In a perfect world, we would never have to wait for anything.
We’d pull up to Starbucks and someone would just hand us our coffee immediately — no line, no ordering, no wait. Heading off to college on the first day, they would just hand you a diploma and give you a pat on the back. Hungry for dinner? Forget the microwave. We’d live in the world of Star Trek where you just speak things into existence in an instant.
Unfortunately the world is not perfect — but there are a few handy perks. The L’OR Barista Coffee and Espresso System is lightning fast at making coffee or espresso. The system heats up in just 25 seconds, and the whole process of making the coffee — using a high-pressure brewing system as opposed to the typical spray in lower-end coffee machines — is almost instant.
Similar to a Keurig, you insert a capsule and the machine senses the flavor. I liked how the capsules snapped into the slot with a satisfying click. After brewing several of the samples that L’OR sent me to try out, I felt like the machine worked really smooth and fast.
It helped that the coffee also tasted smooth. I’m a total coffee snob and I liked the flavor, comparable to any Keurig I’ve used and certainly better than a drip machine. The whole system costs $159 which is reasonable — the basic Keurig machine these days is $179.
As far as capsule cost, you are better off going big. The 100-pack costs $79 so each capsule is 79 cents each. A 30-pack of capsules costs about $25. L’OR offers Peet’s Coffee blends in different blends including a rich dark roast that tastes really nice.
The L’OR Barista Coffee and Espresso System also has a few benefits beyond the typical fast brewing machine and capsule system. The 40-ounce tank is nice because you don’t have to fill-up the machine constantly. I’m not a fan of the small single-serve machines that only brew one cup and you have to fill the water each time.
There are six sizes available, from 1.4oz to 12oz and you can also do iced coffee. A sensor knows which capsule size you are using and adjusts the size automatically. The L’OR machine — somewhat surprisingly — also lets you use Nespresso capsules.
Another nice surprise is that the L’OR Barista Coffee and Espresso System has a 30-day money back guarantee. I don’t see that as often these days, and it means you can try out the machine and see if you like the taste. Coffee is very subjective, but I will say the flavors tasted rich and creamy even if they can’t compare to a much more expensive machine from a company like Jura or going to a fancy coffee shop where they grind the beans right in front of you.
That’s not really the main point of a machine like this. We’re all in a hurry to get onto the next thing and any waiting in life is just a reminder that the world is not perfect. The L’OR Barista Coffee and Espresso System at least makes mornings a little less frustrating.