Cap Mundo Single-Cup Coffee for Nespresso Brewers, Zebrano, 10 Count (Pack of 6)

It's hard to describe how bad the initial batch of Umbila I received was. In a household of four espresso drinkers, no one would touch it. Someone who has spent multiple years working in a prominent third wave coffee shop (one snobby enough that new baristas aren't allowed to make espresso drinks until they've been there for at least six months, and then have a series of tests for additional drinks that culminate at more or less five years) didn't actually believe her when I served her an Umbila and asked her what I thought of it. She thought I was pranking her and serving her burnt Caro (or another coffee substitute.)The box looked fancy, it was carried in highend stores, and it generally reviewed at least decently well - so I figured there might be something wrong with the particular batch of Umbila capsules I was sent out. I emailed the official looking cap mundo site - only to realize I'd accidentally emailed their Australasian branch, rather than the mothership. The head of the company that handles Cap Mundo distribution in Australasia quickly emailed me back, explaining the I'd emailed the wrong company, but also speculating on what could've gone on with the particular batch I received - going as far as to agree that 'burnt caro' could be an appropriate adjective for an old batch (mine had been roasted eighteen months ago) that had been in suboptimal storage conditions.I received an email from the Parisian branch before I had time to actually email them myself, apologizing, again suggesting why a batch could have gone so bad as to be described as 'burnt caro,' and offering to send me a replacement from the same lot (as well as a box of Don Jimenez - which I need to try more of, but so far seems to be quite good,) before having his assistant email me a day later apologizing and saying that my order had been the last set of Umbila they had from that batch - but saying he was sending six newer Umbila boxes as well as a Don Jimenez to see if the problem persisted in my mind.Having had a few days to drink it over, I'm actually quite a fan of the new batch of Umbila I received, as well as the Don Jimenez. They pull with a beautiful color and a nice, persistent crema. They're quite drinkable straight, but also usable to make more complex espresso drinks without a problem. The only reason I'm giving them four rather than five stars is because they aren't my absolute favorite in the world - although I would call them better than Nespresso pods themselves, the time from roasting to drinking is still quite long - and I think shows a bit when compared to those Nespresso alternatives that roast the week you order. However, a (good) batch of Umbila or Don Jimenez is going to be a good step up from what you'd get going to a Starbucks or similar tier coffee place.I've gone from thinking this was a disgusting roast that would languish forever at the back of my coffee cabinet, to realizing that it's one that's quite good - as long as it's been stored properly and is of proper age. Although I would rather have received the batch I'm drinking now initially, I cannot complain about the company's customer service - a slightly abrasive email sent to what turned out to be the wrong company led to a response from the head of the company who was clearly very knowledgeable about coffee, and a forward to the appropriate place - with an instant acceptance of the possibility that I got a bad batch, and an offer of replacement.The more recent batch pulls with a good aroma, thick crema, and is drinkable by itself or usable as a base for other drinks. It's probably one of the top two or three Nespresso capsules I've tried (I've been trying to eventually try and review literally every available nespresso compatible pods.) If you order it - assuming you get an indate batch (I'm thinking that issue may be why it shows as out of stock at the moment) - both the Umbila and Don Jimenez will stand up to pretty much any other option on the market.

ABOUT COMPATIBLE CAPSULES:I've used Nespresso compatible capsules mixed with original capsules for a while. Cap'Mundo capsules - like some other makes sold by Amazon - are made of a hard plastic body and an aluminum foil lid. The capsule's bottom is pre-drilled to allow water through the coffee seeds (that's why these capsules need to be bagged individually in order to preserve the seeds). See picture.Nespresso machines have three needles that drill the original capsules when you push down the lever. Compatible capsules are much harder than the original ones. A ring-shaped groove at the bottom prevents the needles from being damaged.I need to press harder on the lever when using compatible capsules. It doesn't fee right at first... But the truth is that after having used a couple hundred of compatible capsules, my machine seems to keep working just fine. One of the needles is slightly bent, but my machine is 4 years old, and I've brewed thousands of coffee cups... I wouldn't be able to say that compatible capsules bent that needle.ABOUT CAP'MUNDO COFFEE:I've tasted all 6 different types. It's good quality coffee; rich and tasty. Still, I would say that Nespresso coffee is a notch better in general. But, hey, it's twice as expensive. You get what you pay for.

Being a new connoisseur of the Nespresso brand and its venerable product (in terms of bringing an appropriately flavored and textured espresso to the consumer's home), I have been in search of alternative capsules to those offered by the official company. Having run through the entire Nespresso variety pack which came with the device, I was pleased with most of the flavors available, and with the simply elegant menu organizing the capsules utilizing several qualities. Having found that the price paid for proprietary quality tends to be on the more expensive side, I decided to try this variety pack.I did try all the flavors in my Nespresso Pixie, and they were adequate, at best. The smells and flavors were, for lack of a better word, "dilute". In terms of saving money and time vs the travel and premium paid for a true espresso, it would be worth it.I would recommend these to build up a quick stock, but would not say they are better than Nespresso's own offerings, and might actually go the route of having these and the official branded capsules around for either a quick "pick-me-up" or a relaxed lounge by the window, depending on what the mood calls for.

I would buy Copaiba, Ebene, and Don Jimenez again. The other three or four? Not likely. The Yrgacheffe is quite good and directly compares with the Nespresso Bukhela Ethiopian. I just do not like espreso based on a single origin north African, too tart and flowery. I prefer my Ethiopians blended with deeper notes so they sparkle above the base.These capsules are black plastic and pre-pierced. They are individually packaged in foil pillows but are identical and therefore indistinguishable. The holes in the top of the cone are arranged to avoid the needles in the Nespresso chamber so the brewing system must be full of water and pressurized before extraction can begin. ON my Essenza, that means about 25ml of hot water is expelled before the coffee emerges. That's poor product design but it may not happen on other machines.I think you will find these capsules to be among the better compatibles available in the States.You can see my complete reviews of six of the Cap Mundo recipes at the Single Serve Coffee forums:[...]