The world of coffee offers many options, but the main choice is between pods and capsules. This dilemma involves coffee lovers who have to navigate through the various offers without fully understanding the differences.

Differences in Materials: environmental impact and compatibility

The first significant distinction between pods and capsules concerns the environmental aspect. While pods are compostable and biodegradable, thanks to their paper casing, capsules present a recyclability problem. Capsules, made of aluminium and plastic, accumulate in undifferentiated waste, with over a billion of them consumed every year in Italy alone. This has a significant environmental impact, with around 12,000 tonnes of capsules ending up in landfills.

Moreover, the variable shape of the capsules can cause incompatibility with some coffee machines, making the choice of pod more versatile. The pod, characterised by its round and flat shape regardless of brand, fits all coffee machines, offering convenience and universal compatibility.

What Drinks Can You Get?

Thanks to their versatile construction, capsules allow a wide range of drinks to be prepared, from espresso to cappuccinos. However, the

 plastic casing can release toxic substances in contact with heat. On the other hand, pods offer high-quality coffees, such as Arabica or single-origin, and allow the preparation of herbal teas and flavoured coffees. To date, they do not support soluble ingredients such as milk powder or drink concentrates in powder form.

The difference in quality between the two options is obvious, with pods not masking the true flavour and quality of the coffee, unlike capsules that can mask the original taste by adding inferior blends.

Their Operation: Practicality and Use

The way pods and capsules are used is another point of divergence. The capsules are inserted into the machines, where pressurised water dispenses the coffee through a special hole. Pods, on the other hand, are inserted into the filter holder of the machine, where water passes through the porous surface of the pressed coffee, creating a hot drink that flows directly into the cup. Removal of the pods is manual, while the capsules are ejected automatically or manually into a dedicated reservoir.

The Price of Pods and Capsules: a determining factor

Finally, price plays a key role in the choice between pods and capsules. Pods tend to be cheaper, with costs per kilo that can be considerably lower than capsules. Capsule machines, on the other hand, often have a lower initial cost, due to production in low-cost countries such as China. Pod machines, often produced in southern Italy, benefit from quality materials and more complex extraction technology.

Thus, although pods and capsules may seem superficially similar, their differences are obvious. The choice between the two options depends on personal preference, respect for the environment and the quest for superior coffee quality. In a context where sustainability and health play an increasingly important role, pods emerge as a conscious and environmentally friendly choice.

Aroma’s choice

For all the above reasons, our company has always made a conscious choice, moving towards the production of coffee machines that use pods instead of capsules. Our decision was driven by the desire to not only offer a superior coffee experience in terms of flavour and quality, but also to embrace a philosophy of environmental sustainability.

Choosing to produce pod-compatible coffee machines is a testament to our commitment to reducing negative environmental impact. The pods, which are biodegradable and compostable, fit perfectly with our vision of promoting environmentally friendly practices and preserving our precious ecosystem.

Our decision is not only motivated by respect for the environment, but also by an awareness of the quality of coffee that the pods offer. With a range of premium blends, we are proud to offer our customers an authentic taste experience, without compromising on coffee quality.

In a world where the choice of sustainable, high-quality products is becoming increasingly important, we believe that offering coffee pod machines is an appropriate response to the needs of conscious consumers. We will continue to pursue this path, helping to promote a more sustainable and fulfilling way of enjoying our beloved coffee, one cup at a time.