Capsule coffee machines are becoming increasingly popular, as they differ from conventional ones in their ease of use: just insert the capsule and the drink is prepared. Capsules are purchased separately and are sold in coffee shops and large supermarkets. The price for a package of branded capsules is relatively low, but questions often arise about how long a capsule lasts for a coffee machine, and is it profitable?
Is it possible to put coffee back into the capsule?
The capsule contains regular ground coffee, and therefore the question often arises: is it possible to somehow pour regular coffee into it and will the drink be prepared? This cannot be done with regular standard capsules. But some manufacturers produce special reusable capsules into which you can pour a portion of ground beans, carefully remove the excess, close the lid and put it back into the coffee machine.
One reusable capsule can be used more than 50 times, then the membrane begins to deteriorate.
Reusable capsules for coffee machines are produced by Nespresso, Lavazza, Tassimo, Dolce Gusto, and some less famous manufacturers. Therefore, if you are just choosing a coffee machine and plan to save on capsules, you should choose one of these options.
Another important advantage of reusable capsules is the ability to add any coffee you like. Manufacturers usually offer a fairly limited selection of drinks, and sometimes you want something special, for example, special varieties or flavors. You can put whatever you want into a reusable capsule, add spices to your coffee or grind exclusive beans. Overall, it's tasty and convenient.
Rating of the most favorite species
The level of properties of coffee capsules differs radically among different manufacturers. Almost everything depends on the raw materials used, roasting methods and subsequent processing. The most famous and popular brands include products from Tassimo, Nespresso, Lavazza, DolceGusto, Squesito.
- Nespresso is the first brand that dared to develop the product under discussion, so there is more trust in it. The manufacturer's line includes 16 types of coffee, including three types of elite espresso - pure origin, as well as hot chocolate and mountain herbal tea. Coffee in Nespresso capsules is not dangerous, since the containers themselves are made of soft food-grade polymer. In addition, the manufacturer offers comfortable storage systems.
- Dolce Gusto - this Nescafe brand product can be called an economical version of Nespresso. The manufacturer produces more than 20 flavors of coffee, although there is one aspect - the contents of the capsules are 6 g instead of the required 7 g (minimum). Nescafe dolce gusto coffee capsules are available in a variety of drinks, including 10 types of espresso, several types of cappuccino, latte, decaffeinated coffee and hot chocolate with mocha, caramel and chococino flavors.
- Tassimo - this brand can be identified by the unique appearance of the capsules, which resemble discs. Unlike its own rivals, this manufacturer has mastered a different technology for brewing the drink. The thing is that the powder in the capsules is not compressed, which means that high water pressure is not required. Each package has a barcode, the machine reads it and already knows how much water and time is needed to make coffee. In our market from Tassimo there are three options of dark coffee, coffee with milk (including latte), also cocoa, four types of tea, hot chocolate and milk.
- Squesito. – this is a new product on our market, but many gourmets have already been able to discover the excellent quality and good recipe of coffee. So, here, for example, 100% robusta is presented. This particular drink contains the largest amount of caffeine and has a corresponding bitterness.
- Lavazza is real Italian coffee with foam. The manufacturer offers a number of types of high-quality espresso.
How can you save on coffee capsules?
Single-use capsules are quite expensive, and therefore a prepared shot of espresso can be comparable in price to the cost of a drink in a coffee shop. The capsule is used once, for one cup, and it is much more expensive than buying ground coffee in packages or by weight. Of course, for those who care about taste, price is usually not an issue, but still.
- Disposable coffee containers cost about 25-36 rubles per piece (the price varies depending on the contents, the specific brand, and what packages and volumes to take, individually or in bulk.
- Reusable models are usually sold in packs of 2-4-6 pieces, and cost about 1000 - 2500 rubles per pack, although you can find various promotions and lucrative offers online. One capsule in this case costs about 400-500 rubles (you can find options for 200), but it will be enough for 50+ cups of coffee, and it turns out that the price of one preparation is 8-10 rubles. Plus the price of coffee, of course. But in any case, it turns out cheaper, and at the same time you drink your favorite drink.
Advantages and disadvantages of coffee capsules
- Affordable price, ease of use. Capsule manufacturers have conquered the coffee market due to their availability and ease of use. These factors are causing more and more people to buy coffee machines. We value better quality coffee and want to enjoy its taste at home. At the same time, we don't need any special skills to prepare a good cup of the magical drink. Just select the appropriate capsule, press the button and in a few tens of seconds enjoy the taste and aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Another thing in favor of coffee machines is that they are also easy to keep clean. The devices are small and often have an interesting design. Therefore, they are not just another kitchen gadget, but also an element of interior design. In turn, they contribute to the fact that more and more small and medium-sized companies decide to buy only capsules for their offices.
- Price for coffee capsules. Unfortunately, it is impossible without shortcomings. After calculating the cost of a 250g bag of freshly baked coffee beans and a capsule, a cup of capsule coffee comes out to be much more expensive than one made from fresh beans in a traditional coffee machine. Another disadvantage may be the coffee itself, to which we are somewhat “doomed” when choosing a capsule kettle. How? Unfortunately, many device manufacturers require us to use a specific type of capsule designed for a given machine model.
Good to know: There are also refillable pods on the market, but using them is very hassle - you have to grind, measure and pour the coffee yourself, and then put the lid on.
- Low quality coffee capsules. Moreover, the coffee capsules available in the market leave much to be desired. We buy the finished product - ground coffee, sometimes with the addition of powdered milk. In this case, we cannot talk about high-quality coffee - mostly low-quality beans end up in capsules. It is true that coffee capsules are tightly sealed, but they will not be able to retain their flavor and aroma as is the case with coffee beans that are ground just before brewing.
Is coffee in capsules suitable for making a good drink in Turkey?
This type of drink is suitable for a specific brand of coffee machine. Buying containers is not difficult, you need to find those that suit the manufacturer. This means that you cannot insert any capsules into any machine.
Turka is an ancient device for brewing coffee, it has an amazing talent for brewing a good drink from quality beans. Capsule coffee can be used for brewing in a Turk.
Coffee from capsules can be brewed in an ordinary Turk on the stove
There is no recipe for how to cook correctly in a Turk. Espresso, of course, won’t work even if you really want to, but you can brew a tasty and tempting drink. This drink brings special pleasure. How Turka influences taste is known only to those who invented it.
Reviews of capsule coffee
Very convenient for those who have coffee machines at home.
Reviews of coffee capsules vary. Basically, people who love a high-quality tasty drink give preference to capsule coffee machines. This product is stored longer, each capsule retains its unique and amazing taste and aroma. In restaurants and coffee shops, it is much more convenient to use a drink in containers, since it takes less time to prepare and brings more profit.
Capsulated coffee is convenient and affordable. You can buy coffee for home brewing in an online store, as well as look on the shelves in specialized stores. This coffee leaves no one indifferent; it is popular and in great demand.
What is a coffee capsule
Capsule coffee is a small airtight container filled with ground coffee beans. Such capsules look approximately the same from all manufacturers: they have the shape of a cup covered with a layer of foil. At the bottom and in the lid of the package there are usually special filters used during the brewing process.
The shell can be made of plastic, aluminum, or a combination of these materials. Cups made from food grade polymer are the safest for humans and the environment, but also the most expensive.
The production of aluminum containers is much cheaper for manufacturers, but their use poses a danger for the consumer: in the event of mechanical damage to the container, metal ions can enter the human body along with the liquid and cause harm to him.
There are also plenty of combination packages on sale, which are usually made of aluminum foil, polymer, and compressed paper.
What's inside
Disposable sealed casings are filled with natural ground coffee, as well as inert gas, which allows you to preserve the freshness and unique aroma of the product until it is prepared. Most often, manufacturers use a mixture of fruits from several varieties of coffee trees, which makes the taste of the finished drink richer and more balanced. You can also find coffee in capsules with various flavoring additives and even decaffeinated coffee on sale.
The container contains from five to eight grams of ground grain and is designed to prepare one cup of a strong, invigorating drink. In this regard, it is very easy to determine how many servings of espresso a package of capsules is enough for.
How to cook
Special capsule coffee machines are used to brew coffee in capsules. There is no need to measure the amount of ingredients, because the casing contains exactly enough coffee for one serving. There is also no need to compact the mixture, change filters, or wash the coffee maker bowl, since the used disposable container is simply removed from the device and thrown away.
The cooking process looks like this: a glass installed in the device is pierced at the top and bottom. Hot water enters it through the bottom under high pressure, which is evenly distributed throughout the container and ensures the extraction of espresso throughout the entire volume of the ground mixture, which guarantees the high quality of such a drink. After brewing, the liquid is removed through the hole in the lid and fed into the cups.
Pros and cons of the product for coffee machines
There are many advantages to using this coffee:
- Preservation of freshness and unique aroma due to the container.
- It's easy and simple to prepare the drink.
- Cooking takes little time, no more than 2 minutes.
- Capsule coffee makers are inexpensive and easy to use.
Making coffee from capsules
Cons:
- Expensive for the consumer.
- Special containers are selected for a specific coffee machine, which complicates the process.
In general, capsules are chosen by many people, despite the cost. It's convenient and the taste remains rich. Drink connoisseurs are willing to overpay for a good and worthwhile product.
Coffee capsules are produced by several brands - Tassimo, Illy, L'Or.
