tried Gevalia Signature Blend, Starbucks House Blend, Gevalia Espresso, Gevalia Latte, and Gevalia Cappuccino. The cappuccino is my favorite, though plain espresso is also good.

Gevalia Signature Blend, on the other hand, is the worst, and I would recommend that you avoid it.

Tassimo coffee does taste CONSIDERABLY better than vending machine coffee, or coffee made on those cheap $20 coffee makers (like the one I had before this :p ). It's comparable in taste to what you get at Starbucks (I am not exactly a coffee connoisseur, you know).

One important thing: If you register your brewer at [...], you can get two free packages of T-discs (one package of your choice, and one sampler package with 8 different T-discs). I registered mine last Wednesday, and the free packages were shipped on Friday (so ignore the disclaimer which states that they will ship in 4-6 weeks). I selected the Milka Hot Chocolate package to see if it's any good.

I would suggest that you read the manual thoroughly, so that this 200 dollar coffee maker performs at its best. It took me about 30-45 minutes from opening to the box to making my first cup. Yes it takes longer than setting up an ordinary coffee maker, but it's definitely worth it. And this is no ordinary coffee maker either.

The LCD screen is cool, and makes this machine "look" more high-tech than it really is. There is a progress bar, but it's not really useful, since there is always a "Please Wait" message displayed on the screen right after the progress bar reaches 100% (and there is still coffee dripping on to the cup).

It's very easy to operate though. If you just woke up and simply want a cup of coffee without any fuss, this machine is great. You simply place your cup into the cupholder, insert a t-disc, and press the button. This can all be done in matter of seconds.

Overall, I really like this machine.

UPDATE: Milka Hot Chocolate arrived via mail yesterday, and it tastes average to me. You can make a tastier drink on your own by mixing hot milk and pure cocoa. Additionally, the sampler package includes the following T-discs: (1) Seattle's Best Henry's Blend, (1) Maxwell House French Roast, (1) Maxwell House Morning Blend, (1) Seattle's Best Breakfast Blend, (1) Gevalia Signature Blend, (1) Gevalia Signature Crema, (2) Gevalia Signature Blend Decaf.

I don't understand why they included so many "Gevalia Signature" coffees in the sampler package, considering that they taste the worst. Maybe it's random, and everyone receives different samples?

The gist of what follows is that I'm very impressed with the design, execution, and functionality of this machine. Is it perfect? No, but what is? I also own both Keurig AND Nescafe/Krups Dolce Gusto machines, so I think I'm well qualified to compare them.

From the sample T-Discs that came with this machine, I can tell that it's capable of making GREAT single cups of coffee. Starting with the sampler of Starbucks House Blend, Medium, T-Discs for Tassimo System, 6.1-Ounce Packages (Pack of 2), I was extremely impressed with the quality and richness of the coffee. In fact, using the manual settings, these Starbucks T-Discs still make viable cups of coffee when extended to 16oz. Not weak at all, which is truly impressive. I only hope that other T-Disc offerings are as successful.

I cannot say that I was that impressed with the three Gevalia offerings -- Gevalia Latte T-Discs for Tassimo Hot Beverage System, 8 Espresso and 8 Creamers (Pack of 2), Gevalia Cappuccino T-Disc, or Gevalia Signature Blend Coffee, T-Discs for Tassimo Hot Beverage System, 16-Count Packages (Pack of 2). I think the problem with the Gevalia offerings is that they don't offer enough ground coffee -- even the non-espresso "Signature Blend" is a fraction of the size of the Starbucks' offering, and, while it has some flavor, it really tastes like a "Rest Stop Special" Blend. It may take a while, also, to get used to drinking reconstituted dehydrated milk, which really overwhelms the flimsy coffee flavor.

HOWEVER, given the SUPERB taste of the Starbucks' House Blend, it's clear that the problem is with Gevalia's product rather than with this machine, and the coffee produced is at LEAST as good as that produced by the Keurig (that also depends on the quality of the K-Cup grind used), and it offers MUCH more flexibility than either of its two main competitors in customization.

The only negatives I'd give to the Bosch machine are that it doesn't offer you the option of using your own grind, as the Keurig system does by using a Keurig My K-Cup 2-Pack Reusable Coffee Filter Basket Replacement, and the water reservoir (while excellent in being large) is on the back-side of the machine, so when you need to refill the reservoir, you have to pull the entire unit out from under the counter to be able to lift the reservoir straight up and out. Largely because of the customization possibilities, it is not a "quick" single-serve coffee maker; however, this small deficit is easily made up for by the quality of the coffee produced.

The Tassimo absolutely blows away the Krups/Nescafe system in just about every category (see my review on it), and, while the Tassimo system may not be as cost-effective as the Keurig system, it offers a lot of features (water filter, larger water reservoir, customizable cup-sizes, more structured descaling program rather than just running vinegar through it for hours, bar-coded T-discs to ensure that each cup is made directly so specs w/o hassle, etc.) that the Keurig system does not. Frankly, I like both of those systems, for I sometimes like to single-serve my own grinds with the Keurig, though if I had to choose between the two for an office, reception-area, or like-setting, I'd very likely go with the Tassimo.

It's a truly fine, ingeniously-engineered machine, and I look forward to the forthcoming T-Disc offerings to saturate the market, for I believe this system produces not only wonderful cups of coffee, but it's the most customizable unit I've seen, which should cater well to us somewhat finicky coffee drinkers. This is an extraordinary machine, and I plan to keep it out and operating alongside my Keurig, even though I've stuffed the Krups/Nescafe machine in the closet.... somewhere..... because I've found all of its coffees that I've tried to be downright undrinkable. This Bosch, on the other hand, is a clear keeper!

I have to start by saying that this is the first machine of this kind that I own. I am a french press user. So why did I get this machine then? I have been at two parties where the hostess had one of these machines and I loved how convenient they were for parties. Therefore my review will be the opinion of a first time user of this type of coffee makers.

First I would start by emphasizing that you read the manual thoroughly before you use the machine for the first time, since this is a $200 machine and you want it to perform at its best.

Pros:

1- Set up is easy and fast.

2- Very easy and quick to operate as well; instantly ready to brew your coffee, NO warm-up time.

3- The machine has a solid feel -- not flimsy.

4- Quiet operation with interesting sounds.

5- The size for this type of coffee machine is appropriate, not the smallest but not the largest.

6- The display is a chic LCD display, with written, flashing instructions and multi colored lights.

7- Nice cord storage.

8-The light that comes on over the cup during brewing and serving is very cool.

9- The water reservoir is very large and easy to fill -- 61 ounces --. There is a carrying handle and the top comes off completely.

10- It comes with an adjustable cup stand. You can remove it for very tall mugs or travel mugs; or adjust to the highest height to accommodate espresso cups.

11- Good flavor. The flavor is strong but if you like it milder you can adjust it to suit your palate, which is a nice feature. Now, take note that I am a french press person, and I think the coffee tastes much better and fresher in a french press, but it is like comparing apples to pears.

12- Although it is programmed to read barcodes to add the precise amount of water, you can customize your brew by reducing the amount of water added, or add extra water to the cup at the end of the cycle for a milder taste.

13- You can brew a variety of drinks, from coffee to chocolate to tea, which makes this machine versatile and more useful.

14- Great machine when you just want one cup of coffee or when you are the only coffee drinker in the house.

15- It comes with a "cleaning disc" that stores in the back of the machine.

16- Take note that you can get 2 free packages for registering your machine and even more free items if you sign up for their delivery service.

17- The machine comes with a rich supply of coffee of different brands and types (espresso, regular, cappuccino, latte, etc). Also, they offer nice popular brands such as Starbucks, Gevalia, etc.

Cons:

1- The discs aren't as easy to come by as K-cups. You can purchase the discs online, but it is convenient to be able to go to the local store to buy them, especially if you run out.

2- It can get pricey if you use it for every day. There are not many good deals on the T-discs.

3- Also, per the manual, the water filter should be replaced every 8 weeks. That adds up over time. Part of the secret of a good cup of coffee is the water. My question is that if you use previously filtered water with this machine, if you can skip using the water filter? The manual states that the machine can be operated without the filter. If so, then why the need for the filter after all?!

4- The cleaning process for latte/cappuccino drinks could be quicker or easier. Read the manual about this step since they take the precaution so that people don't get sick with spoiled milk.

5- On a very personal note, I would NOT use this machine for EVERY DAY since it is NOT environmentally friendly to contribute to more plastic trash with the disposal of one t-disc for every cup of coffee.

NOTE: Make sure you do the regular cleaning and scaling as explained on the manual.

SUMMARY: Wonderful machine that is perfect for parties!!!!

I originally purchased the Cuisinart SS-700 Keurig coffee maker (which I've also reviewed) but ended up selling it because, despite the awesome convenience, the flavor was just not quite right to us. After that poor experience, I was really struggling with picking another system. After a fair amount of research, my wife picked the Bosch Tassimo based on the reviews by many others who were disappointed with the Keurig system. At this point, we were both willing to make some compromises in order to get decent coffee. It's a particularly sad statement that we were not looking for great, or even good - just okay.

Let me start with the physical description. The unit itself is not bad looking. Although it is definitely plastic, the Tassimo feels well built. It's solid, with good fit and finish. The few moving pieces feel like they will last a while. When using it, it's got enough weight and sticky pads that it doesn't move around the counter. The water tank is quite large and well designed. Because of its size, we don't really need to refill it as often as I expected. Finally, there's a nice LCD screen providng a nice modern, well-designed user interface that walks you through all of the steps.

Using the Tassimo is really a snap. You place a cup in the cup stand which can be removed to allow for taller cups. There's also a light in the cup stand that I thought of initially as gimmicky but is actually a very nice touch that allows you to see the rich coloring of the beverage. Then you put a T-Disc in the T-Disc holder, press the button, sit back and wait. When the beverage is done, you have the option to press the button for more (although I have to admit I never do it and don't really understand the purpose of this "step").

The T-Disc system is a bit unique featuring a bit of technology that is worth mentioning. Each T-Disc has a small barcode on it which contains encoded instructions for the Tassimo on how to prepare the beverage. The Tassimo T-Disc holder features a small scanning port that scans the barcode when you put the disc in place and close the holder. It's really a clever way to accomodate different optimal temperature, water, and time requirements; and I suspect one of the main reasons why the Tassimo produces much higher quality beverages. In addition to the barcode which allows each T-Disc to be treated differently, Tassimo also opted for a multi-step process for lattes and cappuccinos (perhaps more but those are the only ones I know so far). To make one, you first use a milk based T-Disc which produces a nice foamy milk beverage. Then you use an espresso T-Disc which adds the espresso portion to the mix. It's how a coffee shop would make it, and although it takes a bit longer, the results are well worth it.

Which finally brings me to the most important aspect of any coffee maker. How does it taste? Put simply, it's spectacular (as the title of my review suggests)! It's actually good enough that both my wife and I have stopped going to Starbucks or any other coffee shop. We will actually make a latte to bring out with us. Although I will list a number of minor cons (almost petty really) for the sake of completeness, this fact alone speaks volumes about our satisfaction with the Tassimo. We've also made coffee, lattes, and cappuccinos to a number of our friends who have also all been very impressed with the quality of the coffee.

So what are the cons? The biggest one is the noise and steam while brewing. Compared to a Keurig which is whisper quiet, the Tassimo feels closer to what you'd hear in a coffee shop. It's loud. It's steamy. But who cares? It lasts about 1 minute and then you have great coffee.

Cleaning is a bit more of a chore although it probably depends a lot on what beverages you make. With lattes and cappuccinos, the milk T-Disc tends to leave some milk residue on the holder which will build up and thus needs to be wiped off relatively regularly. We probably don't do it enough and thus far, it's had no real negative effect. It does occasionally lead to a scanner error because the scanning port is blocked (the error is easily remedied via a quick wipe).

As a side note, we've also experimented with nearly every type of coffee, latte, and cappuccino T-Disc and they are all pretty good. We've ultimately settled on the Starbucks brands for the lattes and cappuccinos, Gevalia for the caramel macchiato, and Crema for coffee (which is a nice, strong, thick coffee). Although there isn't nearly the variety of T-Discs as there are K-Cups, it hardly matters when every T-Disc is good to great whereas every K-Cup we tried was blah to yech.

Overall, we are extremely pleased with the Bosch Tassimo and would easily recommend it to anyone who is looking for the ability to conveniently make an excellent cup of coffee, espresso, latte, and/or cappuccino. It's incredibly convenient, easy to use, and built well.