Pacific Coffee Launches First Capsule Coffee Machine in China

If you’ve ever wanted to recreate café-quality drinks at home without the fuss of a full espresso machine, there’s now a simpler option—especially if you’re a fan of Pacific Coffee. In October 2012, the Hong Kong-based chain launched its first-ever branded capsule coffee machine in mainland China, along with a line of nine pre-packaged drink capsules, offering everything from espresso to hot chocolate with minimal effort.

In short: Pacific Coffee’s new capsule machine, priced at RMB 2680, uses high-pressure 19-bar extraction and auto-capsule ejection. It comes in four colors and works with nine beverage capsules—including coffee, tea, milk, and chocolate—for easy, consistent drinks at home or in the office.

The Artist-Designed Capsule Machine

The launch event on October 17, 2012, introduced not just the machine but also a special artist edition. Pacific Coffee CEO Raymond Tam unveiled a custom-designed “Pinocchio” capsule machine created by renowned Chinese artist Liu Ye. Part of a charity collaboration with Operation Smile China, each sale of the designer version contributed RMB 100 to support education for children in impoverished mountain regions. The event also featured a live performance by a Spanish mixologist crafting custom “coffee + alcohol” capsule-based drinks, highlighting the machine’s versatility.

How the Capsule Machine Works

Pacific Coffee’s capsule machine is built with German engineering and designed for simplicity. Key specs include:

• 19-bar pressure for optimal extraction
• Automatic capsule ejection
• Adjustable cup height and volume settings
• Four color options: red, ivory white, black, and silver
• Compact dimensions: 150W x 378D x 297H mm

The machine requires just two steps to brew: insert a capsule and select your drink. It fits easily into any kitchen or office setup thanks to its sleek, streamlined appearance and simple control panel.

The Nine Drink Capsules

The machine works with a range of Pacific Coffee-branded beverage capsules, sold in boxes of 16 for RMB 88. The initial lineup includes:

• Colombian Supremo (coffee)
• Espresso Blend (coffee)
• Breakfast Blend (coffee)
• Black Tea (tea)
• Lemon Green Tea (tea)
• Camomile Tea (tea)
• Peppermint Tea (tea)
• Milk
• Chocolate

These capsules can be used individually or mixed to create customized drinks—from lattes and mochas to chai-style blends or hot chocolate. All ingredients, including the coffee beans, tea leaves, milk, and chocolate, are selected from Pacific Coffee’s most popular offerings. The coffee beans are freshly roasted, ground, and hermetically sealed to preserve aroma until brewing. High-pressure water draws out rich flavor and a smooth texture.

Special Launch Offers

Through December 31, 2012, customers who purchased the machine at any Pacific Coffee location in mainland China could take advantage of a launch bundle. The offer included 20 K-fee capsules (five each of four flavors) and an 85% discount on additional PCC-branded capsules.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Pacific Coffee capsule machine?

The Pacific Coffee capsule machine is a 19-bar pressure, German-engineered home brewing device that works exclusively with Pacific Coffee’s proprietary beverage capsules. It features automatic capsule ejection, customizable cup height, and comes in four colors. It retails for RMB 2680.

How many drink options are available for the Pacific Coffee capsule machine?

There are nine different beverage capsules available at launch, including three coffee blends, four types of tea, milk, and chocolate. These can be used alone or combined for custom drinks.

What is the artist edition of the capsule machine?

The artist edition is a specially designed “Pinocchio” capsule machine created by Chinese artist Liu Ye. It was part of a charity campaign with Operation Smile China, where Pacific Coffee donated RMB 100 per sale to support education for children in poor mountain areas.

Can you mix different capsules in the Pacific Coffee machine?

Yes, the machine allows you to mix and match different beverage capsules to create customized drinks, such as flavored lattes or unique tea blends.

What was included in the Pacific Coffee capsule machine launch promotion?

From launch until December 31, 2012, buyers received a bundle of 20 K-fee capsules (four flavors, five each) and an 85% discount on additional PCC-branded capsules when purchasing the machine in-store.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Capsule Brewing

For those inspired by Pacific Coffee’s capsule line, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for bright citrus and floral notes, or Colombia Narino for balanced caramel and nuttiness—both ideal for recreating specialty coffee experiences at home. The FrontStreet Brazil Cerrado offers a smooth, chocolatey base perfect for milk-based capsule blends. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.