On an overcast, drizzly London morning, nothing reinvigorates the senses like the waft of freshly brewed coffee.
Coffee connoisseurs understand the mastery behind the beverage, lining their kitchen counters with the finest brews, Le Creuset mugs and top-of-the-range coffee machines. Yet for novices who are perfectly content with enjoying a cuppa without mentally dissecting every sip, there’s no need to overcomplicate matters. Pop in a pod and let the machine do the work.
However, that's not to say one’s palate can’t be broadened. Die-hard Nespresso lovers, we're going to serve you some cold hard truth. There are more options than your default Ristretto or Apreggio, as delectable as they are.
Following in the footsteps of the coffee giant, many brands have conjured up new alternatives to the classic Nespresso pod - Grind, Dualit, Lavazza and Volcano to name a few. Available in a range of flavours from caramel to fruit infusions, there are plenty of tastebud teasers to unearth.
Many of them stock Nespresso-compatible pods, which means you can ply your prized Nespresso Virtuo with an eclectic range of coffee capsules to taste test with family and friends.
That said, we do have Nespresso to thank for the pod in the first place. Nestlé engineer Eric Favre is credited with birthing the idea of the coffee pods, after visiting a popular Italian espresso bar in 1975. He noted how baristas continuously had to pull the levers of the espresso machines to affect how the coffee was extracted.
During the course of the next ten years, Favre developed more simple coffee brewing modes that mirrored the structure of an espresso machine. The Nespresso machine and the accompanying pods were born. According to Perfect Daily Grind, in 2018, 59 billion coffee capsules were produced and the global coffee pods market was valued at almost US $1.3 billion. Safe to say, the pods were a hit.
Keen to expand your coffee collection? Discover the best alternative coffee pods to Nespresso and introduce new fabulous flavours to the daily grind.
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Grind Tin of Compostable Coffee Pods
Any coffee aficionado is sure to be familiar with Grind’s millennial pink packaging. If not, you’re in for a treat.
There to brighten up any kitchen counter, the London-based brand’s refillable aluminium tin fits twenty Nespresso-compatible compostable pods that are packed full of delicious, organic coffee, with seven blends to choose from.
After you’ve bought the tin the first time, you can then order refills which is kinder to the planet. Even better, you can subscribe to make sure your daily caffeine fix is covered in the most sustainable way. From £9.95 for 20 pods.
Buy now £9.95, Grind
Volcano Mount Blend Coffee Pods Subscription
Independent London-based roastery Volcano not only buys the best beans for premium coffee, but also pays above the Fairtrade price and roasts in small batches to guarantee less waste.
Indulge in the rich flavours of South American coffee. Notes spanning silky milk chocolate, rich caramel and sweet red grapes are set to fill the senses with subtle sweetness. 40 pods for £22.
Buy now £22.00, Volcano
Ocado Espresso Coffee Pods
Coffee is notoriously pricey, which is why those wanting to keep the costs down require a more financially viable brew. Ocado’s Espresso Coffee Pods offer ten dark roast pods for just £2.60. Set to pack a flavoursome punch for half the price, the bold capsules are ideal for hungover students in need of a serious pick-me-up the morning after.
Buy now £2.60, Ocado
Dualit Organic Colombian Home Compostable Coffee Pods
Another pocket-friendly option, Dualit’s Organic Colombian Home Compostable Coffee Pods are available to buy in two sizes - ten and fifty pod pickings. Notes of caramel, dried fruit and chocolate make for a perky, wholesome brew.
Hailing from Colombia, these premium coffee capsules use only the highest quality Arabica and Robusta beans to elevate your morning menu. 10 pods for £3.99.
Buy now £3.99, Dualit
CRU Kafe Organic Fairtrade Ristretto Pods
Cru Kafe is well known among ethically sourced pod coffee connoisseurs - and that is because they’ve been selling organic and FairTrade coffee since 2013.
We tried the Organic Intense Roast on a late Monday afternoon at the office, and we immediately found it to be the perfect starting point for anyone looking to begin their Java adventures. The lungo is smooth, full-bodied and clean.
In addition to recyclable pods and packaging, Cru Coffee doesn’t allow pesticides or fertilisers to touch its beans. A superb taste and a low environmental footprint. 10 for £3.30.
Buy now £3.30, Amazon
Lost Sheep Coffee Smooth Journey Eco Pods
We’ll never say no to a caffeinated chocolate and caramel combination. Banish sleep-deprived mornings and post-lunch slumps with a kick of sweetness thanks to these eco-friendly pods by Lost Sheep Coffee.
Perfect for your go-to latte fix, the single-origin pods are made with 100 per cent speciality coffee and absolutely no trace of plastic. Get 60 pods for just £15.
Buy now £15.00, Lost Sheep Coffee
Little's French Vanilla Nespresso Compatible Capsules
Vanilla enthusiasts, may we have your attention? Little's French’s Vanilla Nespresso Compatible Capsules will satisfy your sweet tooth and your wallet simultaneously. The brightening brew is made from rich Honduran Arabica coffee infused with ever-popular vanilla. Note, the pods do not fit Nespresso Magimix machines. £3 for 10 pods.
Buy now £3.00, Amazon
HALO Noir
HALO is in a league of its own for both taste and eco-friendliness. Drinking a cup is a rollercoaster of flavours that are so dissonant that they actually make sense together and you’re left wondering: how did I live without this brand for so long?
Enjoy notes of chocolate, caramel, citrus, berries, and molasses. The coffee is not only extra tasty, but HALO is incredibly dedicated to making everything biodegradable and plastic-free.
All pods are entirely vegan and made from a waste sugar cane and paper blend. Even the ink is made from a vegetable base. From £7 for 10 pods.
Buy now £7.00, HALO
Fireheart Palace Blend (Nespresso Compatible)
Founded in April 2020, Fireheart Coffee brings you fresh seasonal coffee and makes it accessible to everyday drinkers. The plastic-free, compostable pods come in colourful, recyclable packaging and you can get 40 high-quality, super tasty coffee pods delivered straight to your door at just £19.95.
Hand-roasted in Muswell Hill, the pods are designed to recreate barista-style coffee at home. The coffee is selected and sourced on a seasonal basis with a fully traceable supply chain. Every cup is like a Sunday stroll in leafy North London. From £19.95 for 40 pods.
Buy now £19.95, Fireheart Coffee
