You want to recreate that perfect barista coffee at home, in the office, or in your small business but splashing out on a professional espresso machine is a bit much. Espresso pod machines, like Nespresso, are a great starting point for home coffee and small businesses.
In this blog, we’re going to cover everything you need to know about investing in espresso coffee pods. Whether you’re serving up affogato at the end of a meal or simply want your Sunday brew to arrive while you’re still in your pj’s, we’ve got you covered for everything espresso pod-related.
Espresso coffee pods
Espresso pods have actually been in circulation since the 1980s but it wasn’t until the early noughties that we started seeing them appear in homes up and down the country. Since then, there has been exponential growth of espresso machines and pods.
The growth in popularity also means that you’ve now got more choices in the market, more pod options (see our review of the different types of espresso pods here), and ever-increasing quality of coffee as a result.
We’ll take a look at the different kinds of espresso pods you can get and give you our best recommendations for serving up espresso in your small business.
What are espresso coffee pods?
Espresso coffee pods are pre-portioned, single-serve coffee capsules designed for espresso machines. Each pod contains the right amount of finely ground espresso beans. The pod is pierced, hot water passes through and you get your flavour-rich espresso.
The speed of the process is different from other brewing methods and best replicates that of your local barista. While barista coffee needs training and experience to get right (not to mention a lot of experimentation with different roasts, temperatures and techniques), with an espresso pod, you simply pop it in and get the same outcome each time.
We won’t try to kid you that this replaces skilled baristas but it’s a close second when you’re running a small business. Many service businesses like co-working spaces, bars, restaurants and offices don’t make their money from selling coffee but giving your customers a good coffee experience can keep them coming back.
Espresso pods are a quick and simple way to do this if you get the right ones for your business.
Benefits of using espresso coffee pods
One of the best benefits of using espresso coffee pods is that they are quick, simple and don’t need any training. You don’t need to worry about the fineness of the grind, the heat of the water and, for many machines, the heat of the milk. It does it all for you and, as we pointed out above, you get a guaranteed result.
Depending on the pods you use, you’ll also get great-tasting, sustainable coffee from an ethical source. As with any coffee, this does depend on the content of the pods. It’s why we’ve put extensive research and testing into our espresso pods to make sure our customers still get the same quality they know and love.
Espresso pods also need less cleaning and maintenance than the professional versions. You still need to maintain them and keep them clean but popping in a pod is far easier than weighing and pressing.
You can even recycle your old pods through recycling schemes (we offer to take back pods from our North London cafe), and some councils accept them as part of curbside recycling but do check first.
Types of espresso coffee pods
When it comes to espresso coffee pods, there are lots of options depending on your budget and needs. Some that you come across will include:
- Single-origin pods: These pods feature coffee beans from a single geographic region or farm. Single-origin pods have a consistency of flavour and palate that you won’t find with all blends.
- Blend pods: Blend pods, well blend the roast beans from different sources. This can balance certain flavours but can also make the pods more affordable as expensive beans can be combined with cheaper varieties. Not all blends are cost-saving but it does give businesses an option to meet all budgets.
- Decaffeinated pods: Yes, you can get decaf espresso pods. Our decaf goes through the Swiss Water process to retain as much flavour as possible. Same great beans but in a handy pod.
- Flavoured pods: Some espresso pod manufacturers offer flavoured options, infusing the coffee with various natural or artificial flavourings, such as vanilla, hazelnut, or caramel. This can make the process of making those sweetened drinks quicker and easier to make. Or add your syrup in separately.
- Organic and fair-trade pods: You can find espresso pods that are certified organic, fair-trade, or both, ensuring that the coffee is grown and sourced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. We always recommend that businesses understand the coffee supply chain and try to make it as short as possible for a fairer deal for the farmers no matter what the certification.
- Speciality or premium pods: Here at Souter Bros, we offer our high-quality, small-batch speciality roasts as a pod. Some premium pods can cost more to reflect the quality and time going into production. As we have a close relationship and deal directly with growers, we can keep these costs down for our customers. Speciality pods are the nearest you’ll get to barista coffee from an espresso machine.
When you’re choosing what pods to use for your business or home, look at the different options and make sure you try them. We believe that the quality and taste is everything, which is why we extensively tested our espresso pods first.
How to choose the right espresso coffee pods
We know there are lots of options out there and that getting the right espresso pods for your business or home can be a lot of trial and error. Find the right one and get on a subscription so that you never run out.
But first, let’s look at getting the right pods for you.
- Compatibility with your espresso machine: Different machines may have different pod size or shape requirements, so make sure whatever pods you’re trying are compatible with your machine.
- Roast profile: Espresso coffee pods come in a range of roast profiles, from light to dark. The roast level can significantly impact the flavour, body, and acidity of the espresso. Experiment with different roast profiles to find the right one for you and your business.
- Flavour profile: Take the time to read the tasting notes and descriptions to understand the flavour profile of each pod.
- Caffeine content: Getting decaf coffee right is an art form (another area that we’ve extensively trialled and tested for our customers). Make sure any decaf you get tastes right for your customers.
- Sustainability: Many customers will be looking at the sustainability credentials of a business. Make sure you plan for how you’ll dispose of your coffee and understand where your coffee is coming from. We’re always on hand to help our customers with this.
- Taste: The only real way to make sure you’re getting the right espresso pods for you is to taste test them.
Tips for getting the perfect cup of espresso with pods
There are ways to get the best out of your espresso pods and make a brew that’s as near to barista-style as possible. Here’s how to do it:
- Use freshly brewed pods: For the best flavour and aroma, always use espresso pods that are as fresh as possible. Check the roast date or expiration date on the packaging. The kinds of pods you use will affect how long they stay fresh with aluminium coming out top in our review.
- Preheat your espresso machine: Before brewing, make sure to preheat your espresso machine, including the pod holder and cup. This will help keep the best brewing temperature and extract the espresso at the right pressure and flow rate.
- Adjust the water volume: Experiment with the water volume settings on your espresso machine to find the perfect balance for your preferred cup size and strength. Some machines may allow you to adjust the water volume per pod, while others have preset volumes.
- Regularly clean your machine: While your average espresso pod machine probably doesn’t need a daily clean out, you should check how often it’s recommended you clean your machine. Don’t forget to check if you have hard or soft water as this will make a difference to how often you need to clean out your machine (see also tip 7).
- Pod storage: It might seem obvious but store your espresso pods in a cool, dry place like a food cupboard. You don’t want to keep themin the fridge as this can bring unwanted condensation and impact the flavour.
- Consider your water quality: Water will inevitably impact the flavour of your brew so you might want to filter the water first, especially if you’re in a hard water area.
It always fun to set up taste testing on the different options available from your pods and machines. Not only will this help you get the best brew, but it will also develop your palate for the different tastes of coffee so you can pass this onto your customers.
Are espresso pods any good?
Espresso pods aren’t without criticism. They do increase waste (although we encourage returns of pods for recycling), and cannot replace barista coffee. For some businesses, espresso machines can let your customers make their own coffee. Hotels, co-working spaces, offices and waiting rooms can benefit from espresso pod machines.
For businesses whose business is not selling coffee - like hairdressers, beauticians, bars and small restaurants - having great coffee can be the last thing your customer remember about their experience. Certainly cocktail bars can serve up classic coffee cocktails with guarantee espresso quality using a machine.
We also know that the quality of the coffee comes down to the quality of the beans and roast. Buy a pod with mediocre coffee and the best you’ll get is a mediocre cup at the end. Buy with premium speciality coffee, that’s been expertly roasted in small batches, and you’ll get a great coffee.
Ultimately, good espresso pods come down to the quality of the coffee, the freshness of the roast and the materials used for the pods. Be the first to find out when our espresso pods go on sale here.