What it is
The capsule system was first proposed by the international concern Nestle in 1986. The new product is called Nespresso: this brand is considered a leader in the world of capsule coffee. Later, followers appeared, developing their own original recipes. Today, many large companies that sell beans and ground coffee also produce capsules. The demand for them is consistently high, and the wide palette of tastes attracts more and more new consumers.
Disposable capsules for coffee machines are made of aluminum and plastic, have the shape of a bowl, and are closed with a membrane on top. Inside there is ground or instant coffee, it can be supplemented with natural or artificial flavors. Coffee content varies from 6 to 12 g depending on the manufacturer and type of drink. The durable capsule perfectly preserves the taste and aroma of coffee. Each is designed to prepare 1 serving; the strength and volume can be adjusted to taste.
To prepare the drink you need a special coffee machine. The capsule is inserted into the cell, and when it is closed, the membrane is pierced. By pressing a button or turning a lever, the water supply is adjusted. The drink is prepared in 20-40 seconds. After preparation, the capsule must be removed; some models themselves move the used container into a separate compartment.
Budget options for Dolce Gusto
Original capsules for Dolce Gusto coffee machines are also very expensive. But in this case, purchasing an alternative replica will not be advisable, since the manufacturer installed a special mechanism in the car. This mechanism interacts exclusively with the original capsules, otherwise a breakdown may occur and the cost of repairs will cost the owner a pretty penny.
However, don’t think that it’s impossible to save money on making delicious coffee with this machine. To do this, the company itself invented reusable capsules, which are much cheaper in cost than disposable counterparts. Despite the fact that they are cheap capsules for the dolce gust coffee machine, you can use them to make really tasty and aromatic coffee.
Elite Coffee Collection
The reusable capsule is made of special plastic with a mesh at the bottom and a special opening lid. Thus, you can independently pour your favorite type of coffee into the capsule, adjust the strength and taste parameters of the drink. In addition, using a reusable capsule is much cheaper than a disposable one, almost 4 times.
Capsule systems for coffee machines: what is presented on the Russian market
The principle of operation of capsules.
The modern capsule coffee market is divided between 3 main brands:
- Nespresso
- Dolche Gusto
- Talissimo
Each of the presented systems refers to certain types of coffee machines. Usually the brand of capsules is indicated next to the brand of the device manufacturer. There are also combination coffee machines that use both ground coffee and branded capsules. You can find out which system each specific model is compatible with from the instructions.
Nespresso
Market leader in capsule coffee.
This Swiss brand from the Nestle concern was the first to appear on the market and has not lost its position to this day. The assortment includes 26 types of capsules. They can be distinguished by the color of the aluminum body; each type has its own name indicated on the membrane. The shape of the capsules is recognizable: slightly elongated, with noticeable edges at the bottom.
For its Grand Cru capsules, Nespresso uses only natural premium ground coffee; the degree of roasting, blend and grinding depend on the type of drink. Each capsule contains 5 g of coffee. The standard package includes 10 pieces; there are tasting sets of several types, which are often included with Nespresso-type coffee machines.
Advantages:
- excellent quality of raw materials;
- balanced taste;
- variety of blends, types of roasting and degree of grinding.
Flaws:
- drinks with milk can only be prepared on machines with a cappuccino maker;
- The assortment does not include chocolate or tea.
Full list of Nesprecco drinks:
| Name | Capsule color | Compound | Roasting | Taste |
| Kazaar | Navy blue | a mixture of robusta from Guatemala and Brazil with South American Arabica. | dark | rich, strong, with a slight bitterness and pepper notes. |
| Dharkan | blue-green | 100% washed Arabica (blend of varieties from South America and Asia). | dark | bright, with notes of cocoa and hints of wood. |
| Ristretto | black | a blend of Arabica beans from South Africa, Colombia and Brazil with a small amount of Robusta. | dark | Delicious, with notes of dark chocolate and tropical fruits. |
| Arpeggio | violet | pure Arabica from Costa Rica. | dark | rich, with velvety chocolate tones. |
| Roma | taupe | a mixture of South American Arabica and Asian Robusta. | dark | soft, with a slight sweetish taste and woody undertones. |
| Livanto | golden copper | 100% Arabica from South America | average | warm, with caramel notes and subtle bitterness |
| Capriccio | emerald green | blend of South American Arabica with Vietnamese Robusta | light | tender, with slight sourness and notes of roasted barley |
| Volluto | golden | 100% South American Arabica | light | sweetish, with fruity sourness |
| Cosi | light brown | pure Arabica from South America and Kenya | light | light, with notes of cereals and fruits |
| Indriya from India | silver gray | 100% Brazilian Arabica | average | strong, with hints of chocolate and nuts |
| Rosabaya de Colombia | silver pink | pure Colombian Arabica | average | rich, with fruit and berry sourness |
| Dulsao do Brasil | light gold | washed Brazilian Arabica | average | moderately strong, with barley notes |
| Bukeela ka Ethiopia | light copper | 100% Arabica from Ethiopia | light | spicy, with subtle sourness and woody notes |
| Envivo Lungo | reddish brown | a mixture of Mexican Robusta and Indian Arabica | dark | dense, strong, with bitterness and hints of ginger |
| Fortissio Lungo | green | Arabica blend from South America and India | average | bittersweet, with notes of cereals |
| Vivalto Lungo | silver blue | blend of South American and African Arabica beans | average | slightly sour, with woody and fruity nuances |
| Linizio Lungo | yellow-orange | Brazilian and Colombian Arabica | average | soft, with notes of grain |
| Caramelito | light brown | 100% Arabica from South America | average | bitter, with caramel undertones |
| Ciocattino | black-brown | South American Arabica with cocoa | average | classic, with notes of dark chocolate |
| Vanilio | milky white | 100% South American Arabica | average | moderately strong, with vanilla flavor |
| Decaffeinato Intenso | dark brown | Blend of South American Arabica and Asian Robusta, decaffeinated | dark | bitter, with hints of cocoa and roasted barley |
| Arpeggio Decaffeinato | blue-violet | Arabica from Costa Ricadecaffeinated | dark | rich, with notes of cocoa |
| Volluto Decaffeinato | old gold | Pure South American Arabica decaffeinated | light | light, with a sweet and sour fruity flavor |
| Vivalto Lungo Decaffeinato | silver blue | Blend of South American and African Arabica beans without caffeine | average | slightly sour, with tones of wood and fruit |
Dolce Gusto
A very popular capsule system offering 25 varieties of pure coffee, coffee drinks, hot chocolate and spiced tea.
Plastic capsules are flatter and rounder, resembling a bowl in shape. Drink options are distinguished by a colored membrane on which the name is indicated. Capsules are packaged in cardboard boxes of 16 pieces. If the drink contains milk, half of the capsules in the package will be milk. Dolce Gusto coffee machines are made by Krups. They are cheaper than their analogues, very easy to use, and do not have cappuccino makers or compartments for capsules. Coffee lovers believe that the taste of drinks from the Dolce Gusto line is less expressive than that of its main competitor, Nespresso. However, they contain more coffee - from 6 to 10 g, depending on the type of drink. Some capsules contain instant coffee rather than ground coffee; all milk capsules contain milk powder, sugar, emulsifiers, and flavoring additives.
Advantages:
- the line includes different cappuccino and latte options, as well as 4 types of hot chocolate;
- capsules are sold everywhere: in supermarkets, online stores, household appliances departments;
- You can make a delicious cappuccino or latte macchiato with high foam even on the cheapest coffee machine.
Flaws:
- milk drinks are twice as expensive as regular espresso and require 2 capsules to prepare;
- powdered milk simplifies the taste of the finished drink;
- After cooking, water remains in the capsules; before disposal, it must be poured out by cutting the membrane with a knife.
The Dolce Gusto line includes the following drinks:
| Name | Roasting | Type of coffee | Number of capsules per package | Taste |
| Espresso | dark | natural ground | 16 coffee | classic, with a noticeable bitterness. |
| Ristretto | dark | natural ground | 16 coffee | a richer version of espresso. |
| Ristretto Ardenza | dark | natural ground | 16 coffee | bright, deep, quite tart, with nutty notes. |
| Barista | dark | natural ground | 16 coffee | strong espresso with pronounced bitterness. |
| Espresso Intenso | dark | natural ground | 16 coffee | espresso with notes of fruit and nuts. |
| Espresso Caramel | dark | natural ground | 16 coffee | classic espresso with caramel flavor. |
| Grande | average | natural ground | 16 coffee | strong Americano. |
| Grande Intenso | dark | 100% Arabica | 16 coffee | an increased portion of strong Americano. |
| Lungo | average | 100% Arabica | 16 coffee | espresso diluted with water. |
| Americano | average | 100% Arabica | 16 coffee | classic, bitter, not too strong. |
| Americano Smooth Morning | average | Arabica from Colombia, Honduras and Brazil combined with Robusta from Vietnam | 16 coffee | a large portion of Americano with notes of caramel. |
| Mexico Americano | average | Arabica and Robusta blend from Mexico | 16 coffee | Americano with hints of nuts and prunes. |
| Colombia Lungo | average | 100% Arabica from Colombia | 16 coffee | weak lungo with flavors of roasted barley, almond kernels and nutmeg. |
| Peru Espresso | average | 100% Arabica from Peru | 16 coffee | strong sweetish coffee with hints of licorice and black pepper. |
| Honduras Espresso | average | 100% Arabica from Honduras | 16 coffee | espresso with notes of malt, honey, dark chocolate. |
| Capuccino | dark | a blend of Arabica beans from Ethiopia and Brazil and Vietnamese Robusta | 8 coffee, 8 dairy | a richer version of cappuccino. |
| Latte Macchiato | dark | natural ground | 8 coffee, 8 dairy | layered drink: hot milk at the bottom, espresso in the middle, thick milk foam on top. |
| Latte Macchiato Vanilla | dark | natural ground | 8 coffee and 8 milk | subtle, with vanilla tones. |
| Latte Macchiato Caramel | dark | natural ground | 8 coffee and 8 milk | soft, sweetish, with notes of caramel. |
| Cortado Espresso Macchiato | – | soluble | 16 coffee and milk | classic taste of instant coffee with milk. |
| Cafe au Lait | – | soluble | 8 coffee and 8 milk | soft, milky, without bitterness. |
| Chocochino | – | – | 8 cocoa with sugar, 8 milk | classic hot chocolate. |
| Chocochino Caramel | – | – | 8 cocoa with sugar, 8 milk | chocolate with caramel flavor. |
| Mocha | – | soluble | 8 coffee and 8 milk | rich chocolate with coffee tones. |
| Nesquik | – | – | 16 (cocoa mixture with milk powder, sugar and cinnamon) | traditional Nesquik cocoa with fluffy foam. |
| Espresso Decaffeinato | dark | natural ground | 16 coffee | decaffeinated espresso |
| Capucchino Ice | dark | natural ground | 8 coffee and 8 milk | classic cold cappuccino (prepared with cold water) |
Tassimo
The Tassimo capsule system was proposed by Kraft Foods, and coffee machines adapted for it are produced by Bosh. The capsules of this brand have a non-standard shape - they are wider and flatter. Each branded disc contains 9 g of ground coffee, which exceeds the competition. The line includes 15 flavors (12 coffee options, 2 teas and hot chocolate). The package contains 16 capsules; to prepare dairy drinks, you need to use 2 at once, which increases the price of each serving.
The taste of the brand's drinks is high; the capsules contain high-quality ground coffee; instant coffee is used only for Cafe au Lait. Milk capsules used to contain concentrated milk, but today it has been replaced by powdered milk. According to connoisseurs, this negatively affects the taste. Connoisseurs have no complaints about the quality of coffee discs.
A special feature of coffee machines that work with Tassimo is the presence of a code reader, by which the machine determines the type of drink and independently sets the serving size. Branded discs are sold in many hardware stores, supermarkets and online stores.
Capsules for Tassimo coffee machines
Tassimo capsules are also called “T-discs” and are not much less common than Dolce Gusto capsules. It's also everywhere. With alternatives, however, it’s completely deaf. That is, in theory they seem to exist, but I haven’t come across them on the Russian market, and in the West I’ve only heard about them in passing. Perhaps because the capsules are equipped with a special barcode, by which the Tassimo system machine determines the desired cooking program. And the “alternatives” apparently have problems with copying or generating these barcodes. So you have to be content with proprietary flavors, and there are not as many of them as for competing systems.
In total, the assortment at the beginning of 2022 includes about 15 drinks, including a couple of teas and one hot chocolate. Milk coffee drinks are made from two T-discs, which means the total cost of the drink doubles. In the table below, in the “RRP for a drink” column, I recalculated the approximate cost of a package of 16 capsules for the corresponding number of drinks received: 16 for “black” varieties, 8 for milk-coffee capsules. The price was taken as “recommended retail”, the current ones are from the links in the table.
Almost everywhere the coffee used is natural, ground, fairly finely ground, medium roast, from two brands: Jacobs and Carte Noire. Exception: Jacobs Café au Lait - there is instant coffee (again marked with a ⚠ icon)
Important! Previously, until about mid-2016, all Tassimo milk capsules (including Milka cocoa) contained sterilized concentrated milk. Now, unfortunately, many milk-coffee drinks have a second capsule with milk powder, like Dolce Gusto. This radically worsened the taste. However, the “classics”, such as Cappuccino, are with liquid milk.
| photo | Name | Volume | Saturation (max – 7) | Description | RRP for drink |
| Carte Noire Cafe Long Intense | 120 ml | 6 | Strong long coffee with a bright bitterness. 100% Arabica from Colombia and Brazil | 34 ₽ | |
| Carte Noire Petit Déjenuer Intense | 215 ml | 5 | A large portion of fairly rich black coffee. 100% Arabica | 34 ₽ | |
| Carte Noire Espresso Aromatique | 60 ml | 5 | Classic espresso with a mild taste. 100% Arabica | 34 ₽ | |
| Carte Noire Cafe Long Delicate | 120 ml | 4 | 100% Colombian Arabica with fruity notes. Fine grind, medium roast | 34 ₽ | |
| L'OR Espresso Classique | 60 ml | 5 | The L'OR brand is owned by Jacobs. Basically, these are the same eggs as Jacobs Espresso, just a little weaker. Medium roast | 30 ₽ | |
| L'OR Espresso Cafè Long Aromatique | 120 ml | 4 | Lungo with “delicate citrus notes” | 30 ₽ | |
| Jacobs Espresso | 60 ml | 5 | Strong espresso based on Jacobs Monarch coffee | 30 ₽ | |
| Jacobs Americano | 205 | 3 | Classic weak Americano | 30 ₽ | |
| Jacobs Caffè Crema Classico | 215 ml | 3 | Classic Cafe Crema with large portions. 100% Arabica from Colombia and Brazil | 30 ₽ | |
| Jacobs Cappuccino Classico | 190 ml | Classic cappuccino with two T-discs for one drink | 60 ₽ | ||
| Jacobs Cafe au Lait | 195 ml | ⚠ Instant coffee with milk powder from one T-disc | 30 ₽ | ||
| Jacobs Latte Macchiatto | 285 ml | Layered latte macchiato, 2 discs per drink | 60 ₽ | ||
| Jacobs Latte Macchiatto Caramel | 285 ml | Layered latte macchiato, caramel flavored, 2 discs per drink | 60 ₽ | ||
| Baileys Latte Macchiato | 260 ml | 8 servings of espresso with the addition of concentrated UHT milk (the only Tassimo milk drink at the beginning of 2022, where the milk in the capsule is not powdered) with the taste of Baileys cream liqueur. | 65 ₽ | ||
| Milka Cocoa | 225 ml | 8 servings of hot chocolate made with cocoa powder and milk powder | 50 ₽ | ||
| Twinings Chai Latte | 245 ml | Spicy tea with spices (cardamom, cloves, ginger) and milk powder. Prepared from one T-disc, 8 in a pack | 60 ₽ | ||
| Twinings Green tea with mint | 245 ml | 16 T-discs of classic green tea with mint | 25 ₽ |
Capsules from other manufacturers: variety of flavors and forms
For a long time, the Cremesso brand occupied a prominent place in the capsule systems market. Its assortment was already richer than that of the leaders, including 14 options (10 types of coffee and 4 types of tea). The drink made with them tasted like Nespresso. However, the capsules themselves and the coffee machines that work with them are gradually disappearing from the Russian market; today they cannot be found on sale.
Other brands, including Russian ones, also produce capsules with various types of coffee. The price varies from 250 to 500 rubles per package, the number of capsules in the boxes depends on the brand. Taste qualities vary; there are gourmet varieties and capsules with instant coffee supplemented with milk powder and flavorings on the market. The widest range of capsules can be found in specialized online stores.
Most manufacturers focus on Nespresso system machines. Capsules are produced for them under the brands Starbucks (in elongated cases), Smart Coffee Club, Vergnano, Julius Meinl, Coffee Joy, L'Or, Noble, Caffesso, Molinari.
For machines adapted for Dolce Gusto capsules, the following brands are suitable: Starbucks (in square boxes), Must DG, Di Maestri, Veronese.
There are practically no capsules that can replace Tassimo on sale. This may be explained by the need to apply a special code for reading, without which the adapted machines will not be able to offer the desired program.
Capsules for Cremesso coffee machines
Update: with the departure of the MediaMarkt chain of stores from the Russian market, buying these capsules is a feat.
Cremesso capsules, I believe, are not inferior in quality to Nespresso capsules, but their variety and prevalence lags far behind. It’s really not easy to buy them, and the choice is limited only to branded capsules, which for the spring of 2022 are represented by 14 types, 4 of which are tea.
The approach to milk-coffee treats is serious, like Nespresso. Such drinks must be prepared using special coffee machines with cappuccino makers, or using separate frothers - Aerochino.
| Photo | Name | Saturation (max - 5) | Description | RRC |
| ESPRESSO CLASSICO | 3 | A blend of Arabica beans from South and Central America with Asian Robusta. Light sourness with floral notes, nutty shades. Medium roast | 33 ₽ | |
| ESPRESSO ALBA | 4 | A blend of Arabica beans from South and Central America with Asian Robusta. Bright sourness with fruity notes. Dark roast | 33 ₽ | |
| RISTRETTO FORTE | 5 | A blend of Arabica from Central America and Indian Robusta. A strong ristretto, thick, rich, with hints of wood. Dark roast | 33 ₽ | |
| ESPRESSO PER MACCHIATO | 5 | 100% Arabica from Central America and Asia. Ideal for milk and coffee treats. Dark roast | 33 ₽ | |
| LUNGO CREMA | 3 | 100% Arabica from Central America and Asia. Light sourness and nutty notes. Medium roast | 33 ₽ | |
| LUNGO FORTISSIMO | 4 | A blend of Arabica from Central America and Indian Robusta. Strong lungo, tart, rich, with a hint of tobacco. Dark roast | 33 ₽ | |
| LUNGO VANIGLIA | 2 | 100% Arabica from Central America and India, flavored with vanilla. Dark roast | 33 ₽ | |
| LUNGO CARAMELLO | 2 | 100% Arabica from South and Central America, Asia and Africa, flavored with vanilla. Medium roast | 33 ₽ | |
| LUNGO IRISH COFFEE | 2 | 100% Arabica from South and Central America, Asia and Africa, flavored with Irish Coffee Cocktail. Dark roast. Recommended for milk and coffee drinks | 33 ₽ | |
| LUNGO DECAFEINATO | 3 | A blend of Arabica from Central America and Indian Robusta. Cafein free. Light sourness, light roast | 33 ₽ | |
| FRUIT TEA | Fruit and berry tea | 33 ₽ | ||
| CEYLON PEKOE | Black Ceylon tea from Sri Lanka | 33 ₽ | ||
| ROOIBOS VANILLA | Rooibos tea with vanilla | 33 ₽ | ||
| PEPPERMINT | Rich mint tea | 33 ₽ |
Disclaimer: Detailed flavor descriptions are taken from official sources. Personally, I haven’t tried all of them, and that was “a long time ago and not true.”
Reusable: an alternative for the budget conscious
What coffee machine capsules do you use?
DisposableReusable
The main disadvantage of disposable capsules is their high price. The cost of a serving varies from 28 to 60 rubles; if consumed daily, the costs are significant. For those who have a large family or simply drink coffee often, reusable capsules are intended.
Products designed for many months and even many years of use can be found on Aliexpress. Their essence is simple - ground coffee is poured into a container, the dimensions of which fully correspond to a classic disposable capsule, and it is carefully compacted. The better the product is pressed, the more rich and aromatic the finished drink is. The cooking process occurs in standard mode. After the end of the cycle, the spent cake is discarded, the capsule is washed with running water and dried.
Reusable capsules have different shapes and are designed for coffee machines of the Nespresso, Dolche Gusto, Talissimo systems. The simplest products are made of plastic, the more expensive ones are made of plastic sealed with silicone. The highest quality and most durable capsules are made of stainless steel and are equipped with a seal that compacts the coffee after pouring. The price of such products is quite affordable; with careful use, they last for several months and even years.
Expert opinion
Borodina Galina Valerievna
The main disadvantage of reusable capsules is the inability to compress poured coffee so that the brew is perfect. Users complain about a weaker taste than the original, inexpressive foam. Drinks with milk can only be prepared in coffee machines with a built-in cappuccino maker. Professionals recommend using ground coffee in carob-type coffee makers, and for capsule ones, buying original systems or more affordable analogues.
Coffee prepared using capsules turns out aromatic and tasty: but only if the capsules are correctly combined with the coffee machine and the manufacturer’s instructions are followed. A variety of brands and flavors allows each user to choose their favorite drink and prepare it with a simple press of a button.
FAQ
Can Dolce Gusto capsules be used in Nespresso coffee machines, is there a risk of the machine breaking? No, Dolce Gusto capsules are larger and simply will not fit into Nespresso machines. In addition, each system has a different method of supplying water and the design of the original capsules takes these subtleties into account. This won’t break the coffee machine, but you definitely won’t get a tasty drink either.
Can I use 1 capsule to brew several servings of coffee? Monodose is designed to prepare 1 serving. And even if you reuse it, you won’t get a rich drink. If you want to save money, buy reusable capsules designed for your coffee machine and fill them with any ground coffee you like.
How safe is coffee capsules for health? The main components in the capsules are selected Arabica and Robusta, so consuming 1-2 cups of this drink per day will definitely not harm a healthy person. People with kidney disease, varicose veins and high cholesterol should not get carried away with dairy versions because of the powdered milk in the composition. In addition, such drinks are higher in calories compared to espresso and Americano. They have no other “contraindications”.
