Coffee capsules are designed for single use – or are they? Whether it's a question of waste reduction, cost reduction or simple curiosity, it's fair to ask whether these little coffee containers should be limited to just one drink. In an effort to resolve this issue, we will explain exactly what happens if you regularly make two coffees with the same Nespresso capsule.
Nespresso: do you usually make two coffees with the same capsule?
Although there is no firm rule about using a coffee capsule twice, most connoisseurs advise against doing so. This is because it tends to produce a very watery cup of coffee in some cases. Since coffee machines work by pushing hot water through compactly filled capsules, each time the water passes through them, the less concentrated the resulting cup of coffee will be. Consequently, this means that not only does the coffee face a color change from dark black to a lighter brown tone, but the capsules will also produce coffee with weakened aromas and flavors. Even worse, coffee can also taste more bitter as a result of over-extraction. This is because too many organic compounds can be released with prolonged exposure to water.
However, the most significant drawback to reusing a capsule is the lack of caffeine. Since each coffee capsule is produced to contain a certain level of caffeine, a capsule used twice will not have the same level as the previous one. With so many factors against reusing coffee capsules, you might assume that using a capsule twice is out of the question. But this is not exactly the case.
To reuse or not to reuse your coffee capsules
Unless you decide to drink two very small cups of coffee one after the other, the second coffee will never be as good. But that's not always bad; If you prefer a lighter roast, a reused pod (especially from a stronger variety) can work wonders. Alternatively, for times when you want the taste of coffee but not the caffeine, using the same capsule twice is a good option. There are also ways to compensate for diluted flavors; Just add a spoonful of instant coffee to liven up that weak cup of coffee.
Although you can reuse coffee capsules, there is certainly a limit. After two extractions, the coffee grounds are more than ready for the trash.
The conclusion is as follows. Of course you can use the same coffee capsule twice. Of course, it affects the flavor of the coffee, reducing its intensity. However, when one person likes strong coffee and the other likes weaker coffee, it may be a good idea.