There was a time when coffee capsules were seen as a trade-off. You sacrificed the quality of the coffee in exchange for convenience. However, this perception is rapidly changing. Coffee capsules now allow even a complete novice to produce a decent espresso. Add the ability to froth milk and you can suddenly produce numerous gourmet coffee drinks of consistently high quality quickly and easily.
Below we’ll explore some of the pros and cons of coffee capsules, which will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed choice when making your own choices about coffee.
They are efficient and consistent
These are two of the biggest factors for most people that opt to use coffee capsules or pods. From a commercial perspective, they save cafes and restaurants a lot of time, and the need to train or employ a barista, and the commercial use coffee capsules such as Lavazza Blue professional range has become increasingly popular. And for personal use, such as Nespresso® coffee machine range and Lavazza A Modo Mio coffee capsulemachine range, they take less effort to make and provide a consistently high-quality drink. Instead of having to grind beans, measure and tamp it, worry about using the right amount of water at the optimal temperature, you just drop your coffee pod in and press a button. This sort of convenience can be a real plus if you just want a quick cup of beautiful coffee as quickly as possible, such as before you leave for work or only have a short break.
As well as offering a consistent taste, they also come in lots of different flavours, and if you have a machine that can also frother the milk, then a range of gourmet coffee drinks can be made easily at the touch of a button: latte, macchiato, americano, cappuccino, mocha, decaf and much more.
The packaging keeps them fresh
If you usually buy large packets of ground beans, then you’ll know that once they’re open the granules start to lose their oils and aroma. Using airtight containers can help preserve them for longer, but they won’t match the freshness of individually sealed pods.
However, if you’re used to freshly grind beans for your coffee, your expectations will probably be much higher. And all Lavazza Capsules are made with the latest airtight technology, the capsules are packaged in a protective atmosphere to preserve the aroma, the self-protection packaging creates a barrier against oxygen, so your coffee will always be fresh, guarantee an authentic coffee for the best in-cup result.
Coffee machines are easy to maintain
The coffee machines you use for capsules are generally easy to clean and maintain. There are only a few components that need to be cleaned, such as occasionally emptying and cleaning the drip tray. The water container will also need cleaning occasionally, but is usually straightforward to do, especially if you’ve only used filtered water. Occasionally descaling is required, and we recommend to use professional coffee machine cleaning detergent, such as Lavazza Descaler. If you want to find out more, you can read our blog on how to look after your Lavazza Coffee Machine.
You don’t need to be a professional barista
While there is something romantic about the process of creating a fresh cup of coffee from scratch, 98% of the time the majority of coffee drinkers don’t have the time required. If you do prepare coffee freshly and are in a rush, the result can be less than satisfactory. If you’re preferred drink isn’t straightforward, then this just compounds the problem.
Using a modern and simple coffee machine in your home or business allows you to produce a much wider range of coffees with ease.
However, it’s not all positive. Below are some of the cons of using coffee capsules.
Environmental concerns
Coffee pods are regularly mentioned as an environmental problem, with many being difficult or impossible to recycle. However, this opinion is becoming increasingly irrelevant with brands like Lavazza, that now only offer 100% compostable capsules. The old-style plastic or aluminium capsules that were recyclable required a lot of effort and specialist equipment that’s not available in many countries.
As well as Lavazza’s capsules being compostable, they also have their own foundation that invests heavily in coffee-growing communities around the globe, increasing education about sustainable practices and helping the communities to prosper. So, opting for an ethical brand lets you enjoy a guilt free cup of coffee.
Nothing matches a fresh espresso
Coffee pods do a great job of providing a great espresso, but nothing matches an espresso freshly prepared by a professional barista. There are so many variables in preparing a fresh espresso, from bean choice, the coarseness of the grind, water temperature and quantity, machine pressure and much more. If this is the type of coffee you’re used to, then very little will match it. However, for many people these variables just increase the likelihood of getting something not quite right. If you enjoy the art of coffee making, then we do have a range of other types of coffee brewing equipment and coffee bean grinders, you could consider.
Some machines only use a certain brand or size
Each different brand and type of coffee machines only take a particular type of coffee pods, so once you purchase the machine, you will have to stick to the compatible coffee pods. It’s worth doing some research and taste testing before making a decision. There are many brands of pods machines available, some brands offer really cheap machine, but the quality of the coffee capsules are questionable. If you are serious about your coffee, the quality and the taste of the coffee matters most, then Lavazza A Modo Mio range of coffee machine will be your number 1 choice.
Lavazza has launched bio-degradable Nespresso-compatible capsules last year, so now all Nespresso coffee machine owners can enjoy a more eco-friendly coffee with their Nespresso original machine, no more aluminium or plastic.
More capsules = less baristas?
As the coffee from capsule machines becomes higher quality, an increasing number of businesses and people will use them. This might means fewer baristas are needed. But it is doubtable barista will ever be a lost art, as there has been a dramatic rise in the demand for baristas in Ireland, according to new figures released by Indeed. The vacancies for roles posted are up 79% in the past 3 years. The more consumer experience a higher quality of coffee at home and in work, the more coffee enthusiastic will embrace of café culture.
Conclusion
In short, there are many pros and cons to using coffee capsules. The pros will far outweigh the cons for the average coffee drinker, but whether they are the right choice for you will depend on your own set of criteria. Remember to consider time against convenience, quality expectations, need for variety, and your honest level of passion for coffee.
If you’re one of the many people in Ireland missing their trip to a coffee shop, or simply think it’s about time you started enjoying your favourite drink at home, then speak to one of our experts to help you get started. The team at CoffeeClick are always on hand to offer any advice or guidance you need, just give us a call or send us a message and we’ll be happy to help.
