How To Use Espresso Capsules Without a Machine

No Coffee Machine, No Problem: How to Use Espresso Capsules Without A Machine

So your Nespresso machine broke down. Or maybe you have some incompatible coffee capsules. Perhaps you’re out camping or in a situation where a coffee machine would be impractical and you are asking yourself, can you use your espresso capsules without a machine?

No matter the situation, you should still be able to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee, and with a couple of Gourmesso capsules at hand, you are halfway there!

 

Here is a list of all the ways you can begin making coffee from espresso capsules without a machine.

Dunk Your Espresso Capsules

If you have a compostable coffee capsule, you might be able to brew coffee directly from your cup.

Simply remove the pod from its packaging and place it in your mug, and carefully pour hot water over it.

Stop at about a third to half an inch from the brim and allow the pod to steep. If it starts to float, use a spoon to hold it underwater. 

Stir the brew occasionally, making sure to keep the pod submerged. If you do not steep the pods properly, your coffee won’t be as smooth and flavorful.

Note: Steep times determine the strength of your coffee: 

• 2 to 3 minutes will make a mild drink,
• 4 minutes will make a standard brew, 
• 5 to 6 minutes will make a strong cup of coffee.

Turn Your Coffee Capsules into Coffee Bags

Here you will need the grounds from your coffee capsule, a filter, string, and something to secure the filter closed (like a stapler), to make a coffee bag.

Note: Use a string free of any coatings that could melt into your coffee, altering the flavors. 

Empty the coffee grounds into a filter. For best results, use a single-use white paper filter for tea. 

Coffee filters work fine. But they take longer because they have lower flow-through rates. Tea filters, on the other hand, have almost zero flow retention.

Secure the filter using the string and place it in your mug. Leave a bit of string hanging over your cup like you would a teabag.

Boil some water, place the coffee bag in your mug and gently pour the hot water over it.

Steep your coffee for at least 4 minutes for a standard brew. Also, remember to gently agitate the coffee bag as it brews for proper hydration.

French-Press Your Coffee Capsules

The grounds from espresso capsules are a little finer than you would typically use in a French Press. Still, they make excellent coffee.

Carefully cut your Espresso pod open and empty the grounds into your French Press. Depending on how much coffee you want, you might need to use multiple pods.

Once you have emptied your pods into your French Press, bloom the grounds.

That is, saturate the roasted grounds with about a third of your hot water. This opens the more nuanced flavors and aromas found in your coffee for easier extraction.

Blooming coffee in a French Press

After 20 seconds of blooming, pour in the rest of the water and steep.

Just as with “the coffee bag” and “the dunked Espresso capsule,” the longer you steep, the stronger the flavor.

However, we have found that four to five minutes yields the best results.

After your desired brew time, push the plunge filter down to strain your coffee and serve immediately.

The Cowboy Method

This is a traditional American way to make coffee. It is also the most ideal method if you have no access to the tools from the previous methods.

All you need is some water, a source of heat, your coffee capsules, some cups, and a pot or kettle.

To make your coffee, place 6 ounces of water for every cup of coffee into your pot and bring it to a boil.

Extract the coffee grounds from your espresso pods, using one pod for every 6 ounces of water. But you can adjust this ratio to suit your preference.

When the water starts to boil, remove it from the heat and set it aside for 30 to 60 seconds. This will bring the temperature down to about 200℉—the ideal temperature for brewing coffee.

Add your coffee grounds to the water and stir for 15 seconds. Allow your coffee to rest for two minutes, then stir again and allow another two minutes rest.

The intermittent stirring gives your coffee enough to brew. It also helps unlock those delicious coffee flavors we all love.

After the final two minutes are up, your coffee is ready!

Gently pour your coffee into your mug, being careful not to get too many grounds in your cup. But then again, this is a classic feature of cowboy coffee.

Alternatively, if you have access to a fine sieve or clean muslin cloth, you can use that to strain out your coffee.

Pro Tip: If you’re using a cast-iron pot or kettle:

“Make sure that the coffee pot you get is well-seasoned to get the best flavor out of it.”
Kent Rollins, Red River Ranch Cowboy Cooking

The Rules of Making Espresso Pod Coffee

Whatever the circumstances, you should never settle for a subpar brew.

Less than ideal brewing situations can still yield great coffee. Well, as long as you have access to hot water (between 195℉ and 205℉) and good quality coffee capsules.

Espresso capsules help maintain ideal ratios for coffee brewing. The coffee is already roasted, ground, and measured. All you need to do is pay attention to how much water you use.

Upgrade Your Espresso Pod Game

A busted Nespresso machine, blackout, or remote camping situation should not get in the way of your daily dose of caffeine. But with some espresso capsules, you’re well on your way to that smooth, delicious cup of coffee.

This is where Gourmesso steps in.

Gourmesso is an industry leader in Nespresso OriginalLine Machine compatible coffee pods. We offer coffee for people who want more from their coffee capsule experience and also save quite some money on their "Nespresso Coffee hobby".

We have a curated selection of pods, ranging from dark to medium and light roasts. Our coffee pods contain perfectly roasted Arabica and Robusta beans from Central America and South America.

We also have multiple Lungo, Decaf, and flavored blends to cater to your every need.

To buy some Gourmesso coffee capsules, visit our online store, or place your order through our mobile app.

All orders over $40 will be delivered free of charge in the United States and Puerto Rico.

You can also create a customer account for your order and collect redeemable points with every purchase.

For more information about our selection or the ordering process, contact our team of coffee experts today.