Covim Espresso Honduras — 50 ESE pods

ESE stands for Easy Serving Espresso — it is a standard technical specification (UNI 10933-1) defining a 44 mm diameter paper filter pod containing 7 g of pre-measured and compressed ground coffee. Developed in the 1970s by illy, the ESE standard has entered the public domain and is now used by many coffee roasters (Covim, illy, Segafredo, Kimbo, Bristot, etc.).

The ESE pod is a universal standard — unlike Nespresso, Dolce Gusto, Delta Q, or Lavazza capsules (closed proprietary systems), all 44 mm ESE pods are compatible with all ESE pod machines . It's the open and enduring format for espresso.

All machines compatible with ESE 44 mm :

• Dedicated ESE household machines : Didiesse (Frog, Vintage, Trendy), La Piccola Sara, Handpresso Auto (car/motorhome portable machine), Aroma capsule ESE.
• Lever machines / portafilter with ESE adapter : some semi-pro espresso machines offer a specific ESE pod portafilter (Rancilio Silvia, La Marzocco Linea Mini, La Pavoni Europiccola with adapter).
• Professional CHR ESE machines : some Faema, Wega, Grimac machines offer ESE pod compatibility in addition to classic ground coffee.

Not compatible with: Nespresso, Dolce Gusto, Delta Q, Lavazza (AMM, Blue, EP, Firma) — closed proprietary systems, different formats.

The ESE pod is the most eco-friendly espresso format available today for three reasons:

1. Biodegradable filter paper — the entire pod (paper + ground coffee) can be composted in a home or community composter. No plastic or aluminum waste.
2. No individual over-packaging — the pod is simply wrapped in a thin aluminum sachet to preserve the aroma, but without a plastic shell.
3. Open standard — no proprietary system to discard at the end of the machine's life. The ESE machine works for life with all ESE pods from all roasters.

Quick comparison: a Nespresso capsule generates ~3g of aluminum waste per cup (recycling varies depending on local collection). An ESE pod generates ~1g of compostable paper — resulting in a material footprint ~3 times smaller, and biodegradable waste .

Yes — Honduras is one of the largest producers of Arabica coffee in Central America (along with Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and El Salvador). The coffee is grown primarily in the highlands (departments of Copán, Ocotepeque, Santa Bárbara, and El Paraíso), at altitudes between 1,200 and 1,800 meters . These high-altitude conditions result in denser beans with more complex aromas , exhibiting the fine acidity and fruity/floral notes characteristic of Central American highland Arabica .

Honduras typically produces balanced, smooth coffees with a refreshing acidity, notes of milk chocolate, ripe fruit (plum, cherry), and sometimes floral notes (jasmine). It's a very versatile, appreciated both as espresso and in filter coffee makers.

The pods are individually wrapped in a thin aluminum pouch that preserves the aroma of each pod. Good storage practices:

• Room temperature (15-25 °C) — not a refrigerator (potential humidity).
• Protected from direct light (sunlight, powerful fluorescent lights).
• Box of 50, kept closed until opened. Once opened, the box should ideally be consumed within 3-4 weeks for optimal flavor (although each individual sachet remains protected by its foil bag).

Suggested best before date: ~18 months from roasting (date on packaging). After this date, the pods remain consumable but with a slight loss of aroma.

Two filter paper formats that are not interchangeable :

• ESE 44 mm pod (this product) — a small, tightly packed coffee pod for the portafilter of a high-pressure espresso machine . Result: a strong espresso with crema.
• Large soft pod — wide disc of filter paper, loosely packed coffee, for low-pressure soft pod machines like Senseo. Result: a long, smooth coffee. At Cafemalin, these are soft pods Carte Noire — they don't fit in an ESE filter holder.

Covim Honduras is currently our benchmark for ESE pods ; check out the ESE Coffee Pods for new products. To discover the full Covim range (beyond ESE pods), see the Covim brand hub : 1 kg beans, Firma/ Blue /Nespresso compatible capsules.