Packing ground coffee in sealed foil or paper bags began in the middle of the last century, when natural coffee was prepared in a Turk. But, here's the trouble - even experienced baristas sometimes made mistakes in proportions and spoiled the taste of the aromatic drink. Everything changed with the advent of coffee machines, which automatically measure the required amount of powder and water. Today, capsule machines have become increasingly common in kitchens. Accordingly, there appeared coffee in capsules, each of which is designed to prepare one portion. Before choosing the best capsules for coffee machines, it's worth understanding how they work.
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Capsule coffee machines advantages and disadvantages
This type of coffee machine is easy to manufacture and operate. The capsule is placed in a container where it is pierced with a needle. Steam under pressure passes through the holes, condenses and the liquid enters the mug. The rest of the powder remains on the filter of the capsule and together with it ends up in the container for their collection.
Most coffee lovers have appreciated the new product. Among its advantages are named.
- Democratic cost. They really cost less than the usual machines for making an invigorating drink from whole grains or ground coffee.
- Compact size and stylish design. It's no secret that a coffee machine with a large number of functions is rather bulky. The capsule one will easily fit on the windowsill of a small kitchen.
- Ease of management and wide functionality.
At the same time, car maintenance does not take much time. You do not need to constantly clean the container from the accumulated grounds and wash it.
The disadvantages include a small number of manufacturers. Among the main companies producing similar household appliances: Nespresso, Dolce Gusto, Tassimo.
Capsule or ground
Coffee in capsules is a powder made from ground beans, designed to make an aromatic drink. Among its merits.
- A variety of flavors, achieved by mixing in various proportions soft Arabica and robust robusta.
- Cooking method. The roasted grains are ground and immediately packed into completely sealed capsules, which does not allow you to lose even a fraction of aroma and taste during storage.
- Fast preparation in all proportions for the perfect drink.
- It is possible to prepare not only espresso or Americano, but also cappuccino, latte by pressing a couple of buttons.
How to choose a drink. Most companies produce several types of it. They differ:
- the degree of roasting - low, medium, strong;
- intensity, which is determined on a ten-point scale;
- the volume of the prepared drink, from 27 ml for espresso and americano to 110 ml for latte or lungo;
- additives of milk or cream;
- the number of pieces in the package;
- the possibility of using for machines of different types.
Unfortunately, the cost of the capsules cannot be called budget. Companies engaged in the production of capsule coffee machines supply to the distribution network not only them, but also a wide range of blends. The administration is interested in using capsules exclusively of their brand.
However, demand creates supply. Today, capsules appear from other equally well-known players on the market. The taste characteristics of the drink are not inferior to the original.More and more people are talking about reusable capsules for coffee machines.
Rating of capsules for coffee machines
Below are the most popular capsule brands. In principle, you will have to choose a product from just a few brands. Or perhaps from a product line from one manufacturer. It all depends on the machine for preparing drinks.
Disposable capsules
They have a lot more fans than packaging that can be reused many times. It is believed that a hermetically sealed composition allows for a more aromatic drink with a rich taste. Unless of course trying to use the same capsule twice.
Jardin
The popular Russian brand did not stay away from the trends and launched the production of disposable aluminum packaging. They are suitable for Nespresso brand equipment. The capsules are packed in bright boxes of 10. The line includes 5 types for making espresso. The mildest taste is "Vivo" with a slight berry sourness. The strongest is "Ristretto" with tart chocolate and bitterness. Customers also note “Vanillia” with vanilla aroma. It is average in flavor intensity.
Advantages:
- Aluminum packaging. Capsules do not lose their shape, they are well pierced;
- According to buyers, it is a worthy replacement for expensive Nestle products;
- Easy to find on sale;
- Intense taste and aroma.
Disadvantages:
- Narrow assortment;
- According to coffee lovers, it does not match the taste of the original;
- Many people complain that water often gets into the mug.
Affordability and affordable prices make the brand popular. One serving will cost 24-27 rubles. The cost of packaging is 220-230 rubles.
Di maestri
Who is the best coffee brewer in Europe? Italians, of course. Fragrant, invigorating, with a dense foam. What could be better in the early morning. Di Maestri offers a large selection of ground coffee in disposable, sealed packaging. It is worth taking a closer look at the assortment. Among the bright boxes, you can find not only a drink that is ideally suited to taste and strength. But, and pick up capsules for coffee machines of different brands. They are compatible with brands such as Nespresso, Caffitaly, Dolce Gusto.
Among the popular series - "Brasile", consisting entirely of South American varieties of Arabica and featuring a magical soft taste with the aroma of tropical fruits. And also “Intenso. It contains 45% Arabica and 55% Robusta. The drink turns out to be quite strong and at the same time has a refreshing taste with a light citrus aftertaste. You can also find cappuccino with a persistent foam and an excellent creamy taste.
Advantages:
- A wide assortment will delight both fans of soft velvety coffee and strong drink with a mature character;
- Suitable for most brands of popular brands of coffee machines;
- Bright taste, invigorating aroma.
Disadvantages:
- Combined packaging material made of aluminum and plastic.
The cost of 10 pieces in a cardboard box is 300-320 rubles. Buying by the piece is more expensive. Within 32-35 rubles per serving. It should be borne in mind that the volume of one portion at the outlet is 70 ml, which is more than that of the main competitors.
L'or
Initially, coffee was made in France under the Skladkofe trademark from South American Arabica varieties. Today, production has been established using European technologies in Russia. Raw materials are delivered from the countries of South America, Africa and Asia. Due to the full processing cycle at domestic enterprises, coffee retains its deep taste and rich aroma for a long time. After all, it does not need to be transported.
Buyers note the strong Splendente espresso with amazing golden foam and nutty flavor. Lungo coffee has a large volume and leaves an almond aftertaste. “Forza will captivate strong drink lovers with its astringent tastes with bitterness and woody notes, amazing amber color and dense, creamy texture under a lush beige foam.
Advantages:
- Bright taste;
- Variety of flavors;
- Great for invigorating in the morning, but you can also find products with a low caffeine content, suitable for consumption in the afternoon or evening;
- Delicate texture and dense foam;
- Aluminum capsules.
Disadvantages:
- Only suitable for Nespresso coffee machines;
- Small assortment;
- Avid fans of the drink consider the L'or brand somewhat weak. They also do not like the pronounced sourness present in some species.
The cost of a package of 10 pieces is 280-300 rubles. The manufacturer offers sets with several types of coffee for 2300-2400 rubles. The box contains 100 servings of the drink. By the way, it will serve as a good gift for coffee lovers.
BIALETTI
Italians rightly believe that in every Italian city coffee is brewed with its own unique taste. Therefore, the company, having begun to produce capsule coffee machines, has created its own line of drink with unique tastes and gave each type the name of the city. Delicate and airy "Milano" with a light dried fruit aftertaste. Strong and invigorating "Napoli" with pronounced notes of chocolate. Intense and deep "Torino" will amaze you with a delicate and velvety texture. The balanced "Roma" will not leave indifferent any gourmet.
Advantages:
- A wide palette of aromas and tastes;
- Delicate, velvety texture;
- A wide selection by the number of servings in a package from 5 to 24 pieces;
- You can prepare different volumes of the drink;
- Convenient aluminum foil capsules with paper filter and lid.
Disadvantages:
- Mostly compatible with BIALETTI equipment. The packaging is spherical. But recently, capsule coffee of this brand has appeared for the Nespresso and I-Espresso systems.
The cost of one serving is about 27-30 rubles. The price of a package depends on the number of servings in it. But ordering a full box is always more profitable than buying a drink per piece.
Tassimo
An amazing product from an American company. She uses raw materials of exceptionally high quality. It roasts it using a unique technology and mixes it in a wide variety of proportions, allowing every coffee fan to find its own taste and aroma. In addition, the company offers to prepare lattes, cappuccino, classic espresso and Americano, coffee drinks with berry, citrus, vanilla or chocolate flavors in just 20 seconds.
It is enough to load the aluminum packaging with the pressed powder into the container and press the start button. The machine itself reads the barcode, determines the type of drink and prepares it in full accordance with the recipe.
Advantages:
- A wide assortment range, in which everyone will find their coffee;
- Manufacturability of preparation;
- Ease of controls;
- Excellent characteristics of a drink made from high quality raw materials.
Disadvantages:
- By no means democratic cost of 500-550 rubles for 16 servings;
- Coffee can only be prepared in Tassimo coffee machines.
Many buyers find the price to be justified. Moreover, in online stores you can find the company's products with significant discounts.
Dolce gusto
Products of one of the most popular brands "Nescafe". Compatible with Delonghi and Dolce Gusto systems. Differs in a variety of species. There are 10 types of espresso, decaffeinated coffee, latte, cappuccino, chocolate in the range. It is noteworthy that you do not need to go to the store to make any of the drinks with milk or cream. Double capsules will help you enjoy aromatic coffee at any time.
Advantages:
- A large assortment;
- Excellent taste characteristics;
- Perfect proportions of soft Brazilian Arabica and tart African Robusta;
- Velvety consistency with a dense, long-lasting foam.
Disadvantages:
- Probably only plastic containers.
The price is reasonable, around 400 rubles for 16 pieces.
Nespresso
The Nestlé company had the idea of creating a capsule machine and, accordingly, disposable containers for it. Today she firmly holds the leading position in the market. There are about 50 types of invigorating drink in its assortment. It differs not only in taste, but also in volume. You can make a large cup of berry-flavored lungo or a tiny cup of the strongest Americano.
Advantages:
- The widest range of brands on the market;
- High quality;
- Great taste;
- Delicate texture.
Disadvantages:
- Compatible exclusively with the Nespresso system.
Ten servings will cost 320-340 rubles.
Reusable capsules
They are just gaining popularity. But, they have already found both fans and opponents. The former argue that this is a more budget option, allowing you to make coffee according to your own recipes or use ordinary ground coffee.
The latter rightly say that it is quite difficult to achieve ideal proportions at home. And the drink turns out to be not so aromatic, since the ground coffee is stored in an open package. The cooking technology is somewhat different and during the blending process all notes of Arabica and Robusta are not revealed.
However, both sides have something in common. They agree that cleaning and changing filters, washing capsules and drying them is time-consuming.
Capsulin
One of the budget options. On sale come in the form of a set of 100 plastic packaging, a large number of self-adhesive paper lids and a dispenser.
Advantages:
- One set is enough to make at least 2000 cups of coffee;
- Convenient dispenser;
- Nice price of 500 rubles per set.
Disadvantages:
- After 20 uses, you will have to get rid of the container, since the covers begin to stick poorly and do not remain tight.
Dolce gusto
A popular brand that produces disposable and reusable containers for capsule coffee machines. But, if the former deserve exclusively positive reviews, the latter have more complaints. They are made of high quality steel with a silicone cover. The kit also includes 100 filters and a spoon for dosing and tamping coffee powder.
Advantages:
- Long lasting and high quality.
Disadvantages:
- Not suitable for instant coffee. First you need to fill in and tamp the powder, install the filter, press it down and put on the lid;
- According to the barista, the drink is of medium quality;
- The high cost of 3000-3200 rubles per set.
Most buyers consider the price to be very high.
Coffeduck
Despite the high cost, they are popular among coffee lovers. The capsules differ in color. Brown for cars built before 2010, black for equipment built later.
Advantages:
- Durable, made of metal;
- Convenient, sealed lid with a dense silicone rim;
- A wide range of shapes and sizes. Suitable for devices of many brands.
Disadvantages:
- High cost, in the region of 800-900 rubles for 5 pieces.
Buyers believe the price is justified as the inventory will last a long time.
Capsules for coffee machines are a great way to quickly prepare delicious coffee for any desire. There will be something to surprise the guests by serving them a cup of invigorating espresso or a delicate cappuccino, prepared taking into account all the subtleties of the recipe. Like a coffee shop.
