How do I pick a capsule coffee machine? Let's find out the type and characteristics.

 As the non-face-to-face period has been prolonged, "home cafes" have become popular in an atmosphere where it is difficult to go to cafes near your home. The editor also tried to challenge the home cafe with equipment such as French press and dripper, but as it took a lot of work and took a long time to clean up, he thought "Comfortable is the best." I realized how convenient the capsule coffee machine, which I had used without thinking, was.

While drinking a cup of coffee, I think about the days when the editor chose a capsule coffee machine. The selection criteria were simpler than expected, so the memory is vivid even though it was a long time ago. In this post, I would like to briefly introduce what capsule coffee is, what kinds are there, and how to choose the machine.

What's capsule coffee?

Capsule coffee is a product that is sealed with coffee in the capsule as its name implies. In the past, there used to be a product called "liquid capsule" containing strong liquid coffee, but the capsule coffee we are talking about these days refers to a bean capsule that can be extracted with a dedicated machine.

The taste of capsule coffee is always constant because manufacturers use the same coffee beans and techniques to extract it with automated machines. Capsules are sealed, so they can be stored longer than regular beans.

There are also structural disadvantages. Capsules are made of plastic or aluminum, which can be wasted by throwing away a single capsule. Therefore, some brands operate services that collect capsules used by customers.

Capsules also have specifications

Capsules vary in size depending on the coffee machine.

The original Nespresso capsule is known as the "Nespresso" and is Nestle's flagship capsule standard for the first capsule coffee. Not only are there various types of dedicated machines, but many coffee brands have made and released Nespresso-compatible capsules since the capsule coffee patent expired in 2012. For consumers, it is the best standard to experience a variety of coffee.

Nespresso capsules are an espresso family that mostly uses only beans. The amount of coffee extracted with Nespresso capsule is divided into restretto (25ml), espresso (40ml), and longo (110ml). The amount of coffee extracted is small as the capsule size is small and about 5g of beans are added.

Nespresso Vertuo capsules feature abundant crema by applying a rotating extraction method. It boasts a larger size than the original, and it is divided into espresso (40ml), double espresso (40ml), Grand Lungo (150ml), mug (230ml), and alto (414ml) for large-scale extraction.

Vertuo can only extract espresso-based coffee like the original, and has the disadvantage of having few compatible capsules.

Dolce Gusto is a subbrand of Nestle. Compared to Nespresso, there are fewer types of beans and it is hard to find compatible capsules, but it has the advantage of being able to make the most variety of drinks. Depending on the capsule used, non-coffee beverages such as cafe latte, cold brew, macchiato, and cocoa can be extracted. It is the opposite of Nespresso, which can only extract espresso lines.

The Ily capsule is an independent standard of Italian coffee brand "illy." The amount of coffee beans is about 20 percent higher than the original Nespresso capsule, making it suitable for people who want to drink coffee thicker.

The downside is that there are few compatible capsules. Instead, there is a product called "Refill Capsule," which can be extracted by tamping the bean powder directly into a metal capsule that can be opened and closed. It's a bit cumbersome, but you can make your own coffee with capsules that suit your taste.

Which capsule coffee machine fits me?

​Before choosing a capsule coffee machine, it is important to identify the capsule size and brand that best suits you. Let's read the characteristics listed above and choose the appropriate specifications considering the type, amount, and price conditions of coffee that we prefer.

Depending on the pump pressure of the machine, the speed and taste of coffee extraction vary, and machines of the same brand usually use the same pressure. For compatible machines (for example, all Nespresso original capsule machines extract coffee at a pressure of 19 bar), the pump pressure may vary, and thus the taste of coffee may differ from the capsule manufacturer's intentions.

The capacity of the water tank can be determined according to the number of people who will use the coffee machine. Usually, about 1L can extract about 4 cups of coffee with a large cup and wash the inside with remaining water. However, even if the capacity of the water tank is small compared to the number of people, water can be replenished at any time. It's just a hassle.

Some expensive capsule coffee machines have additional functions. For example, one of the Nespresso machines is equipped with an additional milk tank. This is to supplement the limitations of Nespresso capsules, which can only be extracted from espresso. It's not a necessary function, but it's a standard that you can consider depending on your coffee taste.

In addition, the height of the cup holder and the capacity of the capsule collection box are also considered. With the ability to adjust the height, cups in more diverse sizes can be used, and the larger the collection box, the longer the cycle of emptying used capsules, reducing the inconvenience.

What is the cleaning habit to use the capsule machine for a long time?

Usually, water tanks, milk tanks, and capsule collection boxes of capsule coffee machines are designed to be separated from the main body and cleaned. However, it is difficult for users to clean the pipes inside the main body where water or coffee moves.

If you just make coffee and don't clean it, you should make a habit of paying attention to the inside cleaning while using the machine because there is a risk of getting dirty inside or bacteria spreading inside.

The most basic habit is extracting plain water once or twice before and after using the machine. Before making coffee, extract water without capsules, remove any foreign substances that may remain inside the tube, and then press the extraction button without capsules to release the remaining coffee liquid.

​It is also a good idea to regularly use 'cleaning capsules' with cleaning agents instead of beans. You can extract water once with the cleaning capsule in the machine, remove the capsule, and drain the water two or three times. Cleaning capsules are recommended to be used on a monthly basis or when coffee is extracted about 30 times.