Café Royal, Ristretto, 36 Nespresso (R) compatible capsules, 80 percent recycled Aluminium, Rainforest Alliance certified, intensity 11

First off this coffee looked like exceptionally good value, at less than 20p per pod. I always buy aluminium pods because they keep the coffee fresher for longer, have a much better success rate when using (i.e very rarely do the pods fail to pierce properly, unlike plastic pods) and they can be recycled (Starbucks has a scheme which takes any brand of aluminium pod). So finding a new supplier making consistently cheap aluminium pods seemed too good to be true. Alas, it was.As has been noted by other reviewers, this coffee tastes considerably weaker than other Nespresso alternatives. I decided to investigate why, and cut open a fresh pod to compare with another brand I regularly use. As can be seen in the photos (though not as clearly as in real life) the reason for the weaker taste is that these pods use a coffee grind which is significantly coarser than that used in other pods. It’s a bit like comparing fine caster sugar to icing sugar, one feels more like a powder and the other has very fine, but distinguishable grains.This matters because, to produce a similar tasting coffee to the sort you’d expect from a proper barista style espresso machine, the Nespresso pods need to pack more coffee into the pods, which are much smaller than a standard measure used in an espresso machine. To achieve this the coffee is more finely ground, increasing the surface area of the ground beans which comes in contact with the hot water which is forced through the pod under high pressure.That’s why a small Nespresso pod Can produce coffee which is surprisingly similar to ‘proper’ barista style coffee. However, the pods in question use a coarser grain, more similar to standard fine ground coffee which you’d expect to buy in packets for use in a cafetière. As a consequence the coffee tastes considerably weaker. It also has a slightly burnt aftertaste, as though the beans were roasted for too long.I’ve included a photo of the crema produced by these pods and a competitor (not Nespresso). Whilst both look similar, the crema produced by the Cafe Royal pods is less thick and more frothy, and as a result it dissipates more quickly.Overall then this is quite a disappointing experience. A single pod is too weak, and using two pods makes it more expensive than competitors.If you like weak coffee, and don’t mind about the quality of the crema, and don’t want to pay much then these might suit you, although using a cafetière would probably be a better option.

I'm extremely disappointed with these pods. I chose them because of the positive reviews and I am not at all impressed. Weak, watery coffee - in fact, virtually unrecognizable as coffee. I tried using 2 pods for 1 cup and put them through as espresso and still they didn't produce any flavour. Definitely not "forte" as described. Not much crema and a dirty dishwasher colour.A total waste of money. The only positive is that the pods are aluminium so can be recycled.In future I'll stick to Nespresso or Starbucks pods.

I was a bit hesitant buying these capsules after reading the varied reviews, but I decided to take a chance - and I’m glad I did. “What’s the worst that could happen” I thought?I was sold on the whole Nespresso experience after a brief stop in a hotel in Zug, Switzerland way back in August 2018. I didn’t rush out to buy one as I already had a filter coffee machine and a Tassimo, plus a French press, etc.I treated myself to a new Nespresso Essenza recently, and I’m discovering the wide assortment of pods.These decaf capsules are a decent alternative to their Nespresso equivalent. I think they’re ideal if you don’t like your espresso too potent. You still get a reasonable aroma.I think they’re excellent value for money.

I like the coffee, but the new aluminium pods are too easily damaged in transit.I’ve been ordering the older design for a year and I like the coffee. The new aluminium pods have replaced the older plastic pods (a positive environmental move), but 7 of the 36 pods are crushed. 4 are damaged beyond use, the other 3 I’ll have to wait and see.You don’t get that with the Nespresso original aluminium pods. It could be to do with the box, as the containing Nespresso box is a thicker cardboard and the pod boxes stack them in a row, rather than the flat Cafe Royale box.I’d also ordered 100 Vanilla pods, so I’ll see whether they are the same...

The coffee is quite pleasant - not the best, but certainly I've tried many worse. But the bugbear for me is I'm on the second box of aluminium pods and many don't work. Either no coffee makes it through into the cup, or only a little and the rest of the water leaks somehow out the bottom of the machine. The aluminium pods to slide into the machine better than many of the plastic pods do, but as the water is applied by the machine they come out crushed see picture. This morning three pods did this in a row, so the resulting coffee was strong and bitter and had to be discarded, needing a 4th pod for a fresh cup which worked perfectly. I'll be cancelling my subscription as having to return a part box of pods each month is a pain.

The aluminium pods are much better than the previous plastic ones – my Nespresso machine prefers – no more reshifting the pod, so it can be accepted by the machine. Perfect.

I took a gamble on these based on the majority of reviews.My personal favourite decaf capsules are the L'Or Decaffeinato, though it can be hard to find them at a reasonable price sometimes. I've also tried the Starbucks Decaf capsules, but found them a little too bitter.These seemed like a good alternative, and at 18p per capsule, quite a bargain.However, in use they're so disappointing. There's hardly any flavour, especially when added with lots of milk. At first I thought it was perhaps just a weaker coffee, but even using 2 capsules to make a drink, there's very little taste.Once this box is used up, I certainly won't be ordering any more.

I didn't realise my options for Nespresso-compatible decaffeinated coffee would be so limited when I bought my machine. Thankfully - and after a few wrong turns - I've found these little marvels. They produce a really good standard of coffee without me having to remortgage my home to afford them. They're a store cupboard staple for me from now on. A lovely aroma, good amount of foam, a smooth taste, and affordable. They tick all the boxes.