September 7, 2006

ESE Review: Starbucks ESE Espresso Pods

I have been brewing and drinking a lot of Starbucks coffee lately, as I have been using it as my base coffee for the review period when I reviewed the Hamilton Beach 40729 Espresso Machine and generally drink it on a regular basis. Starbucks makes their ESE Espresso Pods available in both regular and Decaf varieties, in the standard 7 gram size to fit ESE Espresso machines. You don’t just have to have one of their own Barista machines to use the Pods. If you happen to like Starbucks flavored coffee, you won’t be disappointed when you brew one of these pods.

These ESE Espresso pods are made to be used in popular makers like the Breville Café Roma, the Krups XP4050 and the Hamilton Beach 40729 espresso machines; all have the ability to use ESE Espresso pods.

The espresso brews up nicely, with a good crèma on top. The flavor of both the regular and decaf are potent and “well roasted” as most Starbucks coffee is. There’s no mistaking the signature flavor of the espresso, dark roasted, smoky and rich with a firm aftertaste. There is no doubt that this will stand up in a Latte, it does daily at their shops, and should at your house. So if you were wondering if you could get a good tasting “Starbucks” espresso out of their ESE Espresso pods, wonder no more, you can. Expect a familiar flavor from these in your own machine.

Available online and at most full service Starbucks Shops (i.e. not the mini shops or Kiosks):
Starbucks ESE Espresso Pods – 24 ct
Starbucks Decaf ESE Espresso Pods – 24 ct