News Flash: They've Finally Found My G Spot!

Often accused of wearing rose colored glasses, it came as a rude shock to me to learn there is no such thing as a free lunch. Gratefully, Philips, (Norelco), was clever enough to market this European sensation, Senseo, and for a lucky number of amped up Epinionators' Home and Garden product mavens, there is indeed a cuppa free joe.

Philips Senseo Single Serve Coffeee System HD7810

When the Fed Ex truck pulled up out my 'quaint, Carmel-style cottage,' (in the words of the Realtor), I was puzzled, as I'd already had my Delivery of the Day. Nope, it was a large package from New York and it looked like it might be heavy.

Instead, it was very lightweight, and my excitement grew as I noticed the Philips' name splashed across the return address. Having read up on the Senseo and the lovely Dutch single-serve ground coffee pods, (about the diameter of a mini donut and half as thick), it was coffee time.

The basic package comes with either a white, black or medium blue, (muted cobalt if that's not an oxymoron), all-in-one unit, a 19 page instruction booklet and 2 18-pod packs of fresh coffee, both mild and medium roast.

The PR folks thankfully sent us additional coffees to sample, as well a single, white, Mosa stoneware cup with Senseo logo. (I checked, and regular size, 3 to 4" tall cups/mugs will also fit below the drip spout).

I lucked out with 2 packs of dark roast, (like Espresso), another pack of medium, (full-bodied American), 1 pack of light, (for the more delicate palate, i.e. non-coffee lover) and 1 pack of decaf, in medium roast.

The unit is gorgeous, very sensual, with a curvilinear, forward-canting shape that reminds me of those personal massagers purported to stimulate some mysterious G Spot. It's about as high as a medium food processor and slim as a streamlined, 2 slot toaster.

The parts are sturdy plastic and lightweight but durable feeling aluminum, with a 30" 2 prong polarized black cord.
Did I mention our units were blue?

The design aside, the function is highly intuitive-surely even hungover, squinty-eyed night owls could operate this unit-simplicity itself!

First off, stickers warn you to prime the pump, as it were, by running approximately 2 1/2 cups of cold water through the mechanism, (instructions abound), then you are good to go after initially washing removable parts.

Senseo For Dummies

The curved, translucent water reservoir comes easily off the back housing, fitting into the curve of your hand.

Fill it to the 'min' line for a single cup (there's a picture of one cup), or the 'min' line with 2 cups for...you got it, 2 servings. Reseat the water reservoir on the back of the unit.

Add 1 pod of coffee for a single cup, (use the smaller pod adapter), or 2 pods, (with the so-marked deeper of the two), by unclicking the black handle in front, (hint: lift up), then closing it by clicking down.

Plug in the coffee maker, position 1 or 2 small cups beneath the pour spigot, and press the center round white button.

Don't be alarmed at the throaty growl emanating from the depths of your Senseo, it won't bite, though the water soon comes to a boil and will be quite hot.

When the center button stops blinking slowly, you press either the single cup button, to your left, or the two cup indicator to your right, (in my case, that's my other left).

Don't use paper or disposable plastic cups. You have been warned.

Restraint yourself, at all times, from placing your mouth directly below the pour spout!

When the red LED on light blinks rapidly, your coffee's ready/the water reservoir is low. Give it a few seconds to let your unit release those last precious few drops of java elixir, please.

Gently unplug your coffee maker, or use an hour's worth of electricity and it will cycle off on it's own.

Rinse your pod holder with water and enjoy your coffee.
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Confession time: I didn't read any instructions except MobiProf's excellent treatise on the sensational Senseo, and likewise intelligent sticker that clung to the smooth plastic exoskeleton like an Oracle's own tidings.

My only mishap-my bad all the way, gang-was the fact I didn't allow the reservoir to fully empty with the initial flushing, but when it stopped growling, foolish me, I went to dump the 2 Cups (500 ml) of water collected in my 4 Cup Pyrex measuring device.

(Slaps forehead lightly with palm): Lace's face up! Er, I should say, 2 1/2 C in should equal 2 1/2 Cups out. Now, just guess where the remainder went?

Wipe up all spills as they occur, to minimize potential shock. That said, including learning curve, it took me just 10 minutes to master my Senseo, including the 1 1/2 minutes to make my first cup and clean the single serve pod. But it wasn't my last cup!

Drug Of Choice: Evaluation Time

The coffee, imported from Belgium, was absolutely fresh and uniformly delicious in the three varieties, mild/medium/dark roast, I sampled. All in one afternoon.

I'll save the decaf for our upcoming housewarming, since I otherwise don't stock the stuff in my cupboards. Given the quality of the other product, this will be something I can serve proudly-and now I have a use for those dainty, tiny Belleek demitasse cups inherited from my Great Aunt Marian!

The system is a breeze to master, very low tech, while exciting in design and well-thought out and streamlined at the same time. However, since Philips gave us free rein to honestly evaluate our Senseo Single Serve Coffee System HD7810s, there were just a few tiny things...

First, please understand my usual coffee cup is a 22-ounce stoneware Megilla from Macys. Into this, I pour my usual concoction of 8 ounces bottled water, 2 or 3 heaping tsp. of quality freeze dried full octane coffee, then nuke for a minute.

Into this I add enough 2% milk so the enamel doesn't melt off my remaining teeth, a little sugar and perhaps some cinnamon, cocoa powder or flavored creamer or liqueur, (Irish Cream good here). Sort of a cross between cafe mocha and Espresso. And not to be indelicate, but man, does that clean the pipes and rev this Allergic To Mornings Lady's engine.

Varoom, varoom. Well, with the Senseo's 4 ounce individual serving size, and given most American coffee drinker's penchant for a whole cup of coffee, you better bet I'm going to make 2 pods at a time for just Moi.

That's okay, but thus far Phillips is the only distributor, (in the U.S. that is), for these darling, single serve pods.
(Mad Scientist chuckle here): Hmmmm, I wonder if Melitta or Celestial Seasonings sell that tea bag filter fabric by the yard? Yes, yes, that plus my trusty ravioli press/mini calzone maker might just be the ticket!

Final Recommendation

I love the ease, quality and coffee made with this fine little coffee maker, and can see why the forward-thinking PR team/manufacturer would be doling these out to Amazon.com and Epinions.com reviewers. It just about sells itself.

Currently available through Amazon.com, the refill pod packets will give you a delicious 1/2 Cup of joe for about a quarter a serving. So, a half dollar for a full cup, and you've paid at least twice that at work, with those nasty little cardboard cups, (half the stuff spilling down the side of the dispenser, if the whole thing doesn't tip over anyway), or that industrial strength sludge so famous at truck stops, convenience stores and Police Stations all across the USA.

Also, the 2 Year Warranty isn't shabby; further proof that the folks at Philips/Norelco stand behind what they market and sell.

*Yes, the sensational Senseo has sensitized my G Spot-the grateful, gratified and guzzling gourmet/gourmand now polishing this heartfelt review. You'll pardon me though, if I'm off to brew a fourth cup, another dark roast with 1 teaspoon of sugar and a dollop of Carnation's Hazelnut cream. 5 full stars.