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Helen Cartwright
Helen Cartwright
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    You may have seen when searching for a new espresso machine, that some will accept ESE coffee pods as well as the grounds.

    ESE stands for Easy Serve Espresso, which already appeals. But they are not the traditional pods which we would now use in machines from the likes of Nespresso or Dolce Gusto – think of them more as a little teabag, but with coffee grounds in instead.

    It means you don’t need to cope with the hassle of grinding your own beans, and you have a ready-made amount measured out for a single espresso. They are also referred to as paper pods or bags.

    Here are our picks of the best ESE pods around.

     

    Our Top Picks

    Image Product Details
    Choice of Coffee
    Black Donkey Coffee Roasters (ESE Pods)
    Choice of Coffee
    • Capacity: 50
    • Variety: Variety Pack, Intenso, Supremo, Decaf, Devil’s Roast
    		 Check Price
    Top Brand
    Illy Classico Medium Espresso Coffee Paper Pods (ESE Pods)
    Top Brand
    • Capacity: 18
    • Variety: Medium
    		 Check Price
    Great Reviews
    Illy Decaffeinated ESE Pods (ESE Pods)
    Great Reviews
    • Capacity: 2 x 18
    • Variety: Decaf
    		 Check Price

    The Best ESE Pods

    1. Black Donkey Coffee Roasters (ESE Pods)

    Black Donkey Coffee Roasters (ESE Pods)
    Check Price

    Specifications

    • Capacity: 50
    • Variety: Variety Pack, Intenso, Supremo, Decaf, Devil’s Roast

    Giving you 50 paper pods, which should be enough for 50 single servings, these pods are convenient and you’re able to pick the intensity you like.

    There is 7g of espresso in each pod, which is good for one shot. With the variety pack, you get 25 Intenso and Supremo, which should both give you a real boost when needed (levels 9 and 8 respectively).

    Each pod is individually wrapped for freshness, in a foil bag, so while there is more waste than with just using the grounds, you won’t be able to taste a difference.

    Black Donkey is a brand who also make plenty of non-branded pods for the most popular pod machines, so you know that everything that goes into one of these will be quality.

    Reasons To Buy

    • Options available
    • Great tasting coffee

    Things To Consider

    2. Illy Classico Medium Espresso Coffee Paper Pods (ESE Pods)

    Illy Classico Medium Espresso Coffee Paper Pods (ESE Pods)
    Check Price

    Specifications

    • Capacity: 18
    • Variety: Medium

    Illy is perhaps the main market leaders of ESE compatible machines, so it is no surprise that they make the pods too.

    These pods can be used in machines such as Francis Francis, Dualit 3-in-1, Dualit Express-Auto 4 in 1, Delonghi, Gaggia, Kitchenaid 5KES2102, Krups XP5210 and XP5620, Morphy Richards Accents Pebble, Saeco, and SMEG ECF01.

    These medium roast bags have a distinct aroma of chocolate, toast and caramel. It is gentle, yet with strength. You get enough bags for 18 cups of coffee, and you just pop it in logo side up for ease.

    They’re also available in a dark roast option for anyone who likes a real kick.

    Reasons To Buy

    • Top coffee roaster
    • Compatible with host of machines

    Things To Consider

    • Price

    3. Note d’Espresso Espresso Coffee Paper Pods (ESE Pods)

    Note d’Espresso Espresso Coffee Paper Pods (ESE Pods)
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    Specifications

    • Capacity: 150
    • Variety: Medium

    Get through an awful lot of coffee? This selection of 150 bags should keep you fueled up for a while.

    There are hints of chocolate and nuts, with a full-body, and a long aftertaste. They’re made with Arabica from South America and Robusta from India, for a perfect blend of both worlds.

    Some people say that this coffee is not quite as strong as a lot of the other paper bags on offer, so we would say it is best for anyone who likes a mild intensity. You also have to ensure you put the pods in the correct way up, or you will just end up with a cup of water.

    Reasons To Buy

    • Good price

    Things To Consider

    • Can struggle in some machines

    4. Lavazza Qualita Rossa ESE Espresso (ESE Pods)

    Lavazza Qualita Rossa ESE Espresso (ESE Pods)
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    Specifications

    • Capacity: 18
    • Variety: Intensity 5

    These pods are really nice and smooth to drink, as you would expect from this brand. If you are already a fan of Lavazza coffee, then you won’t be let down.

    The combination of natural Brazilian Arabica and Robusta is what makes the red variety so special and stand out. It is balanced yet full-bodied and will be the closest thing your ESE machine brings you to a proper coffee shop.

    Reasons To Buy

    • Nice and intense
    • Tastes fresh

    Things To Consider

    • Price

    5. Illy Decaffeinated ESE Pods (ESE Pods)

    Illy Decaffeinated ESE Pods (ESE Pods)
    Check Price

    Specifications

    • Capacity: 2 x 18
    • Variety: Decaf

    Sometimes, you just don’t need the boost, but still want a nice cup of something warm to help you settle down with a book.

    These decaf bags bring you all of the joy and taste of the traditional illy coffee, but with a lot less of the caffeine. Just place them with the logo facing upwards, then make espresso as you would normally.

    Many refer to them as the best decaf coffee pods they have found, and while there aren’t that many around to compete, it is still high praise.

    It can be hard to find decaf paper pods in the shops, so stock up.

    Reasons To Buy

    • Same great taste

    Things To Consider

    • Information is printed in Italian

    6. PUREGUSTO ESE Coffee Pods Mixed Selection (ESE Pods)

    PUREGUSTO ESE Coffee Pods Mixed Selection (ESE Pods)
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    Specifications

    • Capacity: 100
    • Variety: Mixed

    Filled with  a variety of PUREGUSTO’s most celebrated ESE pods, this box contains 25 pods each of  PUREGUSTO’s Continental, Signature, Arabica and Blue Mountain ranges, each of which are decorated Great Taste award winners!

    Packed within 1 hour of roasting for ultimate freshness and preservation, there’s a flavour to suit your every mood with these convection air roasted coffees!

    Each pod has been given the maximum attention and dedication possible, as they are all individually wrapped to ensure you have the freshest and most flavoursome experience possible!

    Reasons To Buy

    • 4x Award-winning (Great Taste Awards)
    • Huge box

    Things To Consider

    • More convenient than high-quality

    7. Pellini Top 100% Arabica Coffee Pods (ESE Pods)

    Pellini Top 100% Arabica Coffee Pods (ESE Pods)
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    Specifications

    • Capacity: 108
    • Variety: Light Roast

    Suitable for all 44mm machines, these 6 x 18 pods will not only keep you going for a while, but it also means that you don’t have to open the whole lot at once.

    The coffee isn’t too strong, which is great for anybody who just likes a mellow flavour. Pellini coffee is commonly used in coffee shops around the world, so each bag contains decent stuff.

    There is 7g of coffee in there, which is enough for one shot, and they come in at a great price for the amount and quality.

    Reasons To Buy

    Things To Consider

    ESE Pod Buying Guide

    ESE Pod Size

    For the majority of ESE machines, the paper ESE pod will have to be 44mm. All of those featured above fall into this category.

    As long as you have a suitable portafilter, you should be good to go.

    Capacity

    Each ESE pod will make one espresso shot, as they contain 7g of coffee. So, think about how often you will use them, and how many you will need before you next make an online order.

    There are some which come in boxes of 18, and others where you can get 150 bags, but like with everything else, the smaller the box the better the quality will likely be. You may prefer to buy a few from a brand like illy or Lavazza than risk a big, value box from a brand you aren’t familiar with.

    Variety

    This will usually be a roast level, which may fall under a certain name depending on the brand. Light, medium and dark are often available, but do bear in mind that they are often weaker than using ground coffee so you may want to take things up a level.

    FAQs

    Where can I buy the best ESE pods?

    Online will be your best option. Sites such as Amazon, Garraway’s and Next Day Coffee have a good selection.

    Finding ESE pods in stores may be a bit hit and miss as seeing they are not the most popular form of coffee, but you should still be able to find them in the likes of Aldi and Lidl where there is an excellent collection of coffee variations.

    What types of coffee machine take ESE pods?

    Easy Serve Espresso pods are accepted in espresso machines. You may be wondering how they are used, then? Well, they fit into the portafilter, and you then just use this as normal. The water will pour through the bag, bringing out the coffee.

    Popular brands which make dedicated ESE machines include illy, Francis Francis, and Smeg.

    Can I use an ESE pod in a Dolce Gusto, Nespresso or Tassimo machine?

    No. These brands use dedicated hard pods, so the foil is pierced allowing the water to run through. They will not work with ESE pods and trying to use one will likely break your machine.

    If you have not yet bought a coffee machine and know you want a pod option for convenience, an actual pod machine may be the best option. But if you already have an espresso machine, or know you will regularly use it as normal, it could be worth investing and buying some ESE pods when you just want a quick brew.

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