Il Caffé Italiano Coffee, Capsules Compatible with Nespresso Original Line, Certified Genuine Single Origin Colombia Pack, 120 Espresso Pods, Crafted in Sicily

Premise: I've been living in Italy for 20 years but am spending more time in the States lately. While I'm by no means a coffee snob, I am ruined when it comes to non-Italian olive oil, salame, etc. I mean it's just way better in Italy than anywhere else!In Italy I had a lot of experience with the Lavazza and Nespresso capsules. Here in California I've been trying the capsule clone "Bestpresso", but after having purchased these Caffè Italiano capsules over a week ago, I have to say that they are way-way better.The Nespressos were good of course (seldom bitter), the Lavazzas were pretty-good (like they are in Italy), and for my machines in the States, I was buying the Bestpressos (which are really well reviewed). But now I've reached the conclusion that Bestpresso is just the most successful clone on Amazon, however a distant Number 3 in my book as they're just not as good as the originals...... But these are! I've have two of these per day for the last week, and the lack of bitterness is surprising. But most important for me was the fact that the brew didn't smell "stale" like above-mentioned competitor. Who wants to start their day with that smell?!?!?Now, I'm from California, but after living in Italy for so long I can say that no self-respecting Italian would drink coffee from a Spanish roasting company. And after reading origin on the Bestpresso box, I think that alone defines the difference in product quality I find between these Caffé Italiano (from Italy) and Bestpresso (from Spain).

Picture added of my machine and these capsules (tan) versus laza capsule (blue)I never know what my machine is compared to when buying capsules for it but never seemed to have a problem until now. We have used many knock off versions without issues in our machine. These capsules do have a bit thicker lining then others. When we run them in the machine they never give the amount pressed. They end with drippings and not frothy. At first I didn’t think much but am afraid that it may hurt my machine if the pressure is off.The taste is very bitter, coming from an avid black coffee drinker that loves espresso shots. May be unfair to rate the taste since it does not make it correct in my machine.

Updated 6 Mar 2019: I updated it from 1 star to 4 star. Reason is because, it can't be used for Lungo at all. A friend of mine mentioned its probably only for espressos and to try that when I mentioned it was clogging my machine. So I dug it out of my trash to try again. She was right. I was trying it as Lungo setting which is totally wrong for this pod brand. It has to be used as espresso setting only. It still flows slower, but it was much fuller taste and aroma, and none of that plastic taste. So it was much better at espresso settings. If you Lungo it, you will get what I had experience at my original review. Thus don't Lungo it with these pods. Espresso only and it will taste and work out fine.Original Review: Never came across a compatible pod that was this bad in my personal opinion. I tried several of the pods and flavors just to be sure and yep, these are pretty bad. Very weak, flat no body, bitter to the taste to what comes out, and at times my Nespresso machine would not push out any liquid. It actually stopped. Never before had this happened. And when it did come out, it was sporadic at times, which never happened with using other brands of compatible pods. Caution you on using these in your machine. I even had some of the grind coming out of the used pods in the back end after inspecting them. There was even a plastic smell/taste to it. I tried several pods and it had that plastic taste residual too. Sorry but tossing these, not even good to leave out for others to use.

I really had high hopes for this pack when it arrived. We are mad about Nespresso original line, been using it for 8 years and are always open to trying alternatives (and we try all the time) but the common problem when branching out is the quality of the pod, whether there’s enough grounds in it, or the seal. Well, these were so bad that none of them would get punctured and therefore would just make a huge puddle of a mess every single time. We are so disappointed, there was no return option or exchange option either. So far, Peet’s has been the only alternative brand that has not caused any issues.

The coffee tastes watery and over roasted, although there is a creama on top it is not creamy. The worst part is the pods take much longer to brew and make my machine sound like it is being overworked. The pods are plastic and the top is aluminum foil. I have had nespresso alternatives before but this one was by far the worst so far. I wouldn’t buy these again and would like a refund.

I was really exited to try this coffee. I love Colombian coffee and having a Nespresso pod was very appealing to me. I have used 3 pods so far. The coffee tastes like the cheapest coffee you could get at a dollar store. Its undrinkable. I use the lungo setting in my machine the first time, and I thought it may be too much water. I use the expresso setting to get a double shot coffee and the taste is even worst. It has a terrible taste and even worst after taste.This is definitely not a good quality coffee. Since it cannot be return I have 117 pods going into the trash.

So you went and got a Nespresso machine, so did I.. and you probably bought actual Nespresso capsules, so did I.. Look, the concept of having Espresso at home with this much simplistically is awesome, but you don’t need to go broke doing it. These are absolutely the best bang for your buck. Other reviews claim it’s like bad hotel room coffee, nonsense! Someone else claimed it doesn’t work right and broke there machine, nonsense! Personally I bought 1 package with 60 capsules, after I made my first Espresso SOLD!! I made one for my very picky Espresso loving wife, SOLD! After that first Espresso I ordered 250 boxes of 120 per box. That’s how good this Espresso is. It’s from Milan and tastes like I’m back in Italy.