Varieties, advantages and disadvantages of coffee capsules

There are many admirers of natural coffee brewed in the Turk, but with the development of new technologies, alternative options come to replace this drink, one of which is coffee in capsule format. Of course, he will not force out a natural drink from the list of sought-after, but it also has a lot of unique positive features. However, not everyone knows what a coffee capsule is and how to prepare it correctly. All information about the features of the drink, its varieties and the nuances of preparation is described in detail in this article.

The year 1998 was the starting point for the popularization of such a type of coffee beverage as capsule coffee. That year the first machine was invented, designed to create finished coffee from capsules. It belonged to the Nespresso brand.

The pre-packaged form of a coffee drink was invented even earlier - in the 50s of the last century. At first, this process resembled the packaging of raw materials in packages, like tea bags, only in the 70s this version was upgraded to capsules. At the end of the 20th century, it was adapted to special machines, which subsequently contributed to the emergence of a large number of different companies producing similar coffee.

Coffee capsules is a type of coffee beverage, presented in batches. A certain amount of raw material is packed in a special casing and is designed for preparing one cup of hot drink in a special coffee machine. Capsule coffee production involves several stages.

• Coffee beans of a certain grade (as a rule, green) pass through roasting, then they are ground.
• Capsules are made for ground beans. The choice of material for them depends directly on the manufacturer.
• Ground seeds are pressed and then poured into capsules.
• In addition to the coffee raw material itself, a number of other ingredients are also added to the capsules, for example, flavors. Capsules also contain certain chemicals that inhibit the oxidation of ground coffee.

The cooking process takes place due to the fact that being inside the machine, the capsule itself is pierced from above and below. Under a very high pressure, boiling water flows through the lower part of the unit, the components in the capsule are mixed together, and the finished coffee is poured through the lower part.

Its taste is influenced by such factors as the characteristics of the raw material and its origin. Some capsules contain only one type of coffee, while others contain a mix of several varieties. The roasting process is also important: the more conscientious it was carried out by the manufacturer, the better it affects product quality. Some manufacturers prefer to buy not green, but already roasted grains for capsules.

Those who follow certain diets, it is important to know about the calorie capsular coffee. 100 grams of raw materials is about 287 kcal. Since the content of the ground component in one capsule varies from 6 to 9 grams, a cup of the finished drink will contain no more than 25 calories. Therefore, it is often drunk even during various diets.

Like any drink, coffee, which is prepared from a capsule, has advantages and disadvantages. In addition to the above low-calorie, capsular version has several advantages.

• Preparing a cup of coffee does not take as much time as cooking a similar amount in a Turk. Just a minute with a coffee machine, you can turn a capsule into a glass of aromatic coffee, without having the experience of a barista.
• Since most of the capsules are used one-time, the freshness of the raw materials remains in complete safety, in contrast to the options sold in banks or packages. After opening, the latter lose some of their flavor.
• Preparing coffee in capsules, you can not think about the necessary proportions and pressing. The dosage of the components is already measured in advance and is contained in the capsule.
• The device in which a similar drink is prepared is very easy to clean. Proper operation is based on the removal of used capsule packaging, filling the machine with water and occasional washing (which can also be done automatically).
• Long service life allows you to use many of this type of machine for almost 10 years, subject to care and careful handling of devices.
• Also an important advantage of making capsular coffee is the absence of noise. Unlike the classic coffee maker, the process of making the drink is almost silent, which is especially convenient in office or educational institutions.
• If standard coffee machines for ground beans are often very cumbersome, then equipment for capsule drinks is much more compact. It ergonomically fits into the atmosphere of various rooms, it is easy to choose the design of such devices for any interior.
• The drinks themselves are presented in a huge assortment. In addition to the classic espresso, capsule versions of other types of coffee are produced for the coffee machine, they are also supplied with various aroma additives and unusual ingredients. Some brands offer an assortment of up to 16 types of drinks, which differ not only in taste, but also in strength.
• In addition, in such machines can be made and tea, using natural raw materials. The use of such an additional function requires pre-washing the machine to get rid of the taste and smell of previously prepared coffee.

But it is worth remembering that capsule coffee is not an ideal option. It also has a number of negative nuances.

• Manufacturers almost never indicate the specific composition of the components in the capsule. The characteristics of the finished drink, its flavors and features of the main component of the coffee blend are presented to a greater degree.
• For most owners of such coffee machines it is not possible to try a range of coffees of all brands. For a specific machine, the number of options allowed is limited.
• A negative factor is the price of the capsules themselves. Firms that offer truly high-quality coffee sell it at a high price. If you compare 100 grams of a capsule drink with a package of ordinary ground, then the latter will cost two times cheaper.
• In addition, despite the growing popularity of capsular coffee, raw materials can not be found in all stores. This issue is especially problematic in small towns.

Before buying capsule coffee, it is recommended to get acquainted with its varieties. The drink is classified according to the material from which the capsules are made. There are several types of packaging.

• The most harmless material for humans are polymers. They not only do not add any impurities to the drink itself, but also are disposed of in a natural way along with the waste products. Such a “live” packaging option is not as common as the material is quite expensive for manufacturers.

• A much cheaper alternative to packaging is foil made from aluminum. Despite the fact that it is much more profitable for manufacturers to use this material, it is unsafe for the human body.This is due to the fact that during thermal exposure the foiled material releases metal ions, which subsequently enter the body. Some of the manufacturers claim that the packaging material for foil capsules includes a special food coating that prevents the ingress of unwanted substances into the human body through the drink.
• If a manufacturer saves on raw materials for packaging, he often chooses a combined type of material. Basically it combines foils and polymers that are not recyclable. In addition, the foil is opened when the capsule is inside the apparatus and facilitates the ingress of unwanted elements into the drink.

Separate views are devices such as reusable capsules. They are designed to independently regulate the amount of raw materials. As a rule, ground coffee is placed in such capsules according to individual preferences, tamped with it and placed in a coffee machine. This option is very profitable, because using only 100 grams of ground raw materials, you can prepare about 20 servings.

Reusable capsules have several other benefits besides cost savings.

• There is an opportunity to experiment with different tastes. You can create and change the proportions of the ingredients yourself, making unique drinks.
• It is reusable options that are suitable for the vast majority of coffee machines.
• As a rule, such a capsule is supplied with a very hermetic material for closure, which allows you to maintain the richness of flavor and taste.
• No need to clean reusable capsules. After a certain number of created drinks, they are simply thrown away.

However, in addition to the above factors, it is also important to correctly approach the process of choosing the right type of coffee as well as a suitable coffee maker. Also important point is the price of the drink. Among the most popular coffee manufacturers are the following.

• Nespresso - This is the first company that began to produce drinks in a similar format. It is famous for its huge assortment of coffee, as well as the presence of some other beverages, such as hot chocolate, tea, as well as caffeine-free coffee. The price of 10 capsules is just over 300 rubles.

• Tassimo - manufacturer, famous for using technology without pressing ground grains. This technique allows the taste to open faster. In addition to coffee, the product range is also represented by four varieties of tea, milk and hot chocolate. This option has a cost of 400 to 500 rubles per pack.

• Dolche Gusto produces coffee in very small doses - they rarely exceed 6 grams in a single capsule. Nevertheless, their product range is the most diverse. It includes 20 different flavors. Ground grain Arabica grains are taken as the main raw material. The price range for such coffee varies from 320 to 480 rubles per pack (the number of capsules in it is 16).

• Coffee squezito presented in a smaller assortment, but is famous for its even richer taste. The number of available drinks of this company includes coffee, which contains a very high percentage of caffeine and has a characteristic bitterness. Packaging with 30 capsules costs a little more than 1000 rubles.

If the taste is chosen depending on individual preferences, then the specific brand should be chosen on the basis of compatibility with the coffee machine you have. Nespresso products are suitable for coffee makers of the same name brand, as well as Dolche Gusto. In addition, the latter option is also combined with Delonghi technology. Tassimo products are perfect for Bosch coffee machines, while Squezito is for Philips.

In order not to exhaust yourself with long searches, consider in advance which stores in your city can sell such products. In most cases, it can be found in the following trade establishments:

• in supermarkets;
• in departments with household appliances (often capsules are attached to the coffee machine);
• in online stores.

When you have purchased all the necessary equipment and the capsule products themselves, the question often arises of how exactly you should use it and according to what algorithm such drinks are usually created. If you purchased the packaging of disposable capsules, the preparation algorithm is as follows.

• Take one capsule out of the package. Do not attempt to print it in any way, but simply place it in the compartment of the coffee machine.
• After closing the lid, turn on the device and select the required recipe (if necessary).
• Further, in the coffee machine, the previously mentioned processes occur. The finished coffee is poured through a special opening of the device, under which you need to put a cup in advance.
• Then simply remove the used capsule from the compartment.

If you purchased a reusable capsular shell, then the features of its operation will depend on the specific brand. Some options are very easy to use and involve only filling the capsule with selected raw materials and installing it in the compartment of the coffee maker. In this case, the algorithm for using others may be somewhat more complicated.

• Before adding raw materials to the capsule container, you should install a special filter that comes with the kit.
• The second filter should be inserted after adding ground coffee.
• Only then can the capsule be inserted into the nest reserved for it.
• When the coffee is ready, take out the package and clean it from the remnants of raw materials. You can use such a capsule more than a dozen times.

In order not to be mistaken in the choice of capsule coffee, consider the following tips.

• Study consumer reviews. This will help you find out which company is the best and most popular, as well as decide on a specific type of drink.
• Before buying capsules, review the information on their packages. Usually there is always indicated with which household appliances this product is compatible.
• If you have limited financial resources, you can buy not the original capsules, but Chinese analogues presented in a no less wide assortment. Their cost will be lower.

Thus, following the current trends, you can try easy to make coffee in capsules. If you follow all the instructions and take into account individual needs, then drinks presented in this form will certainly become part of your life, and will give you a charge of cheerfulness and pleasure every day.

For information on how to simply prepare coffee in capsules, see the next video.