Types of coffee in Nespresso capsules and rating of the best brands

What is Nespresso

The company in question has an original concept, a well-thought-out sales method and a set of activities that promote the brand and support work with clients. The company also has its own club.

The idea for the coffee capsule came from Eric Favre, who was an employee of another company, Nestle. The idea of ​​​​creating such capsules was invented back in 1975; Favre received a patent for this invention 3 years later, in 1978. A few years later, in 1986, Nestle established the familiar Nespresso company.

The new brand immediately began selling coffee capsules, as well as the C100 machine that printed them. From its inception until 1988, sales were focused only on office businesses, but then sales were allowed to ordinary people. The high price was justified by the fact that buyers were purchasing a premium product.

Nespresso gained popularity, and already in 1989 a special program was created - Nespresso Club. Only those people who purchased the necessary coffee machine could become members of the club.

Capsules and devices for puncturing them are sold by telephone, through company stores, and also through our own website. Initially, only the premium segment was presented, but later the company decided to expand and acquire the mid-price category. The Dolce Gusto system was created especially for this; such capsules can be bought in a regular shopping center.

The capsules themselves are a small cone-type container, the size of which does not exceed the dimensions of a walnut. It must be said that such capsules have no analogues in the world.

The body of the product is made of aluminum, the inside is covered with cling film. This ensures the safety of the coffee beans and does not allow them to come into contact with metal, preventing oxidation. The quality of freshly ground coffee in such a capsule is preserved for 12 months. The design is patented by Nespresso, as is the method of creating the capsule.

Interesting facts about Nespresso

The brand has been successfully developing for more than 35 years, and during this time it has had many successes. The history of Nespresso contains many interesting facts:

1. Almost 10 years passed from the moment when the inventor of the capsule machine, Eric Favre, brought the drawings to the Nestlé management until the idea was brought to life. At first, management believed that there would be no demand for coffee machines for home and office use. Only in 1986, the new director of the concern, Helmut Mouscher, risked allocating money to implement Favre’s idea.
2. Until 1991, Nespresso was a loss-making company, and Nescafe supported the subsidiary brand for reasons of prestige: at this time, many famous personalities were already members of the Nespresso Club.
3. Success came to Nespresso after 1991, when the company entered the US market. Americans quickly appreciated the superior taste of capsule coffee over instant coffee. Plus, the Yankees, who were always in a hurry, liked that it took almost no time to prepare the drink, and the process was as simple as possible. Soon, having a Nespresso coffee machine in the office became a sign of the company's prosperity.
4. Today, the role of Nespresso advertising faces is played by leading Hollywood actors - George Clooney and Penelope Cruz.

Despite the fact that some experts predict the end of the golden age of Nespresso, as the market is approaching saturation point and the number of competitors is growing every year, the company is not going to give up its leading position.

Pros and cons of capsule systems

Like various systems, this product is not without its advantages and disadvantages. You can compare the pros and cons in the following table.

Advantages and disadvantages

Simplicity and convenience, no need to grind coffee and measure the required proportions

Various types, such as capsules with and without milk powder

Easy to care for the coffee machine, convenient descaling

High quality, any capsule provides a mixture of high quality and taste

High cost even for mid-price capsules

High level of environmental damage from a design that combines plastic and aluminum

Coffee machines are not universal; they can only use capsules from the same company

Capsule systems have many advantages over regular coffee brewing. After the main advantages of the system have been clarified, you can move on to the capsules themselves.

Advantages and disadvantages of a home capsule “barista”

All user reviews are full of admiration for the speed of coffee preparation in such units.

In addition, using capsules, you can put even a five-year-old daughter or a sixty-year-old grandmother on the coffee machine, and she can handle it without any problems.

All it takes is to install the cup and press the button! And another clear advantage is the small dimensions of the device. Anyone who lives in a Khrushchev-era building or a studio apartment will definitely appreciate this!

Well, as for the shortcomings, reviews differ. Some people don’t like the price of capsules (although we are resolving this issue – we’ll tell you how below). Some people are upset by the taste of the capsule coffee itself, and no amount of vanilla can help. Other drawbacks: you have to search for coffee capsules during the day, since not every city has stores specializing in Nespresso. In general, the line of flavors for coffee machines of this brand is rather poor; there is no basic tea in the capsules (although most ordinary coffee makers can easily prepare it). Finally, in the case of Nespresso, the generally accepted fact that the cost of a capsule coffee machine is very low begins to limp. Compared to its competitors (Tassimo, Dolce Gusto and Cremesso), Nespresso is quite expensive. Yes, they don’t break, and yes, a really great variety of capsule types have been invented for them. But still, the logic “cheap coffee machine - expensive capsules” is clearly violated here.

Manufacturing materials

The product consists of 2 parts, aluminum foil and food-grade plastic. Foil is used in the production of most companies, as it is able to protect the product from the negative influence of the metal shell of the capsule. This allows you to completely eliminate harm to the consumer’s body.

Plastic, or polymer materials, belong to the group of environmentally friendly substances. In addition, it does not have an unpleasant odor, so the smell and composition of coffee beans does not deteriorate, but, on the contrary, remains unchanged.

The plastic, foil and metal construction is often supplemented with a small percentage of cellulose. This also allows you to extend the shelf life of the product. After preparation, the capsules can be disposed of. The packaging in which the capsules are stored can be reused, for example, when creating Nespresso models. Each capsule contains from 5 to 7 grams of coffee.

Buyers of capsules believe that the product has a significant disadvantage in its design, in particular, there is no internal surface treatment. That is, the foil and grains are in contact. However, this does not in any way harm the health of coffee drink connoisseurs.

Capsule color – does it matter?

The color scheme of the capsule for the Nespresso coffee machine differs not by chance:

• brown – empty containers that are intended for a capsule receptacle with a smooth coating;
• white – intended for devices with a ribbed opening;
• black – analogues of the original, also suitable for machines with a ribbed hole.

You should pay attention to these parameters first of all before buying a new container of coffee to prepare an aromatic drink.

According to consumer reviews, many of them do not feel the difference between the original coffee and an alternative manufacturer. However, if you are a coffee gourmet, you should purchase original capsules with your favorite flavor.

When choosing pressed coffee capsules for your coffee machine, you should carefully select it. This is justified by the fact that the taste of the drink directly depends on the type of coffee and the quality of the beans. Also, using an unsuitable container can damage the device or completely destroy it.

How are the capsules different?

The capsules are similar to each other only in the shape and design of the shells, as well as in the material of manufacture. They have much more differences. Nespresso presents many options for coffee capsules, which differ in the following parameters:

• the countries from which the raw materials were brought, in most cases these are Brazil, Colombia, as well as Central and South America;
• level of roasting, it is divided into three degrees - light, dark and medium;
• intensity of roasting level – light, high, medium;
• variety of coffee beans, it can be either Arabica or Robusta, varieties are taken from different places and countries;
• shades of taste of finished coffee, capsules often contain flavors of other products - cocoa, chocolate, caramel, vanilla, various cereals and fruits, a flower bouquet and a large number of other options.

It should be noted that all types of coffee differ from each other and in cost. However, this does not in any way affect the quality of the coffee drink and the transmitted taste, since Nespresso capsules have proven themselves well in the market.

The line of options includes an unusual type - a decaffeinated capsule, a form that does not contain caffeine. These products have also gained popularity, and connoisseurs of coffee drinks note that the taste and aroma of such coffee is also very pleasant and does not lose quality compared to capsules that contain caffeine.

What types of capsules are there for such devices?

Original, that is, branded

You can buy them at the same place where you purchased the coffee machine, or in online coffee shops. Nespresso has created a collection of Grand Cru flavors, which includes different types of espresso, lungo, flavored pods, specialty drinks that reflect the tastes of consumers around the world (for example, a typical Indian or Brazilian variety), as well as decaffeinated drinks - a total of 16 specialty drinks. These capsules are easy to use. They are sold at least 10 pieces per pack, maximum 300. And (especially offensive) - each pack will contain only one variety, so if you equally love BUKEELA, CARAMELITO and DULSAO DO BRASIL, you will have to buy several boxes.

Analog

The production of these capsules was not consecrated by Nespresso, that is, in fashion terms, this is a replica of a famous brand. An example of such a product is Single Cup Coffee - capsules that are manufactured in Russia and are suitable for all Nespresso coffee machines. But of course, you should buy them not only out of a sense of naked patriotism - such miracle cups will cost you much less than the original products promoted in advertising on every pillar. Compared to Nespresso, there are still far from 16 flavors, and there is still no tea. But flavored coffees are here: chocolate, caramel and vanilla.

Reusable

“Why throw away the glass every time, why not wash it and refill it?” – one enterprising person once decided. And he came up with something that is now a great help for those who like to save money: reusable capsules for Nespresso. You can “stuff” anything into them: ground coffee, powder with the addition of instant coffee, cinnamon, pepper, the already mentioned chocolate and vanilla... And if you wish, you can stuff tea, well, or chamomile flowers. Or fresh ginger if you decide to lose weight. In general, create at least 16, or even 106 varieties of the drink - it would be delicious!

In free Russian (and I-bey) trade there are plastic glasses with the same lid, which can be easily removed and put on. This miracle is called EMOHOME, it is no more difficult to use than a regular coffee maker filter: open the lid, pour tea or coffee thicker, snap the lid, and voila - you can insert the capsule into the Nespresso.

Empty

In addition, there are also cheap, creative, but disposable capsules on the market. Their essence: they bring you a box of empty cups, in each of which you can pack your favorite ground coffee, type of tea, cocoa powder... In general, you understand. Next, the top of the cup must be sealed with special foil (it comes already cut into neat circles). A special spoon helps pack the capsules. That's all, you can brew your drink, and then throw away the capsule (or tear it apart to take the used coffee powder for scrub - it's up to you to decide). What brands are there for this product? The two most famous are C&M and Coffee In.

How to choose capsules if you want to save money?

If there are no difficulties with purchasing branded products (you only need to choose the name, that is, the type of drink), then a problem may arise with empty capsules. The fact is that they may not fit every model of Nespresso coffee machine. Attention! If your unit is quite old (it was assembled before 2003), or its capsule feed is automatic, cups from EMOHOME will not suit you.

In general, if Nespresso machines weren’t popular, pirates wouldn’t try so hard when releasing their products. Of course, you didn’t buy a simple and lazy capsule model to sit and pour coffee into cups in the evenings... Although, after purchasing capsules a couple of times for a whole month, you can suddenly feel an incredible surge of hard work - after all, and original Nespresso products are not cheap. Well, if you are unable to overcome laziness even for the sake of saving money, you can take a closer look at devices like FET-PC 2010/B, or, more precisely, at portable capsule filling machines. Yes, they sell these in our country too! True, the devices cost about 4.5 thousand “green”, so they are suitable only for those who want to open their own alternative business, displacing the orderly ranks of Nespresso pirates...

We hope that this article was useful to you, we will be grateful if you share it with your friends on social media. networks. Have a nice day and see you again!

Types of Nespresso capsule flavors

The company's capsule range includes 16 types of coffee. Each variety has its own personal taste and aromatic properties. Types include expresso, lungo, decaffeinated version and flavored products. Popular varieties have the following characteristics:

• Volluto espresso is a weak coffee, with lightly roasted beans, and has a pleasant fruity aroma;

• Capriccio is a medium-strength drink with the aroma of roasted cereals;
• Livanto with medium roasting and strength, there is a caramel note thanks to the blend of Arabica beans;

• Roma is a rich espresso with a high degree of strength, aroma with a share of woody notes;
• Ristretto is of the classic type with a long aftertaste;
• Arpeggio - deep roasting of beans adds strength to the drink and goes well with a slight bitterness and sweet aroma;
• Envivo Lungo - tart and strong coffee, spicy notes are achieved through Indian Arabica and Robusta from Mexico;

• Arpeggio Decaffeinato has a bright chocolate taste, there is no caffeine, the drink is rich and velvety;
• Dharkan is a combination of Asian and American Arabica, which gives high strength, slight astringency, as well as a woody note with a predominance of velvety;
• Kazaar - this coffee is considered the strongest, it is made from Brazilian robusta and Arabica imported from South America, there is a slight bitterness;

• Vanilio has a vanilla aroma and is a medium-strength coffee.

In addition, there are other types of lungo and espresso, which are characterized by a predominance of chocolate and caramel. There is also a special Variations variety, released each year in limited quantities and for a short time. It belongs to the category of unique types of coffee, so it is always in great demand.

Disposable capsules and reusable containers

The capsule coffee machine was invented by E. Favre in 1978. At the same time, he invented sealed capsules - they were intended for one-time use. After all, the task of such packaging was and is to preserve the taste and aroma of the blend/single variety until the coffee is prepared. And disposable capsules were designed to ensure speed and ease of preparing the drink, which became the operating principle of capsule coffee machines.

But the coffee industry market does not stand still, so now reusable capsules are actively appearing on sale. They are made from the following materials:

• plastic - cheap Chinese options can impart foreign tastes and odors to the drink;
• aluminum - considered the optimal raw material for repeated use; Such containers are noticeably more expensive.

They are equipped with removable lids or disposable foil stickers. Plastic containers are designed to prepare an average of 30 servings of drink.

In disposable containers, attention is paid not only to the material of the capsule, the quality of the loaded grind, but also to the internal structure of the container. Therefore, in such “cups” optimal pressure is created for proper brewing of coffee, maintaining the density of the drink, creamy texture, and foam.

Reusable containers, especially those made of plastic, often distort the coffee taste and do not fully reveal the aroma of even a high-quality blend. They rarely create enough pressure for rapid extraction, which is important with the capsule brewing method. As a result, all the shortcomings described in the table above are observed.

Brewing with disposable capsules

The advantage of capsule systems is the complete automation of drink preparation. You don’t need to set up the machine, pre-grind the coffee, or set the water heating level. To enjoy aromatic coffee, just take a few simple steps:

• pour water into the tank;
• load the capsule into the device compartment;
• close the lid;
• press the cooking button;
• wait 1-2 minutes. and enjoy your drink.

When the container gets inside, it is pierced on both sides with a special needle. Hot water is supplied through the hole in this needle. Thus, pressure is built up in the capsule to a level of 10-20 bar, which allows the liquid to well saturate the layer of compressed coffee and flow out through the hole on the other side of the container.

The brewing process takes literally 1-2 minutes, and all the aromatic and flavor notes are preserved in the finished drink. The grounds do not get into the cup because they are retained by the same film/paper filter in the capsule. The used container itself can be easily removed from the special compartment and disposed of.

Interesting! Capsule coffee manufacturer Tassimo offered grinding without additional pressing. During the brewing process, such blends quickly and fully reveal their flavor and aroma bouquet.

Brewing with reusable capsules

Here the technology is somewhat different. First, you need to place the first filter in a plastic or metal container. Then add the grind and compact it (it’s best to do this with a special measuring spoon). Place the second filter on top and close the lid.

The assembled capsule is inserted into the coffee machine and started. After preparing the drink, this container is removed, washed, and dried. This can be done on average up to 30 times, after which it is recommended to replace the container with a new one. This is necessary in order to prevent waste aluminum from oxidizing coffee or plastic - distorting the taste of latte, Americano, etc.

Rating of capsule brands for Nespresso coffee machines

There are currently several capsules from other companies that can also be used in a Nespresso coffee machine. You can get acquainted with them in the following rating.

Thus, not only branded capsules, but also products from analogue companies are combined with the device from the Nespresso organization.

List of the best manufacturers of coffee capsules for Nespresso coffee maker

Based on a comparative analysis of the characteristics, it is time to select contenders for the title of the best analogues of the original Nespresso capsules in three quality categories. This research can help make the choice easier for a potential buyer.

L'OR Espresso Lungo Profondo - price-quality ratio

Many users, when evaluating other Nespresso format capsules, compare their taste qualities with L'OR, which is already significant. Most reviews talk about the ideal balance of price and quality for the capsules of the French brand. Consumers also often call it one of the best alternatives to the original. The price range for capsules from this manufacturer is quite large, but you can purchase them for as little as 170 rubles, which is very inexpensive for a product of this quality. Many brands try to save on raw materials and produce capsules from cheap plastic that smells unpleasant, but L'OR is not one of them - this product is made of aluminum.

Starbucks Blonde® Espresso Roast - highly rated organoleptic properties

Having analyzed the ratings for capsules from the famous Swiss brand Starbucks, it can be noted that the taste of their coffee really deserves special attention. Many compare the taste of the finished drink with the original, noting that this copy is no worse, and for some even better. The price of capsules from this manufacturer is lower than that of Nespresso, but it cannot be called completely budget-friendly, so in the “price-quality” category we have another winner.

Porto Rosso Espresso - the best packaging

As you know, coffee quickly loses its properties after roasting and grinding. Sealed capsules help maintain freshness for a longer time. The manufacturer of Porto Rosso Espresso went further and placed each capsule in individual packaging, which is securely sealed and does not allow air to pass through. Users note the appearance of a rich coffee aroma upon opening. The capsules themselves are made of dense black plastic, not inferior in quality to their aluminum counterparts. They also pair well with a Nespresso machine and come out right the first time.

Tips for choosing coffee capsules in the store

Before choosing coffee capsules, it is recommended to follow the tips below:

• first you need to check the compatibility of the capsule and the coffee machine; such information is usually written on the product packaging;
• you should read the recommendations for preparing coffee of a certain volume, as they are given in order to fully reveal the taste of the drink;
• It is also important to pay attention to the level of intensity of the variety, the degree of roasting of the beans, since the higher these values, the richer, brighter and stronger the prepared drink will be.

Attention. It is also worth saying that the level of roasting affects the presence of a note of bitterness in the coffee. Therefore, lovers of delicate taste are recommended to use light and medium roasted beans.

Assortment of coffee capsules

Coffee for capsule machines varies in strength, which is rated on a scale from 1 to 10, as well as the type of bean. The most popular are Arabica, as well as a blend with an admixture of Robusta. The general range of drinks includes:

1. Classic espresso is used to prepare a small cup of coffee with a volume of 40 ml. The strength of this drink, depending on the grain, can reach 10 points.
2. Lungo – designed for preparing a large volume of 110 ml drink. Its taste is softer than espresso, but no less rich.
3. Decaffeinated coffee.
4. Hot chocolate.
5. Tea with mountain herbs.

This way, you can experiment by purchasing different capsules and try new types of coffee without leaving your home.

Coffee from a coffee machine

Other brands

• Paulig Classic capsule coffee

Allows you to prepare classic espresso according to the best Italian standards. A composition of elite Arabica varieties grown on plantations in Central America creates a multifaceted flavor bouquet that is close to perfection. 100% Arabica coffee in plastic capsules is perfect for an invigorating morning drink that sets inspiration for the whole day. Premium coffee pleases with an economical price. There is no acid or bitterness in the drink.

Paulig Classic capsules

• Lavazza Blue Espresso Intenso

The ideal capsules for creating strong espresso with minimal effort. The grains for Lavazza are collected by Brazilian and Indian planters and, after careful processing, are imported to consumer countries. After packaging, they retain the unsurpassed aroma of 100% natural coffee.

The thick viscous foam is mesmerizing. A mixture of Brazilian Arabica and South Asian Robusta has a magnificent and harmonious taste. The capsules are compatible with Lavazza Blue coffee machines.

Lavazza Blue Espresso Intenso capsules

Based on customer reviews, the opinion is that this is a classic drink without anything new or exclusive, but with simply perfect foam. Recommended for lovers of strong espresso that will wake even the dead. A mixture of Arabica and Robusta creates a more interesting effect than either of these varieties alone.

• Democratic brand LaCapsula Deciso in elegant packaging at an affordable price

The capsules cost less than Nespresso, but the taste is in no way inferior to them. Quite an interesting rich blend of Arabica and Robusta.

Designed for strong classic espresso. Business and energetic people love this drink, especially on the eve of a working day. Adding a little hot milk to the drink allows you to get a divine Americano or cappuccino.

LaCapsula Deciso capsules

• A blend of Nespresso Caramelito with Arabica bitters, enriched with notes of creamy toffee, created on the basis of the Livanto blend. The drink will be appreciated by true sweet tooths.

• Nespresso Caramelito

Light fruity coffee for those who did not like double espresso and other “hard” drink options. The excellent taste characteristics of the drink and persistent foam give the drink a special charm. This is an interesting option to diversify your coffee diet. You need brighter varieties to wake you up in the morning, but this one is perfect for a lunch or evening meal.

The capsules are not the cheapest, but the drink leaves a pleasant caramel aftertaste.

Nespresso Caramelito capsules

To achieve an ideal result, it is recommended to use it with Nespresso standard coffee machines. The price is attractive.

• The exclusive Lui Classico coffee blend definitely deserves attention

The taste is delicate, subtle, rich, dense. There are notes of flowers and berries, due to which the bouquet reveals itself as fully as possible. Strong Italian espresso. A premium blend of Ethiopia, India and Brazil brings back the extraordinary flavor contained in a soft and long-lasting creamy mass. The perfect combination of flavors is made possible through the ancient art of roasting.

Lui Classico capsules