Each brand has its own style: Lavazza's Italian espresso , made in Turin since 1895; 's Carte Noire's blend of nine Arabica beans pure Arabica , a French brand created in 1978; illy , made in Trieste since 1933; and Kimbo's Neapolitan espresso . All are available in Nespresso Original format.
Roaster in Turin since 1895. Its Maestro collection in aluminum: Classico and Lungo , 100% Arabica, and Ristretto , Arabica and Robusta, in boxes of 100 capsules (10 cases of 10).
French brand created in 1978, known for its pure Arabica. Three aluminium capsules, 100% Arabica, in boxes of 30: Lungo N°6, Espresso N°7 Classic and Espresso N°9 Intense.
Roaster from Trieste since 1933. Its blend of nine Arabica in aluminium capsules: Espresso Classico, with notes of caramel, orange blossom and jasmine, and Lungo Intenso, in boxes of 10 and 100.
Neapolitan espresso : Kimbo was born in Naples in 1963. Barista 100% Arabica, Napoli and Ristretto, in boxes of 30 capsules.
Four key points to consider when choosing your Nespresso compatible capsules.
Our compatible capsules are in the Nespresso Original : Essenza, Inissia, Pixie, CitiZ, Lattissima, Creatista, and the Original models from Krups, De'Longhi, or Magimix. They are not compatible with Vertuo, which use larger capsules with a barcode. Some brands also exclude certain models: illy, for example, excludes Nespresso U, Expert, and Prodigio machines purchased after July 25, 2016.
Lavazza, Carte Noire and Kimbo rate the intensity of their capsules from 1 to 13, each on its own scale: from mild long coffee, like the Lavazza Maestro Lungo (5/13) or the Carte Noire Lungo N°6 (6/13), to full-bodied ristretto, like the Lavazza Maestro Ristretto or the Kimbo Ristretto (12/13).
100% Arabica capsules produce a smoother, more aromatic cup: Lavazza Maestro Classico and Maestro Lungo, the three Carte Noireblends, illy's nine-Arabica blend, and Kimbo Barista. Robusta adds body, crema, and bitterness: Lavazza Maestro Ristretto blends Arabica and Robusta.
capsules Carte Noire , and illy aluminum, which protects the coffee from light and oxygen. In France, since 2023, all packaging should be placed in the yellow recycling bin, according to your local council's guidelines; empty the coffee grounds beforehand if possible, as they will be composted.
In Nespresso Original format:
No, only in Nespresso Original machines : Essenza, Inissia, Pixie, CitiZ, Lattissima, Creatista, and the Original models from Krups, De'Longhi, or Magimix. Vertuo machines (Vertuo Next, Vertuo Pop, VertuoPlus, etc.) use larger capsules with a barcode that the machine reads: our compatible capsules are not suitable for these machines.
The range name is written on the machine or in its instruction manual. Some brands also exclude certain Original models: illy, for example, indicates that its capsules are not compatible with Nespresso U, Expert, and Prodigio machines purchased after July 25, 2016.
The format is the same, but the coffee itself is different: a compatible capsule is made by a different roaster, using their own blends, such as Lavazza (Turin), Carte Noire (France), illy (Trieste), or Kimbo (Naples). Lavazza and illy specify that they are not affiliated with Nespresso.
Lavazza Maestro, Carte Noire , and illy capsules are made of aluminum, like Nespresso capsules. The price per capsule for each product is displayed on its product page.
The price depends on the brand and the size of the box; each product page displays the price of the box and the price of the capsule. For example, Lavazza Maestro Classico in a box of 100 (€30, or €0.30 per capsule) or Carte Carte Noire Espresso N°7 Classique in a box of 30 (€9.70, or €0.32 per capsule).
For regular consumption, the Lavazza customizable pack includes at least three 100ml boxes, chosen from the three Maestro varieties.
Depending on the cup you like, on each brand's intensity scale of 1 to 13:
illy and Kimbo capsules complete the selection, with illy's blend of nine Arabica beans and Kimbo's Neapolitan espresso.
Lavazza Maestro , Carte Noire , and illy capsules are made of aluminum , a recyclable metal. In France, since 2023, all packaging should be placed in the yellow bin : follow your local council's instructions, and empty the coffee grounds beforehand if possible; they go in the compost.
For the other capsules, follow the sorting instructions printed on the box.
In France, the use of compatible capsules is not sufficient to exclude liability. In 2014, at the request of theCompetition Authority (decision of September 4, 2014), Nespresso committed to rewriting its warranty clause: it also applies to capsules of another brand, unless the damage was caused by these capsules, and it is then up to the machine manufacturer to prove it.
The terms of your warranty are detailed in the machine's instruction manual. As with any coffee machine, descale it regularly.
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