Although coffee pod machines have been popular in Europe for several years, it is only now gaining traction in Australia. Since the introduction of these coffee machines, people have been questioned a lot of times if it is genuine Espresso. Certainly not. Is this a sign that you should abandon it? Coffee pods, such as Nespresso vertuo pods, have a place in the home (maybe even more so than espresso machines), but to know if you should buy a coffee pod machine or a home espresso machine, you must first grasp how they vary. They’re also highly dissimilar.
A shot of Espresso is a concentrated coffee made by pushing hot water through super-fine coffee grinds at a pressure of 7-10 atmospheres. If the machine can provide enough force, coffee pod shots may qualify as Espresso under this criteria. Most definitions, including those of the SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) and the INEI (Italian National Espresso Institute), exclude any capsule-based machine.
How does a Coffee Pod Machine Work?
Preparing a shot of coffee with coffee pods isn’t difficult. It is a lot less complicated. You insert the capsule, press the machine’s button, and wait for the magic to happen. Most of these appliances can produce up to 15 bars of pressure (which is more than is required and is typical of lower-end home devices), resulting in a beautiful crema for the concentrated shot.
There’s no need to “call in.” It’s quick, easy, and reliable. This simplicity plus the use of pre-ground coffee inherently makes the coffee made from capsules a lower form of Espresso in the eyes of more pretentious coffee enthusiasts. But that’s not to say it’s not helpful or tastes horrible.
The Functioning of Espresso Machines
Espresso machine brewing is placing super-fine coffee grinds in a portafilter, attaching the portafilter to heavy-duty equipment, and forcing hot water through the coffee grounds at a pressure of roughly 9 bars. Since you have to handle a lot of variables at once, this process is complex and often irritating.
Grind Size: Slight changes in grind size (so small that you can’t tell the difference) can significantly impact shot flavour. Precision and consistency are unavoidable requirements.
Tamping: To produce consistent shots, you must repeatedly push down on the ground with just the correct pressure. Even a smidgeon of unevenness will detract from the shot’s flavour.
Shot Duration: The ideal shot length is between 25 and 40 seconds. Every second counts, and it’s up to you to figure out when the appropriate time is.
Minor, unplanned modifications to any of these three ingredients significantly impact the other two, resulting in significant flavour shifts. It can be aggravating, as I already stated.
Flavours
The Espresso is a concentrated, full-flavoured coffee with complicated fragrances and a solid, sharp kick. It’s complicated, stressful and enthralling.
The body of coffee pod shots is medium, with a rich flavour, pleasing scents, and a slight acidity. It’s less intense and tasty than a commercial machine’s espresso shot. It’s more robust and potent than a cup of black coffee.
Coffee pod shots may not satisfy those who prefer cafe-quality Espresso. Professional baristas usually compare the coffee from coffee pods to a Moka pot rather than a large commercial espresso machine.
Conclusion
However, for the average coffee drinker who doesn’t consume a lot of Espresso at cafes, coffee pods, such as Nespresso vertuo pods, can be a fantastic alternative, even if it isn’t nearly as intense or complex as cafe espresso. It’s still tasty, balanced, and even complex if the beans were sourced from a high-quality farm and roaster.
