Finally, a viable alternative! I have 3 Nespresso machines: 2 Original Line and the Vertuoline. Recently, I have seen a marked deterioration in Nespresso’s customer service, so I was looking for alternatives. As soon as I heard about Peet’s capsules (fab coffee and fab customer Service) for my machines, I placed an early order.
YUM! I just made my first cup. The crema may be slightly ‘softer’, but it’s there. I made a shot, added a lungo shot of water, and warm cream. Delicious. Not bitter, and excellent flavor. This was the Richezza capsule. I also sipped it black before I added the water and cream... smooth and rich. I will update this review as I try the other flavors.
So pleased to reduce my spend with Nespresso. And: a bonus: when I received the box, I could not believe there were actually 40 capsules in it. The packaging is brilliant, compact, and no capsule dents. (See photo.)
I guess I'm pretty much like everyone else. I've had my Nespresso about two years, and tried all the different varieties for first few months before settling in with the 3 or 4 I like best. Well, that gets boring and they all started to taste the same - that same flat Nespresso flavor to all of them.
I'm glad I tried the Peet's. So far they just taste fresher, brighter, and better - They seem richer with more character. I'll still buy the Nespresso ones I like, but these are a nice addition to mix up the routine a bit. So far I'm diggin' the Peet's Ristretto and Crema Scura (yum!), tho I haven't tried the other two. The capsules are all metal and work flawlessly with my machine - and they arrived in perfect shape, not all banged up (A++).
Peet's now offers very sleek aluminum capsules for Original Line Nespresso machines which are manufactured by JDE (Jacobs Douwe Egberts) and contain nonspecific Arabica coffee that was roasted in France. Each box was made of mixed board from responsible sources, and the packages are distrbuted by Peet's in Berkeley. The capsules look really good, perhaps even more visually enticing than Nespresso's own capsules. They weigh in at 7 grams each before brewing, just like my Nespresso capsules and I've had no problem running these through any of my Nespresso machines. I've heard of people becoming excited when they open a box containing coffee capsules for Nespresso machines and smell the contents. I don't want to smell the coffee because I want it to be sealed within the capsules where they will remain fresher and likely will produce more crema. These are indeed hermetically sealed and there is no coffee aroma until the capsule is punctured and the hot water releases the coffee liquid into the cup. The flavor profile of the Crema Scura which is rated as a number 9 is not like the Arpeggio or Envivo Lungo, the Nespresso number nines. It tastes like Peet's espresso coffee, a flavor that brought me back to my days in San Francisco, when I would drive to Berkeley to purchase a bag of coffee that was roasted in house. I would enjoy a cup of fresh brewed coffee for free with purchase of a pound of beans, something unheard of at that time. When I tasted Peet's Aged Sumatra, I savored the longlasting after taste that lingered long after the coffee cup was emptied. When I moved from the Bay Area, I ordered my Peet's coffee from California or had people put a bag or three in their suitcase when they came to visit. My own suitcase always smelled of Peet's coffee because I was charged with bringing it back East for the friends who had tasted it in my home. Now, it's available in grocery stores, big box stores and restaurants, just like Starbucks products and a gazillion other coffees. Just check out the Jacobs Douwe Egberts list of products to see a few that I'm sure you'll recognize. The price of these capsules is two cents more than Nespresso Arpeggio or Ristretto but three cents less than the Darkan or Kazar which are my personal favorites. They have a distinct flavor which some may consider "burnt," but I call a full mouth earthy flavor. I will supplement my usual purchases from the Nespresso Boutique or mail order with these, knowing that I can enjoy a nostalgic cup of Peet's coffee from my Nespresso machines, but they will not take the place of my Nespresso coffees. Being that they are aluminum, I suspect that Nespresso will be able to accept these for recycling. If not, I'll wait to purchase more Peet's capsules until I can take them into my local Peet's stores for recycling.
I just added a photo of the capsule brewed as a Lungo in my Inissia.
I've tried all 4 Peet's options for Nespresso and this is my impression of the Nerissimo Intensity 11.
(small caveat: I grew up with Peet's Coffee and seek out its espresso whenever/wherever I can)
IN BRIEF: Peet's has the best non-Nespresso coffee for the OriginalLine machines; that said, Nespreso still tastes better and pulls a smoother, richer cup across the intensity board.
PACKAGING & PODS: As mentioned in other reviews, Peet's did a splendid job creating a solid, practical yet classy box for each 10 capsule batch. The pods are well protected and the box is gift-ready, just add a ribbon : )
After over 2 dozen capsules (various flavors), there has been no issue of one getting stuck or improperly pierced.
NOW THE MONEY SHOTS: I drink espresso, short and simple. The Nerissimo would be the equivalent of Nespresso's Darkhan or Kazaar. Whereas I can drink and still savor the latter two several minutes after pull, the Nerissimo loses its crema and whatever little distinct flavor it had within 30 seconds (see picture). It is dark, it is strong and it is intense - any other note escapes me.
Perhaps the Peet's folks agree since the description on the box suggests adding a bit of cream!
With a teaspoon or so of 1/2 & 1/2, this brew is now rich, strong and smoothly intense. A sort of cafe breve or cafe noisette. This espresso would be ideal for an Affogato.
Through about 2 dozen capsules (various flavors), there has been no issue with the volume of coffee/liquid extracted.
RECYCLING: At the moment, there is not a program to recycle. My local recycling center has refused to accept the pods. I have been mixing the Peet's pods with the Nespresso ones and sending the bags to the Nespresso recycling hub.
BOTTOM LINE: Peet's Nerissimo is dark, strong and just flat; best with some cream or ice cream. For the money and richer, livelier flavors, stick with Nespresso. So says this sad Peetnik.
I decided to try Peet's Coffee Espresso Capsules in my Nespresso maker. I love Nespresso - but as of late - their quality control has been off and I have received damaged capsules. I have had Peet's Coffee on trips to San Francisco and thought why not try it out! The capsules fit just fine in my coffee maker. And the result is a coffee with a very nice crema. Taste is good (I have only tried #'s 8 and 9 so far). I prefer to drink my coffee as a latte each morning and the Peet's works well. I will say that the original Nespresso capsules have a richer taste - but overall I think Peet's has made an excellent coffee and one that I will definitely buy again.
Feature Product
- Explore all 4 of our dark, rich espresso blends: Nerissimo, Ristretto, Crema Scura, & Ricchezza. This sampler pack contains a 10-count carton of each of our single cup coffee pod varieties. Capsules are compatible with the Nespresso Original brewer
- COMPATIBLE WITH THE NESPRESSO ORIGINAL: The boldness of Peet's signature dark espresso is now available in a convenient capsule designed to fit your Nespresso Original brewer. These pods will deliver the perfect at-home espresso every time.
- ALUMINUM CAPSULES: Hermetically sealed to preserve aromas and deliver a more intense espresso experience and a richer, smoother, and creamier foam. Check out Peet's website for our mail-back recycling program. Availabe from October 2018.
- 100% ARABICA COFFEE: Delve into a deeper kind of dark with the complexity and nuances of our signature dark espresso in convenient capsules that fit Nespresso Original. Each capsule delivers the high-quality coffee that consumers expect from Peet's
- Designed for the Nespresso Original brewer for a superior single cup coffee pod experience. Try Peet's Coffee Espresso Capsules if you've enjoyed products by Nespresso, Lavazza, Bestpresso, Starbucks Verismo, Solimo, Dolce Gusto, Illy Iperespresso
Description
Intense espresso enthusiasts, this is for you. Now you can delve into a deeper kind of dark, with every nuance and complex note of Peet’s signature dark espresso now available in a convenient capsule
Finally, a non-Nespresso pod that has great taste AND consistently works in Nespresso machines.
I usually buy Nespresso pods, as I love the taste. In the interest of cost-effectiveness, however, I have tried many (most) of the other options for Nespresso machines. I have been disappointed based on the taste many times, and then there are those others brands that are decent coffee, but the pods are constructed primarily of plastic. Not sure if my Nespresso machine is unusually aggressive, but I end up with multiple mangled pods, and just colored water in my cup.
Peet's capsules taste just like the coffee in its shops, and the pods are metal (like branded Nespresso.) I have ordered dozens of these, and have never had one malfunction.
Bought these pods for my Nespresso Essenza. Worked well--no problems with the quality, fit, etc.
HOWEVER, two things that I'd like PEET's to address here:
1) The pods are NOT recyclable. Forums state that Nespresso will discard any third party pods sent to them for recycling. Peet's really needs to come up with a program for recycling.
2) I understand the packaging says "Made in France. Distributed by Peets" or something to that effect (I threw my packaging away then found this out later through research). So is this really Peet's coffee, known and loved by many...? I'm dubious. Is this just Peet's *name* applied to a non-Peet's product?
Had a meltdown in a Nespresso store over the price of pods... really! In Europe where I commute, they are half the price and its just maddening to spend that much for an espresso. Monthly, its nuts! So I have begun the hunt for a different, more reasonable and rich capsule. Peets (from whom I have had coffee for years) is right up there in the running for the ribbon; perfect fit in the machines, rich and robust and creamy head in each cup. And the price is right! Will be trying other brands over the next few weeks but of the 4 I have used so far, Peets leads!
So, Nespresso is kind of my secret guilty pleasure. Despite taking my coffee, and especially my espresso semi-seriously -- I roast my own beans and have a reasonably good grinder and semi-automatic machine -- I find myself making Nespresso several times a day. I've got a machine in the kitchen, one in my office, and one in my shop. I've got machines at or other residences. I've even got a small Nespresso machine on the bookshelf next to my bed, so I can have my first shot of the day lying in bed -- ah, luxury!
The thing is, while I can certainly make a better espresso the traditional way, it's a bit of a bother! Each time I roast new beans I have to dial the grinder and the machine in again. And even then, the quality of my shots is somewhat inconsistent (admittedly this is probably due as much to my skill or lack thereof as it is to the equipment). And of course it's messy - despite my best efforts I always end up with coffee grounds on the counter. So I find myself going to the trouble of making the real thing only on weekends or when we have company. The thing about Nespresso is it's trivially easy, 100% consistent, and -- while it's by no means as good as the best I can do the hard way, it's really not bad at all.
That is Nespresso (tm), though. Nespresso-"compatible" capsules? The ones I've tried, and I've tried a few, *are* bad -- generally *really* bad. Stale, crema-less, bitter slop.
Until now, that is. I'm happy to say that the Peet's capsules are just fine - at least as good as the run-of-the-mill Nespresso "grands crus" (there are a few lines of Nespresso capsule that are a step above in my opinion). I suspect, although I can't confirm, that this is because Peet's capsules, like the real Nespresso capsules, are packed under nitrogen, unlike the compatible capsules I've run into in the past, so the coffee doesn't go stale. And of course I'm sure they use good, relatively freshly-roasted coffee, although today's Peet's has come a long way from the daily-roasting store I remember from my Berkeley years!
Unfortunately, the per-capsule price of the Peet's coffee is essentially the same as that of Nespresso capsules, that is to say, pretty expensive. I remember not that long ago when Nespresso capsules were about 40 cents each, but they, like the Peets capsules, are almost twice that now. At about 5 grams of coffee per capsule, that's over $60 a pound! By comparison, I can get roasted beans at my local Peet's for $15/pound, and I typically pay under $10/pound for green beans. Now, I know it's not a fair comparison -- I'm paying for consistency and convenience. But I'm fairly sure that the $0.70/capsule price point covers a fat profit margin (it wasn't that long ago, as I said, that Nespresso capsules were 40 cents each).
Despite the fact that they seem to be pretty much as good as the real thing, therefore, I am not particularly likely to purchase Peet's capsules in the future for the simple reason that they are no cheaper than Nespresso capsules, and Nespresso has such a variety of capsules available at any given time that I'm not likely to get bored with their selection. Now if Peet's, or another roaster able to match the Peet's/Nespresso quality level, were able to set a significantly lower price point it would be a different story - I'd be all over them.
This was supposed to have been a lightning deal, so I thought to try it, but somehow it never happened. It would of been a fantastic deal too. I was upset that I didn't get the lightning deal and I got a refund. But when I tried them, wow, these are great. I was quite surprised. The capsule were made exquisitely with alot of attention to details on how it looks too. And for taste, another wow, it had great taste no bitterness, aroma as it comes out of the machine and well body with very nice crema too. So if you can afford to purchase at normal price, you will not be disappointed. For the rest of us, I will wait patiently for any future lightning deal or discount if it ever happens.
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