An ESE (Easy Serving Espresso) pod is an espresso coffee pod in an internationally open standard format, launched by Illy in the 1990s. Specific characteristics: Diameter: 44 mm (strict standard) Coffee dose: 7 g of ground and compacted coffee Shell: biodegradable filter paper, two welded layers, individually sealed under an inert atmosphere Grind: fine, optimized for classic espresso Extraction: 25-30 seconds for ~30 ml of espresso. The ESE standard is open—any roaster can produce ESE pods, and any machine with an ESE portafilter can use them. This openness fundamentally differentiates ESE from proprietary capsule systems (Nespresso, Lavazza AMM, Dolce Gusto) that lock in the machine-pod relationship.

Standard open ESE 44 mm

ESE coffee pods

Q: Which machines are compatible with ESE pods?

ESE-compatible machines are those equipped with an ESE portafilter—either originally or via an adapter. The main ranges include: Illy—Y5, X7.1, and older ESE-dedicated ranges. Illy invented the ESE standard. Bialetti—consumer-grade portafilter espresso machines. De'Longhi—Dedica EC685, EC9155, and other portafilter machines—require the included or optional ESE adapter. Professional espresso machines—most professional portafilter machines accept ESE with a dedicated ESE filter basket. Specific ESE Italian coffee makers—some modern electric Moka pots offer the ESE option. Not compatible: proprietary capsule machines (Nespresso, Lavazza AMM/Blue/EP, Dolce Gusto, Tassimo, Firma). The closed capsule format is incompatible with the 44mm filter paper format.

Q: Are ESE pods really environmentally friendly?

Yes — the ESE pod is among the most eco-friendly espresso capsule solutions on the market: 100% biodegradable — the filter paper breaks down in 2-4 weeks in home compost. Zero landfill waste. 100% compostable — simply add the coffee grounds to the compost. Excellent carbon and nitrogen contribution for the compost. Zero plastic, zero aluminum — unlike Nespresso Original capsules (recyclable aluminum but requiring separate collection) or Nespresso Vertuo capsules (aluminum + plastic dome). The ESE uses only food-grade filter paper. Cardboard packaging — the box of 50 pods is made of recyclable cardboard. Some pods are individually pre-wrapped in a small paper pouch (also recyclable) to preserve freshness. A favorable carbon footprint as well: no aluminum machining (an energy-intensive process), lighter transport (lightweight pod), and zero end-of-life impact.

Q: What does Covim Honduras 100% Arabica coffee taste like?

Covim Honduras 100% Arabica is a single-origin Central American coffee with a smooth, balanced, and fruity profile: Origin: Honduras, Central America — one of the great modern Arabica terroirs. Composition: 100% Arabica, no Robusta — refined aromatic profile. Intensity: 5/10 on our scale — moderate, neither extremely sweet nor intensely full-bodied. Flavor profile: notes of milk chocolate, ripe fruit (apple, pear), light, refreshing acidity characteristic of high-altitude Arabicas. Body: medium, silky texture without heaviness. Crema: golden crema, fine and persistent foam thanks to the optimized ESE grind. Ideal for: balanced everyday espresso, after meals, guests (an accessible profile that appeals to most). Enjoy it neat or with brown sugar to enhance the chocolate notes.

Q: How best to store ESE pods?

ESE pods are packaged for long shelf life (12-18 months best before date), but a few good practices will preserve maximum freshness: Keep the original packaging closed — the cardboard box and individual pouches protect against light and humidity. Store in a cool, dry place — 18-22°C is ideal. Avoid warm places (above 25°C) which accelerate the oxidation of coffee oils. Store away from light — in a closed cupboard or drawer. Direct light alters the aromas within a few weeks. Do not refrigerate — humidity creates micro-condensations on the filter paper, affecting the grounds. Coffee thrives at a stable temperature. Respect the best before date — after the best before date, the pod remains usable, but the aromas gradually degrade. For occasional use (1-2 espressos/week), a 50-pod pack will last 6+ months without significant loss of freshness.

Q: Can I expect more ESE varieties on Cafemalin soon?

Yes — our ESE pod range is expanding: Currently in our catalog: Covim Honduras 100% Arabica x50 (starter selection). Coming soon: Illy, Segafredo, Kimbo, Vergnano — major Italian brands offering ESE ranges. Existing subcategories in placeholder: Illy ESE Pods — will be activated as soon as Illy products are added to our catalog. To be notified of new ESE products, subscribe to the Cafemalin newsletter (footer form). We prioritize traditional Italian roasters (Covim, Vergnano, Musetti) for a taste level consistent with our philosophy of authentic Italian espresso.

ESE (Easy Serving Espresso) coffee pods — an open and universal standard launched in the 1990s by Illy to offer an eco-friendly and convenient alternative to proprietary capsules. Paper filter format, 44 mm diameter , 7 g of compacted ground coffee , biodegradable and compostable . Compatible with all espresso machines equipped with an ESE portafilter (Illy Y5, Bialetti, De'Longhi Dedica with adapter, professional machines). selection Cafemalin : Covim Honduras 100% Arabica (50 pods), a single-origin Central American coffee with a smooth and fruity profile.

ESE 44 mm format Open standard

100% Arabica Single origin Honduras

Compostable paper Zero plastic

Covid Italy Traditional roasting

View bestsellers View all coffee capsules Selection guide

Fast delivery.Same-day shipping.

Secure paymentby credit card, PayPal, Alma 3x

Responsive customer service.Response within 12 hours.

14-day return policy.Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back.

ESE machine compatibility

The essential ESE Coffee Pods

A selection highly recommended by our customers.

🏆 No. 1

ESE COVIM HONDURAS 100% ARABICA Coffee Pods - 50 Pods

€15.94 incl. VAT

Our selection of ESE pods

ESE pod Cafemalin selection — currently Covim Honduras 100% Arabica x50 pods. Our ESE range will soon expand with other Italian roasters. For other capsule systems, see our Coffee Capsules hub .

In stock

ESE COVIM HONDURAS 100% ARABICA Coffee Pods – 50 Pods

Covim

€15.94 incl. VAT

ESE system in 90 seconds

The ESE (Easy Serving Espresso) system is an open and universal standard for espresso pods, launched in the 1990s by Illy. Unlike proprietary capsule systems (Nespresso Original, Lavazza A Modo Mio, Dolce Gusto, Nespresso Vertuo), the ESE standard is open and unprotected : any roaster can produce ESE pods, and any machine equipped with an ESE portafilter can use them. This openness is the foundation of a sustainable, transparent, and competitive ecosystem.

The ESE format is precise: 44 mm in diameter, 7 g of ground coffee compressed between two layers of biodegradable filter paper. The dose (7 g) and the grind (finely compressed by the manufacturer) are optimized for classic Italian espresso. The filter paper serves three purposes: (1) to contain the ground coffee for clean handling; (2) to filter the extraction by retaining the grounds; (3) to protect freshness until use (each pod is individually sealed in an inert atmosphere).

Three major advantages of the ESE system vs. proprietary capsules:

Ecology — the paper coffee pod is 100% biodegradable and compostable. Zero plastic, zero aluminum. Simply dispose of it in your home compost or organic waste. A decisive advantage for environmentally conscious households.
Freedom to choose your roaster — no lock-in to a proprietary system. You can try Illy, Covim, Segafredo, Kimbo, Vergnano, Musetti, and many other Italian roasters that produce their own ESE range. Each brand has its own roasting style and terroir.
Wide machine compatibility — any machine equipped with an ESE portafilter (dedicated or adapter) is compatible: Illy (Y5), Bialetti, De'Longhi machines, pro espresso machines with portafilters.

Our current selection features Covim Honduras 100% Arabica — ESE pods x50, single-origin Honduran coffee, 100% Arabica. Covim is a traditional Italian roaster specializing in premium single-origin and blended coffees. This Honduras 100% Arabica has a smooth, fruity profile with notes of milk chocolate — ideal for a balanced espresso in the morning or after a meal. The 50-pod pack provides approximately two months of consumption based on one espresso per day. At around €0.32 per pod, it offers excellent value for money for a carefully sourced single-origin coffee.

Selection by the Cafemalin Selection made by our expert coffee team — specialists in capsule and espresso pod systems (Nespresso Original, Lavazza AMM/Blue/EP, ESE, etc.) since 2016.

Explore other brands

Lavazza capsules Delta Q coffee capsules Nespresso compatible capsules

Frequently Asked Questions

The questions our customers ask most often.

What is an ESE pod?

An ESE (Easy Serving Espresso) pod is an espresso coffee pod in an internationally standard open, launched by Illy in the 1990s. Specific characteristics:

Diameter : 44 mm (strict standard)
Dose of coffee : 7 g of ground and compacted coffee
Envelope : biodegradable filter paper, two welded layers, individually sealed under an inert atmosphere
Grind : fine, optimized for classic espresso
Extraction : 25-30 seconds for ~30 ml of espresso

The ESE standard is open — any roaster can produce ESE pods, and any ESE-compatible portafilter machine can use them. This openness fundamentally differentiates ESE from proprietary capsule systems (Nespresso, Lavazza AMM, Dolce Gusto) that lock in the machine-capsule relationship.

Which machines are compatible with ESE pods?

ESE-compatible machines are those equipped with an ESE portafilter —either originally or via an adapter. The main ranges are:

Illy — Y5 machine , X7.1 , and older dedicated ESE ranges. Illy is the inventor of the ESE standard.
Bialetti — consumer-grade espresso machines with portafilters
De'Longhi — Dedica EC685 , EC9155 , and other portafilter machines — require the included or optional ESE adapter
Professional espresso machines — most professional portafilter machines accept ESE with a dedicated ESE filter basket
Specific ESE Italian coffee makers — some modern electric Moka pots offer the ESE option

Not compatible with : proprietary capsule machines (Nespresso, Lavazza AMM/Blue/EP, Dolce Gusto, Tassimo, Firma). The closed capsule format is incompatible with the 44mm filter paper format.

Are ESE pods really environmentally friendly?

Yes — the ESE pod is among the most environmentally friendly espresso capsule solutions on the market :

100% biodegradable — the filter paper degrades in 2-4 weeks in home compost. Zero landfill waste.
100% compostable — can be thrown directly into the compost with the coffee grounds inside. Excellent carbon and nitrogen for compost.
Zero plastic, zero aluminum — unlike Nespresso Original capsules (recyclable aluminum but requiring specific collection) or Nespresso Vertuo capsules (aluminum + plastic dome). The ESE uses only food-grade filter paper.
Cardboard packaging — the box of 50 pods is made of recyclable cardboard. Some pods are individually pre-wrapped in a small paper pouch (also recyclable) to preserve freshness.

Also a favorable carbon footprint: no aluminum machining (energy-intensive process), lighter transport (lightweight pod), zero impact end of life.

What does Covim Honduras 100% Arabica coffee taste like?

Covim Honduras 100% Arabica is a single-origin Central American with a mild, balanced and fruity :

Origin : Honduras, Central America — one of the great terroirs of modern Arabica
Composition : 100% Arabica, no Robusta — delicate aromatic profile
Intensity : 5/10 on our scale — moderate, neither extremely mild nor intensely full-bodied
Taste profile : notes of milk chocolate, ripe fruit (apple, pear), light, refreshing acidity characteristic of high-altitude Arabica coffees
Body : medium, silky texture without heaviness
Crema : golden cream, fine and persistent foam thanks to the optimized ESE milling process

Ideal for: a balanced daily espresso, after meals, or for entertaining (an approachable profile that appeals to most). Enjoy it neat or with brown sugar to enhance the chocolate notes.

How best to store ESE pods?

ESE pods are packaged for long-term storage (12-18 months expiration date), but a few good practices will preserve maximum freshness:

Original packaging sealed — the cardboard box and individual sleeves protect from light and moisture
Dry, cool place — 18-22°C ideal. Avoid warm places (above 25°C) which accelerate the oxidation of coffee oils
Store away from light — in a closed cupboard or drawer. Direct light alters the aromas within a few weeks.
No refrigerator — humidity creates micro-condensations on the filter paper, altering the grind. Coffee likes temperature stability.
Best before end date to be respected — after the best before date, the sachet remains consumable but the flavors gradually degrade

For occasional use (1-2 espressos/week), a 50-pod format covers 6+ months without significant risk of loss of freshness.

Can I expect more ESE varieties on Cafemalin soon?

Yes — our ESE pod is set to expand:

Currently in catalogue : Covim Honduras 100% Arabica x50 (starter reference)
Coming soon : Illy, Segafredo, Kimbo, Vergnano — major Italian brands offering ESE ranges
Existing subcategories in placeholder : Illy ESE Pods — will be activated as soon as the Illy products are added to the catalog

To be notified of new ESE products, subscribe to the Cafemalin (footer form). We favor traditional Italian roasters (Covim, Vergnano, Musetti) for a taste standard consistent with our philosophy of authentic Italian espresso.