Pod coffee machine - what is it, models, which one is better to choose

The pod coffee machine appeared on the market relatively recently, but has already managed to win the hearts of coffee lovers. The prototype for its creation was the popular horn model. In addition to the modified design of the horn, manufacturers took a new approach to the process of preparing raw materials.

To prepare a cup of drink, you no longer need to grind beans, measure out a portion and compact it in a cone. A special “tablet” is loaded into a pod coffee machine – a pod, which contains a measured portion of coffee.

What is a pod coffee machine

Let's start with the fact that the pod coffee maker does not represent a technological breakthrough. It is designed according to the principle of a conventional carob coffee machine. The basic difference is the design of the horn. In the pod model, the filter of the horn is flat and wide, so that a bag of ground coffee can fit into it.

The rest of the design and operating principle are exactly the same as in a conventional carob coffee machine. The water is heated and passes under pressure through a portafilter with a pod placed in it.

At the end we have ready-made coffee, strong and aromatic. After using the pods, we dispose of them.

The technology was invented by the Italians, who set the goal of improving the technology for making espresso and facilitating the endless cleaning of the horn that baristas are doomed to. The business benefit is obvious - the pods precisely calculate the size of coffee per serving, which facilitates reporting and makes coffee consumption transparent in catering establishments.

"Cialda" means "waffle" in Italian. Indeed, a coffee pod looks like a round wafer.

It's all in the pods

If everything is more or less clear with the device - it’s a carob coffee machine, slightly modified for pods, then what about the pods themselves? What are they and where do they come from?

A pod is a portion of ground coffee, weighing 7-9 g, packed in filter paper. One pod is enough to prepare a shot of good espresso. The pod filter paper is made from oxygen bleached cellulose and is completely neutral. It does not give any foreign smell or taste.

The pods have an outer packaging made of foil paper. For better preservation of coffee, an inert gas - nitrogen - is pumped into the packaging. The pods are similar in appearance to tea bags. But buying pods is not as easy as buying tea bags. The easiest and surest way is to order online.

The most common type of pod is ESE. It can have different edging, thickness is about 10 mm, diameter from 44 to 61 mm, designed for making espresso. Its abbreviation stands for: Easy Serving Espresso. You will have to choose pods for your coffee maker model.

Pods differ from capsules in shape and packaging technology. Therefore, capsule coffee machines differ from capsule ones. While pod coffee makers are designed like a carob coffee maker, capsule coffee makers have their own design with a device for piercing a hard capsule.

Advantages

Compared to other coffee equipment, pod devices have a number of advantages. The main one is the ease of preparing the aromatic drink. The following advantages of the modern unit are also highlighted:

The coffee tastes the same every time. There is no reason to worry that it will be too weak or too strong. This effect can be achieved due to precisely selected dosage and tightness of the packaging;
flow control. You can find out exactly how many shots of espresso you can still prepare;
fully automated coffee brewing process;
high quality of the resulting drink;
almost silent operation;
absence of chemical additives, preservatives and emulsifiers in the composition. They are often used by unscrupulous manufacturers to obtain dense, persistent foam;
speed of preparation of the drink. A regular coffee maker takes longer to brew espresso;
ease of disposal. The pods are simply thrown away after use. There is no need to clean or wash the brewing device;
compact dimensions of the devices, attractive appearance;
When pressing ground grains, the powder is enriched with aromatic oils. Thanks to this, the espresso acquires a rich aroma;
Due to the presence of inert gas in the packaging, it is possible to preserve the original aroma and taste for a long time. Whole grains partially lose them in a week, and powder in just five minutes of direct contact with air;
reasonable cost of pod units in comparison with modern espresso coffee machines;
The packaging is environmentally friendly and does not come into contact with the material from which the horn is made when preparing coffee.

coffee makers

There are specialized coffee machines for preparing coffee in pods. Many manufacturers of coffee equipment offer a combined option. They equip regular carob coffee makers with an additional holder attachment. Once you have it in place, you can use a round pod.

Advantages of a pod coffee machine

Quick coffee preparation. There is no need to measure or tamp the powder, just print out the pods.
Easy disposal. The used pod is simply thrown away.
The quality of the finished coffee does not depend on the skill of the barista, but only on the quality of the pod.
Accounting and control in public catering establishments is simplified.

Disadvantages of a pod coffee maker

High cost of a cup of coffee. One pod will cost from 20 rubles, and only if you buy in large quantities or on sale. The average retail price of a pod is 25-30 rubles, which is twice as expensive as espresso from regular coffee.

Sometimes the disadvantages of pod coffee makers include a small range of flavors, but this is a controversial issue. At the moment, there are several dozen flavor options for pods. It is quite enough for daily use.

How to make coffee from pods

You can prepare pod coffee according to the following instructions:

Make sure there is water in the device. If it is absent, the liquid is poured into a special compartment.
Turn on the coffee machine.
Print and carefully review the pod. There should be no damage to it.
Place the tablet in a special filter, insert it into the device and secure it.
Start the espresso preparation process.
Wait until the beep sounds.
Remove the used briquette and throw it away.

Saving when using pods is strictly prohibited. You cannot brew the same filter bag several times.

Such actions will result in a tasteless liquid being obtained instead of high-quality espresso.

Pod-type coffee makers are a new product among coffee equipment. Such units are widely used in small coffee shops and offices. This is due to the ability to accurately control coffee consumption. At home, such a device will also find its place. The unit has compact dimensions and allows you to quickly and effortlessly prepare espresso in a short period of time. Therefore, more and more often coffee lovers decide to purchase such a coffee machine.

Models of pod coffee makers

There are two types of coffee makers for making pod coffee.

Regular coffee machines with replaceable filters. You can make coffee from ground powder or pods in them - just change the filter attachment.
Special pod coffee machines.

Many large manufacturers of coffee equipment have models of the first type. To find out if the coffee maker can make pod coffee, look at the specifications. It indicates whether there is a “coffee pod” function.

We propose to get to know the second group better.

Grimac pod coffee makers

Grimac is an Italian manufacturer of coffee equipment. Now two models are very popular.

Grimac Terry Opale – espresso coffee maker. Productivity – 25 cups per hour. Has a removable water filter, pressure 15 bar. Steel body, has a water softener. Prepares only espresso, there is no cappuccino maker. Costs from 16,500 rub.

Grimac Nuvola. The main characteristics are the same as the Terry model. It has a cappuccino maker with an additional steam boiler to better froth the milk. Costs from 19,000 rub.

Reviews about these coffee makers are good. Here's one of them.

Alex, owner of Grimac Terry coffee maker

— I bought it out of desperation. I was exhausted with carob coffee makers, but there was no money for an expensive coffee machine. I bought this one. Very pleased - it justified itself 100%. I love strong, good, rich and hot espresso with foam. As the Italians say, “like in a bar.” A pod coffee maker makes just this. Yes, you have to buy pods regularly, but I usually buy in bulk every few months and get a good discount. They are stored for a long time. And I have excellent coffee from a coffee maker for 15 thousand rubles. I think this is great!

Senseo Philips pod coffee makers

In stores you can come across compact models of the Senseo series from the famous Philips manufacturer, although they are becoming less and less common. We were unable to find out whether these models were discontinued altogether or whether supplies to Russia were simply reduced.

They are compact in size and are literally designed for a couple of cups of coffee. The pressure in them is low, about 3.5 bar, so the quality of the prepared coffee is closer to Americano. The coffee maker prepares coffee with “foam,” which is very unstable because it is formed not under pressure, but by passing liquid through a thick mesh filter. The relatively low price of 5,500 rubles and ease of operation are an attractive factor if you do not like strong coffee.

Gretti pod coffee makers

Chinese brand. The range includes models of different sizes and performance. The manufacturer gives information about a pressure of 15 bar in all models. The cost of the Gretti NR-120 BLACK model with a tank volume of 2.8 liters is from 8,000 rubles. For any model you can buy a cappuccino maker and other additional accessories.

Judging by the substantial volumes of water tanks, coffee makers are designed for office or bar use.

There is currently a limited range of pod coffee makers on the Russian market. The once popular ARIETE 1317 Divina is a thing of the past, and Inventum models are no longer available. In general, we are seeing a trend of replacing pod coffee machines with combination models and capsule coffee makers.

Palette of tastes

Now about the differences. The main differences between pods are the composition, the number of bags in a box (pod coffee is sold in boxes), and, of course, the manufacturers.

Among the latter, the Italian brand Hausbrandt occupies an excellent position, offering a good assortment of pod coffee, in which every gourmet will surely find their favorite taste and aroma.

Do you want to cheer up in the morning? A dense and rich Hausbrandt Espresso, made from several varieties of Arabica, or Hausbrandt Kenya AA Gourmet, a Kenyan coffee with a rich taste, are suitable.

Those with a sweet tooth and lovers of chocolate and nut notes will like the Brazilian Santos Gourmet, and tobacco connoisseurs who combine a cigar with a cup of coffee will like Guatemala Gourmet.

Hausbrandt also offers soft “evening” coffee – decaffeinato.

Pod coffee machine: our conclusion

Fast, clean and easy espresso preparation.
A cup of coffee costs twice as much as ground coffee.
The pods need to be selected according to the model of your coffee maker.
Good coffee is prepared by pod coffee machines with a pressure of 15 bar.
There is no point in buying cheap pod coffee makers: the coffee is watery and the pods are expensive.
Combination coffee machines are replacing pod coffee machines.
The best choice among the available pod coffee machines is Grimac.

Do you use a pod coffee maker? Share your impressions in the comments!

Varieties

Each variety has different tastes. These can be pods with a chocolate aftertaste, fruity, sour, nutty, etc. aftertaste.

The leading varieties are:

Maragogyp. The drink it produces is aromatic and thick with a sweet aftertaste.
Brazilian bourbon santos. This type is the most common. It has a chocolate aftertaste with almonds and citrus sourness.
Colombia Excelso. This variety is characterized by a slight bitterness and cocoa flavor.
Ethiopia Mocha. Considered quite good. When consumed, an apple-coffee aftertaste and a fruity-wine aftertaste appear.

Disadvantages

Despite the string of advantages of pods, there are still a few disadvantages. First, you need to purchase a suitable coffee maker. Even the most economical models cost more than 4 thousand rubles, while a Turk or geyser coffee maker does not require a huge investment.

Many people complain about the limited range of flavors and the lack of ability to combine different types of coffee and prepare drinks with additives. Naturally, commercially available flavors may become boring over time, but the pods are not made for gourmets, but for ordinary people who are more accustomed to the instant analogue.

Perhaps the main drawback is the need to search for places of sale. Pods are not available in all chain stores, so it’s easier to find a specialized point of sale of coffee or order them via the Internet.

Manufacturers of pod coffee are actively trying to expand their range and create new consistencies. Typically, any of them produces from 15 to 20 flavors. Manufacturers are also experimenting with the degree of roasting of the beans. In the near future, in addition to coffee, they began to produce teas in pods, which are very different in taste from bagged ones.

At the moment, you can find the following pod brands on the market:

Buscaglione produces 3 flavor varieties of pods, including a decaffeinated version. Traditional Buscaglione Arabica is perfectly suitable for making espresso. It has a mild floral taste and a sweetish smell. Buscaglione Long has a large grind and allows you to prepare a rich Americano or Lungo. It has a slight sourness and bitterness, as well as an almond aftertaste. The smell of the drink is very rich and spicy.

Buscaglione Passione will appeal to real gourmets who prefer a multifaceted taste. It is suitable for making espresso and cappuccino. This variety is distinguished by nutty and chocolate notes, as well as a thick brown foam on the finished drink.

For people with health difficulties, this brand has made individual pods of Buscaglione Decaffeinato. They are made from American Arabica beans, from which caffeine is extracted during processing. With all this, the coffee comes out rich in taste with a slight sourness and a fruity aftertaste.

San Giusto produces pods of the 1st type based on Brazilian Arabica and Indonesian Robusta. It is a traditional taste with chocolate notes and a generous aroma. Suitable for making strong drinks.

Italko delights consumers with 2 different flavors: Assolo and Concerto. Italko Assolo contains a low amount of caffeine - only 1.2%, so it will have a gentle effect on the nervous system. It contains a mixture of Arabica beans from various countries. The taste of the drink is piquant, fruity, with a slight sourness.

Italco Concerto, on the contrary, is caffeinated, and therefore has an invigorating effect and a nutty aftertaste. It consists of African and Italian Robusta with the addition of Arabica. Ideal for making cappuccino and ristretto, because the drink comes out with an airy soft foam.

Bristot is a traditional espresso blend. This coffee is made from 75% Brazilian Arabica and 25% Alpine Robusta. The ylli brand pods are of the highest quality and contain high-mountain Arabica beans. This is a strong coffee with a chocolate flavor and pronounced bitterness. But Lavazza, with its own strength, is delicate in taste, not bitter and very fragrant.

coffee pot"

Its prototype was created several hundred years ago, and at the beginning of the 20th century, the Italian Bialetti received a patent for his own version of the device. The main material of manufacture was aluminum. In the 21st century, devices are made from aluminum, steel, glass and combined materials. You can get a traditional or electric geyser model.

Operating principle

To make coffee, you need to place the coffee maker on a heat source. When heated, the water from the lower compartment rises and passes through a layer of ground coffee powder. Rising even higher, the coffee reaches the end of the tube and enters the upper tank, empty until this moment.

After a few minutes of heating, all the water will move from the bottom to the top, extracting the taste and aroma from the ground powder. The coffee maker can be removed from the heat and the finished drink can be poured into cups.

Exploitation

The geyser coffee maker has a collapsible design. Pour water into the lower reservoir, then attach the filter on top. Pour coffee powder into it. Install the top part with the lid and the device goes to the stove. Make sure the heating is even and slow. If the heat is too high, you won't get good coffee.

Peculiarities

Makes strong coffee, close to espresso quality, as long as you don't overheat it. Overheating happens if you forget about the coffee maker and leave it on the fire.

You won’t be able to brew anything other than regular black coffee in a geyser. Not long ago they released a model with a cappuccino function, but the result is most similar to regular coffee with milk due to the very unstable foam with large bubbles.

Advantages

Easy to use.
Reasonable price. Even an authentic Bialetti coffee maker can be purchased for up to 2,000 rubles. Chinese Nonames cost from 700 rubles.
Coffee does not run onto the stove.
Does not require descaling.
The quality of the finished drink is good; many compare it to espresso.
Assortment - color, material of manufacture and form factor of the coffee maker can be chosen from dozens of options.
Compact size - easy to store and take with you.

Flaws

One recipe, no options.
Lack of indication - you will have to determine the degree of readiness of the coffee by sound.
Coffee can “stay” if you forget it on the stove.
Not all coffee makers are universal; the material must be chosen depending on the type of stove.

Tips for choosing

Use a few simple tips when choosing coffee pods:

Pay attention to the place where the grains are produced. Give preference to raw materials from Guatemala, Colombia, Ethiopia and Costa Rica. Brazilian varieties will appeal to fans of strong coffee with sourness and rich aroma.
Choose medium or fine grind coffee pods as they allow for better water flow and flavor release.
Don’t chase a low price, because the quality of the coffee beans that are placed in the pods directly depends on it.