Philips HD 7810/60/61/69 Senseo Black

…that I love!!!!!

This coffee maker looks fab in my kitchen - one of the reasons I requested it at Christmas, amongst others, including the delicious range of coffee on offer!

A quick list of why I like it so much:-

• Neat and compact
• Easy to clean - very easy in fact!!!
• Coffee pods available in excellent range of strengths and flavours
• Looks great in kitchen
• Easy to store in cupboard if not wanted on display
• Makes espresso or full cup size
• Delicious coffee smell fills the kitchen

Senseo has created a sleek looking machine, with a wide range of coffee pods to accompany the experience that should suit most coffee addicts. I have friends who swear by Rocket Fuel in the morning, who have now switched to the Sumatra blend available here, as their morning fix!

Personally, I prefer a middle blend, and the Vienna or Sydney provides this fix very well indeed!!!

Now, onto the mechanics of this machine, where initially it scores highly.

Everything comes apart that needs cleaning - the spouts, the pods holders, drip tray and pod holder plastic casing. All can be placed in dishwasher. Very easy, less than 30 seconds to dismantle - sorted and away!

However - beware the noise when brewing up your caffeine fix!! It is loud, gurgerly and reminds me somewhat (for those old enough to remember) of the TV ads where the host of a dinner party used to go into the kitchen making coffee percolator noises to make people believe they had one - I think it advertised instant coffee!!

You have to see past this to appreciate the fabulous coffee taste of the finished cup.

Now, the coffee itself!! As already mentioned, Senseo and another company (DE as well as supermarket brands) offer a wide range of different coffee flavours and strengths for the machine.

The simplicity is fabulous - lift the lid, place one or two pods in pod holder (looks like a flat tea strainer!) depending on whether large or small cup of coffee required, press button (large or small cup diagram as needs imply) and hey presto - cup of coffee begins trickling out!! How very, very easy!!

This is helped by the water container at back of machine that helpful indicates how many cups of coffee left in water supply, before top up needed. The water heats up quickly after each use and stays warm as long as machine on for, re-heating within 30 seconds, so is quicker than instant granules, depending on speed of kettle used!!!

The finished cup is topped by an approx 1cm layer of 'insulating' foam, almost like frothy milk, but without the diary content!! This is designed to keep the coffee piping hot underneath.

That is fine as long as you do want to add anything or stir your coffee - once you do, the insulating foam goes and your coffee gets cold like a normal beverage.

Why is that a negative? Well, it isn't in my opinion really, but I feel it needs mentioning, as part of the selling process was the fact that Senseo offer this machine that makes not only a fabulous coffee but has an ingenious device which keeps it warmer for longer by producing the 'insulating' foam from the pods.

Yes, I have tried adding my milk and floured syrup beforehand, but the coffee does not come out of the spout with enough force to mix the two, therefore stirring is needed.

However, I do not feel this should put you off, as you can always buy one of those insulating mugs that are now so popular.

In summary, I am extremely happy with my Senseo - it send me off to work with a spring in my step, be it caffeine stimulated!!!