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How to choose ESE coffee pods
Choosing comes down to three checks. First, that your machine takes E.S.E. pods rather than capsules. Second, the roast you like: medium for a smooth everyday shot, dark for a fuller, richer one, or decaf. Third, how many you drink, because the 200 pack costs less per shot than the 18 packs.
E.S.E. stands for Easy Serving Espresso, an open standard for single-shot paper pods. Each pod holds about 7 g of ground coffee sealed in filter paper in a 44 mm round, so a machine built for the standard brews a shot without grinding, dosing or tamping. illy developed the format, and a consortium of roasters and machine makers has looked after the standard since 1998.
Check that your machine takes E.S.E. pods
E.S.E. pods need a machine, or a pod filter basket, designed for them. Check your manual for E.S.E. pods, or look for a separate pod basket that came in the box. Many De'Longhi owners search for ESE pods: if your machine's manual lists E.S.E. pods, these will fit. They are not capsules, so they will not work in Nespresso or other capsule machines. Choosing a machine? Browse our home manual coffee machines.
Pick a roast
- Medium roast: illy describes its Classico blend as smooth, with notes of caramel, orange blossom and jasmine. Available as an 18 pack or a 200 pack.
- Dark roast: illy's Intenso is fuller-bodied, with notes of cocoa and dried fruit. Choose it if you like a stronger, richer shot.
- Decaf: notes of caramel, chocolate and toasted bread, with caffeine no higher than 0.1%.
illy says all three are 100% Arabica.
Choose a pack size
The 18 packs suit trying a roast or an occasional coffee. If you have a pod every day, the Medium Roast 200 pack costs less per shot, and orders over $200 ship free.
Pods or beans?
Pods trade choice for convenience: every shot is pre-dosed, so you need no grinder, scales or tamper. If you want more roasters and roasts to choose from, or want to adjust your dose and grind, look at coffee beans and a coffee grinder instead.
Used pods
illy says its E.S.E. pods are industrially compostable to the EN 13432 standard and can go in organic waste where local rules allow. Check what your council accepts in its food and garden bin.
FAQs
What are ESE coffee pods?
ESE (Easy Serving Espresso) pods are single-shot paper pods made to an open standard. Each 44 mm pod holds about 7 g of ground coffee sealed in filter paper. Any machine built for the standard can brew them, whichever roaster made the pod. illy developed the format, and a consortium of roasters and machine makers has protected the standard since 1998.
Do ESE pods fit De'Longhi coffee machines?
They fit De'Longhi machines designed for E.S.E. pods, which usually means the machine came with a separate pod filter basket. Check your manual: if it mentions E.S.E. pods, any E.S.E. pod will fit, including the illy pods on this page. If your machine has only standard single and double baskets, check with the manufacturer before using pods in it.
Can I use ESE pods in a Nespresso machine?
No. Nespresso machines brew their own capsule format, and an E.S.E. pod is a flat 44 mm paper pod, not a capsule, so it will not work in them. If you have a Nespresso machine, look for Nespresso-compatible capsules instead. E.S.E. pods are for espresso machines, or pod baskets, designed for the E.S.E. standard.
Are ESE pods the same as coffee capsules?
No. Capsules are usually plastic or aluminium and made for one brand's system. E.S.E. pods are paper, and the standard is open, so pods from any roaster that follows it fit any E.S.E. machine. People often search for "ESE capsules", but the product is a soft paper pod.
Are illy ESE pods compostable?
illy says its E.S.E. pods are industrially compostable under the EN 13432 standard, and that used pods can go in organic waste where local rules allow. Industrial composting is not the same as home composting, so check whether your council accepts coffee pods in its food and garden bin.
Where can I buy ESE coffee pods in Australia?
You can order illy E.S.E. pods here, and we ship Australia-wide. Orders placed by 3pm Melbourne time on a business day are dispatched the same day. Delivery is a flat $9.95 on orders under $200 and free over $200. For more coffee options, see our coffee beans, ground coffee and capsules.