Open the Pod Bay Doors HAL

[Magic_Matt]

What surprised me is how good a pod was straight out of the grinder into the pod and then the cup.

That's the key here, eh - the whole point of pod machines (at least for 99% of consumers) is the convenience of a pre-prepared, packaged item that doesn't take any effort or thought from the user. You'll never get good coffee from stale preground beans, irrespective of preparation method. So while it might be feasible to make good pod coffee by grinding fresh and filling the pods immediately before use, it's a moot point for the majority who either don't care or can't tell the difference. Just as it's irrelevant whether the pods are recyclable or compostible as they end up in landfill most of the time anyway.

[simonsk8r]

Yep, of course espresso and pods aren't the same thing. But I've managed to get fairly decent results out of pods.
I remember being on a scientific expedition in Tasmania catching the devils, and in the wee early mornings all they had was a pod machine. I thought "Hey I'll give this a go." After a few shots and a bit of tinkering, managed to actually get it to pull a really nice 'shot'.

There were three buttons of options: ristretto, normale, lungo (well, that's what I'm calling them haha). Different volumes basically. To me it didn't make sense to use a high volume of water through a small amount of coffee. So what I did was use two pods, the first I did as the espresso into the cup, and the second as ristretto, poured directly into the first shot. Actually was really nice and it became my standard while I was there. Wasn't weak, bitter or anything, but had some nice fruity flavours. I was surprised for sure. I then followed that up with a latte with 2x ristretto shots which worked well.

It's worth tinkering with, and there are many different pod/coffee types to experiment with (I used the 'black' pod, which I think was classed as strong hehe).

That being said, I don't own a pod machine and probably don't plan on one, but there are ways to tinker for sure! The volume of water that comes through the coffee makes a big difference hehe

[wattgn]

Please forget the personal attack stuff (grow up and do something more productive). Even at their best a pod is not an espresso. However, neither is a Carmencita / stainless steel stovetop "espresso maker" - and they have plenty of fans (including me).

If it is not burnt or stale coffee and the milk is not scalded I am prepared to give it a go. Mostly I am unimpressed, however there are some pleasant surprises. Turkish coffee is far from espresso - however I still drag out the old Ibrik every so often and enjoy one, added cardamom and all. Ditto Bali "local coffee". I still have no idea what they add to it, however it is pretty good as a drink - just don't call it espresso (they don't). Ditto Viet Namese coffee (condensed milk and all...) - a bit sweet for my tastes but still a good refreshing cuppa. A lot of folks enjoy a pourover / aeropress / plunger / cold steep / cold drip.

What surprised me is how good a pod was straight out of the grinder into the pod and then the cup. I still reckon the technology has potential, unfortunately it also has the potential to be ruined with poor equipment - and that includes 90+% of pod machines (the plastic ones).

I still draw a red line at instant and "coffee bags" - no way they can approach any of the methods I just outlined.

Enjoy your cuppa - all else is irrelevant.

TampIt

The most important ingredient is the coffee itself. I agree instant and coffee bags are not so good. These days we can get good fresh coffee from many sources and we can then enjoy it in a number of ways. I enjoy plunger coffee sometimes as it is easy to make and tastes great.

[wattgn]

Fair enough but I enjoyed it and most people I know really like the Nespresso pods. If they were that bad I feel the shop would not have been packed out like it was. The pods I have had were pretty creamy with good mouth feel. I'm not even sure what they do to produce the pods but the shop seemed like it was going gangbusters. Mind you it was Saturday shopping.

[Melbroaster]

I have been into a Nespresso store and asked them to give me a range of their different type of espresso drinks from the demo station. Very nice and obliging people. Tried about 10 different pods. The shots didnt resemble espresso, or brewed coffee or any other pleasant tasting drink. The closest comparison would be if you got 30 ml of the type of coffee you get from a superautomatic at a 7-11 store but much harsher, thin and less pleasant tasting with a nasty pale pond scum on the top of it. Wouldn't voluntarily put my taste buds through the ordeal again

[wattgn]

Wait til you find out how many people drink instant... [emoji57]

Interesting you should mention that. The cafe owner mentioned that at home she just drinks instant, the one I bought the Robur from today. She said I have drunk it all my life. I prayed for her soul of course...

[Magic_Matt]

The Nespresso store was flat out. They are making a killing and pods have really taken the market big time.

Wait til you find out how many people drink instant... [emoji57]

[wattgn]

I think it was the scuro. There is a huge array of pods. It is worthwhile just to take advantage of their tasting bar. Get caffeinated on their dime.

[woodhouse]

barista scuro, you say? i'll have to check it out. last time i made a pod and an aeropress short black, the pod wasn't even palatable by itself, let alone in comparison.

[TampIt]

Please forget the personal attack stuff (grow up and do something more productive). Even at their best a pod is not an espresso. However, neither is a Carmencita / stainless steel stovetop "espresso maker" - and they have plenty of fans (including me).

If it is not burnt or stale coffee and the milk is not scalded I am prepared to give it a go. Mostly I am unimpressed, however there are some pleasant surprises. Turkish coffee is far from espresso - however I still drag out the old Ibrik every so often and enjoy one, added cardamom and all. Ditto Bali "local coffee". I still have no idea what they add to it, however it is pretty good as a drink - just don't call it espresso (they don't). Ditto Viet Namese coffee (condensed milk and all...) - a bit sweet for my tastes but still a good refreshing cuppa. A lot of folks enjoy a pourover / aeropress / plunger / cold steep / cold drip.

What surprised me is how good a pod was straight out of the grinder into the pod and then the cup. I still reckon the technology has potential, unfortunately it also has the potential to be ruined with poor equipment - and that includes 90+% of pod machines (the plastic ones).

I still draw a red line at instant and "coffee bags" - no way they can approach any of the methods I just outlined.

Enjoy your cuppa - all else is irrelevant.

TampIt

[wattgn]

I said the comparison was absurd, it wasn't a personal attack and I stand by my comment which was perfectly fair enough.

Coffee Bags are expensive and have all but disappeared from the market.

I guess if people want to say such things that is fine and I'm entitled to reply.

I get it, saying pods are good stirs up anger it seems but I was just relaying my honest opinion to the group. I can also see that these pods are wildly popular and are a big hit, the year on year increase in sales is huge and has increased by 523% in five years.

I agree that they may not taste the same as espresso yet most people I talk to even people in the industry accept that they are quite tasty. Obviously not everyone thinks so but if the yard stick is comparing it to real espresso, I think that is probably not fair.

[Yelta]

We were proudly presented with pod coffee by the friends we recently stayed with in SanFrancisco, 4 or 5 different types, including espresso, lungo, cappuccino.

Our opinion! the stuff was wet, and, I believe contained caffeine, didn't really taste like coffee at all.

Yep, ridicule and snide comments of a personal nature are poor form.

[wattgn]

The products aren't remotely similar so why was the comment made? One is like a tea bag with coffee in it which is extracted, the other is liquid and already extracted and can also contain other components.

[Barry O'Speedwagon]

Hi Hal,

Your comments equating pods to a coffee bag are just plain absurd, the products aren't remotely similar.

You seem to enjoy ridiculing people who disagree with you. It isn't necessary. Why not just disagree with them and explain why.

FWIW, I'd rate the better pods I've been obliged to try a little better than a coffee bag, but they're certainly not for me....I'll just have a cup of tea if that's the choice.

[wattgn]

OK, the doors are open.
I have yet to have the pod coffee that is any better than a coffee bag.
Maybe it will happen some day but so far not.
I have friends who excitedly offer me pod coffee because it is "as good as Espresso". No it isn't.
Pod coffee is "pod coffee". Espresso is Espresso. End of story.
Hal.

Hi Hal,

Your comments equating pods to a coffee bag are just plain absurd, the products aren't remotely similar.

I bought a Robur from a cafe owner today. We discussed pods and she agreed that they are really very good and suit some people just fine.

It doesn't have to be the same as proper espresso and in fact they have a huge range of products some with additional flavourings.

It is different to the real thing but I have had pod coffee from two different sources and both times I was surprised just how tasty it was.

The Nespresso store was flat out. They are making a killing and pods have really taken the market big time. Most of our friends and family now use pods.

It is a market for people who want something nice in the coffee line to drink but who don't want to invest either the time in learning skills or the equipment to do the real thing.

There is no chance of me ever buying a pod machine but I appreciate now why it is so popular. It tastes great to most people and that is driving sales.

Grant