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What is an ESE Coffee Pod?

A coffee pod is the coffee making equivalent of the teabag: a pre-portioned serving of coffee wrapped in a paper filter, ready to be infused with water. ESE (Easy Serving Espresso) is the worldwide industry standard for coffee pods. Any pod that meets the ESE standard can be used in any espresso machine that is ESE compatible.

History of ESE pods Coffee pod machines were originally designed for use in the Italian workplace, to make it quicker and cleaner for workers to make and enjoy espresso in the office. Later on, these machines were adapted for use in restaurants to negate the need for anyone to be trained in using a traditional espresso machine.

The use of espresso pod machines in the home did not become popular until Illy created the ESE standard in 1998. With the launch of this standard, Illy made a concerted effort to mass market these machines as convenient way to enjoy espresso in the home.

ESE pods vs. Traditional Preparation The key selling point of ESE pods is convenience. The traditional preparation method for espresso requires skill and creates a lot of mess. Grinders have to be calibrated to achieve the correct flow rate; the coffee needs to be dosed and tamped correctly; and afterward coffee grounds have to be cleaned off all the equipment, the work surface and usually the floor too. With an ESE pod there is none of this. The pods are already pre-dosed and pre-tamped and the coffee grounds stay contained in the paper filter. Once finished with, the pod can be discarded like a teabag

When making espresso using the traditional method, the coffee is ground immediately before use to preserve freshness. This is because the actual grinding process releases aromatics from the coffee which are lost from the end cup if not used quickly. Ground coffee also has a much larger surface area than that of a whole bean, leaving it more vulnerable to air. However, ESE pods are far from stale. Once ground, coffee is quickly tamped into a tight puck which, although essential to making espresso, also serves to reduce the surface area of the coffee. Most manufacturers also seal their pods in individual foil packages to further preserve their flavour.

The flow rate of an ESE espresso is quicker than that of the traditional method. In the traditional method the aim is to produce an espresso of around 1.25oz in volume within 25-30 seconds, as this is the optimum time to extract as much flavour as possible before releasing bitter compounds and excessive caffeine into the drink. With an ESE pod it can take less than half that time to produce the equivalent volume. ESE pods are designed to have a quicker flow rate to improve consistency from shot to shot. However, the quicker flow rate is caused by less resistance to the water during the brewing process and this in turn leads to a lower brewing pressure, resulting in a flatter extraction. As there is no way to control the flow-rate with an ESE pod, it would be impossible to make espresso variations such as a ristretto or lungo.

The fact that ESE pods are pre-ground negates the need for a coffee grinder, which can be a substantial saving. A good grinder for espresso making will cost over £100. However, the cost of ESE pods is considerably more than coffee beans. Expect to pay three times as much for an ESE pod than you would for the equivalent weight in beans. On the positive side, unlike beans, no coffee is wasted with ESE pods.

ESE pods vs. Other Coffee Capsules There are many different types of coffee capsules available on the market other than ESE pods, such as Nespresso, and Senso. In terms of price and taste, there is little difference between ESE pods and capsules. However, the major problem with these other capsules is that, at present, they are exclusively made by one manufacturer: Nespresso is made by Nestle, and Senso by Douwe Egberts. So, for example, if you choose a Nespresso compatible machine you are limited to Nestle coffee. On the other hand, ESE pods are made to an industry wide standard and are consequently available from all the main Italian roasters, such as Illy and Lavazza, and many other roasters too. So with an ESE compatible espresso machine, you have a much wider selection of coffee. Not only that, but with most ESE compatible machines you have the option of making espresso the traditional way too.

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Making Coffee With Illy Espresso Pods

Many people prefer to purchase illy coffee beans in tins of either whole or ground beans for preparation in traditional coffee makers. However, for those who have a single-serve espresso machine that can create one cup of espresso at a time in the comfort of their own homes, a different denomination of coffee may be more suitable. Luckily, illy coffee is available in two versions specifically for use in at-home espresso machines.

ESE, or "easy serving espresso" is how illy espresso pods are commonly referred to. These pods can be used in any espresso machine that is capable of using pods. Each pod is filled with 7 grams of ground coffee so that you know each cup of espresso will have been made with the perfect amount of coffee as determined by the experts at illy. It only takes 30 seconds to create a cup of espresso when using an ESE pod. Illy's "perfect blend" is utilized for the espresso pods, which are available in three roasts: dark, medium, and decaffeinated. Those who are familiar with illy's product line know that the blends are differentiated with three "theme" colors. Medium roast always features red packaging, dark roast has black packaging, and decaffeinated is identified by a green lid.

Illy also offers iperEspresso coffee capsules that can be used in single-serving espresso machines. Instead of percolating the coffee, an extremely unique two-step extraction process is used to create a velvety, flavorful cup of espresso. Iper-infusion is the first step of the process; the coffee's flavor and aroma is extracted and hot water is pressurized. In the second step, emulsification, the coffee is pushed through a valve that is located at the bottom of the iperEspresso capsule. The result is a cup of espresso like no other. Since the coffee is enclosed in the capsule, no coffee ever touches the espresso machine, which allows for easy cleanup and lack of oil buildup inside of the machine. Illy's iperEspresso capsules are available in dark, medium, and decaffeinated roasts.

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How Do Pod Espresso Machines Work?

Pod espresso machines work very simply, and the espresso is brewed with prepackaged espresso grounds that can be inserted directly into the machine. This means that there is no need for grinding, dosing, tamping, and cleaning the espresso machine after use because it is all done within one condensed step. This is something that may not be ideal for the espresso connoisseur because the beans are not freshly ground, which may affect the flavor and taste. However, if your main concern is sheer convenience, then this is the best choice by far because it allows you to avoid many different steps in espresso brewing to have your shot within moments. Purchasing the espresso pods is slightly more expensive than freshly grinding the espresso beans yourself and brewing at home, but that investment may be worthwhile for the effortlessness found in pod brewing.

The pods can be purchased directly online through retailers in bulk, and they will allow you to brew a shot of espresso without any skill required. The pod espresso machine is a simple in its operation, and it has a large water tank and filter where you will insert the espresso pod. Other espresso machines on the market offer advanced capabilities in that they will allow you to use both portafilters and espresso pods, so that you have options in your brewing. Many modern pod espresso machines will also have a milk frother so that you can quickly create a complete drink.

To use this type of machine, you can fill up the tank with fresh water, and then let the machine heat until it is ready. You can use this opportunity to heat up your espresso cup, and then insert the espresso pod into the machine to brew. It should take less than 30 seconds for the shot of espresso to brew, and you don't have to worry about cleaning the machine, throwing away the used grounds, or learning the proper techniques in tamping.

Many pod espresso machines are compact and easy to use because they are designed for home or office settings. These machines can range in price to several hundred dollars for a more premium choice, or even less than $100 for a budget variety. The reason that so many people choose these machines is for sheer convenience, and they also don't need to have any training as a barista. If you are interested in this type of quick brewing, then it is to your advantage to purchase a machine from a quality company that will give you more for your money. One specific recommendation is BUNN, who offers a professional pod machine for quick and consistent brewing.