How to brew coffee from capsules without a coffee machine

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.

Rating TOP 7 best coffee capsules

The TOP of the best capsule coffees, in our opinion, looks exactly like this:

• Nespresso Arpeggio Decaffeinato.
• Dolce Gusto Cappuccino.
• Tassimo Latte Macchiato Caramel.
• Cremesso Lungo Caramello.
• Nespresso Envivo Lungo.
• Lavazza Intenso.
• Paulig Classic.

Let's look at them separately.

Nespresso Arpeggio Decaffeinato

Capsules made from dark roasted 100% Arabica coffee beans from Central America. It has a rich and dense taste with notes of cocoa. Despite the lack of caffeine, the drink has the best characteristics of a regular strong aromatic drink. Roasting - 4 out of 5, bitterness - 4 out of 5, sourness 2 out of 5. These capsules are perfect for lovers of real high-quality coffee.

Price: from 250 to 440 rubles.

• cafein free;
• rich coffee aroma;
• notes of cocoa in the aftertaste.

• a little bitter.

Wonderful and tasty drink! I'm already buying my third pack. I love strong coffee and drink it without adding milk or sugar. I am a connoisseur of true aroma and taste. These capsules fully satisfy my need for a good cup of coffee in the morning. There are no complaints or comments. Excellent grind, slightly bitter, but within limits. The price justifies the quality. I recommend it from the bottom of my heart!

Nespresso Arpeggio Decaffeinato

Dolce Gusto Cappuccino

Italian coffee with a rich aroma of strong espresso and a delicate creamy taste. Cappuccino from Dolce Gusto is an undoubted example of a classic that will captivate all coffee lovers. Due to the blend of high-quality Arabica beans from South America, the drink has a rich taste. The high-pressure coffee machine produces the perfect Italian cappuccino with velvety foam. One package contains 16 capsules (8 capsules with ground coffee and 8 with milk). Milk capsules contain milk powder, emulsifier and sugar.

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Price: from 280 to 610 rubles.

• dense milk foam;
• rich Arabica aroma;
• creamy taste of the drink.

• few capsules (enough for 8 cups).

Perfect capsules. I didn't notice any cons, the coffee was great. Good and rich taste, bright aroma, density of coffee - everything is perfect. I didn't expect such a delicious cappuccino from a capsule. There are 16 products in the package, but they are enough for 8 mugs (8 capsules with ground coffee and 8 with milk). The foam turns out dense and does not settle. I am pleased. Now I can enjoy cappuccino at any time of the day or night.

Dolce Gusto Cappuccino

Tassimo Latte Macchiato Caramel

A three-layer coffee and milk combination with velvety foam with notes of caramel. Due to the updated recipe with condensed cream, the texture is very airy and creamy. Each package contains 8 capsules with ground coffee and 8 capsules with a dairy product. The latte is prepared at the touch of a button and comes out with a large cup of 285 milliliters.

Price: from 229 to 1045 rubles.

• rich caramel taste;
• the drink is not bitter;
• large volume of drink at the exit (285 ml).

• few capsules (enough for 8 cups).

Only Tassimo capsules are suitable for my coffee machine, fortunately there are many of them on the market! From simple coffee to hot chocolate. I love and respect them for their rich assortment. I like these capsules, I’m buying them for the fourth time. They don't get bored. Pleasant taste and aroma. I usually drink 1 cup a day, but sometimes I feel like drinking a second one. The taste is too rich, you want to enjoy it. If you haven’t tried Tassimo drinks yet, then run to the store and buy them! I recommend it from the bottom of my heart.

Tassimo Latte Macchiato Caramel

Cremesso Lungo Caramello

A composition of selected Arabica beans from Africa gives the drink a harmonious aroma. It is ideal for making longo coffee and latte macchiato due to its roast level and mild aroma. Cremesso coffee varieties are certified according to the UTZ program aimed at achieving high social and environmental standards in production. The drink is safe and does not contain any impurities or harmful elements.

Price: from 469 to 550 rubles.

• soft caramel taste;
• rich coffee aroma;
• UTZ certificate (does not contain impurities or harmful additives).

• difficult to find in stores.

A pleasant and delicate tasting drink with notes of caramel. I often make lattes; these capsules are ideal for similar purposes because they have low intensity and a sweet aftertaste. In general, I love coffee, I try different capsules, but for now I’ve settled on these. They are very easy to use. You press a button and you get a flavorful drink. No need to cook in a Turk, wait a long time. Everyone should have capsule coffee machines at home! I don’t know how I used to live without this wonderful device.

Cremesso Lungo Caramello

Nespresso Envivo Lungo

A stunning blend of Arabica from India and Robusta from Mexico, created for the purpose of making large volume coffee. The drink reveals a dense texture and bright taste. There are sweet woody notes and a caramel flavor.

Adding a little cream will reveal the delicate aroma of gingerbread. Bitterness - 4 out of 5, sourness - 1 out of 5.

Price: from 320 to 470 rubles.

• aroma of caramel and gingerbread;
• rich taste;
• bright coffee aroma.

• There is a slight bitterness in the aftertaste.

I am a coffee maniac and can drink coffee 24 hours a day. Nespresso capsules are incomparable to any other brand. They are unique! Sold in boxes of 10 pieces. I drink 1 cup a day, so I’m completely satisfied with the price. Buying a cafe is much more expensive. I like to try different capsules, but these are my favorite so far.

Nespresso Envivo Lungo

Lavazza Intenso

Lavazza Blue Espresso Intenso coffee capsules are the ideal blend for strong espresso with thick, viscous crema. A blend of Brazilian Arabica and South Asian Robusta creates a magnificent and harmonious taste and aroma of the presented coffee. The capsules are only compatible with Lavazza Blue capsule coffee machines.

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Price: from 2900 to 3200 rub.

• bitter chocolate taste;
• rich coffee aroma;
• dense milk foam.

• not found.

Lavazza Intenso is a classic, nothing new or exclusive, but the foam is just perfect. I recommend it to lovers of strong espresso that will wake up even the dead. A mixture of Arabica and Robusta is much more interesting than both of these varieties separately.

Lavazza Intenso

Paulig Classic

In order to create the Paulig Classic coffee blend, the technology of separate roasting of each variety is used; this process makes it possible to maximize their taste characteristics and complex aroma. Espresso made using these coffee capsules contains an aftertaste with notes of truffle chocolate, rum and cinnamon, and the mild strength allows you to enjoy it not only in the morning, but throughout the day. Coffee pods fit the Paulig capsule system (K-fee). Each capsule is designed for one serving of espresso or lungo.

Price: from 480 to 550 rubles.

• composition of 100% Arabica;
• aftertaste with notes of truffle chocolate, rum and cinnamon;
• no bitterness.

• not found.

Fine, classic espresso from elite Arabica varieties. Tasty, strong, rich, aromatic, nothing more is needed. It’s convenient to use capsules; I make sure that I always have a supply at home and at work. The grind is a bit coarse for my liking, but otherwise the coffee is excellent.

Paulig Classic

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:

1. 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.
2. Polymer. Made from food grade polymer. This is the most harmless material for the body, but its price is relatively high.
3. 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

TOP 7 best capsules

What could be better than a cup of aromatic coffee in the morning? Only a machine that will cook it. But the combination of exclusive capsules and a device for brewing them will give indescribable pleasure to true gourmets. In our rating you will find the seven best brands for preparing an aromatic invigorating drink.

Nescafe Dolce Gusto Espresso

Average cost 478 rub.

The enchanting aroma of Dolce Gusto Espresso will surprise the most ardent skeptics of capsule drinks. The finest notes of coffee bean are revealed in the cup. Made from 100% Arabica.

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The finished drink is famous for its exquisite taste with delicate foam. It contains floral aftertaste notes that will not leave the buyer indifferent. Each Dolce package contains 16 cups of ground coffee.

Product Features

Nescafe Dolce Gusto Espresso

Advantages

• natural, ground coffee;
• high-quality roasting;
• inexpensive;
• rich taste.

Flaws

• small portion (50 ml);
• there is bitterness.

The Nescafe brand is distinguished by its incredible aroma, delicate foam and variety of drink options.

Tassimo Jacobs Espresso Classico

Average cost 509 rub.

The classic, unsurpassed coffee from the Jacobs brand without hesitation makes it onto the list of favorite capsules due to its richness, intensity of taste and aroma. Bright fruity notes with thick foam complete the skillfully created drink.

The German manufacturer offers strong Espresso for true coffee lovers. The set contains 16 capsule-discs. Enjoy the tartness of Tassimo Jacobs!

Product Features

Tassimo Jacobs Espresso Classico

Advantages

• medium roast;
• strong coffee;
• goes well with milk;
• rich soft taste.

Flaws

• there is sourness;
• little foam.

Buyers note the acceptable price-quality ratio of the product.

Cremesso Espresso

Average cost 541 rub.

Cremesso Espresso is created from selected Arabica beans from Central and South America. The uniqueness of this variety lies in the highest quality of the source material. Robusta, produced in India, is added to complement the rich coffee's floral aroma.

The drink harmoniously combines light notes with medium roast bitterness. The consistency of uniform grinding guarantees 100% of the exquisite aftertaste of espresso.

Product Features

Cremesso Espresso

Advantages

• medium roast;
• natural coffee taste;
• 16 capsules per set;
• rich soft taste.

Flaws

• small volume of drink;
• high price.

Lovers of Cremesso Espresso note the presence of a slight sourness in the aftertaste, which is offset by nutty notes.

Elite Coffee Collection Romano

Average cost 199 rubles.

Dark roasted coffee Elite Coffee Collection Romano incorporates the best varieties of 100% Arabica. It has a noticeable bitterness and a long aftertaste. The aroma is rich, and the price is consistent with the declared quality.

Nespresso Original cooking system. This type of capsule will completely replace expensive analogues. According to customer reviews, when combined with milk, it makes an excellent cappuccino!

Product Features

Elite Coffee Collection Romano

Advantages

• dark roast;
• tart taste of coffee;
• 10 capsules per set;
• long aftertaste.

Flaws

• small volume of drink;
• there is a bitter undertone.

Consumers note the acceptable quality of the capsules, which are quite suitable for refilling.

Starbucks Americano

Average cost 399 rub.

The famous Starbucks brand uses high-quality beans from Latin America, roasted to a dark brown color, which creates an indescribable aroma and strength of the drink with hints of nuts and cocoa beans.

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In a cup of Americano you will find the original example of the ideal coffee that “gave life” to the Starbucks company. The beans of this brand are roasted in three variants: Blonde, Medium and Dark. The capsules retain all the rich aroma and taste of freshly ground grain.

Product Features

Starbucks Americano

Advantages

• dark roast;
• large volume of coffee;
• 12 capsules per set;
• classic taste.

Flaws

• price;
• The quality is inferior to espresso.

This type of capsule coffee is suitable for the Nescafe Dolce Gusto system.

L'OR Espresso Lungo Profondo

The average cost is 200 rubles.

The popular brand L'OR offers customers various types of coffee, but consumers prefer Espresso Lungo Profondo capsule the most. Its advantage is the intensity of taste with subtle nutty notes and delicate foam.

In addition, the large volume will please lovers of the tart drink. The capsules are made from an aluminum base and are suitable for use in Nespresso Original systems.

Product Features

L'OR Espresso Lungo Profondo

Advantages

• spicy aroma;
• optimal volume of coffee;
• 10 capsules per set;
• taste without bitterness.

Flaws

• high price;
• The quality is inferior to the original capsules.

According to customer reviews, this is the best analogue of capsule coffee for the Nespresso system.

Lavazza Blue Espresso Delicato

The average cost is 2900 rubles.

The soft tones of 100% Arabica, imported from Brazil and India, provide the exquisite aroma of Lavazza Blue Espresso Delicato. The Italian manufacturer knows a lot about a midday fiesta with a cup of coffee.

The taste will be enhanced if it is prepared using the original machine. Yes, it is this combination that will ensure maximum opening of the grains and give a persistent, lush foam. The coffee is medium roasted and intense, and the aftertaste is soft and creamy.

Product Features

Lavazza Blue Espresso Delicato

Advantages

• sweet aroma;
• acceptable price;
• delicate blend;
• taste without sourness.

Flaws

• many capsules in the set;
• the taste is not bright.

This coffee is suitable for capsule machines with the Lavazza system. However, many consumers lack the tartness and richness of the beans.

Advantages and disadvantages

Coffee capsules have pros and cons. Their main advantages are:

1. Preservation of taste and aroma after opening the package, unlike a ground or grain product.
2. There is no need for careful pressing and measuring of the product, as is the case with carob coffee machines.
3. Cost-effective, easy to use, compact and convenient devices.
4. 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.
5. Availability of different tastes , the possibility of obtaining new products.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. The durability of the coffee machine, which allows you to use it for 10 years if you follow the instructions for use.
9. Low noise level during preparation of a drink compared to standard coffee makers.

Coffee capsules also have some negative sides:

1. High cost compared to regular coffee.
2. Incompatibility with coffee makers produced by different manufacturers.
3. Lack of product in mass sale, the need to pre-order it.

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

How to brew a “capsule” correctly

These containers are equipped with an airtight foil lid. To prepare an aromatic drink with their help, you need to insert the capsule into the device between two filters.

In this position, after the start, the cup is pierced on both sides, after which the capsule is filled with hot water at one end, and the finished coffee is poured out at the other end. Disposable cups must be recycled, but there are also reusable cups that need to be washed after brewing.

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The peculiarity of preparing capsule coffee is that water heated to the optimal temperature enters the container under a pressure of 10-20 bar. This is what provides a rich, strong taste, which is distinguished by a greater development of the aroma of coffee beans than in other types of machines.

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.