Coffee Capsules For Your Coffee Machine – How to Choose

Brewing coffee does not have to take too much of your time. In fact, using coffee capsules saves you time and effort when making a caffeinated drink for your morning. 

As people continue to work from home, coffee brewing has become a common trend. Coffee statistics show that 79% of Americans brew coffee at home, while 64% of adults drink coffee daily.  

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To brew coffee using a coffee capsule, you need a capsule coffee machine. You cannot use a capsule with a Chemex, Aeropress, or French Press coffee maker. An example of a capsule coffee machine is the Nespresso Essenza Mini espresso machine by De’Longhi. 

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If you want to enjoy a quality cup of your favorite decaf or caffeinated coffee without too much effort, then you need an automatic coffee capsule machine. 

We’ll guide you through everything you need to know about coffee capsules. By the end of it, you will understand the difference between coffee capsules and pods.

So let’s begin!

What is a Coffee Capsule?

Before we look at the definition, here’s a sample capsule by Lavazza.

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A coffee capsule is a plastic or aluminum container with 5-7 grams of ground coffee. The top part of the capsule is sealed with aluminum foil. 

The coffee capsules are ideal for making single-serve coffee. To brew coffee, you only need to place it in the capsule holder and press the start button. 

Most capsule coffee machines have a sharp needle to pierce through the capsule for coffee brewing. The reason why most people prefer using coffee capsules is because they are less involving.

That is, you do not need to have barista skills to brew cafe-quality coffee using a capsule coffee machine. 

What Is The Difference Between A Coffee Pod and A Coffee Capsule?

Some reviewers will use the terms capsule and pods interchangeably. However, there’s a difference between the two. 

A coffee pod contains approximately 7 grounds of coffee. The coffee grounds are not in a plastic container but rather a cloth filter and are round in shape. 

To brew pre-ground coffee, you need a paper or reusable filter. However, with a capsule or pod, you do not need the coffee filter. Coffee capsules and pods are used for single-serve coffee brewing. 

However, the two have notable differences. To make it easy for you, check out the comparison table below. 

Coffee capsule	Coffee Pod
It has an aluminum foil seal to prevent air from getting into contact with the ground coffee.	The ground coffee is in a round paper filter.
It contains about 5-7 grams of ground coffee	It has about 7 grams of ground coffee.
Requires proper disposal	Easy to dispose
Require an extra dry storage space	Requires a dry storage
Coffee capsules require a capsule coffee machine	Compatible with most coffee machines
Can withstand the high pressure of a pressurized capsule coffee machine	Requires low pressure to avoid the paper filter from bursting open.
Vacuum packed in an air-tight container.	It contains a single dose of ground coffee.

How To Choose A Coffee Capsule For Your Coffee Machine

As a coffee lover, waking up to a perfect cup of your favorite coffee beverage is a fulfilling way to start the day. But how do you select the best coffee capsule?

Here’s how to go about it:

1. Type of coffee machine

The type of coffee machine will determine the type of capsule to use. For example, if you’re using an Illy Espresso machine, you need the illy coffee capsules.  

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However, not all coffee capsules are compatible with a capsule coffee machine. You do not want to buy a coffee capsule that you cannot use with your coffee machine. 

Before you swipe your card for a specific capsule, check the coffee machine manual to understand the type of coffee capsules that works for it. 

2. The shape of the coffee capsule

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The Nespresso Vertuoline capsules are dome-shaped, while the Lavazza Blue Espresso coffee capsules are cylindrical. Therefore, it means that you can only use a coffee capsule with compatible coffee machines.

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Make sure that you use a coffee capsule that the brand recommends. It is ideal for you to buy coffee products from coffee stores like Amazon or from the brand. 

For example, if you’re buying espresso coffee capsules from Amazon, they highlight its compatibility with a specific coffee machine. 

3. How to recycle the capsules

Coffee capsules are recyclable, but it depends on the brand. Plastic capsules can lead to environmental pollution. The Don Francisco espresso coffee capsules, for instance, are recyclable. 

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How many cups of coffee do you drink daily? With the work from home, you will need to brew coffee any time you need to. That translates to the coffee capsules to dispose of after each brewing session.

Before you buy a coffee capsule, check whether the brand provides a disposal method through a recycling program. Recyclable coffee capsules are the best since you do not have to worry about disposal. 

4. Variety

The coffee marketplace has a variety of coffee capsules. Check the flavor, intensity, aromatic profile, brand, caffeine content, and taste notes of each coffee capsule. 

For instance, if you have an Illy coffee machine, the brand offers a variety of Illy coffee capsules. Ensure you have your preferred coffee capsule by checking the roast type, caffeine content, and flavor. If you’re buying the capsules online, you can make a comparison before buying. 

5. Type of coffee in the coffee capsule

The two main types of coffee are- Robusta and Arabica. Most coffee brands will indicate the type of coffee as 100% Arabica or a blend of both. 

Depending on your taste notes and preference, make sure that you check whether it is caffeinated or decaffeinated. The type of coffee contributes to the taste and aroma of coffee. 

Hence, if you love a quality cup of joe, the type of coffee should be a top priority when choosing a coffee capsule. 

6. Packaging

As you choose a coffee capsule, check the type of packaging. Most coffee capsules will have aluminum or plastic packaging. It protects the ground coffee from coming into contact with air, which could easily stale the coffee. 

For instance, Peet’s espresso coffee capsules have aluminum packaging. It helps in preserving the flavor and aroma of the ground coffee. 

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7. Are the coffee capsules reusable?

Yes, you read it right. Coffee capsules can also be reusable. For example, the Perfect Pod brand offers reusable capsules compatible with Keurig, Mr.Coffee, and Cuisinart coffee machines. 

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The benefit of using reusable capsules is that they save you money instead of buying pre-packaged coffee capsules. Besides, they come in handy when brewing your favorite coffee beverage. 

Another benefit of using reusable capsules is that they save you waste disposal. A coffee capsule can be a headache to dispose of, especially if the brand does not have a recyclable program. 

Pros And Cons of Using Coffee Capsules

As a coffee lover, brewing coffee at home gives you convenience. You can always have a sip anytime you need caffeine. 

But that’s not the only advantage of coffee capsules. There are drawbacks as well. Let’s find out more. 

Types of Coffee Machines That Use Coffee Capsules

Examples of such coffee machines are:

1. Nespresso BNV520GRY Vertuo Next Espresso Machine by Breville

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The Nespresso Vertuo coffee machine uses Nespresso Vertuo coffee capsules. The coffee maker has a slim fit and brews from mild to intense coffee beverages. 

It has an automatic capsule ejection. The Nespresso recyclable program provides a sustainable and convenient way of storing used capsules. 

The Nespresso virtual machine adapts the brewing parameter based on the capsule. It brews coffee and espresso beverages only.

2. Illy y3.2 Espresso and Coffee Machine

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The coffee machine uses the iperEspresso capsules to brew coffee and espresso. Each capsule has around 7 grams of coffee grounds.

The Illy coffee maker is simple to use with the two programmable settings. It is a red, stylish coffee machine that is attractive to have on your kitchen countertop. 

3. Nescafé Dolce Gusto Coffee Machine, Genio 2, Espresso, Cappuccino and Latte Pod Machine

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The Nescafe Dolce Gusto Coffee maker uses a smart capsule that maintains the aroma and flavor of the ground coffee. You can select from the 15 flavors provided by the brand for your specialty drinks.

The coffee machine is ideal for countertops with limited space. Depending on your coffee taste notes, you can make a custom hot or cold beverage with the coffee maker. 

Frequently Asked Questions

As a coffee lover, having a quality cup of joe is a perfect way to keep you caffeinated. In this section, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions about coffee capsules.

Which coffee capsules are compatible with the Nespresso coffee machine?

Nespresso has a variety of coffee capsules to select from and use. The Nespresso coffee machines use coffee capsules from the brand – like Starbucks by Nespresso and Nespresso Vertuoline Espresso capsules. 

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Are coffee capsules recyclable?

Coffee capsules are recyclable. But, that is dependent on the brand. Before you buy a coffee capsule, check whether the brand has a recyclable program for the used capsules.

How do you use coffee capsules to brew coffee?

Brewing coffee with a coffee capsule is easy. A capsule coffee machine brews coffee within a few seconds. Here’s how you brew coffee:

1. Add water to the water reservoir.
2. Place a coffee cup on the cupholder. 
3. Place a capsule in the capsule holder on the coffee maker. 
4. Select the type of coffee beverage you want to brew. 
5. Press the start button to begin coffee brewing. 

Brewing coffee with a capsule coffee machine is easy. You can make a quality cup of your favorite beverage without the barista skills. All you need is a coffee capsule. 

4. Which is better – coffee capsules vs. coffee beans?

A coffee connoisseur will recommend coffee beans. The reason is, you will roast the green coffee beans at home to your preferred roast type, grind the coffee beans and use them for brewing. 

With coffee capsules, you do not have control as with the coffee beans. The coffee is pre-packaged for you, and it’s ideal for those lazy days and late mornings. Coffee capsules are a quick fix when you do not want to get involved with the coffee-brewing process. 

Both coffee beans and capsules are best when brewing coffee. However, with the coffee beans, there’s more control for your resulting cup of coffee. Besides, you get to have a fresh cup of your favorite coffee drink. 

Final Thoughts

If you’re not sure of how to choose the best coffee capsules for your coffee machine, there you have it. Brewing coffee beverages from a coffee capsule is fast and easy. 

So, now it’s your turn! Ensure that you carefully check the recommended coffee capsules for your coffee machine by the brand. With our guide, you can now use coffee capsules to brew cafe-quality coffee.