Coffee pods, pads and capsules

About Coffee Pods

When they first appeared on the market, coffee pods spurred on a true revolution. By now, however, they’ve turned into the daily companions of thousands of coffee lovers worldwide. It’s no surprise that this type of coffee is one of today’s biggest trends. Filled with fresh coffee, pods are ideal for those who want an easy, quick brewing experience. All you really need for some delicious pod coffee is a pod coffee machine to brew your desired drink with!

What are the advantages of coffee pods? There are enough of those for pretty much everyone to find something they’re looking for. What deserves a special mention is speed, ease of use, simple maintenance, and compactness of both pod machines and the pods themselves. Coffee pods are also synonymous with a particularly wide variety of drinks: from creamy espressos or fragrant black coffees to milk-based beverages and delicious hot chocolate.

Coffee Friend’s range of products includes a bunch of coffee pods marked by different aromas and tasting notes. You’ll find pods suited for the NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® and the Nespresso capsule systems. Dive into the world of coffee pods, and discover your new favourite flavour!

Coffee Pods for Espresso and Other Beverages

When it comes to the pros of coffee pods, the wide selection of flavours available is definitely one of them. From rich, intense espressos to subtle, creamy cappuccinos, there’s something in there for everyone—both those who know exactly what they’re looking for, and curious tasters on the lookout for new flavours. Pod manufacturers indicate recipes and water amounts on packaging to ensure the best brewing results.

In addition to serving size, the final in-cup result is also determined by what type of coffee a certain pod contains. Pods vary by recipe, featuring different blends, regional coffees, or varying coffee amounts for diverse tastes. Some recipes require espresso coffee, which is marked by a finer grind and a rich, bitter taste. Other recipes are suited best for coffee of a coarser grind: these include black coffee and lungo. Espresso pods are intense, while lungo pods offer subtler flavors for those who prefer a longer coffee experience.

Milk-based pods, like latte or cappuccino, use either single pods or two separate pods for coffee and milk. In that case, the brewing process is split into two stages: one for coffee, and one for milk. 

Coffee Pods for NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® Coffee Machines

In addition to classic recipes like espresso or black coffee, Dolce Gusto® offers pods for a variety of milk-based drinks: from cappuccino to caramel latte macchiato or delicious hot chocolate. Coffee Friend’s range of products boasts a particularly wide selection of coffee pods suited for the NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® system. We’ve got our own line of CHiATO coffee pods designed for Dolce Gusto® machines as well. In it, you’ll find rich espressos, creamy cappuccinos, and even a bunch of flavoured coffees, such as caramel latte, nut-flavoured coffee or brews that taste like Irish cream. There are kid-friendly pods as well: why not treat your little ones to a cup of cocoa? 

Fans of intense espressos or black coffees should give pods from Charles Liegeois a try. While those on the lookout for new flavours are bound to love original Dolce Gusto® coffee pods: there’s ristretto, espresso, lungo, cappuccino, flat white, hot chocolate, and a bunch of other beverages available. Fans of Starbucks will find coffee pods designed to recreate the most popular drinks served in these trendy cafés as well. You can go for reusable coffee pods from Sealpod too: they’ll allow you to experiment even further and enjoy any ground coffee you like. Plus, to make it even better, reusable pods are a sustainable choice! 

When choosing the right coffee pods, don’t forget to consider the kind of pod system you’re using. Different coffee pod machines utilise different technologies, so some pods may not suit the machine you have at home. When it comes to the NESCAFÉ® Dolce Gusto® coffee pod system, there are plenty of options to choose from. Dolce Gusto® pod machines are also very compact, as well as easy to use and maintain. The only pod machines that could be considered their rivals are the appliances made by Nespresso. 

Coffee Pods for Nespresso Coffee Machines

Coffee pods for Nespresso machines are loved and appreciated all over the world, so you’ll find  various manufacturers selling pods designed for this exact capsule system. There’s lots to explore in our range of Nespresso coffee pods. Nespresso machines use Original or Vertuo pods, so ensure compatibility when choosing your coffee pods. Coffee pods for the Original system are smaller than the Vertuo ones.

The brewing technique also differs: while machines with the Original system rely on pressure to push hot water through a punctured pod, Vertuo models use the patented Centrifusion technology. When it comes Nespresso pods, there’s something for everyone in there: from classic espresso and rich black coffee to a number of milk-based drinks. If you don’t own a pod machine yet, you may want to browse through Nespresso coffee pod machines. Fans of milk-based coffees will love the models with milk containers, by the way!

Those looking for a delicious daily cup of pod coffee should give Caprisette coffee pods a try: there’s a variety of options on offer, including ristretto, espresso and lungo pods. Charles Liegeois offers intense flavors and organic options for those who enjoy bold, aromatic coffee. There are also pods from Barzini inspired by different coffee-growing regions, as well as Mokito coffee pods designed for sworn fans of classic Italian coffees. If you’re searching for something extra special, browse through L’OR coffee pods: they’re marked by a particularly wide range of flavours.

Coffee Pods for Other Coffee Pod Machines

While the Nespresso and Dolce Gusto® coffee pod systems are definitely the most popular, there are others out there as well. Here at Coffee Friend, you’ll find a bunch of pods compatible with numerous capsule systems. For example, there are Tassimo coffee pods designed for Bosch Tassimo appliances. We have various beverages on offer: from rich espresso to kid-friendly hot chocolate. Our range also boasts pods for the Tchibo Cafissimo and Caffitaly systems, as well as Paulig coffee pod machines. Whether you’re a fan of classic recipes or creamy milk-based coffees, there’s bound to be something for you in there! Owners of a Tchibo machine can give the reusable “Everiste” pods a try too, by the way: they can be filled with any ground coffee you like.

Coffee Pads or Coffee Pods?

The world of coffee is so wide and varied that it’s pretty easy to get lost in it. For example, our clients often ask us if coffee pods and coffee pads are the same thing. Both contain pre-ground coffee, but their packaging and compatible appliances differ significantly. Coffee pads are paper bags that may look just like tea bags at first glance—they’re filled with coffee instead of tea though. You won’t be able to steep them straight in a cup, however, as coffee pads are designed specially for Senseo coffee pad machines. 

Compact and convenient, Senseo coffee pad machines brew drinks using light pressure of around 1.5–3 bar. This coffee offers a fuller body and thicker crema compared to filter brews. Most coffee pads for Senseo machines allow you to prepare a cup of black coffee, which you can then flavour with regular or plant-based milk, sugar, syrup, or any other additional ingredients. Our range includes coffee pads with milk powder in them too though: these can be used to brew milk-based drinks like latte or cappuccino. 

Decaf Coffee Pods

Owners of coffee pod machines often ask us if we have any decaf coffee pods available. The popularity of decaf coffee has indeed been on the rise lately, so it’s available in numerous different forms now, with coffee pods being no exception. Coffee Friend’s range of products boasts premium-quality decaf coffee pods: they’ve been decaffeinated using natural methods, so you can rest assured knowing there are no chemical solvents involved. We have decaf coffee pods suited for a variety of coffee pod systems, so make sure that the ones you’re eyeing are compatible with your machine. Owners of a Nespresso pod machine might enjoy the rich and intense “Charles Liégeois Discret Deca”, the creamy and well-balanced “Caffe Barzini Decaf” or the unique, organic “Charles Liégeois Mano Mano Discret Deca”. “Charles Liégeois Discret Deca” is available in a Dolce Gusto®-compatible form too, so those who own a Dolce Gusto® appliance and like rich, well-balanced flavours may want to give it a try too.

Coffee Pod Sets

Looking for both quality and quantity? Then you’re bound to love our coffee pod sets! We have sets made up of 3 or 4 boxes of the same kind of coffee pods, and there are those that include different pod varieties too. Whether you’re loyal to a single flavour or love to experience something new each day, coffee pod sets are an excellent choice. A set of delicious coffee pods can serve as a great gift as well. In Coffee Friend’s range, you’ll find a bunch of sets designed for the Nespresso and Dolce Gusto® coffee pod systems. Just make sure to find out what kind of pod machine your loved one is using before you purchase your gift!

Arabica or Robusta: Which Coffee Pods Are Best? 

Arabica or robusta? We’ve heard this question hundreds of times over the years. The truth is, there’s no single answer: it all depends on your personal taste. Arabica coffee beans offer more variety and are subtler, with delicate flavors. They’re generally subtler and more delicate too. Robusta, on the other hand, tends to be pretty bitter. It’s also marked by a higher caffeine content. Those who are after a particularly flavourful cup of espresso or black coffee should give the delicate yet vivid arabica coffee pods a try, while fans of well-balanced drinks that combine both sweetness and bitterness are likely to enjoy arabica and robusta blends.

Any Other Questions?

Stuck choosing the right coffee pods for your pod system? Curious about other types of coffee? Coffee Friend’s consultants are ready to help you out: reach out via e-mail or phone, or just pop by one of our physical stores, where we’ll treat you to some delicious coffee!