If you are the owner of an original-line Nespresso machine, you probably already know that your options do not stop with the Nespresso line of pods; there is a wide range of third-party pods compatible with Original machines (Peet\’s and Starbucks among them), and soon enough it was only a matter of time before non-coffee beverage producers entered the market as well. Sure, not everyone drinks coffee, but it only took some clever marketers for Nespresso-compatible options to start popping up in every category: from tea, to hot chocolate, to even wine and liquor!
Today, tea and hot chocolate pods are not hard to come by but given that most brands aren’t Nespresso, it can be difficult to discern product quality — and no one wants to pay shipping costs for a subpar product. So I took one for the team and discovered which brands make the best non-coffee Nespresso pods so you don’t have to.
Mad Tea
To be honest, Mad Tea isn’t a new discovery for me; their pods were among the first non-coffee Nespresso pods I’ve ever tried, and they made an impression on me early on, which is why they had to make this best-of list. While tasting them for this piece, I brewed each pod as a 4-ounce cup, but I typically brew them as slightly larger 6-ounce cups; I believe both sizes work well. A 6-ounce brew still has plenty of flavor, while the 4-ounce brew yields a slightly more concentrated cup that is ready in less time.
I love all eight teas in Mad Tea’s variety pack, but a few stand out: The chamomile lavender tea is another great option for a relaxing evening cup (it is also very floral and smooth). The jasmine milk tea by the same brand is very indulgent and sweet, so if you like your cups on the sweeter side, this one would be right up your alley. I also really enjoy their matcha tea pod; it’s earthy and unsweetened (as I prefer my matcha to be), as well as their chai, which doesn’t brew creamy like some other chai pods but has strong flavor that could stand up to a splash of milk.
Podista
This was actually my favorite non-coffee pod of all, and I have no idea how Podista managed to make such a great Nespresso-compatible hot chocolate pod, but they did, and kudos to them. One feature that I loved about the pod is its versatility: You can certainly water it down with milk as instructed on the box for a bigger cup, or you can brew it alone for a decadent drinking chocolate.
I did the latter, and I would recommend that anyone who likes dark chocolate do the same: pop in a pod and hit the lungo button for 4 ounces of sipping chocolate, top with whipped cream (and whatever hot chocolate spices you prefer) and eat. This will give you a rich, indulgent cup that isn’t too rich or heavy to enjoy as dessert, but if you would like it milder, brew a lungo-size amount and add steamed milk before topping with whipped cream and marshmallows.
Tea Boquete
Tea Boquete had variety pack of tea pods with only a recommended brew time printed on the bag (a minor turnoff as I prefer when pods have a recommended brewing volume), but it did not dissuade me from trying the tea and I quickly found out why. I pressed each pod for one lungo press, but think they could withstand 6 to 8-ounce brews. Each teacup-sized portion was robust, but in a good way; again, your personal preference will dictate the brew size.
A 4-ounce brew of their peppermint tea was quite potent and minty, which I enjoyed, though I would prefer to brew up the hibiscus pod for a large brew or use the smaller brew as an ingredient in a mocktail. The flower-scented jasmine tea pod was bright and floral; it had just enough bitterness that I wish it were a little less bitter (it would be lovely with honey, however), but overall, it was a good brew. The one that surprised me most from the company was their paradise pod, which is a fruity black tea. It is not like any other tea I\’ve tasted, and while I liked it, I can see how the perfumey scent might put some consumers off, so try this before writing it off.
The Republic of Tea
I sampled only one of The Republic of Tea’s Nespresso capsules, but I feel confident enough in this one to recommend anything from its line: Its Dream Latte pod would make for an indulgent after-dinner tea, and not only is it caffeine free, but it also features ashwagandha and valerian root known to aid relaxation. And let’s face it: A single pod produced a lovely blue, velvety tea latte that tasted like something you’d get at the tea bar.
Now that I have raved about this tea (brewed as a lungo cup), let me say that it is one beverage that could be polarizing: this potent, floral, slightly perfumey herbal tea latte was incredibly creamy and thick — if you like it, you will love it; if not, you will hate it. It would be perfect for sipping at bedtime when you curl up with a good book before going to sleep. In fact, I could see this being the kind of drink that I treat myself to in the bathtub after a stressful day.