NEW YORK, U.S. – For the first time, Nespresso is offering discerning coffee lovers the chance to taste an aged coffee with the launch of its latest Limited Edition for both OriginalLine and Vertuo machine owners, Selection Vintage 2014.
Much like fine cheeses, meats and vinegars, coffee too can be expertly aged for a unique vintage result that is rich, mellow and deliciously velvety.
Aged coffee is special and sought-after, deliberately aged over several years, allowing it to develop new sensory qualities over time.
Made from fresh Arabica coffee sourced from high altitudes in the Colombian highlands and plains, OriginalLine and Vertuo Selection Vintage 2014 was harvested three years ago and then meticulously aged.
This resulted in a complex taste with elegant woodiness, softened fruity notes and a smooth velvet-like texture in the OriginalLine coffee, and a distinctive strong character, intriguing dry woody notes, and aromas of toasted bread in the Vertuo coffee.
Though the coffee in each range uses the same aged coffee beans, their flavor profiles differ slightly due to the unique brewing technologies and roasting subtleties
Traditional coffee aging began in the 1700s, as coffee harvested in Indonesia would sail to Europe in ships that traveled for a number of months. While packed in the wooden boat hulls, the coffee would be exposed to the wet sea air and salt water, which caused the beans to swell.
These beans then dried in the sun, which altered the taste of the final coffee. In other cases, coffee would be stored in Indonesia while waiting for the next ship to Europe.
During this storage period, the coffee would experience many fluctuations in the temperature and light conditions. With each variation, the physical structure of the beans changed, which affected the way the beans would react to roasting and the aromatic potential of the coffee.
In contrast, Selection Vintage 2014 was aged using a completely new method pioneered by Nespresso experts, who wanted to benefit from the effect of aging by using specific controlled conditions.
This included regulating time, oxygen, moisture in the air, light and atmospheric pressure.
A rotation system was also implemented for the bags of harvested coffee to ensure the ideal aging process.
With this careful regulation, the freshly harvested green Arabica coffee beans sourced from the lush Colombian highlands and plains could transform into Selection Vintage 2014.
Karsten Ranitzsch, Head of Coffee at Nespresso, explained, “With the launch of Selection Vintage 2014 we wanted to introduce an entirely new flavor with unique qualities.
To do this, we took a concept that is well-known in the food and drink industry and applied it to coffee. To age the coffee, we needed to start with beans of an exceptional quality and then store them in very specialized conditions that we regulated constantly.
Any miniscule change in the moisture, temperature, time, atmospheric pressure, light and oxygen conditions would affect the final taste. This carefully-tailored process has resulted in an outstanding coffee with a very distinct flavor profile.”
Selection Vintage 2014 Flavor Profile
Through a carefully controlled three-year aging process, Nespresso OriginalLine Selection Vintage 2014 has developed an elegant flavor with soft fruit and woody notes which combine with an exceptionally smooth texture for a delicious and distinctive coffee moment.
Vertuo Selection Vintage 2014 differs slightly in flavor profile from the OriginalLine Grand Cru due to the variance in brewing technology and roasting subtleties, but also has a complex taste and distinctive strong character. Intriguing dry woody notes pair in complete harmony with aromas of toasted bread and achieve balance thanks to the smooth crema.
Both the OriginalLine and Vertuo Selection Vintage 2014 have an intensity of seven on Nespresso’s intensity scale of one to twelve and are best enjoyed black, without milk.
To celebrate the launch of Selection Vintage 2014, a set of two Reveal Espresso Intense glasses for the OriginalLine coffee will be available in special gift boxes priced at $39. The experts at Nespresso joined forces with the master glass makers at Riedel to craft these stunning crystal tasting glasses.
The carefully-proportioned glass allows the coffee to express its balanced aromas, enhances the smoothness and maximizes coffee enjoyment for a truly sensational experience.
Recycling & Availability
Nespresso Grands Crus are packaged in aluminum, a material that preserves the quality and freshness of the coffee, and can be recycled over and over again.
The Nespresso recycling program involves a partnership with UPS, covering the contiguous United States.
Consumers can ship used capsules using a pre-paid UPS Nespresso recycling bag or drop their capsules off at over 500 collection points at Nespresso Boutiques and retailers across the country, making it easier than ever for Nespresso Club Members to recycle their capsules.
OriginalLine and Vertuo Selection Vintage 2014 is available, while supplies last at all Nespresso Boutiques, Nespresso Boutique-in-Shop locations, through the Nespresso Club and on www.nespresso.com.
