In the first video of our series on Easy Serving Espresso (E.S.E.) Pods, Gail gives us the lowdown on what they are -- how they work, why you may or may not want to use them and which machines are pod-friendly.
Finally I've been waiting a long time to hear about the ESE pods I've been using them for years and i love it, it's easy and clean. I use The Gaggia Espresso Machine for about 5 plus years and it does a great job with ESE pods. Hope to hear more info about ESE pod. Thank you. Jack.
Just discovered this video and found out that Cafe Umbria sells pods that fit my Starbucks/Saeco Barista. I finally know what that little rubber thingy is for! Thanks Gail!
Another benefit of ESE pods over capsules is that there's a lot less waste (and it's paper instead of aluminum or plastic) so you could say it's a better choice for the environment.
I have the Rancilio Silvia. I also have the pod adapter, and for the amount of effort it takes to install the adapter, get the machine good and hot, and then make a single shot, ... you may as well just learn to make actual coffee. (with rocky) Don't get me wrong, ESE pods aren't "evil incarnate", On a bad day, it's a slightly below average shot of espresso. On a Good day, they're also a slightly below average shot of espresso. Which, if you're in a rush, is a good thing.
I have french press's, various hand pour's, aeropress's, espresso machine and a hario hand grind. Given my space limitations, and need for mobility, I use ESE pods for the most part. They're not the best but it does the trick for most mornings. When I really want to enjoy good beans, I end up doing hand pour. Still my favorite coffee method.
I agree that the Nespresso capsules produce a better cup than any pods / machine combos I've tried. I wasn't into illy's iperespresso capsules, personally. - Kat
You mention that a smaller diameter shower head is needed for machines with non-pressurized portafilters. I have an E61 group head that I'd like to use with ground coffee and pods. Can I leave the larger diameter shower head in place and just use a pod basket (like the one used in Gaggia's 58mm portafilter with the single hole)? If not, can you say why?
I beg to differ in your saying that the taste or crema is any different than a regular shot of espresso...perhaps you aren’t using Italian pods. Maybe you also aren’t using fresh pods. Ever since I had espresso made from pods in Rome, I have been a user. It may also depend on the machine you use. I have a FrancisFrancis X1 that makes a perfect cup each time. Try Lucaffe or Kimbo pods if you like string full bodied espresso taste. Lavazza makes ESE pods that I find acidic in taste, which would turn me off to pods if I thought they were the only ones available.
Hi Gale this is your Cuban boy and I’m so glad finally I found this information and off course it had to be through your channel one of my coffee maker the cafe Romahas this pod filter but my questions what is the purpose of this one if you really enjoy setting up your own shot of coffee and also is it really worthy to use this kind of filter?Thxs Gale I can’t wait to see your new coffee shop finally done.
I have an old ESE Krups machine because I'm a poor college student. Can I use fresh beans in this? There was no manual and limited information on my older model.
No I have not tried it. I was looking for pods online and came across the kit. I guess you get some kinda empty filter and spoon in your own coffee and seal it. But that's still to much work. Espresso in Italian means express so I'm not sure if I'm going to spend a lot of time preparing a tiny coffee.LOL :)
Not too interested in using pods at home on the counter top, fresh ground only there, but might be worth mentioning (for backcountry folks) that pods work pretty good with the Handpresso manual if you change to the ’intense’ brew head (smaller screen). It's on the trails where the ease of cleaning and general convenience of pods seems a worthy idea to me.
She looks annoyed people use these :D MY old man struggles to get a decent shot on a Gaggia, yet the pressurised cheap job makes a great taste. Pods next as the shot can be messy for families and those in a rush trying to get out the door!
back in the days ESE was only good for convenience, but nowaday just buy a second small nespresso machine over this anytime, it has the same lot of choices but gives you much better quality worth, Illy MIE cups and lavazza have similar products.
