The Turka, familiar to every coffee lover, has evolved from a small ladle to a professional coffee machine. In the 19th century, drip, geyser and vacuum coffee makers appeared. At the beginning of the 20th century, the invention of the espresso coffee machine by Luigi Bezzer made it possible to make the operations of grinding roasted beans and preparing coffee mechanical, saving the main value of our time - time.
Coffee machines continued to be improved, and in 1978, Eric Favre invented the capsule coffee machine system. Since the 80s of the last century, capsule coffee machines have been gaining increasing popularity around the world, including in Russia.
What is coffee capsules
A coffee capsule is a small sealed package made of aluminum, food grade plastic or a mixture of both materials. There is ground coffee inside. Coffee machine manufacturers usually produce capsules that are suitable only for their brand of appliances. However, there are also products on the market that are suitable for coffee makers from different brands. They are usually more expensive.
Most brands produce an expanded range of capsules for coffee machines. Thus, Nespresso produces over 20 different products.
This variety helps you choose the best capsules. They differ from each other in such indicators as:
- cooking methods;
- fortress;
- appearance;
- richness of taste;
- aroma.
Comparison of the best products
The final table allows you to compare the characteristics and prices of capsules for Nespresso coffee machines more clearly.
| Model | Type of coffee drink | Roasting | Intensity _ _ | Taste | Price, rub |
| L'OR | espresso-lungo | average | 8 | nutty, spicy | 170-908 |
| Coffesso | espresso | light | 4 | classical | 180-316 |
| Jardin | espresso | average | 6 | vanilla | 198-529 |
| Starbucks Blonde | ristretto, espresso | light | 6 | classical | 240-329 |
| Espressio | espresso | dark | 10 | classical | from 195 |
| Porto Rosso | espresso | average | 4 | classical | 146-496 |
| Dio Caffe | black coffee | average | 10 | classical | 183-189 |
| Julius Meinl | espresso crema | dark | 8 | classical | 288-689 |
What's inside
Inside the package there are usually mixtures of different types of ground coffee, diluted in certain proportions. This allows you to make the taste and aroma more pleasant and rich. Its weight varies from 5 to 9 grams.
The composition of coffee capsules is difficult to determine, since the manufacturer does not indicate information about it on the packaging. However, they often contain natural flavorings such as cocoa, cinnamon, and vanilla.
The product contained in the capsules is completely natural. The increased speed of its preparation is due to the high pressure in the coffee maker (about 15 bar) and the high level of perforation.
Types of capsules for coffee machines
There is a wide range of coffee capsules on the market. There are options for making espresso, latte, cappuccino, Americano and other types of drink. There are capsules that are used to prepare tea, hot chocolate or cocoa. The main difference is the material on which they are made. The most common varieties:
- Aluminum. Made from thin foil, they are in high demand due to their low cost. This material is inferior to others in terms of safety. Sometimes pieces of packaging along with the drink penetrate the body. Aluminum in small amounts is safe and will be eliminated from the body naturally, but many coffee drinkers prefer to use other options.
- Polymer. Made from food grade polymer. This is the most harmless material for the body, but its price is relatively high.
- Combined. Made on the basis of aluminum foil, polymer and compressed cellulose. The walls are made of simple polymers, and these products also contain aluminum, but it cannot enter the body in any way.
In addition to the usual disposable ones, there are a number of reusable capsules. Most often, they are made in the form of empty containers that you can fill yourself with any ground coffee beans. These packages are usually produced by third-party manufacturers who are not associated with well-known coffee brands. However, they also produce reusable packaging. They must be cleaned and filled with ground product, sealing with distemper if necessary.
Polymeric
Aluminum
Advantages and disadvantages
Coffee capsules have pros and cons. Their main advantages are:
- Preservation of taste and aroma after opening the package, unlike a ground or grain product.
- There is no need for careful pressing and measuring of the product, as is the case with carob coffee machines.
- Cost-effective, easy to use, compact and convenient devices.
- Possibility of preparing loose leaf tea (in many devices) . You just need to thoroughly rinse the device every time so that odors from different drinks do not mix in it.
- Availability of different tastes , the possibility of obtaining new products.
- Quick cooking. You just need to place the product inside the special compartment, place the cup on the tray, select the required recipe and press the start button.
- There is no need to use filters or constantly wash the device . The used pack is removed from the compartment and disposed of. Caring for the device consists of performing a number of simple procedures: pouring water, automatic rinsing, emptying the capsule container, and occasional washing using special products.
- The durability of the coffee machine, which allows you to use it for 10 years if you follow the instructions for use.
- Low noise level during preparation of a drink compared to standard coffee makers.
Coffee capsules also have some negative sides:
- High cost compared to regular coffee.
- Incompatibility with coffee makers produced by different manufacturers.
- Lack of product in mass sale, the need to pre-order it.
Convenience of capsule-type coffee makers for home
When choosing a capsule coffee maker for your home, several basic parameters are taken into account:
- Water tank volume. If the device will be used by 1-2 people, a half-liter volume is quite enough. If there are more people, the tank must be at least one liter.
- Power . The rate of heating water to the desired temperature depends on this value. For domestic use, the power must be at least 1200 W.
- Device size. The larger the coffee maker, the more cups of coffee it will prepare at a time.
- Noise level . Coffee makers operate noisily but quickly, so this drawback is not particularly noticeable.
- Pressure . It should not be lower than 15 bar, otherwise it simply will not be enough to supply water through the capsule.
- Additional functions . Their presence simplifies the use of the device, but makes it more expensive. This includes the ability to adjust the height of the tray, a water level indicator and a backlit display.
For home use, a capsule-type coffee maker is very attractive due to its small size and speed of preparing the drink.
Popular coffee maker models
Compact devices with affordable prices are suitable for home use. The most popular models are from two brands owned by Nestlé:
- Nespresso capsule systems , produced at factories of such enterprises as Krups and DeLonghi;
- capsule coffee makers DOLCE GUSTO, manufactured in France.
Nespresso positions itself as more expensive but reliable equipment, but the list of varieties does not include tea or dairy drinks.
DOLCE GUSTO, on the contrary, having a wide variety of container types, is greatly inferior in the quality and reliability of the systems themselves.
Note : All brands produce devices similar in operating principle. Having once learned, for example, how to use a Krups coffee machine, when purchasing systems from other brands, the buyer will no longer have any difficulty in using them.
Rating of the most popular types
Nespresso capsule coffee is considered the best . This manufacturer produces more than 20 varieties. The company produces both disposable and reusable packaging, which have a special design that allows them to be brewed several times.
The rating also included Tassimo products . It is produced in the USA and sold all over the world. The kit includes a description of the technology for preparing the drink, the volume of coffee received and other useful information.
The list of the best coffee capsules ends with Dolce Gusto , which is produced by Nestle corporations. The product range is wide and includes various flavors with the addition of sugar, milk and tea. Some packages can be used twice.
Tassimo
Nespresso
Nescafe
Is the game worth the candle?
By learning how to fill a capsule for a coffee machine yourself, you can eliminate the main drawback of modern capsule coffee machines - the high cost and limited selection of capsules. At the same time, it will be possible to preserve the main advantages of similar devices: speed of production and richness of coffee taste.
In general, no one is stopping you from cooperating with the introduction of unique capsules and your own container. The choice is yours!
How to use capsules for a coffee machine.
In the modern world, especially in megacities, people simply cannot imagine their lives without coffee. Coffee is a wonderful way to wake up during the day, as a breath of energy during lunch, and as a source of energy when you need to work in the evening or at night. It is convenient to make coffee in a coffee machine. Naturally, they come in different types, but the best choice is a coffee machine with a capsule system. Using capsules you can prepare many drinks: espresso, Americano, cappuccino, cocoa, hot chocolate.
What does the capsule look like?
The capsule is usually made of polymers, aluminum, and a combined version can also be found. There is ground coffee in the middle; the filling may vary. For the best storage of coffee parameters, the capsule is filled with a special inert gas that prevents oxidation and preserves taste characteristics.
How to refill a capsule for a coffee machine?
To make coffee in this case, you will need to fill the reservoir with water, put the capsule in a special compartment between 2 filters. The capsule is pierced on both sides; on one side, hot water enters under high pressure, and on the other side, the finished drink flows out.
Can the capsules be used a couple of times?
Capsules can be either single-use - which are suitable for making only one serving of the drink - or reusable. Reusable ones somewhat complicate the process of making coffee, since you need to add and compact the coffee each time, close the lid, clean and wash the capsule after each use.
How many cups of coffee is enough for 1 coffee capsule?
A single capsule is designed to make just one serving of coffee; naturally, some people try to make two or even three cups, but keep in mind that the strength of the coffee will be less each time. To save money, it is better to use a reusable capsule.
The question arises: where to buy coffee in capsules and what quality should it be? Almost all manufacturers develop the design of coffee machines for various capsules, therefore, when choosing capsules, you first need to contact the coffee machine company. For example, Nespresso capsules from Nestle are suitable for KitchenAid, DeLonghi and Krups coffee makers. Nescafe Dolce Gusto fits Krups machines.
And the most important rule for delicious coffee is to cook with love!
Abstract on the use of capsule coffee machines.
Users appreciate capsule coffee machines for their simplicity and accessibility of functionality. Even the most economical models of Nespresso machines can be manually adjusted to determine the required amount of water. Included with each device is a step-by-step annotation that describes the meaning of the buttons and the capabilities of the device. If you have lost the controls from the unique packaging or want to find out how the capsule coffee machine works, use the reference information provided.
Coffee is always great
Benefits and harms of capsule coffee
Coffee capsules provide the same benefits as a regular grain drink. It helps you wake up faster, gives you a boost of energy, and improves your mood. Calorie content is 290 kcal per 100 grams of product (20-30 kcal per serving).
Sometimes you may come across the point of view that drinking such a drink is dangerous, but in fact, the harm of coffee capsules is greatly exaggerated. There are usually no additional substances inside the pack, other than ground grains and natural spices.
Capsule coffee is a healthy and easy-to-prepare product. Proper brewing will help you constantly enjoy the drink. You can prepare coffee capsules every day without thinking about the harm to your health.
