Is that a Pixie in my kitchen?

Pixies are, it would seem, setting up home in our kitchens! These small, colourful and friendly creations are appearing all around us and they’re pretty quick as well. Before you think I have gone completely mad the Pixie is the latest coffee machine from the coffee company Nespresso.

For such a small machine it packs quite a punch, boasting a number of modern features; for starters Pixie is possibly the fastest coffee machine on the market, from it being woken up to it starting to produce your first coffee takes just 25 seconds! Pixie is neat and practical as well, a handy cable storage sorts out that often annoying and unsightly trailing cable, whilst the folding drip tray easily accommodates larger cups or even a mug. Well mannered, Pixie remembers your preferred size of coffee with two volume settings that can be programmed to suit.

Practicality also features highly; Nespresso claims the machine needs less de-scaling than others in their range. I’m not sure this sits well in a hard water area such as London, so personally I wouldn’t leave it to chance continuing to use filtered water (the coffee tastes better anyway). One of the most impressive features is the automatic power-off feature, after 9 minutes of sitting idle the machine automatically cuts the power at the plug, rather than just switching to a traditional stand-by mode. According to the company it boosts 40% less energy consumption than a Class A rated coffee machine, pretty impressive. All these features are squeezed into a machine that is only 11cm wide, as they say “there does seem to be more than you see”, although in the bright colours available it is difficult to ignore!

Being a Nespresso machine the coffee used comes in the form of portioned capsules or pods so won’t appeal to all. However, I have to say from being a staunch anti-coffee capsule man I have been truly converted to the convienience of these machines. Not only do they serve an excellent coffee, but they deliver it time and time again with equal aplomb, something even the most accomplished barista struggles to do, plus there is relatively little mess. The “real coffee” capsules allow the coffee connoisseur to choose from up to 16 different varieties of coffee all with different profiles (strength, flavour aroma etc.). However, these machines aren’t for everybody and with some brilliant models such as the Gaggia Classic or the Jura ENA 7 available the more artisan coffee drinkers will certainly get the opportunity stay involved with the real art of producing their personalised coffee.

So will a Pixie be appearing in your kitchen? Well if the idea of great coffee time and time again from one of the smallest, fastest and “greenest” machines on the market appeals, the answer is...probably yes.