arabica or an arabica and robusta blend? There are two main coffee varieties ruling the world nowadays: arabica and robusta. Arabica has numerous different subspecies characterised by various flavours. Compared to robusta, it’s generally more delicate, subtle and marked by fruitier notes. Robusta, on the other hand, is intense, bitter, characterised by the taste of grain and a narrower flavour palette in general. Interestingly, robusta also contains more caffeine.

To improve your capsule coffee ritual even further, you can look through some accessories and extras available here at Coffee Friend: Nespresso capsule holders. Depending on your preferred brewing method, choose beans of a darker or lighter roast. The latter are best suited for drip or pour-over coffee makers, while beans of a medium or medium dark roast are perfect for espresso machines and moka pots. You should also keep in mind that light-roasted coffee is usually fruitier and more acidic, while the darker the roast is, the more bitter the prepared drink will be. Based on a Growing RegionGiven how popular and well-established the Nespresso capsule system is, the particularly wide selection of Nespresso-compatible pods available shouldn’t seem weird at all. The task of choosing the right pods for you may hence seem a bit daunting—which is why we’ve listed some of the things that are definitely worth paying attention to: Type of coffee used.

There are many types of coffee, but the most common and popular are these three: Arabica, Robusta and Liberica. Encountered more and more frequently on various products, this label means that the companies involved in exporting this particular coffee are part of the fair trade movement, which seeks to fight worker exploitation, base trading activities on transparency, and hence improve the lives of people working in developing countries. In accordance with the principles of fair trade, coffee farmers are paid a decent living wage and their human rights are ensured. We’re proud to see our range of Nespresso-compatible Fair Trade pods expanding each year. Nespresso capsules with the Rainforest Alliance label.

More and more attention is being paid nowadays to sustainable farming methods. Those who like organic produce might want to take a look at our selection of organic Nespresso pods: the coffee in them originates from organic farms and has been grown without any fertilisers and with special care being taken to preserve the surrounding environment. Nespresso pods with the Fair Trade label. Friends Central Perk café au lait pods Ingredients: milk powder (82%) (skimmed milk powder, whole milk powder), coffee (17%) (instant coffee 16%, roast and ground coffee 1%), anti-caking agent (silicon dioxide) Nutrition Our modern, elegant holders will find their place in any kitchen. In addition to adorning your coffee corner, they’ll help you save some much-needed space and make brewing coffee even more convenient. You’ll find Nespresso capsule holders of various shapes and sizes in our range of products. Coffee syrups. Not only can fans enjoy official Central Perk coffee as of today, but they’ll soon be able to stop by the Central Perk Coffeehouse set to open its doors in 2023 at a yet-to-be-revealed location! Inspired by the Central Perk, the Central Perk Coffeehouse is described as a modern-day coffeehouse imbued with the same heart and soul as the iconic setting from the series where fans (and friends) can slow down and come together over great coffee and eats. Central Perk coffee varieties

Organic coffee. Those who value organic produce will certainly appreciate organic Nescafé Dolce Gusto coffee pods: they contain coffee grown in sustainability-conscious farms, without the use of chemical fertilisers and with particular emphasis placed on protecting the environment. Nescafé Dolce Gusto“Grande Mexico Organic” is made from a blend of organic arabica and robusta beans grown in the Mexican state of Chiapas, the region known as Soconusco, where coffee cherries, surrounded by luscious forests, are given plenty of time to mature in glorious sunlight. There’s also Nescafé Dolce Gusto“Lungo Colombia” made from organic arabica beans grown in Colombia while adhering to unique local traditions. Before you make the decision on whether you’re going to buy coffee made up of 100% arabica (blend or single-origin) or whether a blend of both arabica and robusta is better suited to your taste, consider the brewing method that you’re going to use. The flavour of blends (both 100% arabica and arabica + robusta) is best unveiled by bean-to-cup machines, semi-automatic machines or moka pots. If you enjoy filter coffee or use various brewing tools, single-origin bans would be your best bet: each new brewing device will reveal different colours included in the complex, varied flavour palette of such coffee. If you decide to try specialty coffee, there’s no need to worry about the brewing method though: all preparation techniques are guaranteed to suit it. Based on the Roast Level Once coffee is ground, it’s poured into special capsules. These are made up of an external casing, a small pyramid-shaped, aluminium-coated plate on the bottom, a perforated membrane and an upper membrane. The pyramid plate ensures consistent pressure throughout the capsule, while the soft membrane above the coffee distributes the inflowing water evenly. Nescafé Dolce Gusto capsules are hermetically sealed to protect them from the effects of air and humidity—this guarantees long-lasting freshness and keeps the coffee from losing some of its flavours and aromas as time goes on.We’re constantly expanding our range of Nespresso-compatible capsules and adding new flavours to it. You’ll find both world-famous brands and exciting newcomers in our shops. Let us introduce you to our Nespresso pod manufacturers: Mokito was established in Milan over a century ago and has since grown to be synonymous with coffee of the highest quality. Currently in its fourth generation, this family of roasters is working to ensure that age-old brewing traditions are upheld, yet still coupled with innovative technologies. Our range includes Mokito coffee capsules suited for Nespresso machines. Coffee grown in different corners of the globe tends to acquire different features, and being aware of these differences may help you find the variety that’s suited best for your personal taste. For example, coffees from South or Central America are marked by classic notes of chocolate, nuts and caramel, so sworn fans of traditional coffee flavours should give Brazilian, Colombian or Mexican varieties a try. If you prefer fruity, refreshing brews, choose coffees from Africa: you’re likely to enjoy the notes of fruit and berries, as well as the light, tea-like body, characterising the varieties from Ethiopia or DR Congo. Looking for particularly deep, spicy flavours? Then coffee from Asia is definitely your best bet! Roast level. Coffee Friend’s range of products also includes handy accessories, such as coffee capsule holders. Capsule holders are an excellent tool when it comes to organising your capsules: not only do these holders make your capsules easy to see and access, but they also let you save some precious countertop space. Not to mention that capsules arranged like that look beautiful and can turn into a unique interior accent! Returning to the topic of arabica, it’s worth noting the difference between arabica blends and single-origin arabica coffees. The flavour of blends is more subtle, not as vivid as the taste of single-origin varieties. Single-origin coffees of the highest quality are referred to as “ specialty coffee” — they include some of the world’s finest varieties and are characterised by a higher number of unusual, unique tasting notes. It is particularly valued by true connoisseurs.