- Today we're gonna talk about this, the Nespresso pod.
- Today we're gonna talk about this, the Nespresso pod.

One of coffee technology's greatest success stories.
One of coffee technology's greatest success stories.

Nestle was able to build a multi-billion dollar business
Nestle was able to build a multi-billion dollar business

turning espresso into a microwave meal.
turning espresso into a microwave meal.

It was more convenient, it was very easy to make,
It was more convenient, it was very easy to make,

but it was much more expensive,
but it was much more expensive,

and you could probably make something
and you could probably make something

better yourself, from scratch, if you had the inclination.
better yourself, from scratch, if you had the inclination.

But many people love the convenience of them
But many people love the convenience of them

and they were suddenly everywhere.
and they were suddenly everywhere.

But in 2014, Nespresso lost a patent case against Dualit
But in 2014, Nespresso lost a patent case against Dualit

and then suddenly, anyone could put their coffee
and then suddenly, anyone could put their coffee

in an Nespresso compatible capsule.
in an Nespresso compatible capsule.

And that should level the playing field.
And that should level the playing field.

I mean, sure, not every independent roaster
I mean, sure, not every independent roaster

can afford a George Clooney, but they can afford
can afford a George Clooney, but they can afford

to buy and roast a much higher quality of coffee
to buy and roast a much higher quality of coffee

than what Nespresso were putting inside the capsules.
than what Nespresso were putting inside the capsules.

But it wasn't a level playing field.
But it wasn't a level playing field.

There's more technology in these things
There's more technology in these things

that no one really talks about
that no one really talks about

and I want to get into it today
and I want to get into it today

because we can learn from it
because we can learn from it

and it's just super interesting.
and it's just super interesting.

We'll break this down into three parts.
We'll break this down into three parts.

Firstly, we'll talk about the capsule itself,
Firstly, we'll talk about the capsule itself,

then we're gonna talk about the coffee inside it
then we're gonna talk about the coffee inside it

that does things that really don't make any sense.
that does things that really don't make any sense.

And then finally, we're gonna talk about what we can learn
And then finally, we're gonna talk about what we can learn

and apply from these things into potentially,
and apply from these things into potentially,

refillable Nespresso pods if you want to use those
refillable Nespresso pods if you want to use those

or just think about our coffee brewing day to day.
or just think about our coffee brewing day to day.

So for comparison, this is a independent Nespresso capsule.
So for comparison, this is a independent Nespresso capsule.

You know, it looks very similar.
You know, it looks very similar.

You would use them in a machine like this one here.
You would use them in a machine like this one here.

This is a classic of the genre.
This is a classic of the genre.

This is the Magimix Inissia.
This is the Magimix Inissia.

I think they must have made
I think they must have made

probably millions of these things.
probably millions of these things.

They're cheap, they're everywhere.
They're cheap, they're everywhere.

I find them in hotels, still, fun places like that.
I find them in hotels, still, fun places like that.

They're very cheap to make. They're very easy to use.
They're very cheap to make. They're very easy to use.

You put water in the back, you turn'em on,
You put water in the back, you turn'em on,

you load a capsule, you push your button,
you load a capsule, you push your button,

you get coffee about 30 seconds later,
you get coffee about 30 seconds later,

from it being cold and off.
from it being cold and off.

So incredibly quick to use,
So incredibly quick to use,

but there's aspects to this
but there's aspects to this

that I think are really interesting.
that I think are really interesting.

Before we get into it,
Before we get into it,

we should look just quickly at the capsules themselves.
we should look just quickly at the capsules themselves.

Now you'll see that these are both aluminum bodied capsules.
Now you'll see that these are both aluminum bodied capsules.

They are a similar shape.
They are a similar shape.

They both have a foil lining across the top.
They both have a foil lining across the top.

If you look really closely though,
If you look really closely though,

you'll see one very small difference on the underside
you'll see one very small difference on the underside

and that's here underneath the capsule, sort of rim.
and that's here underneath the capsule, sort of rim.

On the Nespresso capsule you can see
On the Nespresso capsule you can see

a kind of silicon gasket there.
a kind of silicon gasket there.

You can't see that gasket on this independent pod.
You can't see that gasket on this independent pod.

Why would that matter?
Why would that matter?

Well, Nespresso still have the patent
Well, Nespresso still have the patent

on this little gasket piece here,
on this little gasket piece here,

and that turns out to be quite necessary
and that turns out to be quite necessary

to have a good experience with a bunch of machines
to have a good experience with a bunch of machines

out there on the market.
out there on the market.

Now if we open this thing up, it will make more sense.
Now if we open this thing up, it will make more sense.

That's what this is.
That's what this is.

I've took a broken one of these and I've dismantled it
I've took a broken one of these and I've dismantled it

so we can understand a bit more about what's going on.
so we can understand a bit more about what's going on.

Now, when you lift the handle,
Now, when you lift the handle,

move it backwards and forwards,
move it backwards and forwards,

you're moving this piece around inside.
you're moving this piece around inside.

But if I take this piece off,
But if I take this piece off,

things start to make more sense.
things start to make more sense.

When you load a capsule into this machine,
When you load a capsule into this machine,

it drops down and then you push it in here.
it drops down and then you push it in here.

And as you push it back like that,
And as you push it back like that,

the machine pierces the back in three places,
the machine pierces the back in three places,

three little holes in the back of the capsule.
three little holes in the back of the capsule.

That's where it's gonna pump water in from.
That's where it's gonna pump water in from.

Now, in order to have a good seal,
Now, in order to have a good seal,

this capsule here must fit very snugly
this capsule here must fit very snugly

against this piece here.
against this piece here.

Otherwise, water could leak
Otherwise, water could leak

from around the sides of the capsules.
from around the sides of the capsules.

Now this is an issue for independent pods
Now this is an issue for independent pods

'cause they don't have the little silicon gasket.
'cause they don't have the little silicon gasket.

And then to make life even harder for independent capsules,
And then to make life even harder for independent capsules,

well the bid that they sit against on this machine
well the bid that they sit against on this machine

is not a smooth piece.
is not a smooth piece.

It's actually got little tiny ridges
It's actually got little tiny ridges

almost as if it's designed to leak
almost as if it's designed to leak

if there isn't a silicon capsule there.
if there isn't a silicon capsule there.

Not saying that it is, I'm just saying
Not saying that it is, I'm just saying

it's an interesting choice
it's an interesting choice

to make it a kind of jagged toothed edge there.
to make it a kind of jagged toothed edge there.

This would give a strong competitive advantage
This would give a strong competitive advantage

to a Nespresso capsule in a machine like this
to a Nespresso capsule in a machine like this

because lots of independent capsules would just leak
because lots of independent capsules would just leak

and a leaky pod, well that's not a good experience.
and a leaky pod, well that's not a good experience.

That doesn't encourage you to go back
That doesn't encourage you to go back

and buy the same independent capsules again.
and buy the same independent capsules again.

It encourages you to stick with Nespresso
It encourages you to stick with Nespresso

and keep using those over and over again.
and keep using those over and over again.

Now the rest of the technology in these machines
Now the rest of the technology in these machines

is really incredibly simple.
is really incredibly simple.

You can sort of see what's going on here a little bit more.
You can sort of see what's going on here a little bit more.

This is at the base of your water tank
This is at the base of your water tank

and water's gonna get drawn in here
and water's gonna get drawn in here

through a little flow meter.
through a little flow meter.

This piece here is your pump.
This piece here is your pump.

It's your vibration pump that makes a lot of noise.
It's your vibration pump that makes a lot of noise.

There's a little board on the back
There's a little board on the back

and then the last piece of tech
and then the last piece of tech

really is this little water boiler.
really is this little water boiler.

And the real win for Nespresso as an experience
And the real win for Nespresso as an experience

is the fact that this thing gets very hot, very quickly
is the fact that this thing gets very hot, very quickly

and that the actual precision of the temperature,
and that the actual precision of the temperature,

well, it doesn't matter that much.
well, it doesn't matter that much.

With really high quality, specialty coffee
With really high quality, specialty coffee

you want a pretty narrow band of brewing temperature.
you want a pretty narrow band of brewing temperature.

If your coffee is much darker in roast,
If your coffee is much darker in roast,

having it be 80, 85, 90 Celsius
having it be 80, 85, 90 Celsius

isn't gonna massively impact the taste experience.
isn't gonna massively impact the taste experience.

You're not gonna get really sort of variable acidity
You're not gonna get really sort of variable acidity

or anything like that.
or anything like that.

You're gonna have a a surprisingly consistent experience
You're gonna have a a surprisingly consistent experience

for a massive variable in your brew temp.
for a massive variable in your brew temp.

The upside for the user is, well, within 30 seconds
The upside for the user is, well, within 30 seconds

of thinking about wanting an espresso,
of thinking about wanting an espresso,

they have one in their cup.
they have one in their cup.

And that is a kind of magical experience.
And that is a kind of magical experience.

Going back here, if you look down the barrel of this thing,
Going back here, if you look down the barrel of this thing,

you can see the little prongs that pierce the capsule.
you can see the little prongs that pierce the capsule.

So water gets pumped in there.
So water gets pumped in there.

And then the other part of the capsule
And then the other part of the capsule

sits against this thing here, this kind of waffley piece.
sits against this thing here, this kind of waffley piece.

Now this is important.
Now this is important.

It's common to all independent capsules and Nespresso,
It's common to all independent capsules and Nespresso,

but the water will pump into the back of this thing here.
but the water will pump into the back of this thing here.

But this foil initially will be sealed.
But this foil initially will be sealed.

So there'll be a period of kind of pre-infusion
So there'll be a period of kind of pre-infusion

until the pressure builds so much
until the pressure builds so much

that the foil is pressed against
that the foil is pressed against

the kind of waffley material,
the kind of waffley material,

it breaks and espresso is able to flow out.
it breaks and espresso is able to flow out.

And there's nothing very clever after this.
And there's nothing very clever after this.

There's just a a hole to a little spout
There's just a a hole to a little spout

that will then drip outta the front here.
that will then drip outta the front here.

So there's no kind of pressure control devices
So there's no kind of pressure control devices

or anything like that.
or anything like that.

They're really very simple.
They're really very simple.

Now, in response to this issue
Now, in response to this issue

with the sealing of the capsules,
with the sealing of the capsules,

well, independent businesses took an interesting approach.
well, independent businesses took an interesting approach.

They started to make their own kind of
They started to make their own kind of

independent Nespresso machines
independent Nespresso machines

that didn't have the same issue.
that didn't have the same issue.

If you open up this machine
If you open up this machine

and you can look and feel inside where the capsule sits,
and you can look and feel inside where the capsule sits,

there's actually a sort of silicon gasket
there's actually a sort of silicon gasket

that the capsule sits against
that the capsule sits against

so that it isn't going to leak.
so that it isn't going to leak.

That is very clever, it's very simple,
That is very clever, it's very simple,

but that's why there's suddenly this push
but that's why there's suddenly this push

for independent, non Nespresso branded,
for independent, non Nespresso branded,

Nespresso compatible machines.
Nespresso compatible machines.

This one's a little bit slower to use
This one's a little bit slower to use

in terms of getting hot, which I don't think is a bad thing
in terms of getting hot, which I don't think is a bad thing

because I'd rather have some more precision
because I'd rather have some more precision

and higher temperatures but it's a good example
and higher temperatures but it's a good example

of kind of fixing a weird problem
of kind of fixing a weird problem

that most people didn't know existed.
that most people didn't know existed.

But it isn't the only tech in these little capsules.
But it isn't the only tech in these little capsules.

Let's open one up.
Let's open one up.

As we look into the bottom
As we look into the bottom

of these little Nespresso capsules,
of these little Nespresso capsules,

we'll see one fundamental difference.
we'll see one fundamental difference.

You'll see in the bottom of the Nespresso sort of capsule,
You'll see in the bottom of the Nespresso sort of capsule,

it looks like there's a bunch of coffee collected
it looks like there's a bunch of coffee collected

and stuck to something.
and stuck to something.

That is basically a little piece of paper
That is basically a little piece of paper

that isn't present in this.
that isn't present in this.

You'll have seen people using things like puck screens
You'll have seen people using things like puck screens

on espresso makers or even putting a filter paper
on espresso makers or even putting a filter paper

on top of their espresso puck to help distribute the water
on top of their espresso puck to help distribute the water

more evenly across the coffee.
more evenly across the coffee.

That's basically one more little patent
That's basically one more little patent

that Nespresso have that no one else does.
that Nespresso have that no one else does.

That means they can do a better job
That means they can do a better job

of distributing the water coming in at those three points
of distributing the water coming in at those three points

With this capsule, the water will come in
With this capsule, the water will come in

at those three points and sort of shoot like three jets
at those three points and sort of shoot like three jets

of pressurized water through the coffee.
of pressurized water through the coffee.

Here, that paper will buffer that, help the spread,
Here, that paper will buffer that, help the spread,

help the evenness of the extraction
help the evenness of the extraction

and it will help make better tasting coffee.
and it will help make better tasting coffee.

We should get into brewing some coffee
We should get into brewing some coffee

because that's where things get really interesting
because that's where things get really interesting

and kind of counterintuitive
and kind of counterintuitive

and shocking to my little brain.
and shocking to my little brain.

I'll start with this.
I'll start with this.

It's the little festive edition
It's the little festive edition

Nespresso have out right now.
Nespresso have out right now.

I do enjoy the truthfulness of their taste descriptor.
I do enjoy the truthfulness of their taste descriptor.

It has one, it's not cereal, surprisingly,
It has one, it's not cereal, surprisingly,

it's woody, which for the rest of the coffee industry
it's woody, which for the rest of the coffee industry

is a straight up sort of defect word
is a straight up sort of defect word

when coffee, raw coffee gets very old,
when coffee, raw coffee gets very old,

it tends to taste a bit woody.
it tends to taste a bit woody.

So that's a weird thing to promise,
So that's a weird thing to promise,

but I'm sure they'll deliver.
but I'm sure they'll deliver.

The thing I want you to pay attention to
The thing I want you to pay attention to

is how quickly it brews.
is how quickly it brews.

(machine whirring)
(machine whirring)

(machine beeping)
(machine beeping)

So fast, so quick.
So fast, so quick.

Let's put in an independent capsule
Let's put in an independent capsule

from a specialty roaster and compare and contrast.
from a specialty roaster and compare and contrast.

(machine whirring)
(machine whirring)

(machine beeping)
(machine beeping)

So let's talk grind size.
So let's talk grind size.

This fast brewing shot, you would think,
This fast brewing shot, you would think,

okay, it's a darker roast, they're gonna grind it coarser,
okay, it's a darker roast, they're gonna grind it coarser,

it'll extract pretty well and they'll have a fast
it'll extract pretty well and they'll have a fast

but reasonably extracted shot.
but reasonably extracted shot.

Specialty coffee needs a finer grind.
Specialty coffee needs a finer grind.

It's gonna be a lighter roast.
It's gonna be a lighter roast.

We've gotta grind it much finer
We've gotta grind it much finer

and that's why this shot is slower.
and that's why this shot is slower.

Turns out you're dead wrong.
Turns out you're dead wrong.

Completely wrong, shockingly wrong.
Completely wrong, shockingly wrong.

Now we now have a fancy particle size analyzer
Now we now have a fancy particle size analyzer

here in the studio so we can actually look
here in the studio so we can actually look

at the particle size inside capsules.
at the particle size inside capsules.

And what I found was astonishing to me.
And what I found was astonishing to me.

This capsule is ground notably finer than this one here.
This capsule is ground notably finer than this one here.

On average, I think the particle size moves
On average, I think the particle size moves

between one and 200 microns finer.
between one and 200 microns finer.

This is close to a kind of normal espresso grind.
This is close to a kind of normal espresso grind.

This is actually quite a bit coarser.
This is actually quite a bit coarser.

In some cases, people might be grinding independent capsules
In some cases, people might be grinding independent capsules

because if they don't have a good seal,
because if they don't have a good seal,

the more pressure that gets built inside the capsule,
the more pressure that gets built inside the capsule,

the more likely it is to leak.
the more likely it is to leak.

But ultimately, if you go finer with specialty coffee,
But ultimately, if you go finer with specialty coffee,

with most grinding tech, you just can't have a pod
with most grinding tech, you just can't have a pod

that doesn't choke.
that doesn't choke.

You know, it would take a minute to two minutes
You know, it would take a minute to two minutes

at a grind setting like this
at a grind setting like this

because no one has the same grinder tech as Nespresso.
because no one has the same grinder tech as Nespresso.

That's kind of it. That's the interesting piece to me.
That's kind of it. That's the interesting piece to me.

Now we can look in the particle size analyzer
Now we can look in the particle size analyzer

and try and see differences in shape
and try and see differences in shape

and you might look at this initially and think,
and you might look at this initially and think,

Ooh, the Nespresso pod has more fines.
Ooh, the Nespresso pod has more fines.

It's not only finer in grind, but it's got more fines.
It's not only finer in grind, but it's got more fines.

How is that happening?
How is that happening?

But if you dive a little deeper,
But if you dive a little deeper,

you'll see that it has less fines under 30 microns,
you'll see that it has less fines under 30 microns,

which are really fine, fines.
which are really fine, fines.

And so that seems to be really key
And so that seems to be really key

in the way that these things brew and extract.
in the way that these things brew and extract.

And to be honest, I still look at that distribution
And to be honest, I still look at that distribution

and I look at the way that they brew
and I look at the way that they brew

and my brain can't quite match the two things up.
and my brain can't quite match the two things up.

This is so much coarser as a grind setting.
This is so much coarser as a grind setting.

It would feel coarser, look coarser, it is coarser,
It would feel coarser, look coarser, it is coarser,

but it brews so much slower.
but it brews so much slower.

Nestle's grinding tech
Nestle's grinding tech

is the best in the world, potentially.
is the best in the world, potentially.

They're able to do a combination of shape,
They're able to do a combination of shape,

size, distribution, whatever it needs to be
size, distribution, whatever it needs to be

to have this thing brew incredibly fast
to have this thing brew incredibly fast

but also brew with a good extraction.
but also brew with a good extraction.

Now I spoke to one roaster who said,
Now I spoke to one roaster who said,

okay, but this is just a function of darker roasts
okay, but this is just a function of darker roasts

and you just, you know, even Nespresso couldn't put
and you just, you know, even Nespresso couldn't put

lighter roasts in there and make it work.
lighter roasts in there and make it work.

This is a light roast challenge.
This is a light roast challenge.

They're always gonna brew slower.
They're always gonna brew slower.

But then Nespresso just dropped this ridiculous pod.
But then Nespresso just dropped this ridiculous pod.

Look at that fanciness. So very fancy.
Look at that fanciness. So very fancy.

Oh look, this even get the tasting card specialty.
Oh look, this even get the tasting card specialty.

There's nothing they can't steal from us.
There's nothing they can't steal from us.

Inside here are five pods.
Inside here are five pods.

'cause it's just, you just want five
'cause it's just, you just want five

because they're two pounds 15 each.
because they're two pounds 15 each.

If you wanna back solve that,
If you wanna back solve that,

the coffee in here costs roast and ground 389 pounds a kilo,
the coffee in here costs roast and ground 389 pounds a kilo,

that's what, just under $500 a kilo and it's from Nestle.
that's what, just under $500 a kilo and it's from Nestle.

Anyway, this was interesting
Anyway, this was interesting

because we analyzed the color of this thing.
because we analyzed the color of this thing.

Something else we can do here.
Something else we can do here.

We can look at roast color
We can look at roast color

on something like an Agtron scale.
on something like an Agtron scale.

And while most Nespresso is much darker than specialty,
And while most Nespresso is much darker than specialty,

this was within one Agtron point of a specialty roaster.
this was within one Agtron point of a specialty roaster.

And yet they were grinding it so much finer.
And yet they were grinding it so much finer.

It's just their tech is just better.
It's just their tech is just better.

It's just they're better at grinding coffee
It's just they're better at grinding coffee

than anyone else, putting coffee in these little capsules
than anyone else, putting coffee in these little capsules

and that feels unfair but it is the truth.
and that feels unfair but it is the truth.

We should have a little taste of this, shouldn't we?
We should have a little taste of this, shouldn't we?

Now that is a little bit slower than the rest of the pods,
Now that is a little bit slower than the rest of the pods,

but it's still pretty quick in comparison to independents.
but it's still pretty quick in comparison to independents.

Let's have a little taste.
Let's have a little taste.

First up, Woody Winter.
First up, Woody Winter.

You know, yeah, it's woody.
You know, yeah, it's woody.

It's just not that much of anything, quite surprisingly.
It's just not that much of anything, quite surprisingly.

Let's try an independent specialty pod.
Let's try an independent specialty pod.

Flavor, sweetness, texture, much better, much more complex.
Flavor, sweetness, texture, much better, much more complex.

Clearly you can taste a sort of high quality
Clearly you can taste a sort of high quality

raw material in there.
raw material in there.

Let's compare it to the very expensive, Nestle version.
Let's compare it to the very expensive, Nestle version.

Hmm, it's sort of a halfway house.
Hmm, it's sort of a halfway house.

It's not as good as this,
It's not as good as this,

but it's better than I thought it would be.
but it's better than I thought it would be.

Independent roasters are comfortably out-competing them
Independent roasters are comfortably out-competing them

in the format when it comes to flavor, but on tech,
in the format when it comes to flavor, but on tech,

not even close.
not even close.

Now from all that we've learned,
Now from all that we've learned,

I'm interested in what we can apply
I'm interested in what we can apply

to things like reusable Nespresso capsules.
to things like reusable Nespresso capsules.

Those are really popular amongst lots of people
Those are really popular amongst lots of people

and I think there are things we can definitely
and I think there are things we can definitely

kind of patch across in our understanding
kind of patch across in our understanding

So let's talk about how we apply what we've learned
So let's talk about how we apply what we've learned

to the world of reusable and Nespresso pods.
to the world of reusable and Nespresso pods.

Now, I did two things to prepare for this.
Now, I did two things to prepare for this.

Firstly, get my grind right.
Firstly, get my grind right.

I use the particle size analyzer to match my grinder
I use the particle size analyzer to match my grinder

to the Nespresso sort of particle size.
to the Nespresso sort of particle size.

Granted, I have a very fancy grinder in the studio,
Granted, I have a very fancy grinder in the studio,

a Weber EG-1 but I wanted to set myself up for success here
a Weber EG-1 but I wanted to set myself up for success here

and as you'll see, as I show you a comparison
and as you'll see, as I show you a comparison

between the two, it's pretty close, but it's not identical.
between the two, it's pretty close, but it's not identical.

I don't have the fancy roller mill grinders
I don't have the fancy roller mill grinders

that Nespresso do.
that Nespresso do.

I've got a fancy flat burr grinder. Let's see what happens.
I've got a fancy flat burr grinder. Let's see what happens.

And then I bought three different kinds
And then I bought three different kinds

of reusable capsules.
of reusable capsules.

I'll walk you through them.
I'll walk you through them.

Firstly, there's these ones here.
Firstly, there's these ones here.

It's a metal bodied sort of capsule.
It's a metal bodied sort of capsule.

It does come with a bunch of these
It does come with a bunch of these

little silicon gaskets for the back here.
little silicon gaskets for the back here.

These fall off sometimes, which is a bit annoying
These fall off sometimes, which is a bit annoying

and I assume you lose them so that's where you get extra.
and I assume you lose them so that's where you get extra.

These, when you seal them, you do so
These, when you seal them, you do so

with a little kind of sticker foil lid.
with a little kind of sticker foil lid.

Then you've got the kind of cheapest option,
Then you've got the kind of cheapest option,

which is just a kind of plastic capsule.
which is just a kind of plastic capsule.

It has a little mesh piece that folds over, clips in,
It has a little mesh piece that folds over, clips in,

and you'd brew it like that.
and you'd brew it like that.

And then thirdly, interesting approach here,
And then thirdly, interesting approach here,

these ones were metal capsules and metal lids.
these ones were metal capsules and metal lids.

It's a kind of a sort of straining mesh here.
It's a kind of a sort of straining mesh here.

And then kind of a little spout piece on the other side.
And then kind of a little spout piece on the other side.

And that came quite bizarrely, with a little tamper,
And that came quite bizarrely, with a little tamper,

a surprisingly heavy tamper.
a surprisingly heavy tamper.

Anyway, let's brew them and see what happens.
Anyway, let's brew them and see what happens.

Now when it comes to sticking, two things to note,
Now when it comes to sticking, two things to note,

one, it's quite hard to both stick
one, it's quite hard to both stick

and potentially peel off afterwards.
and potentially peel off afterwards.

I've had some issues with that.
I've had some issues with that.

And two, it's not a reusable piece.
And two, it's not a reusable piece.

These are a consumable.
These are a consumable.

This is one and done.
This is one and done.

So good news for the manufacturer,
So good news for the manufacturer,

less good news for you who's trying to cut down on waste
less good news for you who's trying to cut down on waste

or you know, non reusable things.
or you know, non reusable things.

Anyway, we've got a seal on it now
Anyway, we've got a seal on it now

and that, I think is important.
and that, I think is important.

Let's listen carefully as it brews.
Let's listen carefully as it brews.

(machine whirring)
(machine whirring)

Now you may not have known what to listen for,
Now you may not have known what to listen for,

but you can actually hear the sound
but you can actually hear the sound

of the foil breaking from the pressure built inside.
of the foil breaking from the pressure built inside.

That means that this capsule does have
That means that this capsule does have

a kind of pre-infusion moment before the rest of the brew,
a kind of pre-infusion moment before the rest of the brew,

unlike potentially, the other capsules
unlike potentially, the other capsules

that don't have a sealed end.
that don't have a sealed end.

So there's no opportunity to build the pressure up.
So there's no opportunity to build the pressure up.

Will that be an advantage?
Will that be an advantage?

Obviously the downside of these things
Obviously the downside of these things

is I will later need to retrieve the sort of hot, wet,
is I will later need to retrieve the sort of hot, wet,

dirty capsule from the capsule bin to clean it
dirty capsule from the capsule bin to clean it

and that's annoying but that's all of these.
and that's annoying but that's all of these.

So let's try this one.
So let's try this one.

(machine whirring)
(machine whirring)

(machine beeping)
(machine beeping)

Let's go with our metal top and bottom.
Let's go with our metal top and bottom.

And the instructions are not hugely clear or detailed,
And the instructions are not hugely clear or detailed,

they say fill the capsule and gently tamp.
they say fill the capsule and gently tamp.

It doesn't even fit.
It doesn't even fit.

That's another annoyance.
That's another annoyance.

I dunno why you'd make it so small.
I dunno why you'd make it so small.

(machine whirring)
(machine whirring)

(machine beeping)
(machine beeping)

This had the kind of finest filter
This had the kind of finest filter

on the exit from the capsule,
on the exit from the capsule,

which might be a bit of a sort of a crema generating device
which might be a bit of a sort of a crema generating device

in a funny sort of way 'cause this one is a little foamier
in a funny sort of way 'cause this one is a little foamier

than I might have anticipated.
than I might have anticipated.

But let's start at the beginning.
But let's start at the beginning.

Give them a taste.
Give them a taste.

To the foil lid.
To the foil lid.

Your brain assumes it'll be under extracted,
Your brain assumes it'll be under extracted,

but the ratio of an espresso pod is such
but the ratio of an espresso pod is such

that your five, six grams of coffee
that your five, six grams of coffee

are brewed with 25, 30 grams of water.
are brewed with 25, 30 grams of water.

That's a really long longo style ratio
That's a really long longo style ratio

and so, it is well extracted, it's just kind of weak.
and so, it is well extracted, it's just kind of weak.

I wouldn't say it's as good
I wouldn't say it's as good

as the independent Nespresso pod.
as the independent Nespresso pod.

Let's try the cheapest option.
Let's try the cheapest option.

Now that is under extracted still,
Now that is under extracted still,

that tastes very channely and even not enjoyable.
that tastes very channely and even not enjoyable.

I could imagine with a very dark roast,
I could imagine with a very dark roast,

you'd maybe get away with it, but anything specialty
you'd maybe get away with it, but anything specialty

definitely doesn't work for me.
definitely doesn't work for me.

Let's try our little tamped friend here.
Let's try our little tamped friend here.

It's better than this but it's not as good as this.
It's better than this but it's not as good as this.

It's okay, it's a little sour.
It's okay, it's a little sour.

It doesn't taste as evenly extracted as this one here.
It doesn't taste as evenly extracted as this one here.

It's an interesting world out there.
It's an interesting world out there.

And if you think about the sort of tech involved,
And if you think about the sort of tech involved,

none of them have the advantage
none of them have the advantage

of that bit of paper at the start
of that bit of paper at the start

evening out the flow of water through the coffee.
evening out the flow of water through the coffee.

Could you put that in yourself?
Could you put that in yourself?

I'm not sure you should, but you could.
I'm not sure you should, but you could.

But that foil seal, I think is a real strong advantage
But that foil seal, I think is a real strong advantage

when it comes to better brewing.
when it comes to better brewing.

And I think that's a real place
And I think that's a real place

that most of the independent
that most of the independent

sort of reusable pods fall down.
sort of reusable pods fall down.

And I think for most people considering
And I think for most people considering

reusable Nespresso pods at home,
reusable Nespresso pods at home,

they definitely won't have a grinder
they definitely won't have a grinder

as capable as this one
as capable as this one

and I think you're really gonna struggle with the results.
and I think you're really gonna struggle with the results.

Don't take this as a kind of endorsement of Nespresso.
Don't take this as a kind of endorsement of Nespresso.

I am fascinated and interested
I am fascinated and interested

by the technologies that they have.
by the technologies that they have.

I don't really understand how they're grinding coffee
I don't really understand how they're grinding coffee

the way that they are, but it's super interesting.
the way that they are, but it's super interesting.

But when it comes to drinking coffee,
But when it comes to drinking coffee,

I want people to support local roasters,
I want people to support local roasters,

buy incredible coffees, and be able to turn them
buy incredible coffees, and be able to turn them

easily and inexpensively into delicious coffee drinks.
easily and inexpensively into delicious coffee drinks.

I think espresso is a great way to enjoy coffee,
I think espresso is a great way to enjoy coffee,

but it's also a little bit of a hobby
but it's also a little bit of a hobby

that has, you know, a bit of a hurdle to get into it.
that has, you know, a bit of a hurdle to get into it.

You've gotta spend the money on the equipment
You've gotta spend the money on the equipment

and have the time.
and have the time.

There are other ways to make coffee
There are other ways to make coffee

that are incredibly inexpensive, hugely fun,
that are incredibly inexpensive, hugely fun,

and yield you very delicious drinks
and yield you very delicious drinks

and that's kind of what this channel is all about.
and that's kind of what this channel is all about.

But now I wanna hear from you down in the comments below.
But now I wanna hear from you down in the comments below.

I wanna hear from you if you are using reusable systems
I wanna hear from you if you are using reusable systems

and you had any joy in ways that I haven't,
and you had any joy in ways that I haven't,

are there any tips or tricks that you wanna share with me
are there any tips or tricks that you wanna share with me

and the rest of the audience?
and the rest of the audience?

And then if you just watched this to learn more
And then if you just watched this to learn more

about the technology inside there,
about the technology inside there,

well, was that interesting?
well, was that interesting?

Is there some other patent that we should have talked about?
Is there some other patent that we should have talked about?

Is there other tech that we've missed
Is there other tech that we've missed

that we should look at in the future?
that we should look at in the future?

I'd love to hear from you down in those comments below.
I'd love to hear from you down in those comments below.

But for now I will say thank you so much for watching
But for now I will say thank you so much for watching