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5 Popular Coffee Capsule Myths Debunked

To this day, the debate over coffee pods or coffee capsules vs instant coffee continues, and while we love all coffee, we can't help but notice that there are coffee capsule myths circulating that simply aren't true anymore — like the myth that coffee pods and capsules are bad for the environment. But before we dive right into debunking the 5 most popular coffee capsule myths, let’s clear up a little confusion about what makes a coffee capsule a capsule.

Coffee capsules or pods are typically made from plastic or aluminium and are typically cylindrical containers that are vacuum sealed with foil to keep its contents fresh for longer. At Nespresso, our capsules don’t just protect what’s inside, they’re made from aluminium that’s recyclable so we can protect what’s outside too — the environment. Coffee capsules or pods, whichever name you call them, it’s time to figure out the real deal behind all the myths we’ve been hearing.

5 Popular coffee capsules myths debunked

Capsule coffees just aren’t as good
As with food, coffee quality varies from brand to brand and coffee preferences are also subjective. What's in the capsule is what matters most, so do use your judgement as there are great capsule coffees out there and even gourmet options such as our Barista Creations and Limited Edition capsule coffees. Nespresso’s capsules and machines are also designed with precision and convenience in mind, so you can be sure you’ll get the same volume and taste in every cup without having to figure out the intricacies of the pressure, water temperature and other factors. One thing’s for sure though, you can definitely expect Nespresso’s coffee capsules to contain nothing but the best — which brings us to our next point.
Desserts with coffee

Coffee capsules are just prettily packaged instant coffee

What is actually inside a coffee capsule? While we can't speak for every single coffee capsule brand out there, Nespresso capsules contain only roast and ground coffee, no instant coffee granules, no additives and only naturally-derived flavourings for our flavoured range. What’s inside our capsules is no secret. We’re committed to delivering the highest quality coffee in every sip, hence every part of the process from hand-picking the beans to the packaging of fresh coffee grounds in the laminated aluminium capsules to protect their rich aroma and flavour is meticulously attended to. Our packaging certainly is elegant looking for that luxe coffee experience though and we hope you love it as much as we do!

Coffee Discussion

Coffee capsules are less environmentally-friendly options

During the early days of coffee capsules this myth may have been true, but companies eventually realised how bad those old capsules were for the environment. Although we can’t assure you about the eco-friendliness of other capsule coffees, we can guarantee that Nespresso’s coffee capsules are manufactured from recycled aluminium so you can sip on without the guilt. Aluminium is the ideal material for protecting the freshness, taste and quality of our coffee. Plus, they can be recycled and remade into new coffee capsules. We even have a recycling service as part of our efforts to be more eco-friendly. Simply drop off your used capsules at one of our Nespresso Recycling Points and we’ll do the rest, from recycling the aluminium for new uses to turning the coffee grounds into nutrient-rich compost or green energy.

Nespresso Recycling Points

There’s not much variety

Just as there are many instant coffee varieties in the market, the variety of coffee capsules out there is just as vast — and we speak from experience too. Just check out our extensive range of coffee capsules and see for yourself. The possibilities are endless and it all depends on your creativity and sense of adventure — and while we’re on that topic, take the chance to let your taste buds ​​explore the 3 different coffee profiles of the world too! Why not find out more about our coffee capsules or browse our range of coffee capsules today to find your new favourite?

variety of coffee

You can only make espressos with a coffee capsule

This is definitely false since our Nespresso machines have the option for several different kinds of coffee preparations. Armed with just a Nespresso machine, your love for coffee and a willingness to explore, there’s up to 36 different flavours of different intensities, flavour profiles and roasts at the moment as well as a plethora of recipes to choose from depending on whether you want to add milk, alternative milks, syrups or toppings to your coffee. If a milk-based coffee is what you’re searching for, adding the Barista Milk Frother or Aeroccino Milk Frother will certainly help you add that barista-level touch to your masterpiece. You can also check out our curated list of Nespresso recipes for more inspiration.

Not only espressos, different kinds of coffee

There’s no right way to enjoy your coffee, but now that we have debunked these coffee capsule myths, go ahead and pop in that coffee order. Better yet, check out Nespresso’s wide range of coffee capsules and machines, it’s time to kickstart your Nespresso journey today.