Initially, coffee pods were made for cafes, coffee shops, and restaurants. With a large number of visitors, the baristas did not have time to prepare drinks. Illycaffe drew attention to these problems in the 70s of the 20th century. The pod technology was developed by the head of the organization, Ernesto Illy. The first packages were released. The name for the coffee tablets was Italian (it means “wafer”, as there is a visual similarity). They should not be confused with capsules and corresponding coffee machines. Thus, thanks to the Illy company, pods have spread throughout the planet.
Introductory certificate
An unusual way of packaging coffee in pods appeared in Italy. This country is the main consumer of coffee products, where in every home the morning begins with the preparation of an aromatic drink. The word "pod" is also of Italian origin and is translated as "tablet". The principle of coffee pods is to simplify the creation of a serving of the drink without losing quality.
A pod is a portion of ground grains placed in a paper filter bag
To prepare coffee you only need to take two steps: put it in the coffee machine and press the start button
Appearance
The pods have a standardization system, although they may differ slightly in paper quality and shape. The diameter of coffee pods depends on the model of coffee machine for which they are intended, so special markings are placed on the packaging. ESE standard filters have a diameter of 44 mm and contain 7 g of compressed ground coffee. This amount is calculated for 60 ml of water to prepare a standard portion of espresso.
Pods according to the Senseo standard are produced in a diameter of 55 mm, which contain 9 g of crumbly coffee powder. As a rule, they are made from stronger paper that can pass up to 150 ml of water. These pods are suitable for preparing any drinks, including those with the addition of milk foam.
Each paper filter is sealed with foil, which does not allow oxygen to pass through, so that the coffee retains its original taste and aroma. Pods are sold in cardboard boxes or jars, which can contain from 18 to 100 units of goods. Thanks to the sealed packaging, they have a long shelf life, so you can stock up on this coffee for future use.
What is coffee pods
Pods are a special form of packaging. They are disposable bags made of filtered paper. Ground coffee is poured inside (it can be loose or pressed). The pods are made specifically to be divided into portions.
One sachet is enough for one mug.
Portions are brewed using pod coffee makers or regular coffee machines that have a compartment for brewing in this way.
Making coffee using pods has certain advantages:
- Simple cooking process
- Sealed paper packaging preserves the smell of freshly ground coffee
- The cost is lower than for brewing capsules
- There is no need to clean the filter holder; it is easier to throw away the bag than the grounds after brewing.
Each pod is designed for one cup of coffee
How pods are made
The production of pods takes quite a long time and occurs in several stages:
- Selection of high-quality Arabica and Robusta coffee beans. As a rule, a mixture of several types of coffee is prepared to obtain different flavor accents.
- Roasting beans (medium or high degree of roasting is used).
- Prepared grains are left for several days to interact with air to start chemical processes and preserve aromatic properties.
- The grains are ground to a powdery state.
- Ground coffee is placed in pods and sealed in gas-tight foil for 20 seconds.
If the packaging rules are followed, coffee pods can be stored for 2 years while maintaining both beneficial and taste properties.
Advantages
Coffee machine pods have a number of undeniable advantages compared to ground and grain coffee, as well as capsule coffee:
Nespresso capsule coffee
- Environmentally friendly packaging. The raw materials are in contact exclusively with filtered paper, which prevents oxidation both during storage and during the preparation of the drink.
- Easy to use and time saving. There is no need to pre-grind the beans, measure the required amount, compress the coffee, or clean the coffee machine. The drink is prepared within 20 seconds. And even a child can handle operating a pod coffee machine.
- Natural composition. The tightness of the packaging allows you to avoid adding chemical components to the coffee, which are responsible for extending the shelf life, enhancing the aromatic properties, and also for creating a beautiful foam. In this case, all these factors are achieved by maintaining the freshness of the ground beans.
- Economical. Coffee pod packaging is designed for a certain number of cups. Therefore, it is easy to keep track and control the amount you drink. This is especially true for offices and food establishments.
- Affordable price. The cost of pods is comparable to a package of good ground coffee, and in comparison with capsule coffee they are even cheaper. The same applies to pod coffee machines. They have a budget price compared to their competitors, but are absolutely universal and work with any pods.
The biggest advantage is the quality of the prepared drink.
You will always get a cup of coffee from freshly ground beans that have retained their original taste and noble aroma. Moreover, the quality of the drink will always be the same. Whereas bean or ground coffee in a package, after opening it, retains these properties for no longer than a week.
Pros and cons of packaging paper bags
The option for packing and packing coffee beans, chosen by the Italians and recognized throughout the world, has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantages include:
- environmentally friendly packaging material - paper;
- preservation of the taste and aroma of the drink regardless of the coffee machine model;
- absence of chemicals and hazardous impurities;
- absence of emulsifiers and preservatives;
- economical use and control of coffee consumption.
You might be interested in Capsule coffee makers
This type of packaging also has its disadvantages:
- limited selection of ground bean options (up to 10-15 varieties for each coffee machine);
- monotony of taste and smell of the drink;
- often questionable quality of raw materials.
Only after weighing all the pros and cons can you make a final decision regarding the choice of a pod coffee machine. It is possible that this method of brewing will quickly become boring for those who are used to experimenting with tastes, aromas and recipes.
For coffee lovers with no pretensions to originality and adherents of conservative ideas, this option for preparing a drink without spending time and effort will seem like an ideal way to get maximum pleasure from it.
Flaws
After a series of advantages of pods, there are still several disadvantages. First of all, you need to purchase an appropriate coffee maker. Even the most budget models cost at least 4 thousand rubles, while a Turk or geyser coffee maker does not require large investments.
Many people complain about the meager range of flavors and the inability to combine different types of coffee, as well as prepare drinks with additives. Of course, the commercially available flavors may become boring over time, but the pods are not created for gourmets, but for ordinary people who are more accustomed to the instant analogue.
Perhaps the main drawback is the need to search for places of sale. Pods are not available in all chain stores, so it’s easier to find a specialized point of sale of coffee or order them online.
Types of pods
Manufacturers of pod coffee are constantly trying to expand their range and create new blends. As a rule, each of them produces from 15 to 20 flavors. Manufacturers are also experimenting with the degree of roasting of beans. Recently, in addition to coffee, they began to produce teas in pods, which differ greatly in taste from bagged ones.
Now you can find the following pod brands on the market:
- Buscaglione,
- San Giusto,
- Italko,
- Bristot,
- ILLY,
- Lavazza.
In addition to traditional Arabica and Robusta, compositions with chocolate, floral, nutty, creamy, and caramel notes are created.
Buscaglione produces 3 flavor varieties of pods, as well as a decaffeinated version. Classic Buscaglione Arabica is ideal for making espresso. It has a mild floral taste and a sweetish aroma. Buscaglione Long has a coarse grind and makes a rich Americano or Lungo. It has a slight sourness and bitterness, as well as an almond aftertaste. The aroma of the drink is very rich and spicy.
Buscaglione Passione will appeal to true gourmets who prefer a multifaceted taste. It is suitable for making espresso and cappuccino. This variety is distinguished by nutty and chocolate notes, as well as a thick brown foam on the finished drink.
For people with health problems, this brand has created separate pods of Buscaglione Decaffeinato. They are made from South American Arabica beans, from which caffeine is extracted during processing. At the same time, the coffee turns out to be rich in taste with a slight sourness and a fruity aftertaste.
Tips for choosing
Use a few simple tips when choosing coffee pods:
- Pay attention to the place where the grains are produced. Give preference to raw materials from Guatemala, Colombia, Ethiopia and Costa Rica. Brazilian varieties will appeal to fans of strong coffee with sourness and rich aroma.
- Choose medium or fine grind coffee pods as they allow for better water flow and flavor release.
- Don’t chase a low price, because the quality of the coffee beans that are placed in the pods directly depends on it.
Place of growth
The process of growing a coffee tree is labor-intensive; in order to obtain high-quality beans, work on coffee plantations is mainly done by hand. The birthplace of coffee is Ethiopia; it has been consumed there since the 9th century. Over time, the growing areas of coffee trees increased and reached Central and South America, Ethiopia and southeast Asia. The production of pods includes Arabica beans from Ethiopia, which has a chocolate flavor, and coffee beans from India and Haiti, which have a sweetish taste; coffee beans from Brazil are distinguished by a slight sourness. Consistently, the most popular beans are those grown in Colombia and Costa Rica, which are distinguished by their high quality of taste.
To make coffee, all you need is a pod machine and coffee pods.
See alsoBeautiful and stylish dishes - features and tips for choosing
Coffee makers for pod coffee
The first pod coffee machines were developed by the Swiss company Nespresso. Moreover, she immediately released her own line of coffee flavors. In Russia, the new product began to be produced in 2004, and it was produced by . Currently, Philips, ARIETE, Severin, GRIMAC are engaged in the production of pod coffee makers and coffee machines.
The most popular model is Philips Senseo. It is fully automated and features quiet operation, small dimensions and an affordable price. This machine is easy to use and maintain. The only caveat is the inability to change the strength of the drink. In more expensive models there is a function for changing the drink preparation mode.
Pod coffee machines work on the same principle as other units.
A filter bag is placed in a special tank. The water is heated to the desired temperature and pressurized through the ground coffee. The process of preparing the drink takes no more than a minute and does not require any additional actions. There is no need to clean the device either, because the filter does not allow coffee to pass through and the tank does not get dirty.
Pod coffee has already found its fans, thanks to its undeniable advantages. It allows you to prepare the same delicious drinks as in a coffee shop without leaving your home and without any special skills. Coffee pods are definitely worth a try if you like to experiment and prefer to buy quality products at an affordable price.
Pod coffee machines
Such well-known companies as WMF AG, Severin, Philips are engaged in the production of pod coffee machines.
Philips Senseo coffee machine is distinguished by its quiet operation and good coffee quality. Not all consumers like the fact that this machine does not have a function for changing the strength of the drink, but these comments should only be attributed to the pods, how well they are compressed and at what speed the water passes through the “coffee filter”.
Important! If the density of the “tablet” is high and the water slowly overcomes this obstacle on its way, it draws out all the juices from the coffee and the drink naturally becomes stronger.
ARIETE 1317 Divina is considered one of the leading models. It is one hundred percent automatic and also inexpensive. The ideal combination of price and quality.
The GRIMAC Espresso e Cappuccino coffee pod machine is very good for offices. Reliable, easy to use. You can prepare both “espresso” and “cappuccino” in it, and in quantities sufficient for a large group.
