Last Updated on June 20, 2021 by YourBestCoffeeMachine
Updated: June 6, 2021- Just so you know, if you click on a product on our site and decide to buy it, we may earn a small commission. Learn More.
Love a good cup of coffee but can’t be bothered with all the ruckus of preparing an actual pot? A pod-coffee maker is just the perfect thing for you. Packing together all the coffee-making fuss in a single plastic pod, it can deliver excellent quality coffee in minutes with the ease and convenience of a tea-bag.
With the current wide array of different coffee-pod machines armed with their own selection of beverages to choose from, it might be quite the tricky situation to pick which best suits your taste. Read on to know more about coffee pods and the machines they’re compatible with to help you select your finest coffee pod brew.
Let’s Compare the Coffee Pods (Coffee Capsules)
Lavazza Coffee Pods
Committed to achieving excellence in the production of coffee from the late 1800s up to the present, Lavazza counts on solid experience to assure that the quality of their coffee would be nothing but, the best. Lavazza capsules boasts about making unbeatable coffee of whatever type according to your mood – espresso, macchiato, cappuccino, latte etc. (the decaf even tastes better than most cups of coffee you’d get in a café). The pods enable you to create drinks with the authentic Italian taste, having such combinations of Brazilian and Indian Arabica blends, which ultimately gives you beverages with full flavour, aroma and body.
The only downside for this, is that the pods are not widely available (can be only obtained from selected major stores). Also, it is only compatible with Lavazza coffee machine e.g. AEG Lavazza Espresso Coffee Machine
Tassimo Coffee Pods
Tassimo is popular because of the great variety of tastes and beverages available with its pods (called T-Discs). Unlike other coffee makers that are typically limited to one basic type, Tassimo can make pretty much anything, from coffee, espresso, cappuccino, hot chocolate, latte machiato (and caramel), chai and various teas. The cappuccino is dead right; the caramel latte is terrific; the espresso is suitably small and strong; and the chai is lusciously aromatic. The Costa cappuccino is a crowd favourite (a little stronger than cappuccino).
Also, Tassimo’s milk-based beverages (such as Gevalia’s Caramel Latte Macchiato), though not as good as freshly-frothed milk from a cafe, is considerably better than some Nespresso milk-beverages that had a distinct ‘powdery’ taste to them.
Overall, Tassimo’s beverages taste great, but the downside is on the servings which are not as big as you’d need them to be.
It is only compatible with Tassimo machines, e.g. T65, T12, TSA2002
Nespresso’s Couture Brews
Nespresso capsules are a bit harder to come across with unlike Tassimo or Dolce Gusto pods that are available in supermarkets and grocery stores, as you still have to register at the Nespresso Club and order there.
Nespresso coffee capsules encompass 19 distinct and exclusive flavors known as the Grands Crus. Characterized by its rich, near-chocolate flavour, Ristretto is the boldest of the Espressos blends. Those who value typical flavours that are distinctive of beans from specific parts of the world will enjoy the Pure Origin line. There’s also the Flavoured Espressos which are characteristically sweet and delicious (combinations of sweet caramel, decadent chocolate, and silky vanilla), and the Decaffeinated Varieties that have light and subtle blends with fruity hints.
A great way for a beginner to sample each of the Grands Crus and to eventually figure out which suits individual preferences would be to avail of Nespresso variety packs. But the Nespresso coffee pods also have a downside: at only about 5-6 grams per pod, they have less coffee per pod than some of the other choices.
Compatible with Nespresso machines only. E.g Lattissima, Pixie, Essenza
Dolce Gusto Coffee Pods
There are a total 24 flavours to choose from the Dolce Gusto line, although some flavours require 2 pods to make one serving, like Latte, cappuccino, or hot chocolate. Variations for latte macchiato include caramel and vanilla, but there’s also Skinny Latte which is just as delicious, frothy and elegant as their regular latte: while it’s low in fat and calories, it’s still filled to the brim with intense coffee flavour thanks to a rich and smooth espresso shot. The espresso also has Decaff, Barista, Intenso, Ristretto and Cortado Machiatto variants, high on aroma and intensely rich flavours that have different levels of “cheekiness”.
There’s also Skinny Cappuccino which is a perfect frothy steamed treat with only 50 calories a serving – a deliciously guiltless indulgence; and the velvety hot chocolate Chococino, where the coffee beans are replaced instead by cocoa beans and topped with steamed milk. Dolce Gusto not only has coffee beverages in its selection but also included are refreshing iced tea drinks Nestea Lemon and Nestea Peach.
Compatible with Dolce Gusto machines only. E.g. Melody, Circolo
illy Coffee Capsules
The exclusive coffee capsules of illy is known as iperEspresso. The illycafe, associated with the best European cafes in the world, is an Italian brand that has been around since 1933. Illy created iperEspresso capsules to bring you luxury and fine taste at home: pre-measured capsules that will make you the ideal cup of coffee with just a push of a button, and makes a wonderfully addicting, smooth, rich espresso. The taste of the coffee is strong and rich, but not bitter.
The dark roasted coffee also has the distinctly dark roasted flavour without the ashy aftertaste of being over-roasted, and it offered a tangy acidity that you would notice in a high quality Arabica blend. Compared to the medium roast, the dark roast offers a more robust flavour in the cup to equal with the tangy acidity.
Generally, illy should be drank by convenience-minded crema fans and those who prefer blends that favour refinement over power.
Compatible to Illy Iperespresso machines only. E.g: Francis Francis IIIy
Coffee Pods Conclusion
Capsule coffee machines are more and more becoming increasingly popular among coffee fanatics looking for a fast and hassle-free caffeine fix – now that people live their life on a hectic schedule, pre-packed single-serve beverage choices appeal more. It also helps against wastage as these pods contain just enough coffee for one cup and are convenient and mess-free.
When looking for the perfect coffee pod, consider all of the features included with the various brands and models, such as the cup size, power, variety, filters, and ease of use. Some coffee machines are compatible with both coffee pods as well as ground coffee – it’s important to understand the features, limitations, pros and cons of each machine.
So which coffee pods do you like the most? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts!
The latest lavazza capsules do no release from the machine when the lever is raised and it is difficult to remove the new plastic capsules. If the problem persists I shall get rid of the machine and purchase a machine from some other manufacturer.