Nespresso® compatible capsules: what compatibility means and how to choose

Capsules for Nespresso® machines: what this guide covers

Nespresso® machines can be found in many homes, offices and kitchens, and those who use them often wonder which capsules they can choose.

Besides the original capsules, there are many capsules from other roasters, designed specifically for these machines.

This means that a single machine can be used with different blends, brands and versions, from milder to more distinctive ones.

It is this variety that leads many people to compatible capsules, as a way to discover new flavours without changing machine.

In this guide we explain what compatible means and how the Nespresso® Original and Nespresso® Vertuo systems differ.

We also look at the materials the capsules are made of and at the wide range of Italian coffee blends.

At the end we suggest a few simple ways to start exploring new flavours.

Compatible capsules are useful for those who are still discovering different blends, and for those who have long had a favourite coffee and wish to taste what other roasters offer.

There is no need to settle on one brand for good: capsules from different producers can be tried in turn, depending on mood and occasion.

All the capsules described here can be found in our Nespresso® compatible capsules section.

This section includes capsules from several brands, in different blends and in packs of different sizes.

To choose, it is enough to know which system your machine uses and what information the pack gives.

The choice of coffee depends on personal taste, so there is no single blend that suits everyone.

What compatible means

The word compatible appears on the packaging of many capsules and means that the capsule has been designed for the machines of a particular system.

In this case it refers to the machines of the Nespresso® Original line.

Compatible capsules are made by other companies, often roasters, who prepare their own blends in a format that fits these machines.

Compatibility therefore concerns the format of the capsule, that is, whether it suits the machine of that system.

The word compatible tells you about the fit with the machine, while the taste of the coffee is described by the blend and by the information on the pack.

Nespresso® is a registered trademark of its owner.

Compatible capsules are made by other companies and are not products of that brand.

The name of the system on the pack only indicates which machines the capsule is intended for.

In this way, already in the shop or in the product description, you can check whether the capsule has been prepared for your machine.

The Nespresso® Original system is an open system: besides the original capsules, a wide range of compatible capsules from other producers is available.

The format of the capsule is therefore a common point of reference for producers, and each of them creates its own blends and its own flavour versions.

This allows blends to be chosen according to personal taste, from the ranges of many roasters.

It is worth adding that a capsule can behave a little differently from one machine model to another.

If in doubt, the Maracatú team will gladly help.

Nespresso® Original or Vertuo: two different systems

Under the Nespresso® name there are two different systems: Original and Vertuo.

They may look similar, but they use different capsules.

The names of the two systems are similar, so they are easy to confuse if you do not pay attention to the full model name.

The Vertuo system uses dedicated capsules and is not compatible with the Original format.

Capsules designed for one system are not intended for the other, so before ordering it is worth making sure that the product description names the right system.

The compatible capsules described in this guide are intended for Nespresso® Original machines.

For this reason, before buying, it is worth checking which system your machine uses.

The model name is usually found on the machine itself or in the instruction manual.

From it, you can tell whether the machine belongs to the Original line or to the Vertuo line.

If the model name does not settle the question, you can ask our team.

Those planning to buy a new machine can already decide which system suits them better, because the later choice of capsules depends on it.

It is worth keeping the packaging or a note with the model name of your machine, so that you can quickly check the system for later purchases.

Those looking for a new machine can browse our Nespresso® machines section.

Knowing your system makes the choice easier and allows you to pick capsules with more confidence.

What capsules are made of

Capsules differ in the taste of the coffee and in the material they are made of.

Depending on the producer, they may be made of aluminium, plastic or compostable materials.

Our range includes aluminium capsules as well as capsules made of other materials.

Each of these materials has its own characteristics, and the choice depends on personal preference.

When choosing capsules, some people pay attention to the material they are made of, because the way a used capsule is handled may depend on it.

Information about the material is usually given on the pack or in the product description.

On the pack the producer also indicates how to dispose of the used capsule.

Sorting rules can vary depending on the material and on the municipality.

It is therefore useful to read the producer's instructions and to check local rules.

Some producers label their capsules as compostable, and the label applies to the specific product, so the description on the pack remains the best source of information.

We say more about this in our article on what to do with used capsules.

Taste and intensity: the variety of Italian blends

For many people the greatest appeal of compatible capsules is the variety of flavours.

Italian roasters prepare many blends with different characters: some milder, others more distinctive.

Our range includes capsules from the Caffè Borbone brand, in several blends.

There are also Lavazza capsules, from a well-known Italian coffee brand.

To these we add our own brand, Maracatú, with several blends, including a decaffeinated version.

A few blends of similar character from different producers can be tried one after another and compared, to see which suits our taste best.

Each producer has its own style and its own way of describing its blends.

Taste descriptions, such as notes of cocoa or fruit, are a guide, and the perception of flavour can be subjective.

The same applies to the intensity scale: each producer sets its own, and we explain how to read it in our guide to the coffee label.

For this reason it is simplest to compare coffees within the same brand.

Decaffeinated versions are intended for those who wish to reduce caffeine.

The decaffeination process greatly reduces caffeine but does not remove it completely.

Decaffeinated versions are usually clearly marked on the pack.

The choice of blend depends on taste and on how we like to drink our coffee.

How to start: a few practical suggestions

To begin, you can choose a few different blends and try them one after another.

You can start with a blend close to a coffee you already know well, and then gradually move on to others and compare the differences.

The capsules come in packs of different sizes, so you can begin with a smaller one.

If several people drink coffee at home, each can have a favourite blend of their own, and compatible capsules make it easier to cater for different tastes.

It can help to note down impressions, for example the name of the blend and what you liked about it.

Over time this makes it possible to identify favourite flavours and return to them easily.

It is also good to allow time for discovery, because the taste of a blend is often easier to judge after a few cups than after one.

It is a good idea to keep capsules tidy, for example in a dedicated holder such as those in our capsule and pod holders section.

This makes it easier to choose the blend that suits the time of day.

It is also worth remembering the machine itself: regular descaling, using products from the filters and descalers for coffee machines section, helps keep it in good condition.

The descaling instructions are given by the machine's manufacturer in the manual.

In short, compatible capsules offer a wide choice of blends from different roasters for Nespresso® Original machines.

Before buying, it is worth checking the system of your machine, reading the pack and trying a few options, to find the flavour closest to your own taste.

If you are unsure whether a capsule suits your machine, contact us: the Maracatú team is always happy to help you choose.