illy E.S.E. Pods Coffee, Dark Roast

Rich dark consistent. Makes a great latte. Beautiful crema and brew.

I purchased them in mid-April 2024, and upon checking, they were manufactured on February 23, 2024. Despite being a couple of months old, I find them to be in excellent condition. With an expiration date of February 2026, they appear to have a decent shelf life ahead. Having been a dedicated consumer of illy coffee for about two decades, I was eager to try out their E.S.E. pods. While I have long used illy's iperespresso capsules, I've become increasingly mindful of the environmental impact of plastic pods. Therefore, I was pleased to discover that the E.S.E. pods offer a more eco-friendly alternative. I purchased the new espresso machine from illy that can brew ground coffee and these E.S.E. pods. As someone who values both convenience and quality, I must say, they have exceeded my expectations. The Intenso Dark Roast, in particular, provides a strong and full-bodied flavor that I thoroughly enjoy, making it an ideal choice for my morning coffee fix. I highly recommend illy's E.S.E. pods to fellow coffee enthusiasts looking for a convenient and environmentally conscious brewing option.

It does fit properly to a espresso portafilter. Coffee taste is very good because it is an Illy product. However there's not too much crema. All in all highly recommended as it is easy to discard the pouch. No mess which is a big plus!

Short version: I definitely recommend the Illy ESE pods for pod espresso machines. They create the best pod espresso, and as good as ground espresso made in many coffee shops. After replacing my former espresso machine and being happy with the good espresso it made, I decided to try the included ESE pod portafilter basket. Being dubious of any "pod", I purchased pods from a variety of manufacturers. Most were "ok", but noticeably less crema and a bit harsher. The Illy ESE pods were dramatically better. Looking for a smoother flavor profile, I tried the Classico Medium Roast. The first cup was so good I thought it was a fluke. After finishing a box of pods, I have several observations: 1. The packets keep the espresso fresh. I have not had a single pod less than fresh. 2. Tamping can adjust the flavor. Without tamping it is a nice smooth medium with crema. Tamping increases the time to extract, and therefore make it progressively stronger. 3. Single serves are single shots. You can run a second pod to make a double, but cannot use the "double" selection of the espresso maker. 4. For making an espresso martini, it is perfect! One pod per martini. I am exceedingly happy with the Illy ESE pods, and continue ordering boxes

Not an espresso expert, but I really like the taste. Not too strong, and easy to use.

I’ve ordered this twice. Both times, I received coffee that was past the “best before” date. The coffee I ordered 8/31/25 was marked “best before” the end of 2/25. The coffee I ordered 10/21/25 was marked “best before” the end of 8/25. This was not disclosed on the listing. I didn’t realize the coffee was already past the “best before” date when I received it or I would not have ordered again.

This is a great tasting and smelling espresso blend. Less cleanup than grinding and tamping grounds yourself as well. I would highly recommend this.

Handy -no measuring & quick to use.