Reviews of Nespresso Compatible Pods

dave da rave

Hi All,
I appreciate there is a post about bargain value lidl pods available for the nespresso machine. I was hoping to expand the conversation regarding other brands that you have tried. Specifically are there any pods out there that are delicious and foil construction like the official nespresso capsules.

Fave nespresso pod:
Compatible pod reviewed:
1) Flavour compared to your go to nespresso pod
2) Value/convenience
3) Compatibility/construction


My favourite nespresso pod is the dark purple: Arpeggio, strength 9, Served as a cappuccino (don’t usually drink coffee without milk)

I just bought a Krups Le Cube (2nd hand), and having read the issues some people have had with the lidl brand: requires extra force to engage capsule, over time this can cause issue if you switch back to nespresso pods; they don’t engage enough. This kinda makes sense as if you keep applying a force against the machine from slightly thicker pods the machine may get pushed permanently out of position. Ie like reverse braces for teeth.

So that being said I wanted the first few capsules to be foil. I was open to compatibles but wanted them to be the same material construction as the genuine nespresso ones. From pictures I was led to believe the Robert Roberts were foil. They are not, but I had bought them in Dunnes stores, so I had to enjoy drinking them!

Reviews:
Comparing to Nespresso Arpeggio (purple pod strength 9), as cappuccino.


Robert Roberts no.9 & 10
1) - No.9: Delish, was wowed instantly and TBH it is as good as and very similar in flavour to my fave nespresso pod. No issues here, happy out.
- No.10: Also delish but smacks of strength, I was buzzing after this one. This is a lovely coffee and if I was served this at a café I would be happy, personally I would choose the no.9 as it is more the flavours I love.

2) Dunnes 3.60, 36c per pod. No price difference to nespresso pods but in Galway there are no nespresso retailers.

3) Sealed pod, like nespresso not individually wrapped, however foil top only, pod is plastic. Extra force required to close leaver, no better or worse than lidl brand.

These both form perfect coffee’s, perfect crème, full of aroma. It’s a pity the pod is not exactly the same construction as they are definitely good competition to nespresso with respect to the flavour & coffee quality.



Lidl Brand:
1) Espresso: Weak, watery poor competition to nespresso. Not worth the savings for an inferior coffee, happier to forgo the convenience and have a delicious plunger coffee instead or indeed Nescafe Azera instant coffee is nicer.
Lungo: Acceptable but no wow factor. I can see people who enjoy more subtle flavours enjoying these, or someone using 2 capsules on occasion to achieve a stronger flavour. Would keep a pack in the cupboard as a standby option.
Ristretto: have not tried, will get some on next shop to test.

2) 2.00 lidl, 20c per cup. Coin toss here really, save 15c per cup and have ok coffee, or spend the extra and get what you want. Convenient for sure but as above if I spend 15c more I can get Robert Roberts no9 from Dunnes and have a kick ass coffee. If you drink 10/day then lidl is the way to go!

3) Not sealed pod, individually wrapped, takes up more space then sealed pods. As with Roberts, capsule requires more force than you would like in comparison to the genuine article. Not good, they need to make the plastic at the lip thinner.



Looking forward to your reviews, really hope there are foil pod compatibles out there at a good price.
Cheers Dave.

Bluefoam

Nespresso
ROSABAYA DE COLOMBIA:
1) Yummy, very smooth, full flavour but not bitter. I drink it in frothy warm milk
2) The Nespresso shop is across the road from my apartment
3) Works well with my Nespresso machine. Hasn't broken it

Nespresso
ARPEGGIO
1) Fuller flavour compared to RD'C, but a bit more kick too
2) There's another Nespresso shop on my way home from work... They are however slightly more expensive in this part of the world
3) These are made specifically to work with the Nespresso machines... there are patented technologies that allow the two to work together - any other pod is a compromise & Nespresso will keep adding security innovations that will effect the machine if other pods are used

Barry's
GOLD BLEND
1) I drink about 10 cups a day... that's about 10 times more than the coffee I drink. AWESOME!!!
2) I can get it in one supermarket... Its worth the trouble. Absolutely no idea what it costs... I don't care, whatever the cost, it's worth it!
3) I don't put it in the Nespresso machine, the only specialist equipment I need is a thing called a spoon. It is a piece of metal with a dished end, which allows you to manipulate the Barry's tea pod/bag to encourage the desired amount of flavour from the prepared leaves

dave da rave

Ha!