Judy Isaacman

Discover how Caffenu, a proudly South African brand, grew from a simple coffee machine cleaning solution into a globally trusted name. Learn how innovation, quality, and Amazon helped drive international success.

A simple guide to choosing the right cleaner for your coffee machine to improve coffee taste and protect your machine.

At Caffenu, we believe that great coffee starts with more than just quality beans and equipment, it starts with proper care and maintenance. That is why we are excited to announce our official partnership with Henlo Coffee, a South African brand that shares our commitment to delivering exceptional coffee experiences through quality machines and customer-focused […]

Caffenu’s journey from a South African startup to a globally recognised coffee care brand highlights the power of niche positioning, education-driven marketing, and strategic use of Amazon’s global marketplace. In this fireside chat, founders Rowan and Judy Isaacman share how they scaled internationally, overcame growth challenges, and built a category-leading brand in coffee machine cleaning.

From humble beginnings to becoming South African Barista Champion 2023 + 2025 and AFCA Barista Champ 2025, Stevo’s journey is driven by curiosity, passion, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. We caught up with him to chat about where it all started, what keeps him motivated, and how he approaches coffee at the highest level.

What started in Cape Town as a simple solution to a messy problem has grown into a globally recognised coffee care brand. Born from firsthand experience with dirty, oil-clogged machines, Caffenu pioneered an entirely new category with the world’s first cleaning capsule for Nespresso-compatible systems. Today, the brand serves millions of coffee lovers in over 50 countries, helping them unlock better-tasting coffee and longer-lasting machines. By combining innovation, education, and a deep understanding of modern coffee culture, Caffenu continues to redefine what it means to truly care for your coffee.

What started as a simple frustration with dirty coffee machines quickly turned into a global business opportunity. Judy speaks to Tehillah at Power FM about creating an easy-to-use cleaning solution as a husband-and-wife team, how they reimagined coffee machine care and built a brand now sold in over 50 countries. Their journey is a powerful reminder that the best businesses often begin by solving everyday problems.

Discover how Cape Town founders Rowan and Judy Isaacman turned a passion for great coffee into Caffenu, a proudly South African brand redefining coffee care. Featured in The Coffee Magazine, this love story shows why deep cleaning your coffee machine isn’t just maintenance. It’s the key to richer flavour, longer-lasting equipment, and better coffee every day. From humble beginnings to international recognition, Caffenu champions simple coffee rituals that protect your machine and elevate every cup.

Cape Town-based Caffenu is a global coffee machine cleaning innovator, exporting to over 50 countries. Co-founded by Judy Isaacman, the South African brand pioneered the world’s first Nespresso-compatible cleaning capsule and is recognised as a leading small-business export success.

Caffenu co-founder Judy Walter Isaacman, an Entrepreneurs’ Organisation Cape Town member, shares the nonlinear journey of scaling a South African coffee innovation into a global brand. Her story highlights persistence, strategic pivots and the creation of the world’s first Nespresso-compatible coffee machine cleaning pod.

On Lunch Break, Varshan Sookhun speaks with Cape Town entrepreneur Judy Walter Isaacman, founder of Caffenu, the company behind the world’s first coffee machine cleaning capsule. From startup beginnings to international markets, her journey highlights innovation, resilience and global growth.

n this blog, we troubleshoot some of the most common Nespresso® Vertuo® issues users have run in to and tell you how to fix them. Read on to identify your problem and have your Vertuo® running as good as new in no time.

In this guide, we will walk you through the entire descaling process, from preparing your machine to flushing out the descaling solution. With our easy-to-follow instructions, you’ll have your Nespresso® machine descaled and ready to brew delicious coffee in no time.

Cleaning your coffee machine and equipment is essential for keeping your machine in top performance, as well as the taste of the coffee.

Once again, another year has come and just about gone. 2022 has been an opportunity to overcome the many challenges brought on by the previous two years, and truly exhibit the strength that arises through teamwork and persistence. There is also much gratitude to express to our customer base for the massive support throughout this […]

You love your Nespresso® machine, and it gives you love. You clean and descale it at least once a month to keep it in tip-top shape and stay on top of the maintenance schedule. Yet, sometimes, your machine only makes half a cup of coffee, or you end up with a watery and bitter cuppa. […]

Have you ever splurged on some seriously good beans only to end up with a disappointing espresso? Its definitely happened to us! But don’t worry, here are 3 common mistakes to avoid when making your next cuppa, ensuring you end up with the freshest, smoothest coffee in town! 1. The Freshness of the Coffee The […]

Cleaning and maintaining your coffee equipment is as important as the coffee you buy when it comes to fresh quality coffee. Some cleaning products are simply a non-negotiable if you want to look after your equipment properly. We had a look at the Top 4 most popular Caffenu coffee machine cleaning products and will tell […]

Cleaning your Nespresso machine has never been easier, with the easy-to-use Caffenu cleaning capsules. These cleaning capsules perform the essential task of cleaning and removing old coffee, residue, and oils from your Nespresso machine. What’s incredible, is that you can clean your Nespresso machine the eco-friendly way. Find out more about Nespresso cleaning capsules and […]

Coffee machines are essential pieces of equipment in households and the hospitality industry around the world. Coffee machines, both domestic and commercial, are quite durable, offering years of service. However, the durability and lifespan of a coffee machine is dependant on how you maintain it. That’s why it is important to take care of these […]

Ever got so excited to try a new coffee in your capsule machine that you forgot to eject the capsule after brewing? This isn’t a problem if you eject it a few hours later before another cuppa. It can, however, become a problem if it’s left overnight or longer, especially if you own a Dolce […]

If you own a Nespresso® Original machine, you know it has many perks; the variety of drinks you can enjoy, including the compatible capsules they can brew. However, all is good and well, until a fault arises with the machine. If you ever brewed an unusually watery cup of coffee, then keep reading. Let’s see […]

2021 has been another roller coaster of a year, with many challenges. Therefore, we have a lot to be grateful for here at Caffenu. We are amazed by the continued support from our amazing customers and the new customers we welcomed this year. We thank the Caffenu team for the commitment to product quality and […]

Cleaning a coffee machine is vital for its performance and lifespan, as well as the quality of coffee it brews. We have previously posted about cleaning a Nespresso® Original machine and how you can do it. If you however own a Nespresso® Vertuo® machine, you might still be asking yourself how to clean it? Worry […]

The perks of having a capsule coffee machine like Nespresso® or Lavazza® are endless. You get to enjoy varieties of coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, all in the convenience of a capsule. These drinks, however, leave residue in your capsule coffee machine, but some drinks are worse than others. Here is the beverages that leave […]

When brewing a Nespresso® coffee, you should expect to taste some sweetness, acidity, pleasing body, and, of course, freshness with a pleasant aftertaste. One thing you should not expect is a foul, bitter taste. This is not to say there isn’t any bitter profile at all; however, an overwhelming bitterness should never be welcome in […]

Descaling & Cleaning your Nescafé® Dolce Gusto® Capsule Coffee Machine doesn’t need to be a big task. In fact it can be a rewarding experience. After you give your machine that spring clean, you will be rewarded with a hot, fresh cup of coffee. That is ultimately what you really want to get out of […]

Learn how to clean your Keurig® K-Cup® coffee maker. As a proud owner of a K-Cup® brewer, you want to ensure that you always get the best cup of coffee from your machine. After all, there is nothing like that first cup of your favorite coffee, at the press of a button. Maintaining the best […]

Nespresso® machines are nifty appliances, always there to provide a quick and easy coffee. It is a give and take relationship, though. It provides the quality coffee we require, but we also need to take care of it to retain that quality. This is where descaling your machine comes in. Caring for your Nespresso® Machine […]

Nespresso® machines can cost a small fortune and with that comes the expectation that the machine will provide several years of great coffee. While the machine can give you a long run, how you maintain your coffee machine will determine its lifespan. Through poor care and maintenance, a Nespresso® machine could see a lifespan of […]

The 7th of April celebrates World Health Day. In saying that, I think we can agree that our state of health has never been more important. So, today is a good reminder to be aware of the potential impacts a dirty coffee machine could have on your health. We want to educate you around ways […]

Looking at Troubleshooting and Solutions for Nespresso® Coffee Machines could give you the answer to your very own Coffee Machine Problem. Because even though Nespresso® Coffee Machines are magnificent appliances, providing the convenience of brewing café quality coffee in just a few seconds, they can develop problems and issues. The quick convenience of these capsule […]

Is your Nespresso® Machine clogged, giving you poor and very slow flow? Or in general pouring coffee slower or thinner than usual? It might be that coffee is not flowing properly or even flowing at all, just slowly dripping out the machine? Or perhaps you are not happy with the amount of coffee you are […]

I think we can all agree, this year has not been an easy one for many. While we acknowledge all the challenges we had, we are proud that we have overcome a lot of them. This is thanks to our amazing Team, but most of all thanks to our trusted partners and customers. Keeping your […]

It’s easy to make a cup of coffee, but it’s just as easy to leave the used coffee build up inside the machine or coffee capsule basket and let it stay there for a while. The same goes for the coffee that builds up in the drip tray, cup after cup. Here is how you […]

The water you put through your coffee machine is more important than you think. Changing the water inside your coffee machine’s water tank can not only prevent dirty water entering the pipes of your machine, but also help to avoid stale tasting coffee. Leaving the same water in your coffee machine’s water container for too […]

Most cleaning agents for coffee machines in and around South Africa are imports from far and wide. Caffenu® is proudly the first African company to produce quality coffee machine cleaning tablets suitable for various coffee machines! Yes, locally made to your requirements. Caffenu® will be showcasing their locally manufactured cleaning tablet range at Hostex 2020, […]

The recent global developments and the ongoing pandemic we find ourselves in have made one thing clear: Daily cleaning routines are now more important than ever. This applies to many areas of your life, and your kitchen and household appliances like your coffee machine should be included. After all, you use it on a daily […]

As the year draws to a close, we look back on a few of our personal highlights of 2019. It has been a busy year, very exciting with the launch of our new commercial cleaning product range with Cleaning Powder, Cleaning Tablets and Milk Cleaners. We’ve travelled around the world to Shows in Germany, the […]

Caffenu® coffee machine cleaning capsules clean the inside of your coffee machine good and proper, but, did you know that you can also give your machine’s removable components a thorough cleaning with the cleaning solution captured in the container? Put your mind at ease with a clean coffee machine. That’s correct, the drip tray and […]

If you are looking for cleaning capsules for Lavazza® A Modo Mio® in the UK, Harts of Stur is stocking them for you, see here. Our Reseller Spotlight of the month! You can get them conveniently delivered right to your doorstep. The cleaning capsule will rid your machine of old residue, and improve your coffee […]

Caffenu® will be showcasing its vast range of products at the world leading trade fair Host. The large trade fair is dedicated to catering and hospitality, in Milan, Italy, this October! Host Milano only opens its doors every two years. In 2017 the show had close to 200 000 trade professionals visiting over 2000 exhibitors. […]

The name macchiato means “stained” or “spotted”, and that is quite appropriate, considering what enough of it or any other coffee for that matter will do to the inside of your coffee machine when the coffee is brewed. Any use of your coffee machine leads to a build-up of oils, old coffee residue and bacteria. […]

WorldFood Moscow is Russia’s leading international food & drink exhibition that connects thousands of businesses from around the world with Russia’s key trade professionals. This September, Caffenu® will be showcasing its wide range of innovative coffee machine cleaning solutions to over 30 000 trade visitors! Our Caffenu® products that will be showcased at the exhibition […]

This September, come meet us in Sydney! Caffenu® will be showcasing its wide range of products at Australia’s largest trade exhibition for the food service, hospitality and retail industry. Fine Food Australia hosts over 1000 exhibitors, who present new and innovative products from around Australia and over 60 companies internationally, to over 20 000 industry […]

Product placement in a supermarket, or any retail store for that matter, is often the most crucial part behind a product being noticed and successfully making it to the till point. Thanks to our partners in Israel, Caffenu® products have secured a great spot in Rami Levy, Israel’s second-biggest supermarket chain. Many would think a […]

As coffee lovers we know that it is an instinctive quest to get that perfect cup of coffee every time. But there are quite a number of things that can get in the way of that, one of those things being the dirty insides of a coffee machine. I know what you are thinking, descaling […]

The taste of your coffee is an integral part of the joy in your life. Don’t settle for anything less than the best! There is a very simple way to “Renew your brew.” Guess what, a clean coffee capsule machine is imperative to the taste of your coffee and cleaning it should be easy to […]

Take a trip to the PLMA show in Amsterdam on the 21st and 22nd of May and come meet Caffenu to learn about how we can help you get the cleanest coffee machine and tastiest brew! We’ll be in Hall 7, stand F-6752 of the RAI Europa Complex, in the Food section. We’ll be presenting […]

Caffenu® will be presenting its newest product innovations at Asia’s Leading International Food and Beverage Fair, Foodex Japan 2019! We would love for you to meet with us at this promising show from March 5-8, 2019 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan. Our International agent Antony Hyde is now taking appointments to present our existing and […]

Wow, what an amazing year it has been: Caffenu is now being distributed in 37 countries around the globe! We truly appreciate all our amazing partners all over the world who make this success possible. We made a Caffenu Highlight Video to celebrate it, watch below! This success would not be possible without you: our […]

Remember that glorious day when you brought your Nespresso® coffee capsule machine home for the first time? That excitement lingered for the first couple of weeks, perhaps a month or two. Waking up to the freshest coffee was a joy. You expect that every day, right? Well, make sure your coffee is still fresh! Clean […]

Ever wondered why professionals keep your coffee cup warm before they pour the coffee? Well, there is a good reason for it. Pouring coffee into a cold cup doesn’t only make your coffee cold, it can also affect the taste of it. A very good method to keep your coffee tasting hot and fresh is […]

The thing about winter is that it gives us shorter day hours and we tend to do a little less in keeping things in order around our homes. Traditionally, people use spring as a way to change gears and getting things back in order around the house. But have you ever thought about cleaning your […]

Don’t cry over spilled coffee! At Caffenu we believe in this motto. There are certain things that you shouldn’t worry about. And one of them is bad tasting coffee. Have you ever had this experience? You prepared a fresh cup of coffee and when it’s finally ready to enjoy…you discover it doesn’t taste right. It […]

There is nothing more tantalizing to the senses than inhaling that decadent, deep-roasted scent of espresso coffee. With highly pressured bursts of water melting away finely ground coffee beans, it’s no wonder that an espresso offers you one of the most authentic coffee experiences up to date. After basking in the espresso experience for a […]

Having the right tools for the job can make a big difference to how easy and fast a job gets done. Knowing the best tools to use comes with experience, training, or specific information. That’s exactly why knowledge is so powerful! It helps you to get the job done in the most efficient way possible. An […]

Surely it’s clear that not all people have the ‘touch’ in making the perfect cup of coffee. In most households, the one making the better coffee ends up making the coffee almost every time. Coffee connoisseurs are battling it out to see who has the most knowledge and are the top coffee expert. Well, if […]

Doing something you like usually comes with a sense of satisfaction. But some chores are just not quite your cup of tea, right? I think we all enjoy drinking coffee, but honestly who likes cleaning their machine? If you are someone who loves to entertain and treat yourself and friends to a freshly brewed cup […]

Caffenu® is conquering the retail market with our new free standing display unit. The unit is strategically placed next to coffee machines, and coffee capsules, so the right customer notices our cleaning products. The coffee machine graphic on the display gets the coffee shoppers attention. Once the shopper starts reading, they notice the before and after graphic […]

Don’t you love those moments when the smell of fresh coffee accompanies the familiar voices of friendship shared? Even simple moments shared with family and friends stand out over time as special occasions. But are you serving fresh coffee only? A clean coffee machine guarantees that no hidden oil, bacteria or grime are transferred to […]

Is your coffee just not doing it for you anymore? Is the taste below average? Ask yourself what else might be in your cup. In order to enjoy that unique, heavenly taste we all love, your machine needs regular cleaning. Professional baristas clean their coffee equipment every single day – and so should you! Don’t […]

Your coffee machine can be like NU again with Caffenu! Our Eco descaler makes your coffee machine feel like you’ve just bought it! The descaling works on the backend of your machine, removing lime scale and calcium build up from your pipes and boiler. Meaning that when you descale, those parts can actually do their […]

Trade shows are a place bubbling with business growth and opportunities. Caffenu is excited to further expand business in the international market with two major trade shows coming up in February and March. Caffenu will be presenting our full product range for 2018, and officially launch the Nespresso compatible Descaling & Cleaning Kit, as well […]

Any coffee lover will affirm that nothing compares to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee first thing in the morning. It is also one of the best things to experience when we are having a not-so-good day at work and you need that quick pick-me-up. Whenever we enjoy our coffee, it seems the last thought […]

Did you know that residue in your coffee machine is not only germ ridden but also a major cause for poor tasting coffee? Regular residue removal not only improves the taste of the coffee (less bitterness, and tannins) but also increases the lifespan of the machine as it removes blockages. By simply inserting a cleaning […]

Having a coffee machine at home that makes premium and quality espresso is a non-negotiable for many coffee lovers – but when last did you clean your coffee machine? All our kitchen appliances need regular cleaning, and that includes our coffee machines. The natural oils found in coffee beans leave an oily layer behind in […]

We want you to start the year Caffenu style: clean and fresh! When was the last time you cleaned your coffee machine? If you can’t remember, then now is the time to do something about it. Cleaning your coffee equipment requires you to descale your machine’s internal components, but it also requires you to clean […]

WOW! What a fantastic year it has been! Thank you to all our loyal clients, distributors, resellers and customers. We couldn’t have done this without you. We’ve reached our 1 Million Milestone earlier this year, a huge achievement. Since our initial launch of our first Nespresso® compatible cleaning capsule at the end of 2015, we […]

Caffenu will be presented at the Host Milano 2017 show from the 20th to the 24th of October this year. Here, you can learn everything about all our amazing products, including our new Multipod cleaning capsule. The show will take place at the Fiera Milano Centre, and you can find us in Hall 18, Stand […]

Coffee machines are some of the most significant appliances in any home. The smell of fresh coffee in the morning announces the breaking of a new day, bringing the family together for a few minutes. As silly as it may sound, coffee brings people together all around the world. But in serving good coffee, it […]

It’s a Sunday. You’ve got your liquid descaler and descale your coffee machine just before going to bed. When you wake up, you’ll have the best coffee you’ve had since you first got your coffee pod machine. You brew that cup of Joe and take a sip of that savoury wake-me-up. Oh no, it still […]

“Please, would you finally throw away that Nespresso coffee machine?” That is what my friends have been saying to me for the past year. Well, I am glad I didn’t! Truth is, yes, the machine was not working, it was making terrible sounds, the coffee tasted bitter, sometimes it had no reaction at all no […]

  Our Caffenu® cleaning capsules for Nespresso® machines are currently one of the best-selling coffee accessories across Scandinavia, thanks to Elkjøp Nordic. Elkjøp – better known as Elgiganten outside Norway, is the largest consumer electronics retailer in the Nordic countries, with 400 stores in six countries and 10,000 employees. Elkjøp started selling Caffenu® products last […]

Do Nespresso® machines need cleaning? The answer is, YES, on a regular basis. Just like commercial and industrial machines, Nespresso® coffee machines collect odour, tannins and old coffee oils that get stuck in the brewing chamber of the machines. Every time you make a coffee, it leaves residue behind which hardens, and is a real […]

In November 2015 the first ever Caffenu® cleaning capsule for Nespresso® machines successfully launched, and has changed the way home users clean their coffee equipment. Caffenu® developed the world’s first capsule that cleans the brewing chamber of Nespresso® coffee machines. Because of its unique foaming action, the capsule cleans where a descaler can’t reach, and […]

Nowadays, Nespresso® coffee machines have become one of the more favourable and popular coffee machines around the world. However, keeping it spotless on the inside has had its challenges. With all the new coffee flavours, hot chocolates and tea’s it is no secret that your coffee machine can’t be cleaned with conventional methods. The amount […]

From Zero to Hero: Our Caffenu® cleaning capsule is 1 year old today!   What a year it has been! We officially launched our newest invention, the Caffenu® cleaning capsule, in November 2015 – the first capsule ever world-wide that specifically cleans Nespresso® coffee machines. The Caffenu® cleaning capsule is now being sold in 24 […]

Does your Nespresso® coffee machine give you more issues than coffee? We have all been there. We crawl out of bed, switch on our beloved coffee machine, and push the button so that we can finally start the day with the help of a good cup of coffee. But something isn’t right… No coffee or […]

How to brew the perfect cup of coffee – with your Nespresso® machine How temperatures, water and your coffee capsule machine all influence the quality of your coffee. Here are our Top 5 Tips: 1. Preheat your cup Yes, you heard us! It is very important to preheat your cup for the perfect cup of […]

Are you aware, that your coffee machine is a breeding ground for bacteria and old coffee build up? The residue and build-up mainly sits inside the brewing chamber and nozzle of your machine. Descaling doesn´t help Descaling doesn´t hurt, but it doesn´t help. A descaler only removes the lime scale on the boiler of your […]

David Donde is the founder of Truth Coffee Roasting, a famous Coffee Shop in Cape Town that’s just been awarded best coffee shop in the world by The Telegraph in the UK. Truth Coffee stocks the Caffenu® Cleaning Capsule for Nespresso® machines in their Online Store. We wanted to know why! Why is it so […]

There is a lot that our eyes can´t see, most of which we probably wouldn’t want to know about. But we ask ourselves sometimes: How hygienic is the inside of my Nespresso® compatible coffee machine? Our experts took some microbiological swabs, and had them independently tested by SWIFT Silliker labs Merieux Siences. The results were […]

Nespresso® coffee machines have become more popular than ever before. People have moved away from cheaper instant brands in favour of top quality sourced blends with unique flavours and aromas. More coffee lovers are enjoying the convenience of having an Espresso or Cappuccino available at the push of a button. With a wide variety of […]