Recently, a regular reader of this blog asked me (via Twitter) to write a review of the Verismo. I’ve mentioned the Verismo here and there, but an in-depth article about it, isn’t a bad idea.
Starbucks introduced the Verismo single serve coffee system into their lineup in September of last year – according to this official Starbucks article, it was September 20, 2012. It has the ability to brew a variety of pods, and so you can have a quick cup of coffee, or a fast and easy latte at home.
I have had a Verismo for about one year. The first generation Verismos were encased in a silver. The latest versions for in Starbucks are described as “piano black,” but functionally the same. I do like how pretty the black ones are:
I’ve had mine for about a year, as I mentioned, so I have plenty to write about.
If you’re wanting to buy a Verismo machine, you should look at Starbucks, or consider other retailers such as Williams-Sonoma. The basic version is on sale at Starbucks right now for $99, and that sale ends January 6, 2014. Williams-Sonoma has an enhanced version of the Verismo, though to be totally candid, I think the basic one is quite fine! I’m not sure I’d spend extra for the added features of the Williams-Sonoma version of the Verismo. The Williams-Sonoma version of the Verismo has some temperature controls, and I think it might be possible to brewer hotter espresso than the Starbucks basic version.
If you’re looking for Verismo pods, there are three main resources: Actual Starbucks stores, Williams-Sonoma, and StarbucksStore.com. The vast majority are available on StarbucksStore.com, so when in doubt, order from there. You may find some Verismo pods at your local grocery store too.
One of the things about the Verismo pods offered is that it rotates often – just as Starbucks offers many seasonal coffees that come and go quickly from the stores, so too are there seasonal Verismo pods that come and go quickly from Starbucks stores. For example, this fall Starbucks offered Anniversary Blend in the Verismo pod format, found in stores only. It was really wonderful, and just as Anniversary Blend came and went quickly from the stores, so too did the Verismo pods for Anniversary Blend.
Generally speaking, if your looking in the actual Starbucks stores, you’ll find the following Verismo pods:
Starbucks in-store pods:
- Pike Place Roast brewed coffee pods (both regular and decaf)
- Verona Blend brewed coffee pods (a dark roast)
- Milk pods (you can buy a box of just milk pods. I’ve heard that separate milk pods are not sold in Starbucks Canada.)
- Latte boxes – This is a combination of milk pods and espresso pods in one box.
- Espresso Roast espresso pods (both regular and decaf)
- Teavana Chai Tea pods
- Rotating seasonal pods – Past, fall 2013 – Anniversary Blend. Current, winter 2013 – Christmas Blend brewed coffee pods, Holiday Blend brewed coffee pods. and Christmas Espresso Roast pods. Coming soon – January 2014, Casi Cielo brewed coffee pods.
- Veranda Blend blonde roast brewed coffee pods. (I know I’ve seen those in stores in the past, though I didn’t find them when recently looking. They’re still on StarbucksStore.com)
Shopping for pods on StarbucksStore.com:
- Guatemala Antigua espresso pods
- House Blend brewed coffee pods
- And, you can find almost all of the in-store pods on StarbucksStore.com, except that the seasonal offerings come and go quickly.
Shopping for Verismo pods at Williams-Sonoma: Starbucks does offer certain Verismo pods that are exclusive to Williams-Sonoma, and some of them are otherwise hard to find.
Kenya espresso pods – I think most all Williams-Sonoma have this.- Guatemala Antigua espresso pods – Also easy to find at Williams-Sonoma.
- Colombia brewed coffee pods – This are a wonderful find. A medium roast beautiful coffee.
- Ethiopia Yirgacheffe espresso pods – This is a Williams-Sonoma exclusive.
- Sumatra brewed coffee pods – This is also a Williams-Sonoma exclusive. Wonderful dark roast coffee in Verismo format.
^ Those are the Sumatra brewed coffee pods and the Ethiopia Yirgacheffe espresso pods – a wonderful find, but you’ll have to go to Williams-Sonoma.
I mostly use my Verismo for brewed coffee and I love it. It’s a pretty quick, hassle free, easy single cup of coffee. I really liked this fall’s Anniversary Blend pods. Right now, the current Holiday Blend brewed coffee pods are an unsung hero – really does make a soft, round, medium cup of coffee. I’ve used the Sumatra pods too and love them.
The wonderful aspects to the Verismo:
You can get some great Starbucks coffees as Verismo pods. And the Teavana Chai Tea pod with a milk pod is nearly heaven – that is a great Chai Tea Latte! It is so good! It does make a nice espresso latte too. I drink a lot more brewed coffee, but a milk pod, and espresso pod is all you need for the very basics of a short latte. I particularly like the Guatemala Antigua espresso pods. You can even buy small sizes of the Vanilla or Hazelnut syrups for your kitchen. It’s a very versatile machine in the sense that you can easily make a latte or a cup of brewed coffee at home. If you want to get fancy, you can buy a frother for your milk. If you want a really quick peppermint mocha type drink, take a stick of the Peppermint Mocha Via and combine it with a milk pod from the Verismo, and you’ll get a delicious peppermint mocha!
At one point, when my Verismo was new, I had experimented with combining just about every kind of Via Ready Brew with a Verismo milk pod. The Peppermint Mocha Via (a winter seasonal Via) was the clear winner, in my humble opinion, followed by the Pumpkin Spice Latte Via. I had even tried the Cool Lime Refresher Via with a milk pod – that’s not recommended. In fact the Lime Via makes the milk curdle a little. Don’t repeat that experiment at home!
The downsides to the Verismo:
I’ve never had a Keurig brewer so I can’t really compare to that, but over the year I’ve own mine, I’ve gotten a sense of the kinds of things that are the downsides to the Verismo. One thing for sure, the selection of pods is much smaller than what you’d have with some other single-cup brewers. However, the Verismo is a newer system to the market, and I am very confident that Starbucks is quickly trying to remedy that. I’ve been told that even more pods are coming to Starbucks stores in 2014. Some of the basics that many single-cup owners would want are things like perhaps another tea pod option, more decaf options, a hot chocolate pod, and even possibly a flavored coffee pod. I wouldn’t ever make Vanilla coffee my go-to coffee, but I’ve seen Starbucks Vanilla coffee in the Kcup format in grocery stores. However, no such pods exist for the Verismo.
From reading social media sites, I get the sense that some people think the Verismo is too messy, noisy, and not hot enough. It is a little bit noisy. I’d expect to clean up after any means of making coffee.
I don’t think there is anything else as versatile as a Verismo in the $99 price range. I would buy one for myself if I didn’t have one, or give it as a gift. If you have a Verismo now, try Holiday Blend pods! I realize that once the pods become more varied and easy to find, maybe more people will be tempted by the Verismo, but even now, it gets a near two thumbs up.
In the past, I’ve been asked if it is possible to switch and use different brand pods in your Verismo. The answer is a clear “no.” The closest other-brand pods are the Coffee Bean & Tea pods. The CBTL pods are about the same shape, and do fit in the Verismo. But to be clear, I do NOT recommend that you use the CBTL pods in your Verismo. I’ve experimented with the CBTL pods too. As you know, you’ll void your warranty of the Verismo, and the pods aren’t designed for the Verismo. It may look like it will work just fine, but the CBTL brewed coffee pods have their internal filter on the other side of the pod, as compared to the Verismo, so you won’t get the right extraction or flavor. The only exciting discovery from that series of experiments with CBTL pods was that the CBTL hot chocolate pods produced a pretty nice cup of hot chocolate with the Verismo. However, I still don’t recommend you try that at home. And on top of that, I think that CBTL has since discontinued their hot chocolate pods! The bottom line is that you should only use Verismo pods in your Verismo.
Bottom line – the Verismo is versatile, (make a chai tea, a latte, brewed coffee, and more) has great Starbucks pods, and a great price. Downside: Needs more pods. I have seen social medias that some people wish the Verismo brewed a little hotter, but it’s fine in my book.
I have to disclose that my Verismo at home came to me as a gift from Starbucks.
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Thanks for the review I have been thinking about getting one for myself but never realy new if I should , after your review I’m gonna go check em out . I don’t think I would mind it not being super hot because when I get peppermint mochas at the starbucks stores there not that hot either so warm is okay with me 🙂
Great blog
Good job reviewing it too !
Nice write-up, Mel! I think that it is important to note the versatility in the machine, and this is something I do every time I demo a Verismo with a customer. I note the combination of the milk pods (or even milk in the frother we sell!) with the VIA that require milk – PM and PSL. But even beyond that, you can make Americanos with espresso pods and extra hot water, and you can also make iced lattes quite easily. I make Iced Americanos and Iced Lattes at home, and it truly is easy to do. No other machine has the versatility. Yes, it is a bit noisy, but so is any espresso or coffee machine, especially one that heats up to 200~ degrees in less than 30 seconds!
Are the milk pods okay tasting? I’ve read so many reviews about them being disgusting and I woud mainly use this for lattes. 🙁
I believe the Decaf Pike pods won’t be available in Starbucks stores until January.
Nice review. Maybe touch on the expense to operate it as a downside. I think it’s close to $30/lb to buy coffee this way but check me on the math. Also – the 6oz cup size is an issue.
Sumatra at W&S – who knew !?
(The link to the article was on my fb feed)
Thanks for the review!
I got my verismo about 6 weeks ago, as a birthday git. I havd been intentd to buy one for a while, but they really were prohibitively expensive at £149 ($242), for the basic machine (no frother incl.). Eventually the price dropped to £99 ($160). Still expensive, so I appreciated the gift all the more.
Overall I am pleased with the machine and its performance. It makes reasonable coffe (at least its starbucks). But there are several things I would change if I could;
1. Its very noisy – unreasonably so. Coffee makers have been out for a while, so you would think some work on soundproofing would have been done.
2. The coffee could be hotter. I use the frother alot, so by the time you get the Milk done and clean the frother, the coffee is a little cooler, so an ‘extra hot’ setting would have been useful.
3. The milk pods are just not nice. I was never a fan of UHT milk, and there is a flavour off the coffe when its made with these, so I usually use fresh milk and add to the expresso & even brewed drink. (I must try and add hot milk to the Via though…).
4. I usually use the machine for Espresso drinks, as I find the Brewed experience a little ‘gritty’ to taste (not literally, of course…).
5. In the UK we have a very small selection of Pods available – and the seasonal selection is reduced/non-existant as well. We just dont have the choice you have in the States. Plus they are not available in the supermarkets.
6. It would be nice if Starbucks made some extra condimnents for home use (flavours, sprinkles, etc).
However, many of these are not ‘essential’, and generally, I am very happy with my Verismo Coffee Maker. (still wont stop me from going to Starbucks, though).
Thru 1/6/14 Costco is selling the Verismo for $99.99, including 70 pods. If you order it online, shipping is $6.99.
http://www.costco.com/Starbucks%C2%AE-Verismo%E2%84%A2-System-580-Piano-Black.product.100087779.html
I just got a verismo on craigslist for only $50! 🙂
I like how easy it is to make a quick espresso beverage…
I just wish the pods brewed double shots instead of single.
I usually just drink espresso over ice, so I end up consuming 1/3 of the box with one drink!
I found pods at bed bath & beyond as well if that helps anyone!
overall it’s a great machine for a great price…. just hope it doesn’t become obsolete by all the keurigs out there!
As DadCooks recommends, I would definitely recommend buying the Verismo system from Costco (if it’s in stock at your local warehouse, which is iffy, and unfortunately that retailer still refuses to offer the sort of normal website we’ve expected for the last ten years, where in-stock availability is always shown…but I digress) or Costco.com. Buying from them means you’ll get 60 bonus pods (10 are already included), though you’ll likely want to sell or return (to another retailer) the House and Veranda, as a typical Verismo customer isn’t likely to want those (aside: what was SBUX thinking by even offering those?!).
The other great option is typically Bed Bath & Beyond. I got a system there for $79.99 (remember, you can always get 20% off everything at that retailer) and it included the $59.99 Frother (though, really, would anyone pay that much for that accessory? I pretty much only has bad reviews).
Also check department stores such as Belk, where coupons (and perhaps the store credit card) may offer a better deal.
If you’ve not made a purchase a StarbucksStore.com, be sure to find a 10% off coupon code before you do that. For subsequent pod orders, look for deals like the $25 off $60 offering in the last few weeks. That equates to better than the usual 20% off from BB&B.
@Carl Black, good shopping advice.
Our Costco has had several pallets of the Verismo and has been demonstrating it almost daily (yes, I have a Costco addiction 😉 ).
Costco’s return policy cannot be beat and Bed Bath & Beyond is almost as good. In all cases save your receipts.
Great review, Melody! Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your opinion and all this information about the Verismo. Honestly, I didn’t even realize there were two versions of the machine out as I’ve never paid attention to that fact in stores. Also, I’ve never been to a store that demoed the system (which I find odd), so this review is quite helpful. I must admit I chuckled at your experiment with the Cool Lime Refresher and milk pod. Sounds atrocious! 🙂 Speaking of the pods, I find it interesting that some are found exclusively at Williams-Sonoma. Seems like everything should at least be available via the Starbucks website.
After reading your review and the comments on this post, I’ve come to the conclusion that I will hold off on the Verismo…and the Kuerig for that matter…unless by an unlikely chance I find it under the Christmas tree this year. LOL. Want to know why? I literally just realized (as I was reading this post) that I truly enjoy the process of brewing a cup of coffee or latte one cup at a time via pour over. Can’t explain why, but I do. As a matter of fact, I’m about to brew an after-dinner cup right now. 🙂
Thanks again for the review!
I’ve had the Verismo for a bit over a yr, and I too received it as a gift from Sbux.
Overall, I enjoy it for a quick, treat drink or for guests as a sweet treat…usually a peppermint mocha. I bought the mocha sauce online and the syrup in Sbux. I use 2 espresso pods for this (or, anything with espresso) then top it with whipped cream and a little more dark choc. mocha sauce and it’s a nice treat. Also have done some cinnamon dolces. I seldom use it for a cup of coffee, altho I will once in a blue moon when I just want a small (the whole system, imo, is just too small …the drinks I mean) cup of straight coffee and don’t want to brew a pot or leave the house. I would never use this for my morning coffee….. I need a good 12oz and maybe a bit more. Also, I wish the Verismo made everything hotter than it does.
Overall, I was thrilled that I was one of those chosen to receive this and certainly appreciate it! I do think however that if I wanted to purchase a single serve coffee maker, I would likely choose a Keurig over the Verismo. I also am surprised that Sbux didn’t do more ‘work’ on this product before they put it out. It seems obvious, with the price being cut in half, sales are not what Sbux expected.
So, that’s my experience. (and yes, Bed Bath & Beyond has all things Verismo and there’s always a 20% coupon to be found, making the overall price much less than Sbux)
As another person who received a free Verismo from Starbucks, it sits next to the Keurig on my counter like a hood ornament on an old vehicle. I appreciate receiving one as a gift, but I am disappointed with it. It’s just sitting there taking up space. I don’t think the pods are worth it, and it would have been better if there was a re-useable cup like the Keurig has made available.
thanks melody, great review. i was thinking of getting mine this holiday season but i think ill stick with the iced via, regular via family, and my 3 favorite blends (doesnt include seasonal), kenya, breakfast and quatamala antigua. i will definately buy it in 2014 when im ready. i think ill get it at BB&B with their 20% discount. also i love how you mention putting the pumpkin spice and peppermint mocha packets in milk. i currently do that and love it! 🙂
The Verismo plus the Nespresso Aeroccino makes a great combo
My housemate has a friend visiting for the weekend, and she told her, “You’ll have to get him to show you his vibrator.” She was referring to the Verismo! LOL!! This is only more hilarious because my housemate is close to being deaf (congenital). I can make all sorts of loud noise that she would never hear, but she obviously feels the Verismo!
Regarding the CBTL pods – I tried them and sadly believe that they broke my Verismo. The handle wouldn’t stay down by itself afterwards even with Verismo pods. Maybe just coincidence, but I won’t be using CBTL pods in my replacement machine.
I love my Verismo. I do hope more pods come, but for now I’m happy having quick versions of my favorite coffees without having to grind beans and brew. I also love love love the Chai tea. Hoping for a hot cocoa pod, maybe pumpkin spice next fall. I’ve also been using the latte pods and adding my own flavor combinations. The milk pod needs taste improvement, but when making a flavored latte or Chai tea latte, it does the trick. I even take my Verismo on vacation with me so I can have a cup of Starbucks wherever I go!
Good machine, terrible support by Starbucks!!! Still amazed at how shortsighted Starbucks is. The pods are just about impossible to find anywhere??? why does anyone want to go-online and order pods??? Starbucks make pods for Keurig and you can buy them anywhere!! I am so disappointed and have relegated my Verismo to the garage, I got a Keurig last week and y god that was a good decision!!!!.
pk, the availability of pods is the strong point of Verismo. Available at all SBUX stores (not fake ones like Target), BB&B, W-S, etc. Contrast that with Nespresso, which has a variety of retailers, but sells capsules only online and in their (relatively new) handful of boutiques in some major cities. Of course Nespresso capsules are much more economical than Verismo, but the machines are pricier (and, well, much nicer), so you have to find what best suits you. Really, though, the easy availability of Verismo boxes is what makes this a good offering. They’re on sale right now through Costco.com, though. $52.99 for 72 pods, I believe, so a great time to stock up.
pk, some Macy’s stores were carrying the pods. The one near me had them until the Starbucks in the mall decided to start carrying them. Any Starbucks that sells the machine will sell the pods. I also just saw a variety of pods for sale (along with the machine) at my local Staples. They really aren’t that hard to find. Starbucks does currently have four online only pods, but these are the same ones that are available at Williams-Sonoma. And it looks like there is a new Tribute roast coming. You have to remember the Verismo has only been around for a little more than a year, so a slow, cautious roll-out is better than flooding the market with a hundred different pods that no one has shelf space for in the stores. Stores stock what sells and until Verismo catches a certain percentage of the market in sales, then Starbucks will remain cautious. I haven’t seen the Nespresso machine advertised anywhere since last Christmas, and I finally saw them on sale at Target, but there were no pods to be found. If I walk into a store that sells a brand of coffeemaker like that, I’d expect to have pods available so I can try it out when I purchase it! Anywhere you can buy a Verismo machine, you can find pods.
I was told that the pods would be available at Costco when I bought the machine for a Christmas Gift. It is a little embarrassing when I hear about the expensive pods sold only at Starbucks. The Keurig pods are everywhere, but no Verismo. Our grocery store has a Starbucks shop inside and they don’t even carry Verismo coffee pods.
Gail, the pods are available just about everything. Great selection and pricing at Costco.com, in store at major retailers like Belk, Macy’s, Bed Bath & Beyond, Williams-Sonoma (where I got some exclusive items this month for less than half price!), etc. The location inside your local store is likely what we refer to as a “fake” location where the employees aren’t Partners but instead work for the grocer or a third-party company.
^ OOPS! And by “everything,” I meant “everywhere!”
Thanks to your review, I decided to buy one for my office (that and Costco was offering a great deal on the pods!). I’m excited that it has milk pods included, I hope those work well as I’ve always felt that was the downside to the K-Cups. Thanks again!
We were given a Verismo for Christmas and were shocked to see how expensive the pods were. We don’t have a full-on Starbucks near us and the small ones in Target, etc., do not offer the pods. The pods seldom go on sale (as the Keurig ones do). I’m not a coffee drinker but my husband is. I gave away our Mr. Coffee espresso machine (that was wonderful) thinking that the Verismo would be all we needed. Sad to say, I haven’t made coffee for 7 months (right after the pods that came with the machine ran out). I’ve never been a fan of Starbucks and now I definitely am not. Just too expensive to use and the options are so limited.
Rebecca, if it helps, I’ve been able to order pods on Costco.com at a good price regularly. Just a thought!
Jude
We don’t belong to Costco but I found other places on line. It just is so much easier to be able to run to my usual grocery store and pick them up (like I can do with a Keurig). Sometimes I need them at the last minute. It’s just an adjustment for the time being. I’m pretty sure I’ll get something else to replace it. I thought I’d like the single serve but I can’t justify the expense.
This thread is a bit old now, but the topic is eternal….coffee…
I enjoyed the entire thread very much. I would like to add my comments with regard to two areas specifically: hotness of the brew and using CBTL pods.
I obtained my Verismo from Goodwill for $16. How could I pass that up? I have been a fan of Keureg brewers for years but the ability to make a decent expresso as well as coffee on the machine for $16 was impossible to pass up. K – cup machines than fully are better in the conservation department but oh well…
On to my comments.
1) Not having invested much into the system I tried CBTL pods. They work great. Just as good as Starbucks kfee pods. They are both kfee pods and Starbucks coffee kfee pods have filters too. They work great.
2) The coffee on my machine comes out so hot the cup can be difficult to hold by cradling.. It’s *hot*. No complaints there.
Thank you so much for the review. I am planning to buy this one 🙂
Still loving my Verismo. Even bought a second one as a back-up when they had the $60 Black Friday sale with a free box of pods. I still wish, however, that Starbucks would throw more support behind their own machine with a larger variety of pods instead of continuing to cater to the Keurig crowd. They have all kinds of flavors in K Cups but just variations on plain coffee with the Verismo. They do offer sauces and syrups so you can be your own barista, but sometimes you just want a Cinnamon Dulce, a Pumpkin Spice or a Mocha by just popping a pod in. That being said, I’m a Starbucks fan, I love the coffee and I wouldn’t trade my Verismo for anything.
I, too, just got my machine on the Black Friday sale for $60 and I absolutely love it! Basically, I have stopped using my Keurig since I got this machine. Experimenting with different recipes for flavored iced and hot lattes has been very rewarding and I can honestly say my drinks taste just as good as what I get at Starbucks!
I have a verismo machine but never used all the pods. Now I have a couple boxes of pods that are over a year old. I wonder if they’re safe to use?