Senseo-compatible soft pods: Carte Noire 100% Arabica | Cafemalin
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Senseo compatible — filter paper

Soft pods

Soft pods are large discs of filter paper containing approximately 7g of ground coffee, designed for low-pressure soft pod machines —such as Philips Senseo and similar coffee makers. One pod is enough for a long, mild cup of coffee topped with a fine crema, two for a mug; no aluminum or plastic capsules are needed. Cafemalinrange, Carte Noire 100% Arabica roasted in France, in three strengths and packs of 60 pods. These should not be confused with the 44mm ESE pods used in espresso machines.
Senseo compatible Soft pod machines
Filter paper No aluminum or plastic
~7 g per dose One pod = one cup
60 pods Per package
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Soft pods by brand

Our current selection of Senseo-compatible soft pods. We expand the range according to customer demand.

Choosing the right soft pod

4 guidelines to help you choose your soft pods with full knowledge, according to your machine and your taste.

The right format for the right machine

A soft pod is a large, loosely packed disc of filter paper for low-pressure machines like Senseo (Philips Senseo Original, Select, Switch, Maestro, Viva Café, Quadrante, Latte Duo, and similar models). It is not suitable for capsule machines (Nespresso, Dolce Gusto, Tassimo, Lavazza, Delta Q) or for a smaller, more compact 44mm ESE filter holder designed for high-pressure machines.

A long coffee, not an espresso

The water passes through the pod in a closed chamber at low pressure: the coffee emerges long and smooth, topped with a fine crema created by the machine, similar to filter coffee and without sediment. The intense on some machines (less water) makes the cup denser; two pods fill a mug.

Filter paper, without casing

A soft pod = filter paper + ground coffee, without an aluminum or plastic casing. Carte Noire presents its pods as compostable in industrial composting (EN 13432): biowaste when collected by the municipality, otherwise household waste; the coffee grounds can enrich a home compost.

Storage & freshness

Filter paper doesn't preserve the aromas as well as an airtight capsule. Respect the expiration date on the package, then, once opened, reseal it tightly and store it in a dry place, away from light and heat —never in the refrigerator (humidity). It's best consumed within a few weeks of opening.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a soft pod?

A soft pod is a heat-sealed disc of filter paper containing approximately 7 grams of loosely packed ground coffee . This is the format used in soft pod coffee machines , of which the Philips Senseo is the benchmark: the pod is placed in a holder, the machine seals it in a chamber, and hot water is passed through at low pressure . The resulting coffee is long and mild , topped with a fine crema—a coffee similar to filter coffee, prepared in about thirty seconds.

The format is not proprietary: several brands offer "Senseo compatible" soft pods, such as Carte Noire at Cafemalin.

Which machines are compatible with soft pods?

All large-format soft pod machines :

  • Philips Senseo — Original and Original Plus, Select, Switch (pods + filter coffee), Maestro, Viva Café, Quadrante, Latte Duo
  • Other soft pod coffee makers of the same format, with 1-cup (one pod) and 2-cup (two pods) pod holders

Not compatible : capsule machines (Nespresso Original and Vertuo, Dolce Gusto, Tassimo, Lavazza Blue / A Modo Mio / Espresso Pointportafilter , Delta Q, illy Iperespresso) and espresso machines with a 44 mm ESE . The soft pod is significantly wider than an ESE pod and is not compressed for high pressure.

Soft pod or ESE pod: what's the difference?

Two filter paper formats that are not interchangeable:

  • Soft pod — large disc, approximately 7g of untamped, suitable for low-pressure such as Senseo. Result: a long, smooth coffee with a light crema.
  • ESE (Easy Serving Espresso) pod — small 44 mm pod , packed coffee, for the portafilter of a high-pressure espresso machine . Result: a tight espresso with crema.

This category includes soft pods. For a portafilter espresso machine, see our ESE pods.

Soft pods or capsules: what's the difference in the cup?

Two very different extraction methods:

  • Soft pod — low pressure, filter paper that retains fine particles and some of the oils. Result: a long, smooth and clean, with a fine crema, similar to filter coffee.
  • Capsule (aluminum or plastic) — high pressure on a small, tightly packed dose. Result: a short espresso, dense body, thick crema.

The choice depends first on your machine, then on your taste: for a short and intense espresso, a capsule ; for a long everyday coffee without a shell to throw away, soft pods.

Are soft pods compostable?

A soft pod is made of filter paper and ground coffee, without an aluminum or plastic casing. Carte Noire presents its soft pods as industrially compostable (EN 13432 standard): they can be disposed of with organic waste if your municipality collects them, otherwise with household garbage. The coffee grounds they contain can enrich a home compost or be used as fertilizer in the garden.

The outer packaging (bag, cardboard box depending on the packaging) follows the usual sorting of packaging.

Which brand of soft pods should I choose at Cafemalin ?

Our selection of Senseo-compatible soft pods is from the French brand Carte Noire — established in 1978, part of the Lavazza group since 2016 — 100% Arabica roasted in France. Three strengths in packs of 60:

  • Classic Balanced No. 5 — smooth and well-rounded coffee with notes of roasted cereals and dried fruit. The perfect coffee for morning and all day long.
  • Full-bodied & Aromatic No. 7 — more body, notes of cocoa and wood, controlled bitterness.
  • Espresso Intense N°8 (best-seller) — medium to dark roast, the strongest of the three.

We expand our offering according to customer demand.

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