Coffee Machine Terms & Glossary

Of course, we all love drinking coffee, but sometimes we can get caught up in the terminology when we’re trying to find our perfect pod machine and our favourite coffee drink. We’ve broken down all the coffee terminology with our glossary. You’ll find coffee machine terms and more below. Read on!

Coffee pod machine terminology

When you’re looking for your favourite NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® coffee pod machine, you’ve probably come across a lot of coffee machine terms that describe each one. We’ve made it super clear what they are so you can be on your way to choosing your pod machine!

Automatic coffee pod machine

An automatic coffee pod machine means that all of the extracting, brewing and milk frothing is done by simply pressing a button. It’s a no-mess way to make the perfect cup of coffee at home.

Bar pressure

In coffee machine terms, bar pressure refers to how the coffee is extracted. NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® coffee pod machines have a high-pressure system with up to 15 bars to replicate the pressure and quality from a commercial coffee machine. This lets you extract all the aromas and top your coffee with a thick, velvety crema, ensuring that you have a coffee shop style coffee at the comfort of your home.

Descaling

Water build-up in your machine can mean that your coffee doesn’t taste its best every time. That’s where descaling comes into place as it removes the limescale from your machine. We have a whole guide on how to descale your NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® machine, so check it out!

Eco mode

To avoid wasting power, your pod machine will switch off after a few minutes.

Espresso Boost function

Some of our NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® coffee pod machines are crafted with innovative technology that pre-wets the coffee before brewing, resulting in a more intense and concentrated espresso when you want it.​

Hot and cold drinks function

Whether you’re in the mood for a hot or cold coffee, you have the option for both with our coffee pod machines. Simply push the temperature button or move the lever to the cold side.

Manual coffee pod machine

Our manual coffee machines are also really simple to use and are mess-free. The difference between an automatic and manual pod machine is that the automatic machine will stop by itself when finished, whereas the manual machine gives you the control to brew and extract as much of your favourite coffee or chocolate-flavoured drink as you desire. And instead of pushing a button, you just need to manually move a lever for hot or cold coffee.

See our ‘Discover Our Coffee’ page for more information on manual vs automatic machines. We also have a helpful coffee machine comparison guide so you can find your perfect pod machine match.

Pod

A pod or capsule is the type of coffee you’d like to drink! All the delicious flavours are held in one pod so you can enjoy your drink without any fuss. We have a huge range of coffee pods to choose from, so make sure to take a look.

Pod tray

Your chosen pod will sit in a tray that slots into your NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® coffee pod machine.

XL function

With our pod coffee machine’s XL function, you can enjoy an extra-long cup of coffee (up to 300 ml) at the touch of a button.​

Coffee terms to know

After you’ve chosen your desired pod coffee machine, you’ll want to know coffee terminology surrounding coffee flavours. Understanding the flavour profiles will help you to choose your favourite coffee pods.

Acidity

Acidity refers to the sensation that is received by us when we drink coffee. Too much acidity can make coffee sour, but a good amount of acidity will have some level of bitterness to it. Acidity might be described as sweet, dry, vibrant, moderate or dull.

Blend

A coffee blend is a mixture of a couple of different coffee types, giving it a deliciously unique flavour. This differs to single origin coffee – which you can read all about with our guide.

Body

In coffee terms, the body of coffee means its texture. Think of it as this: a milky coffee, like Café au Lait, will have a fuller body but black coffee, like an Americano, will have a thinner body.

Coffee notes

The notes in coffee refer to the flavours and aromatics that we get whilst drinking it. They can be floral, fruity, nutty, spicy and woody. Tasting notes in coffee combine acidity, sweetness, and body to create a delicious flavour.

Intensity

Intensity refers to the strength of the coffee that you’re drinking. It also describes its richness, which can give you an idea of the overall flavour and aroma.

We hope this guide to coffee terms and coffee machine terminology was helpful! Make sure to see our guide on how coffee machines work, next!