The Difference You'll Taste When Using Nespresso Reusable Pods

Nespresso pioneered the world of coffee capsules — and you have the brand to thank for your perfectly frothy, instant espresso every morning. But, while the company did nail the aroma, texture, and taste of the coffee, what Nespresso didn't account for was the waste that would come in exchange for the convenience its new technology provided. Disposable coffee pods have a major downside. Like those produced by other brands, Nespresso coffee capsules are single-use, and they only make one cup at a time. 

If you consider the fact that the average American drinks three cups of coffee a day and then multiply that by 336 million, aka the current U.S. population as of February 2024, and then add on day after day, and week after week, you end up with a lot of coffee capsules — more than a billion each day, to be exact. Nespresso, for it's part, provides options to recycle used pods, either by returning them to a company collection center, retail store, or through the mail with a paid postage recycling bag. However, if the pods get thrown in the trash instead, they'll end up in the landfill, where they can take up to 500 years to decompose and subsequently leach chemicals into the land and water.

Now, those are some pretty concerning numbers, but there's an easier way. You can continue to enjoy the convenience of your Nespresso without having to collect and recycle pods, or risk contributing to an unnecessary amount of waste. All you need is a stainless steel reusable capsule — but it does come with a catch. Not only will they be filled with different coffee, but they'll also be filled with less of it. That means your morning espresso is going to taste slightly different and the flavors might be a little less strong.

A reusable coffee capsule gives you the best of both worlds: fresh, individual servings of frothy espresso in an instant with less waste. You'll also save quite a bit of money. But if you're someone who enjoys a strong cup of coffee, it might not be the answer for you. When using a reusable coffee pod, you're able to fill it with whatever brand of coffee beans you like. In almost any other case, this would be a net positive. Only, even if they are now compatible with other brands' coffee pods, Nespresso machines are ultimately designed to be used with Nespresso capsules, which are filled with Nespresso beans. 

If you use anything else, there's no guarantee how your coffee will come out tasting. The other thing is that, due to their shape, reusable stainless steel pods hold about half a gram less coffee. So, no matter what beans you're using, your coffee isn't going to come out as strong as it would if you used one of the disposable Nespresso pods. Although you might get close with a dark Italian roast, it likely still won't taste comparable to an actual espresso.