Capsules
Nespresso capsules are sold exclusively by Nespresso and are more expensive than portions of ground coffee purchased "loose". The cost per serving is up to three times higher than that of alternative brewing methods.
Each capsule contains 5–6 grams of ground coffee and makes one cup of coffee. Depending on the length of the pour the capsule is designed for 40ml for an espresso shot, or 110ml for a lungo (long) pour. Refillable Nespresso-compatible capsules are manufactured by Dutch company Coffeeduck. They make two different refillable capsules; one for Nespresso machines made before October 2010 and one for machines made after October 2010 (after Nespresso changed the design of their machines).
Australian company PodCafe released a 'one size fits all' refillable capsule in 2012. Their refillable pod fits most Nespresso compatible machines, and also allows users to brew tea and hot chocolate.
The capsule material and perforated top are both made of aluminum. For health reasons, the interior of most of the capsule is lined with food-grade lacquer.
The Dutch company Douwe Egberts has launched a coffee capsule compatible with Nespresso machines in Europe and the US. Unlike the Nespresso capsules, the "L'or expressO" capsules are made out of plastic instead of aluminium, and unlike the Nespresso capsule these are not perforated in the top while inserting them in the machine but are pre-perforated, and so the capsule is not airtight. Therefore the capsules come separately packaged, each in their own airtight bag, probably filled with an inert gas. Douwe Egberts recently added new varieties of these coffees, there now are fourteen.
Just like Douwe Egberts, Caffe Vergnano, a well known Italian coffee blender, launched their own branded Èspresso compatible capsules made of plastic, individually packaged and starting with 4 varieties. It was launched in the European market, in selected countries such as Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Spain and Portugal.
Nespresso offer 16 different coffee "Grand Cru" arabica and robusta. Two Limited Edition Grand Crus are released every year as well as a new set of Variations, flavored espresso capsules.
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