Anyone looking for an alternative to Nespresso®³ original capsules usually wants one of three things: a better price, better coffee, or less packaging waste. This page is intended for all three — and clarifies right from the start which machines our capsules fit and which ones they do not.
These varieties are compatible with your Nespresso®³ Original
Fits in Original, does not fit in Vertuo
Our capsules are made for Nespresso®³ Original machines and work there just like the original capsule: insert, close the lever, done. You don't need an adapter, and nothing needs to be adjusted. The locking mechanism, water flow, and piercing all function unchanged.
They are not compatible with Vertuo, as that uses a different capsule format. They are also not suitable for the Nespresso®³ Professional system. This is the most expensive bad purchase in this product group, which is why it is listed here at the top and not in an FAQ section.
What changes compared to the original capsule
Inside, there is organic coffee from controlled cultivation throughout. Instead of aluminum, the casing is made predominantly from renewable raw materials and is compostable¹. You can order without a minimum order value, even individual varieties.
What remains the same: format, handling, and the warranty on your machine. Nothing is modified and nothing is retrofitted.
Five things you should know before your first order
Two varieties, two directions
It starts with the selection of organic Arabica and organic Robusta beans, followed by a gentle drum roasting process. With our Organic Espresso Fortissimo, you can almost taste the dark chocolate with a hint of caramelized almonds.
For those who prefer it fruitier, our Organic Espresso Rouge is a fiery counterpart. You don't have to compromise with our decaf either, as it is decaffeinated without the use of chemicals.
Compostable¹ does not mean: can be put in any bin
The capsule is certified for home composting and decomposes there in a maximum of 24 weeks¹. However, it is still not permitted in organic waste bins everywhere: many municipalities explicitly exclude compostable¹ packaging because their facilities operate with short decomposition times. Checking your municipality's waste regulations will clarify this. Where neither home compost nor organic waste bins are an option, general waste is the correct disposal method.
Shade trees instead of synthetic pesticides
All our organic coffees come from ecologically sustainable agriculture and are certified organic according to EU standards. This includes shade trees, organic composting, and natural plant protection products instead of synthetic ones. Which specific certifications these involve can be found in footnote¹ in the page footer.
Our quality promise
We source our beans from the best growing regions in the world and process them in our own roastery. Maxwell, our coffee sommelier, assesses the quality of the My Coffee Cup coffees. That's why our capsules only contain coffees, teas, herbs and fruits of organic quality and only natural flavors. We combine high-quality organic enjoyment with a high standard of sustainability and environmental compatibility. That's why we use climate-neutral certified and garden-compostable capsules without aluminum.
Maxwell Martinelli,
coffee sommelier at My Coffee Cup
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions about alternatives for Nespresso®³ capsules
Not on paper, but in your own cup. For a start, our taster pack is ideal: several varieties in small quantities side by side. If intensity is important to you, take a look at the espresso capsules, otherwise the lungo capsules.
No. The capsule has the same format as the original capsule and is inserted in the same way. Nothing is modified and nothing is retrofitted.
For all original machines with a conical capsule: Essenza, Pixie, CitiZ, Inissia, Lattissima and comparable models. They do not fit Vertuo or the Nespresso®³ Professional system.
That depends on the variety and pack size. Every variety is available as a 10-pack, with the best-sellers also available as a 50-count box and a 100-count Mega Box. The larger the box, the lower the price per capsule. The price and unit price are listed directly above each variety.
In your household or garden compost, where it will decompose in a maximum of 24 weeks¹. For the organic waste bin, please check your local municipal waste regulations. You can find detailed information under disposing of coffee capsules.
The comparison is decided in the cup.
Taste cannot be decided by a product description. Take the trial set, place it next to your current capsule, and decide afterwards.