CRU Kafe Nespresso Compatible Pods Organic Fairtrade Coffee (Light Roast, 60)

First impression: very nice coffee smell first time I opened the very well sealed bag where the capsules were: but a bad sign: it means the capsules are not air tight and therefore the coffee scent escapes. Original Nespresso capsules are odourless. Also, after serving a coffee, a lot of water is wasted in the plastic container retrieving the used capsules: not a good seal with the coffee machine so the coffee is half wasted down the drain (not getting enough bars of pressure for a strong coffee).Secondly, and subsequently, the flavor is very weak for me ( I like strong coffee) but I purchased the strength 12 coffee and is less that my strength 4 of the genuine Nespresso capsules.No, not for me. Not again. Disappointed flavor and coffee strength.

Like many people I have a Nespresso machine that makes excellent coffee quickly. A very convenient device that happily sucks the pounds out of your wallet every time you reach for a coffee capsule.Therefore I have tried alternatives to make the whole process cheaper and less financially painful.But, it's a dammed hard task. I've tried a few different makes and even filling my own capsules but the end result is for the most part not great. It demonstrates just how much effort and science Nescafe have punted into making their coffee capsules because regardless of what trendy alternatives and suggestions abound, the fact remains that Nescafe own brand make the best cups of coffee.I like the mid sized cup of coffee - the 'Lungo' in bollock-speak. And if you set your machine up with a Nescafe Lungo cup and one of their own brand coffees you will get a pretty good end result.So moving onto these CRU caps the honest answer is that they are not as good as Nescafe ones. Using the same settings and the same cups like for (decaf Nespresso to CRU decaf) like the CRU caps are less intense and flavoursome. You don't quite get the same level of creme as well.However, they are pretty good if you knock back the water a little to intensify the brew. Certainly good enough to continue to use them over the far more expensive Nespresso caps. And the caps themselves work well with no ill effects on my machine and no leaks. They do seem to flow faster than the originals which might account for the less intense coffee perhaps.And that's the reality. These make good - but not superb - coffee, but have the extra star added because they are excellent value for money.

Hi Tommy,Your coffee was just ok. I was expecting something extremely spectacular going down the whole organic route but unfortunately it wasn't good enough to want to make me purchase it again.Perhaps I should have opted for the intense blend as the dark roast was lacking in body, punch and depth. The organic was too mild for me but that's just my palette. I know it's difficult to get a good decaf. I love your concept and would much rather buy organic coffee over the other competitors. In summary good but not amazing for the price.By the way; Aldi now sell their own rip off version of Nesspresso pods 10@£1.49 i know they're not organic but the flavour is very good and not too far off the flavour of the originals.Hope this feedback helps, maybe if yours are on special I may try the intense blend!Good luck,Regards Aletia☕️

Finanlly I was able to treat myself to a Nespresso machine because finally there are organic non-Aluminum N-compatible coffee capsules to purchase (I only consume organic food & drink). The flavours are amazing (better than the originals I find) and there is a clear difference in taste between the dark roast (milder and chocolately) and intense (stronger). I make an espresso with double water with the dark roast and hit the 'large coffee' button with the intense. Even the decaf tastes nice (which can often taste bitter). Only wish the plastic was BPA free.After many months of using these pods daily the Intenso has become my favourite. Also learnt that the plastic is indeed BPA free. So glad I have found something reasonably 'safe' so I can now use a nespresso machine. Howvever, on second thought the lid still is aluminium? My last wish would be that the coffee is mould-tested. Would open the market to all chronically ill suffering from mould-hypersensivity (me) and also to all genuine Bulletproof coffee enthusiasts (Bp. currently does not offfer nespresso capsules but all their coffee is mould tested).

I read all the reviews about this coffee and as a result ordered it when it was on special offer on Amazon. I like the Nespresso pods but they are getting more expensive so thought I'd look for an alternative. Many people commented on the fact that these work well in the Nespresso machines where others don't. Once they eventually arrived ( it took weeks!) I tried them and the coffee itself is really good. I preferred the flavour to my favourite Nespresso pod but unfortunately the pods don't allow the water through as the original ones do. I tried several to see if it was a one off and also tried putting small holes in the casing but to no avail. After waiting for ages there was only ever a very slow drip coming through and a tiny amount of coffee in the cup. To say this is disappointing is an understatement since I was so swayed by the reviews (and someone mentioned my particular model) that I ordered 2 x 100 capsules of it, which will now be disposed of. I have gone back to original Nespresso since I know these work properly. It's a shame because the coffee itself is lovely.

I have tried most of the Nespresso 'compatible' brands in a Magimix Cintz machine and, without exception, all have leaked water into the drip tray to varying degrees thus altering the intended strength of taste. CRU Kafe has, however, proved to be the exception; its capsules fit perfectly with no leakage. There are twelve capsules in each hermetically sealed bag so the question of shelf life doesn't arise especially if the bags are kept in the freezer.Taste is subjective but I rate these CRU Kafe on par with the Nespresso equivalent. So, from now on, it's goodbye Nespresso at around 35p per capsule and hello to CRU Kafe at around 29p.