Best For Lattes: Nespresso Originalline Ispirazione Firenze Arpeggio
What We Love:Strong espresso that can stand up to steamed milk complex flavor profile
What We Don’t Love: Bitter and bold, which may not suit all tastes
When selecting an espresso to use in a milk-based beverage like a latte, it makes sense to opt for a dark, bold roast that can hold its own and maintain a strong balance with the mild flavor and rich texture of the milk.
The Nespresso Arpeggio Intenso fulfills all of these requirements, along with hints of malt and fruit from the Arabica beans, as well as savory smoky notes.
Series: Original | Intensity: 9 | Serving Size: 1.4 ounces | Roast:Dark
What We Love: Wide range of intensities made by a respected espresso roastery pod selection that provides both short pours and longer lungo pours affordable
What We Don’t Love: Pods might not precisely fit in the Nespresso machine
Several brands make espresso pods with Nespresso machine compatibility, and one of the finest alternatives comes from Lavazza, a heritage Italian roastery with enormous popularity in its home country.
The Lavazza Variety Pack represents a phenomenal value for those who live in shared households, those who entertain regularly, and those who just like a bit of variety in their own espresso habits.
Series:Original | Intensity:4 to 10 | Serving Size: 1.4 ounces, 3.7 ounces | Roast:Dark
Can You Recycle Coffee Pods
Yes and no. The cardboard boxes that the pods are packaged in are recyclable no surprises there but the pods themselves leave a much bigger environmental footprint. For a start, aluminium is an energy-hungry product, requiring nine times more energy to manufacture than steel.
In Australia, customers are advised they can recycle Nespresso pods by returning them to a Nespresso boutique, dropping them off at a participating collection point or posting them back to Nespresso using a special Australia Post satchel, but it’s not clear what proportion is actually being recycled.
Customers are advised they can recycle Nespresso pods but it’s not clear what proportion is actually being recycled
Coffee pods, many of which are mostly plastic rather than aluminium, generally can’t be thrown into domestic recycling bins. They’re too small for the machines at recycling plants to separate from other rubbish and simply drop through sieves into general waste.
And while there are some brands that claim their pods are biodegradable, this is only in industrial compost conditions.
Read more: Coffee pod recycling
Best Italian Style Caff Borbone Ese Coffee Pods
| Product Name |
One hundred years ago, wood fire-roasted coffee was standard everywhere, and there was no other way to roast coffee. But since electric and gas-powered roasteries have become commonplace, it has become impossible to find fire-roasted coffee. We Real Italian Espresso is a Fire Roast Cafe, which roasts its coffee beans on Oakwood fire. The espresso made from its ESE pods tastes precisely like Summer Moon Coffee.
See the full review of the ESE Coffee Pods We Real Italian Espresso.
Don’t Miss: Flavia Coffee Maker
Best Variety: New England Coffee
New England Coffee has a blend for everyone. There are traditional varieties like Italian Roast and Colombian Supremo. There are decaf options, K-Cups, and a list of flavored coffees. You can find everything from the dessert-like to the outlandish .
The company has been around for over 100 years, and it’s refreshingly affordable. Depending on the blend, a 12-ounce bag of ground coffee can cost as little as $5.
Tips When Using A Pod Coffee Machine
1. Prime your machine before use. If youve got some time on your hands, brew water through your machine before adding a pod. This will help to keep your machine clean and help to rev the engine before you make your cuppa. Plus, its an awesome way to warm your cup up, almost like pre-heating it.
2. Use filtered water. Many models come with a built-in filtration system, but if yours doesnt, you might want to purchase a water filter system for your home, if you dont already have one. Pure water helps prevent limescale and adds to a clean-tasting hot beverage.
3. Get to know your machine well. Play around with the settings and calibrate the water volume until its perfect for your desired taste.
Also Check: Verismo Latte Pods
Where To Buy Nespresso Pods
Dave Carter
Nespresso is the world’s most popular coffee brand, and for a good reason. The pods are all compatible with each other in terms of size, shape, and color, so you can easily create an aesthetically pleasing array on your countertop or refrigerator door. Each pod contains enough ground espresso beans to make one cup: a perfect amount for those who want something quick without sacrificing quality taste! There are two types of pods: original and VertuoLine. Original pods use traditional ground coffee, while VertuoLine uses a new brewing process that results in a richer, more intense cup of espresso-based beverage. This drink has less acidity and bitterness than regular brewed coffees. If you have been wondering where to buy Nespresso pods, worry not we got you! Nespresso is an upcoming company that offers a variety of coffee and espresso drinks. Their pods are not readily available in stores, so buyers have to turn to the internet for their purchases. Some people prefer this because they get exactly what they want. For those who don’t want to order online, there are still some options available. This article discusses where you can buy Nespresso pods locally and online from reputable sellers and how much they cost on average per pod type.
Dolce Gusto Infinissima: Best Budget Coffee Pod Machine
Price: From £45 |
For those looking for a cheap, no-frills coffee machine, the unusual-looking Infinissima is well worth considering. But its not just its looks which set it apart: you get to decide exactly how much coffee goes into your cup.
This machine is compatible with all Dolce Gusto pods, including those from third-party companies. Simply pop the pod in the top, switch the lever to hot, then move it back once youve poured as much coffee as you want. You can also pour cold water through certain Dolce Gusto pods, such as the brands cold brew coffee, for a cold drink in the summer months. The cold setting can also be used to adjust the temperature of your coffee if you prefer it a little cooler.
The obvious downside is that you cant take your eye off this machine while your coffee pours and you also have to spend a bit of time figuring out how much water to pull through each pod. Otherwise, this is a good coffee capsule machine if youre on a tight budget.
Key specs Pod type: Dolce Gusto, Starbucks for Dolce Gusto Drink sizes: N/A Bar pressure: Up to 15 Water tank capacity: 1.2l Used capsule bin capacity: N/A
Also Check: Open Your Own Cafe
The Original Donut Shop Regular K
- 1
Pod Type:Disposal:
By the numbers, the Donut Shop Medium Roast is one of the most popular selling pods on the market. After our initial testing, it became clear why. These pods offer broad appeal at a reasonable price. Upon first brewing a cup of this coffee, you’re greeted by pleasant but faint aromas of pipe tobacco. As a medium roast coffee, the flavor profiles trend darker and offer notes of toasted rye and baker’s chocolate. The acidity levels in this pod are relatively low but complement the savory flavors well. These pods have a medium body that ends with a clean aftertaste, leaving no lingering bitterness and ultimately delivering a well-balanced cup of coffee.
Flavors are not too overwhelmingly dark, nor do they stray too far in the other direction with over-the-top brightness. The middle-of-the-road flavor profile could be a detractor for those looking for a specific flavor profile on a different side of the spectrum. It achieves the perfect middle ground and is a satisfying crowd-pleaser for various tastes.
Pod Type:Disposal:
The McCafe Premium Roast Coffee pod is advertised as a medium roast coffee, but we found it one of the lighter-tasting coffees in our testing lineup. As you lift your cup, you’re greeted with a subtle but distinctly nutty aroma. The pleasant aroma then segues into a complimentary taste of toasted almonds as you take your first sip.
Francesfrances Illy X71 Iperespresso
Specifications
Ditching the plastic of some of the more popular pod machines, FrancisFrancis has created a swish, colourful chrome machine with a fascia reminiscent of Wall-E the robot.
The X7.1 boasts an excellent Pannarello steam wand for frothing milk, a large one-litre water reservoir and an old-fashioned portafilter, but one that takes plastic Iperespresso capsules instead of coffee grounds. A simple touch of the centre button produces a rich, aromatic Illy espresso with a lip-smacking crema.
Illy capsules are more expensive than most brands but, boy, they sure know how to make a gorgeously rich and velvety espresso blend.
This Nespresso machine from Dualit doesnt take up much space and is very easy to use it comes equipped with a touch interface that provides a variety of extracts from espresso to Americano, plus a side-mounted milk frother for cappuccinos. It also heats up in 40 seconds flat handy for those in a rush to get out of the house first thing in the morning.
On the downside, the Café Cino is noisy as hell and the metal cup tray rattles about, especially when used with a small espresso cup. But on the plus side, it produces as good an espresso as most machines on this page, so its still worth a punt.
Incidentally, like many third-party Nespresso pod manufacturers, Dualit also makes its own range of reasonably-priced coffee and tea pods that are usually cheaper than Nespressos own though not necessarily as tasty. Just thought you should know.
Recommended Reading: Can You Drink Coffee On Intermittent Fasting
There Are Endless Flavors
Of the ten coffees listed above, there were many different types of flavors, but in the wide world of java, there are even more.
We looked at coffees that taste like cinnamon rolls, and even one that tastes like German chocolate cake. If you want to experiment, the sky is pretty much the limit. Keurig sells dozens of different flavored coffees. Its never a bad idea to stay stocked up on a few different ones in case you have company over.
Here are some other interesting flavors worth checking out:
How We Tested Coffee Pod Machines
The coffee pod machines in this guide were the best performing from the test, using as similar a roast strength and bean variety as possible across compatible eco pods. Our reviews experts marked against the following core and contributing criteria.
- Coffee quality
We looked for a dark espresso, richly flavoured with a strong aroma and hazelnut coloured layer of crema on the top.
- Quality of materials
These machines need to withstand daily use, so those with flimsy, cheap-feel or rickety components were drastically marked down.
- Value for money
Every criteria plays into this. The performance, coffee quality and feel of materials all had to be worth the quantity you fork out for investment.
- Assembly and packaging
This included set-up time and clarity of instructions. Those with an abundance of unnecessary single-use plastic packaging were marked down.
- Ease of use
Coffee pod machines are all about mess-free convenience so every stage of use, from filling the tank to selecting your coffee and emptying the pod bin had to be easy.
The following criteria also played into our decision-making.
Extra functions e.g. milk frother, temperature control Kitchen footprint Ease of storage Eco-friendly credentials
We expect many pod coffee machine users will be seeking convenience above all other factors. Such buyers should look out for the functionality and ease-of-cleaning ratings in our individual pod coffee machine reviews.
Read Also: How To Get Coffee Stain Out Of Jeans
Best Coffee Pods For Espressos: Nespresso Firenze Arpeggio
- Firenze Arpeggio, £3.60 for 10 capsules from Nespresso – buy now
A favourite among espresso enthusiasts, Nespresso’s Firenze Arpeggio is part of the brand’s original line, launched back in 1993, and remains one of its most popular flavours.
According to the coffee-giant, the fabled Arpeggio gets its intense flavour from a blend of pure Arabica beans and is structured on the back of a classic, tasty Costa Rican coffee.
The result is a full-bodied and rich tasting espresso with subtle cocoa notes and woody hints – it’s light in bitterness but a nine on the intensity scale, so make this your first choice if you’re a fan of the stronger stuff.
Don’t forget to take your used coffee pods in store to be recycled, rather than chucking them in the bin.
Best Nespresso Originalline Capsules
Nespresso OriginalLine capsules are available in different flavors. We have prepared a table of Nespresso OriginalLine capsules for you to easily find out your favorite capsule.
| Type |
|---|
Intensity: 9 out of 13
Caffeine: Medium
Aromatic notes: Intensely roasted, Creamy, Cocoa
Cup sizes: Ristretto , and Espresso
Also Check: Verismo Models
An Array Of Delicious Drinks In Just Seconds
Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the bestproducts youcan learn more about ourreview process here.We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.
The Spruce Eats / Photo Illustration by Chloe Jeong / Retailers below
For many households, mornings begin the moment a K-Cup is popped into the coffee maker. Such simplicity and convenience have made pod-based brewing devices one of the most popular coffee products of the 21st century. Countless brands manufacture K-Cup coffee today, from well-known names like Starbucks and Folgers to small boutique roasters.It may seem daunting to sort through all the identical little capsules and pick the right one for your taste buds. “Coffee pods use pre-ground coffee, and it’s hard to know how fresh it is,” said Patrick Cotter, Content Marketing Specialist for Seattle Coffee Gear. “As such, it will usually have a little less flavor than a pot brewed from freshly ground coffee in a high-quality drip brewer. The number one benefit of using a pod coffee maker is convenience.” We’ve researched a wide array of the top options to help you on your way to the best cup. The picks below will help you enjoy delicious coffee at the touch of a button.
For quick and reliable coffee, here are the best K-Cups.
Roast: Medium | Count: 12, 18, 32, 48, 96, 100 pods | Available In: K-Cups
Are All Coffee Pods The Same
Sadly not. Coffee machine pods often won’t work between rival brands, so once you purchase a capsule machine you’re essentially buying into a particular brand, too.
This means you won’t be able to use Nespresso pods or capsules in TASSIMO machines, and vice versa.
Before buying into a brand there are a few things to consider – first, think of the kind of drinks you want to make.
Pod brands including Nespresso and Lavazza are the most popular for their espresso-based pods.
Dolce Gusto and TASSIMO are designed to make a wider range of drinks, including hot chocolate, tea and your milkier, sweeter coffee options.
We suggest exploring the different ranges available for a machine before you buy to be sure you like the ones fitted for your machine.
Also Check: Is Folgers Coffee Good For You
Choose Between Paper And Plastic
The coffee pod has come a long way since the first metal Nespresso cups. But these days, and with Nespresso included, there are only two materials that dominate the market paper and plastic. While paper is more environmentally friendly and less messy, it has limitations. For example, it cannot hold liquid like plastic. For this reason, youll often find the best variety being offered by plastic cups. But while plastic wins in the flavour department, its not bio-degradable. If a sustainable lifestyle is important to you then you can still purchase the plastic cups. Just dunk them in the recycle bin and not the trash can.
The Original Donut Shop Decaf K
- 1
Pod Type:Disposal:
The decaf version of the Original Donut Shop coffee pod offers a very similar, although not entirely identical, taste profile. A chocolaty aroma gives way to a flavor profile that tastes like baker’s chocolate and toasted grains. This decaf pod is tasty enough to serve up as a quick post-dinner brew.
With medium acidity levels, there is a spike in brightness right as the sip finishes that then transitions nicely into a lingering taste of cacao. It was our favorite decaf pod with a smooth body and an outstanding balance of flavor and aroma.
Read Also: Black Rock Coffee Bar Franchise
Are Coffee Pods Bad For The Environment
Friends are telling you that coffee pods are bad for the environment. You are either feeling guilty about your machine or wondering if you should go ahead and buy one. One of the articles we wrote is exactly on this subject of sustainability of coffee pods and whether they are an environmental challenge.
Nespresso Vertuo Alto Xl Pod Flavors
The Alto pod makes a cup thats 14 oz compared to 8 ounces you would get from the regular Vertuo. There are two types of Alto XL pods:
Nespresso Capsules VertuoLine, Alto XL Dolce Intenso, Medium Roast, Pods, Brews,10 Count
These capsules are smooth and round. They deliver me soft and mellow notes of coffee styles with notes of caramel and sweet toasted bread for a smooth and balanced cup of coffee.
Features:
- Its color is Alto Xl Dolce.
Pros:
You May Like: Folgers Classic Roast Caffeine Content
Best Sustainable: Counter Culture Coffee
Counter Culture was the inaugural winner of Roast Magazine’s Roaster of the Year Award, all the way back in 2005. The company has sustained excellence ever since, but it’s not just the taste of the coffee that it puts care into. Counter Culture is widely regarded as one of the most ethical coffee brands because of its direct-trade standards and eco-friendly farming. You can even find annual sustainability reports on the company website. Choose from a variety of ethically sourced blends in sizes ranging from 12 ounces to a whopping 5 pounds.