The CBTL
was sent to me by The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf PR to try out. I was super excited to try it because I’ve been looking in the market for a new coffee maker and because I was able to try it before it hit the shelves. I believe it’s currently sold at Target stores and online.
This review features the Americano Model, which is a single serve beverage system. The system and the beverage capsules allows you to create a authentic The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf cafe beverages in the comfort of your home just like an barista!
This model comes in 4 colors: black (the one pictured in this review), red, silver and white.
There is 6 beverage button options:
Short Espresso
Long Espresso
8 oz Coffee or Tea
10 oz Coffee or Tea
12 oz Coffee or Tea
9 oz Hot Chocolate
The button lights up when you select it.
The standard size of a coffee from Coffee Bean is 12 ounces.
I love that the drip tray is adjustable! There’s three placements on the front of the machine so you can adjust to how tall your cup is.
The very top level is perfect for espresso cups and the lowest level is perfect for standard coffee cups.
Since the drip tray is adjustable this also means it’s easy to clean so no more smelly and moldy drip trays!
The removable water tank is located in the back of the machine.
There’s three ways to refill it:
Remove the water tank cover
Flip the water tank lid open to use a spouted container to pour water in
Pull the water tank up and out of the machine
For best tasting coffee, use water that has a mineral content because it will help extract the flavor from the coffee.
For best tasting espresso, use distilled water.
Read more at The Coffee Brewers
The machine pierces a hole through the foil of the cartridge, which allows the water to go through.
Being the curious person I am, I pried off the foil covering on the coffee capsule to see what was inside. There’s a plastic filter that prevents the coffee grounds from entering the machine and getting into your freshly brewed coffee.
COFFEE
French | Deep roasted flavor with a smoky aroma and a chocolaty finish
House brew | Light-bodied with a subtle fruity aroma and a buttery finish
French Vanilla Decaf | Smooth-bodied with a soft aroma enhanced with buttery french vanilla flavor
Viennese | Medium-bodied with a rich aroma, full flavor and nuances of chocolate
House Brew Decaf | Light-bodied with a subtle fruity aroma and a buttery finish
10% Kona Blend | Smooth-bodied with an extra mild, delicate taste, nutty aroma and sweet finish
TEAS
Chai | Our special recipe blended by hand using only the finest tea and exotic spices
Tropical Passion | Ceylon black tea, enhanced with the tropical flavors of passion and guava fruit
English Breakfast | Our English Breakfast Tea is a smooth, rich tea that yields a medium body and a brisk character
Moroccan Mint | An exquisite age old recipe of Gunpowder Tea and Peppermint flavoring