Summary

The Nespresso CitiZ is an automatic espresso maker that let’s you easily brew your own café-style drinks. The CitiZ is part of the Nespresso line of espresso makers which use coffee-filled capsules that are consumed one capsule per brew. The capsule system ensures that in each brew you are using fresh, well-preserved coffee granules—for a great tasting cup every time.

The CitiZ perforates the hermetically sealed capsule and soaks the ground coffee to optimally filter the beans. A high-pressure 19-bar pump extracts the coffee beans’ oils and aromas, giving body to the espresso and ensuring that thick crema—the creamy layer that tops quality espresso.

The CitiZ makes coffee in espresso and lungo (bigger cup) quantities, one serving at a time. It can make straight-shot espresso, latte, cappuccino and macchiato. A wide range of Nespresso capsules are available to suit various coffee lovers’ tastes.

This particular CitiZ model does not come with a milk frother, so if you’d like to make capupuccinos, lattes and macchiatos you would have to buy one separately.
 

Amazon Price: $279.00

Amazon Ranking:

Sample Customer Reviews

Some quotes from 12 reviews of the Nespresso CitiZ on Amazon:

“…go Nespresso for wonderful fresh, high-quality coffee at home that’s certainly much cheaper in the long run!”

“It makes incredible coffee and espresso and it super small. It compliments our kitchen and leaves us with a lot of counter space. Compact, beautiful and well worth the money.”

“This coffee machine meets all expectations for taste, convenience, design, cost, and even sustainability, if you believe the literature.”

“Makes excellent coffee fast, simple with many choices of flavors and blends.”

Features

This single serve coffee machine can produce espresso and lungo size drinks using the Nespresso line of coffee capsules. Coffee volume is automatic and programmable.

• High pressure 19 bar pump

• Removable water tank can be filled up to 1 Liter

• Capsule container accommodates 9-11 used capsules

• Folding cup support: 1 position for espresso cup and 1 position for macchiato glass.

• Measures: H13.0 x H27.7 x L37.2 cm

• Power: 1260 W

• Machine can be set on Power Save Mode

• Nespresso Quality Seal technology guarantees optimal coffee quality over the lifetime of the machine.

 

Tips for Using the Nespresso CitiZ

The Nespresso CitiZ produces a very strong, good quality espresso. When you’re in the mood for an Americano (which is basically a watered down espresso), eject the capsule after brewing an espresso and make the machine do another shot of plain water. Use that water to add to the espresso shot to make a good cup of Americano. I do this because if you put too much water through the capsules, the coffee becomes more bitter.

It’s also a good idea to preheat your cups by running a shot of plain hot water through the machine. This also primes the pump, giving you a hotter first cup of espresso or lungo.

If you are new to Nespresso, get yourself one of the capsule samplers so you can try all the different blends and flavors. You never really know what you’ll like until you try them all. So be ready for that initial investment. Eventually you’ll find your favorites and you can stick to buying only your specific choice of beans.

Pricing

Nespresso CitiZ

Amazon Best: $279.00

Nespresso Direct: $279.00

 

Assessment

Pros

This machine gives you great quality coffee in the comforts of your own home or office. I have been to European cafés, particularly in Italy where, in my opinion, you’ll find the best coffee—and the Nespresso brings that Italian coffee taste home. It is also so simple to use. You’ll get the hang of brewing fine quality espresso drinks in no time.

I’m happy with the variety of coffee available. And I love the CitiZ’s retro-modern look! Its compact size makes it easy to place in your kitchen or office.

Cons

I really don’t have much to complain about except that having a Nespresso makes me drink more coffee now!

Alternative Nespresso D120 CitiZ with the Aeroccino Milk Frother

You might also consider getting the Nespresso CitiZ D120 model that comes with the Aeroccino Milk Frother for $349.00on Amazon. If you get the CitiZ ($279.00) plus the Aeroccino ($96.95) separately, you will end up spending a little more.

The Aeroccino milk frother lets you add dense micro-bubbled milk to your espresso or lungo to make your favorite milky blended coffees. If you like cappuccinos, macchiatos and frothy lattes then it would be a good idea to get the Nespresso D120 CitiZ, instead of just the CitiZ minus the Aeroccino.

Conclusion

The Nespresso CitiZ is for true coffee lovers. The machine is simple to use and has made me a perfect cup of coffee every time. Nespresso supplies an impressive array of quality beans and blends to choose from. It’s easy and convenient to order the capsules online and my orders arrive on schedule. Given the quality of coffee the Nespresso CitiZ produces, I’d say the price of the machine is worth it. In the long run, it comes out cheaper than enjoying espresso drinks in fancy restaurants and cafés.