Illy E.S.E. Single Serve Espresso Pod Review, Tested by Food & Wine

For over a decade, I’ve methodically reached for my bag of ground coffee, filling the carafe with water and pressing ‘start’ to my brew — and my day. In the interest of time, I’ve been a drip coffee girl during the weekdays (shout out to my beloved Technivorm Moccamaster), saving the extra effort of espresso for the weekends.

Recently, however, I’ve discovered a simple, fail-proof way to pull a perfect shot of espresso in seconds. Sure, you’ve heard of Nespresso pods, but did you know you can get the same pod-shaped idea for traditional espresso machines? From Italian-favorite coffee and espresso brand illy, these single-serve espresso pods make quick work of pulling shots in a semi-automatic espresso machine— no grinding, no fumbling with manual tamping, and no real cleanup. The result is a smooth, aromatic shot in seconds.

illy E.S.E. Single Serve Espresso Pods

Amazon

Using them couldn’t be easier: The puck-like pod fits directly inside your portafilter where loose grounds typically go. (Ensure your portafilter is E.S.E — or Easy Serve Espresso — compatible.) Once inside, simply brew your espresso like you usually would. Then, enjoy! Compared to the five or so minutes it takes me to grind my beans, measure the correct amount of grounds, and tamp them in the portafilter, this process takes just seconds, and the result is a perfect ratio of coffee-to-water shot each and every time.

The pods come in a range of flavors and intensity, like Forte Dark Roast, Intenso Bold Roast, and Decaf Medium Roast, though I prefer the Classico Medium. The texture of the brew is similar to what you’d expect from tamping your own grounds, and the taste is smooth and rich with a surprisingly impressive crema. Of course, a freshly ground roast will always be superior, but for the price and convenience, I’ll take it.

They come in packs of 18 pods, which results in just 45 cents per shot of espresso. Since I know I reach for one multiple times a week, I’ve set up a convenient Subscribe & Save Amazon program, which delivers me a fresh box every three weeks.

And for those mindful about using plastic pods, these eco-friendly packed grounds come wrapped in a paper shell, similar to a tea bag, which can easily be disposed of or composted. When done brewing, simply remove it from the filter, give your portafilter a quick rinse, and pop it in the trash, compost bin, or inside a plant’s soil as fertilizer.

While nothing can beat the fresh aroma of freshly ground beans, this time-saving hack skips the headache of measuring, tamping, and cleaning the portafilter (and my countertop), so I will gladly sacrifice quality for convenience during my weekdays. Ready to streamline your morning routine, too? Grab the easy illy Single-Serve Espresso Pods for less than $10 a pack, and you won’t be disappointed.