Even with cafes slowly reopening, we’re still partial to a decent cup of rocket fuel at home, especially prior to a workout.
However, we’re also aware that our pod-guzzling ways aren't necessarily the kindest on the planet, which is why the Men’s Health Lab team went on a mission to find the best-tasting eco-friendly pods and capsules, suitable for recycling or composting.
Not got a compost heap? Pah! (Us neither). Most councils let you add this type of pod to your green food waste collection bin, where it will break down under specialist conditions in just a few weeks. However, it’s always worth checking first.
If you go down the recycling route instead, you will need to rinse, stack and squeeze these little aluminium wonders before they’ll be ready for the bin. If that all sounds like a bit of a faff, you wouldn’t be wrong, but Dualit’s EcoPress (£9.99), makes it a hell of a lot easier. We like to save up a few at a time, before taking them on like a pod-popping ninja.
From single-origins, sourced from some of the most remote plantations around the world, to organic, speciality-grade brews, these pods start from just 20p a pod — bargain!
And while we’re at it, we’ve also found the best coffee machines for 2021, starting from £69! You’re welcome.
How We Tested the Best Eco-Friendly Coffee Pods
To ensure you fuel your day the right way, we rounded up a panel of 10 coffee devotees and asked them to try 15 original-style Nespresso-compatible coffee pods. These are the best coffee pods that hit the spot on taste, convenience and eco-credentials.
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1
Best compostable coffee pod
Kiss the Hippo Nespresso Compatible Compostable Pods
Even the least green-fingered among us will appreciate that Kiss the Hippo plants a tree for every coffee subscription received (they’ll even send you a certificate!).
It’s all part of its environmentally friendly ethos, which includes paying farmers 50% above the Fairtrade price, and roasting the beans carbon-neutrally. Taste-wise you can expect berries, toast and tobacco from these clever compostable pods.
Key specs
Type: Compostable (home and industrially)
Price per pod: 55p
Subscription available: Yes
Certified-organic: Yes
2
Best recyclable coffee pod
Co-op Irresistible Single Origin Espresso Fairtrade Coffee Pods, £3.50 for 10
If you fancy saving yourself a few quid, recyclable capsules tend to be a bit cheaper than compstables. However our panel thought this supermarket steal was every bit as smooth and rich as its more expensive counterparts. A powerful espresso, guaranteed to pep you up in the morning.
Key specs
Type: Recyclable aluminium
Price per pod: 35p
Subscription available: No
Certified-organic: No
3
Best recyclable eco coffee pod on subscription
Pact Sertao Pods, £19.95 for 40
Anything that’s gonna make our life easier, we’re here for — and a Pact pod subscription offers exactly that. Popping through your door on the regular, this Brazilian coffee has a creamy quality about it, even before you add milk, and tastes sweet and fruity too. Latte anyone?
Key specs
Type: Recyclable aluminium
Price per pod: 50p
Subscription available: Yes
Certified-organic: No
4
Best organic recyclable pod
CRU Kafe Organic Espresso Coffee Capsules, £19.80 for 60
Clearly buying organic on a budget is possible, if these Fairtrade capsules are anything to go by. They also happen to the tastiest organic recyclable pod we tried, with notes of caramel greeting us in our espresso. If you find the earthiness a bit much, just add a splash of milk.
Key specs
Type: Recyclable aluminium
Price per pod: 33p
Subscription available: Yes
Certified-organic: Yes
5
Best coffee shop replacement
Grind Coffee House Blend Coffee Pods, £15.95 for 21
No one makes an espresso martini quite like Grind. However, it’s entirely possible to recreate its coffee at home, as these compostables contain the exact same coffee used in store.
For those of you that have forgotten what this sweet nectar tastes like, it’s, er, sweet, smooth and a little bit savoury. Sadly, it doesn’t come with one of the brand’s signature neon signs, but you do get to keep the refillable tin.
Key specs
Type: Compostable (Industrially)
Price per pod: 76p
Subscription available: Yes via the Grind website
Certified-organic: Yes
6
Best lungo
Lavazza Lungo Intenso, £3 for 10
You can keep your latte art, because sometimes we just want a long black coffee. These pods are designed to make the perfect lungo, but far from being boring, our testers picked out sweet caramel biscuits, nuts and toast (but without the calories). You won’t need milk anyway, not when the crema is this deep and frothy.
Key specs
Type: Compostable (Industrially)
Price per pod: 30p
Subscription available: No
Certified-organic: No
7
Best for a strong coffee
Volcano Coffee Works Balanced All Day Coffee Pods, £6.50 for 10
volcanocoffeeworks.com
£6.50
Another impressively carbon-neutral company (meaning it off-sets any emissions it creates), these Volcano Works pods are ideal for when you need a strong caffeine fix. Packing a punch, without any bitterness, you can expect chocolate-covered brazil nuts and a silky, smooth finish.
Key specs
Type: Compostable (Industrially)
Price per pod: 65p
Subscription available: Yes
Certified-organic: No
8
Best dark roast
Origin Coffee House Espresso Capsules, £5.50 for 10
The Aussies know a thing or two about coffee, but thankfully Origin is sharing its know-how via these plastic-free, climate-neutral pods. Intense, bittersweet and nutty, this deep, dark roast would benefit from a touch of milk.
Key specs
Type: Compostable (Industrially)
Price per pod: 55p
Subscription available: Yes
Certified-organic: No
9
Best for berry notes
Roar Gill Bold, £22 for 60
At the other end of the spectrum, Roar Gill has gone with a lighter touch to allow for the more nuanced berry flavour to shine through. The brand is every bit as ethical though, taking part in a tree planting scheme, roasting its beans carbon-neutrally and ensuring these pods break down completely within months. An excellent little all-rounder.
Key specs
Type: Compostable (home and industrially)
Price per pod: 37p
Subscription available: Yes
Certified-organic: No
Stacey Smith
Stacey is founder of food, drink and travel website Crummbs, and has written for BBC Good Food, Independent, i newspaper and Balance Magazine.
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