ESE coffee pods, or "easy serving espresso" coffee pods, are manufactured for use in both a generic coffee pod brewer and espresso machines. The entire reason they were created was to make an easy, fast way to have espresso at home or work, without having to spend the time and money on a coffee shop. Do you live for your morning or afternoon espresso, but can't stand the sap on your wallet? If so, ESE coffee pods may be just what you're looking for.

Will ESE Coffee Pods Work In My Coffee Pod Machine?

Those who make them intend ESE coffee pods to be used in coffee pod makers as well as espresso machines. When utilizing your espresso machine, a special adapter is needed to use an ESE coffee pod. However, with a coffee pod maker, it's possible that it could be as simple as tossing the ESE coffee pod in the machine. Unfortunately, there are many pod coffee makers that do not work with ESE coffee pods. To further complicate matters, the manufacturers of both coffee pod machines as well as ESE coffee pods are pretty bad about not labeling which ones work with each, often leaving their customers with pods that don't work with their pod coffee maker. There is not currently an ESE t-disc, or an ESE k-cup, although there are stronger coffees that are labeled espresso for those machines.

Finding ESE Coffee Pods

Purchasing ESE coffee pods might be a bit confusing since they're not all always clearly labeled. Also, many coffee pods that carry the espresso label aren't ESE, and won't give you a real espresso, or anywhere close. Illy is who started ESE coffee pods in the first place, and any time you see an espresso coffee pod with their name on it, it should be ESE. In other cases, be sure to look very closely, and don't buy them as ESE unless they explicitly say that's what they are. Also, if they're coffee pods that have directions for use in espresso machines, they pretty much have to be ESE.

Do ESE Coffee Pods Make Real Espresso?

ESE coffee pods do produce real espresso, but you have to be careful which ESE coffee pods you purchase. The coffee pod itself will have a lot to do with everything from the consistency of the espresso to the thickness of the crema. Personal taste, of course, is also important. Will it make the exact espresso that you're thinking of? Possibly, but coffee is a bit different everywhere you go. Even though coffee pods last for quite a while before expiring or going stale, you would be wise to buy small amounts at first, until you know what you like.

Why Use ESE Coffee Pods In My Espresso Machine?

There are a few reasons why you might want to use ESE coffee pods in your espresso machine instead of traditional espresso grounds. Cleanup is much simpler with espresso coffee pods since everything is contained in the filter. Your coffee will stay fresh longer since you'll only be opening what you will use. On the flip side, ESE coffee pods do produce more plastic waste than traditional grounds since each one is individually sealed.

Want to learn more about coffee pods? Check out Great Coffee Pods.