All You Need to Know About ESE Pods

WHAT ARE COFFEE ESE PODS?

ESE stands for Easy Serving Espresso. These were invented in the 1970s to make espresso preparation at home easy.

These 44 mm pods contain 7 g of coffee wrapped in natural filter paper.

Easy to use, they allow you to make cup after cup with no fuss.

They’ve been adopted by many of the world’s leading coffee brands, including Illy, Lucaffé, Castellari, Vergnano as well as artisanal brands like Les Petits Torréfacteurs, Brulerie d’Alre and Miscela d’Oro.

Tamping

With their ideal grind size and perfectly even tamping, no more over- or under-extracted coffee! You can expect a perfect in-cup result.
In fact, tamping the coffee in a pod is the same as tamping it with a coffee tamper.

What’s more, with pods, you can say goodbye to dirty and stained countertops! And that’s no small thing.

Single-serve pods

These pods contain a single dose of coffee enclosed in filter paper. Extremely easy to use, they also guarantee better preservation and consistent, optimal results.

This coffee pod technology allows you to prepare quality coffee quickly and effortlessly.

Which machines to use with ESE pods ?

ESE pods are compatible with most manual espresso machines. In fact, they can be used with all compatible espresso machines.

But what if your coffee machine isn’t compatible, and you can’t fit ESE pods in the portafiter? Simply add an ESE filter. Filters for ground coffee and ESE pods are often the same.
Have a read of your machine’s user manual carefully, as it should be mentioned.

Which Coffee Machines Are Compatible With ESE Pods? De’Longhi, Smeg, Dualit and Breville Compared

Most manual espresso machines marked with an ESE symbol can use ESE pods straight away. According to De’Longhi’s own advice, most De’Longhi pump espresso machines accept both ESE pods and ground coffee, with ESE compatibility clearly marked on each model.

Smeg’s manual espresso machines, such as the ECF01 and ECF02, are also designed to work with both ground coffee and ESE pods, thanks to a dedicated filter basket supplied with the machine.

Some Dualit models accept 44 mm ESE pods via a compatible filter basket, though Dualit’s newer Pod Machine range is built around Nespresso®-style capsules rather than ESE, so it’s worth checking the specific model before you buy.

Breville’s espresso machines, including the Bambino range, are primarily designed for ground coffee or Nespresso-style capsules rather than ESE pods. An ESE-compatible filter basket or adaptor may be needed, so always check your model’s compatibility first.

If you’re after a cheap way to get started, a universal ESE filter basket is often the most affordable option to make an otherwise incompatible machine work with ESE pods.

ESE pods VS soft pods : What the difference ?

ESE pods are often confused with soft pods.

Soft pods , also known as pads or Senseo® pods are softer and less compact than ESE pods. With a diameter of 70 mm, they are larger than ESE pods, which are only 44 mm.

ESE pods contain 7 g of already tamped ground coffee while soft pods contain untamped ground coffee for making filter coffee.

In addition, soft pods are often less compatible with other machines. Senseo® compatible pods are usually only recommended for Senseo® coffee machines.

Popular Coffee ESE Pod Brands to Try: Illy, Lavazza, Caffè Borbone, Kimbo, Black Donkey, Coffee Sense and Pure Gusto

Beyond the artisanal brands mentioned above, several well-known names produce ESE pods for the UK market. Illy and Lavazza offer classic Italian espresso blends, while Caffè Borbone and Kimbo are popular Neapolitan-style roasters known for intense, full-bodied pods.

UK-focused brands such as Black Donkey and Coffee Sense also sell 44 mm ESE pods in variety packs, making it easy to try several roasts before committing to a full box. Specialist retailer Pure Gusto sells its own ESE pod range too, alongside single-origin and decaf options.

Whichever brand you choose, most ESE pods are available in regular and decaf versions, and many retailers offer variety packs so you can compare roasts and origins before settling on your favourite.

OUR COFFEE TIPS AND SELECTIONS: DECAF AND VARIETY PACK OPTIONS

Nocturne Decaf ESE pods x 40 – La Semeuse

Decaffeinated coffee is also available in ESE pod format! Made with 100% arabica beans decaffeinated with spring water and roasted in Switzerland, these pods are as good as regular coffee minus the caffeine! A family-run business, La Semeuse was founded in 1900 by a French family and offers unique and timeless products. With this blend of coffees from Brazil and Haiti, you’ll enjoy notes of wild berries and honeysuckle.

Santominas Brazil ESE pods x 50 – Les Petits Torréfacteurs

Are you looking for gourmet coffee made in France? We recommend Santomimas Brazil! Made from pure-origin Brazilian Arabicas, these ESE pods are smooth with notes of chocolate and roasted peanuts. Hand-roasted by French coffee artisans.

Caramel and walnut flavoured ESE coffee pods x 50 – Les Petits Torréfacteurs

Gourmet lovers, you’ll adore this flavoured coffee with sweet notes of caramel and walnut! Ideal for a gentle start to the day, or a post-lunch treat. A pure-origin Peruvian coffee, hand-roasted in France with respect for human and environmental values.

Frequently Asked Questions About Coffee ESE  Pods

What Does ESE Mean in Coffee Pods?

ESE stands for Easy Serving Espresso, a single-dose coffee pod format invented in the 1970s and now used by many manual espresso machines.

Are ESE Coffee Pods Good?

Yes: ESE pods give a consistent, well-tamped dose of coffee every time, so you get a reliable espresso without needing to master grinding or tamping. The trade-off is slightly less flexibility than grinding your own beans.

Are ESE Pods the Same as Nespresso Pods?

No. ESE pods are made from compressed ground coffee wrapped in natural filter paper, while Nespresso® capsules are sealed in aluminium or plastic and only work with Nespresso machines. ESE pods fit any compatible manual espresso machine with an ESE filter basket.

Are ESE Pods the Same as Tassimo?

No. Tassimo uses disc-shaped T Discs designed exclusively for Tassimo machines, while ESE pods are round, 44 mm paper pods that work across many different manual espresso machines.

How Much Are Coffee Pods?

Prices vary by brand and pack size: small packs of around 18 ESE pods typically start from £2 to £7, while bulk boxes of 150 to 216 pods can cost between £30 and £50, bringing the price down to roughly £0.10 to £0.30 per cup.

How to Use ESE Coffee Pods?

Simply place the pod into your machine’s ESE-compatible filter basket with the sealed side up, lock the portafilter back in place and brew as normal. There’s no need to grind, dose or tamp the coffee yourself.

What Do ESE Coffee Pods Look Like? The 44mm Espresso Paper Format

ESE coffee pods are small, round, flat pods measuring 44 mm in diameter. Each one contains 7 g of pre-tamped ground coffee wrapped in natural espresso paper, ready to drop straight into a compatible filter basket.

Although not widely used in the UK, ESE pods have real advantages when it comes to making quality espresso at home. Now that you know more, it’s time to try them out!