Senseo pods: Classic, Mild and Strong

What are Senseo pods?

Senseo pods, also called coffee pads, are round, soft pads of ground coffee sealed in filter paper. The Senseo machine pushes hot water through the pod at low pressure, which gives a full mug of coffee with a light layer of foam on top. That makes it quick and tidy: no grinder, no measuring and no loose grounds to clean up. It is not an espresso, though. For a short, strong espresso you need an espresso machine and our espresso coffee.

Classic, Mild or Strong

• Senseo Classic: the standard Senseo cup, balanced and round. A safe choice if several people in the house share one machine.
• Senseo Mild: a lighter roast with a softer flavour, for anyone who finds Classic a bit much, or drinks a lot of cups in a day.
• Senseo Strong: a darker roast with more body. It also holds up better if you add milk.

All three come in packs of 48 pods.

One pod or two

A Senseo machine has two pod holders: a shallow one for one pod and a deep one for two. Use one pod with the one-cup button, and two pods in the deep holder with the two-cup button for two cups or one large mug. One pod in the deep holder with the two-cup button gives a thin, watery cup, because twice the water runs through half the coffee.

Getting a better cup

• Centre the pod in the holder and press it down lightly, so the water cannot run past it.
• Use fresh, cold water in the reservoir, and empty it if the machine has not been used for a few days.
• Rinse the pod holder after use; coffee oil builds up in the holes and gives a stale taste.
• Descale the machine regularly. Limescale slows the water down and cools it, and the coffee turns flat. We sell descaler for Senseo machines.
• Once a pack is open, fold it shut or keep the pods in a closed tin. Ground coffee in filter paper loses its aroma faster than beans.

Which one to order

If you are not sure, start with Classic: it is the reference point for the other two. If it tastes too strong, go to Mild; if you want more body or drink your coffee with milk, go to Strong. Because each pack holds 48 pods, you can easily keep two kinds in the cupboard, for example Mild for the afternoon and Strong for the morning.