The Braun Tassimo works on yet another pod system, their so-called T-Discs. The downside of this is obviously you’re tied into always buying the Pods that Braun wants to licence. The upside is there are actually far more types of pod to choose from than any other type of machine on the market. What really impressed us was that it’s not only a coffee machine. Yes while it makes a good cup of Kenco coffee its most impressive feature is it also makes Twinings English Tea and Suchard Hot Chocolate! We have also read various media reports that suggest it is so versatile that even chicken soup can be made in it, but we would recommend sticking to the T- Discs.

The clever part on this machine is that it reads a little bar code on each T-Disc, so that it can tell how to brew the drink. This is a first for coffee machines and I’m sure that other manufactures are watching closely to see what if any problems arise from it. It works very simply both with great effects; it means the machine makes the decision on how hot the water should be and how much water is needed to infuse the pod. 

As for using the machine it’s very easy. Large easy to recognise buttons and a limited amount of manual functions actually work in its favour, after all if you are buying one of these machines your not going to be a coffee connoisseur. Some of the main features are a one-litre water tank, and a fast brewing system, (usually needs to re-boil after every four cups made in one session.) The level of water also can be pre-set for different size cups and strength of drinks. Also it does come apart fairly easily and ninety five percent of the removable parts go into a dishwasher. The parts that can’t be removed are self cleaned by the machine by flushing hot water though the pipes and tank.

This Kenco Tassimo costs just under the £80 mark making it nearly twice as expensive as the Senseo, but we feel you twice as likely to keep using this machine where as most people who were given a Senseo for Christmas have now relegated it to the garage.

Overall Braun has designed an incredibly easy machine to use, no brainpower needed. At the end of the day it does exactly what it claims to do. Your never going to get that same smooth coffee taste from roasting and grinding your own beans, but as far as the Braun Tassimo goes it’s delayed release has allowed them to learn form any mistakes that Philips made with the Senseo and take the pod systems into a different league.

Published - 19/11/2006

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