Coffee capsules and coffee pods: what are the differences?

An increasing number of Italians are choosing to purchase a coffee maker for their home . It is attracted, in fact, by the convenience and speed, but also by the possibility of replicating even within the walls of the home the ritual of coffee at the bar, from the sound of the mechanism that is activated to the foam that forms on the surface.

Choosing the most suitable coffee machine for one's needs is not, however, always simple, and a dilemma that many people have concerns the type of mechanism that is used to prepare the drink. In particular, there remain many doubts about what the difference between capsules and pods is: let's see what it consists of.

Coffee capsules and pods: what are the differences?

The difference between coffee capsules and coffee pods that first jumps out at you is definitely the one concerning shape and material. In fact, the capsule is a cylindrical plastic casing, generally made of plastic or aluminum. While the pod is a paper container, made of cellulose.

Coffee capsules: pay attention to the packaging

We find many different types of coffee capsules on the market: usually in each one we find between 5 and 7 grams of coffee. Most of them are packaged following the same procedure, that is, in aprotective atmosphere that aims to ensure maximum hygiene for the coffee placed inside. In addition, the aluminum or plastic structure serves to prevent aggression by external agents such as, for example, moisture, heat or air. As a result, the quality of the product and the integrity of the aroma are thus preserved and guaranteed.

Not all capsules are presented to the public in the same way: in fact, we can find single-serving or multi-serving solutions, insulated capsules or further packed in plastic packaging or other materials chosen to preserve the aroma as well.

In fact, it is crucial, when choosing which capsules to use for our coffee machine, to remember that an open package does not allow the quality of the product to remain perfectly intact. Putting them in a vacuum is important, in fact, because the aromas are volatile molecules and, as a result, risk dispersing very quickly, within a few days. Sealing coffee in this way, therefore, allows it to remain intact for up to 3 years after encapsulation.

ESE pods: the Easy Serving Espresso

Although, as in the case of capsules, there are various product standards on the market, the most popular and widely used type of pod is the one that follows theE.S.E. or Easy Serving Espresso. This is a technology that, as defined by the Protection Consortium, simplifies the preparation of espresso coffee through the use of "serving." The main advantage for the consumer is that the presence of the E.S.E. mark on an espresso machine and pods makes it possible to readily identify compatibility between available products. The goal is to ensure freedom of choice between different brands of portioned paper coffee and compatible espresso machines.

Unlike capsules, however, pods are produced exclusively in single doses: in fact, roasted and ground coffee, usually about 7 grams per pod, is dosed and pressed inside two sheets of paper.

Product quality and preservation is guaranteed by the fact that the pods are always packaged in a protective atmosphere and are hermetically sealed. And this is how we should recognize them even once they are purchased and ready for home use.

Pods and capsules: what environmental impact?

A shared concern is about the disposal of capsules and pods. In fact, if traditional mocha coffee is simply assimilated into the wet waste, many question the recycling of coffee machine solutions.

Regarding pods, however, the answer is very simple: in fact, since they are composed of two sheets of paper they too can be disposed of in thewet, unless otherwise indicated on the packaging.

Instead regarding coffee capsules , the reference is to be found in European legislation and in particular in Directive 94/62 EC , which states that "Member States shall take measures to prevent the production of packaging waste and to develop systems for the reuse of packaging in order to reduce its impact on the environment." In other words, the European Union is urging states to find and promote environmentally sustainable alternative solutions, considering the elimination of this type of waste only the last viable route.

Wafer recycling: what solutions?

The problem is the fact thatpods are bicomponent since they include aluminum, or plastic, and coffee in a way that is difficult to separate. Some companies have decided to invest in recycling the capsules they produce and offer the opportunity for customers to "return" the used ones, which will then be disposed of sustainably directly by the manufacturer. Others, however, are focusing on biodegradable plastic capsules that could, therefore, solve the issue in this way.

Some, by the way, are concerned about the impact of this type of capsule on health: from the point of view of phthalates, the consequences are likely to be similar to those in plastic because they are substances functional to the capsule's moldability, without which it would not have its typical shape.

As for, however, the other biodegradable materials used often change from company to company, so the advice is to inquire on a case-by-case basis and keep in mind that, in general, all biodegradable capsules can be thrown in the garbage can like pods, without having to clean up the coffee grounds, and take a few months to dispose of, while plastic takes as long as 1,000 years.

There are also creative solutions: associations, creatives and artisans who are particularly sensitive to the issues of recycling and environmental sustainability, in fact, increasingly employ coffee capsules, once washed and reshaped, to make objects from scratch such as small jewelry, bags or furniture components. Solutions, then, to overcome the difficulty of recycling capsules are not lacking and, indeed, are certainly not exhausted.

Difference between capsules and pods: a question of quality?

Coffee experts, the true connoisseurs of the subject, however, have not yet found an answer to a fundamental question that is asked before buying a coffee machine and choosing whether to use capsules or pods to prepare the beloved energizing drink: what quality do they have?

Of course it depends from product to product, and from manufacturer to manufacturer. The result, in general, is very similar to the espresso coffee you can enjoy in a coffee shop. Significantly lighter than mocha coffee, that of pods and capsules are appreciated precisely because of the link with espresso, but it is also excellent in more classic variants, from macchiato to cappuccino.

They know well the needs of consumers at Co.ind, in fact among the products we find both the capsule line with Nespresso, FAP and Espresso Italia, as well as single-serving pods, all with the guarantee of a quality coffee, the result of the selection of the best qualities of beans available, mixed with wisdom to ensure, always, a coffee of the right color and flavor.