Tassimo Hot Beverage System - Is There a Difference Between Braun and Bosch?

Online retailers like Amazon.com display both the Braun Tassimo hot beverage system and the Bosch Tassimo hot beverage system. The product pictures look exactly alike except for the name on the front of the machine, yet the list price of the Braun Tassimo 1400 coffee maker is more than that of the Bosch Tassimo coffee maker. Is there a difference between the Braun Tassimo hot beverage system and the Bosch Tassimo hot beverage system? Is one the original and the other a knock-off?

It’s nothing so nefarious. The Tassimo brand name and the hot beverage system technology patents are owned by Kraft Foods, Inc.,one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies. The Tassimo hot beverage system was introduced in France in 2004. Braun, a German company, manufactured and distributed the Tassimo hot beverage system in Europe and the United States under license from Kraft Foods.

In 2007 Braun was acquired by Procter and Gamble another major international food company and a direct competitor of Kraft Foods. Because Procter & Gamble is also in the international coffee business, Kraft and Procter & Gamble decided that it would be best if the Tassimo coffee maker were manufactured and distributed by somebody other than a Proctor and Gamble subsidiary. Said Bracken Darrell, Braun President. “Since Kraft and P&G are coffee competitors, both our companies have agreed that continued partnership on Tassimo could interfere with the future growth potential of our respective coffee businesses.”

Beginning in June 2008 Bosch Home Appliances became the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of the Tassimo hot beverage system. Braun has agreed to continue to provide replacement parts and service any Tassimo coffee makers under warranty that were sold by Braun.

The machines are identical in construction and operation. Any T-Discs sold for use in the Braun Tassimo hot beverage system will work equally as well in the Bosch Tassimo hot beverage system.