If you are a coffee lover, then you surely have had your fair share of Starbucks drinks. I’ve had a lot of friends who wondered if they could make coffee like that at the comfort of their home. Now you can with the Starbucks Verismo coffee machine. But with the Verismo model, just like any other single-serve coffee maker, there is a burning question that needs some clarity.
What coffee pods are compatible with Verismo? You have two compatible pod options for your Verismo, especially since the discontinuation of the Verismo pods by Starbucks. The first is the K-Fee Mr. and Mrs Mill Verismo compatible coffee pods. K-Fee is the company that made the origi Verismo pod. The second option is to use Coffee bean and Tea leaf (CBTL) coffee pods but with limitations.
What Pods Are Compatible With Starbucks Verismo?
Update: Starbucks has discontinued Verismo pods as of December 31, 2020. Refers to the alternatives section for other options.
The right answer would be the Pods you can get from Starbucks. Verismo pods are made for Verismo coffee machines and it is the best choice out there.
While there are other coffee pods on the market that are great for other machines, their compatibility with the Starbucks Verismo model is to be questioned. Not all pods will work well with Starbucks’s single-serve coffee maker.
One of the main reasons why you go with the Verismo model is that you want Starbucks-like coffee. While the machine is a good way to get there, the remaining part of the puzzle is the coffee pods you use.
By using the Verismo coffee pods, you can get a cup of coffee that resembles your Starbucks coffee. The taste, flavor, and aroma will be similar to what you’re used to. But when you change the pods, will the result be different? There is a good chance that it will.
Verismo Coffee Pods Alternatives
One problem most people will have with the Verismo pods is the price. It is more expensive than other brands.
The good news is that there are a couple of alternatives.
While the Verismo pods are the best bet for their models, Starbucks does not manufacture them. The pods are manufactured by a company called K-Fee.
You can buy K-Fee coffee pods (Mr and Mrs Mill is a sub-brand of K-Fee) from their company website or simply on amazon. These pods are compatible with Starbucks and are safe to use.
These products were once unattainable but now, you can easily buy them from Amazon which is neat.
Another option is using the coffee pods from Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (CBTL). The CBTL pods are also a good bet for your wallets.
CBTL pods share the same shape and are a popular suggestion online for Verismo models. You can use them safely, but there is an element of risk as they can end up damaging the Verismo system when not using correctly.
So the safest of the two is sticking with coffee pods from K-Fee, the Mr and Mrs Mill verismo compatible coffee pods.
Are Verismo Coffee Pods Different from Other Pods?
Yes, Starbucks Verismo pods are different from other pods in a few ways.
The first and foremost is the taste. The taste and flavor you get from the company’s pods will very much be like fresh-ground beans. The brewed coffee is a treat and you won’t get this from other pods.
Next, most people buy the Verismo model because they want coffee like Starbucks. Using proprietary pods is a great way to ensure that. Since Starbucks is directly controlling the pod elements, you can mostly be guaranteed of it.
Other pods might not be a good fit for the machine itself. K-Fee makes the proprietary pods for the Verismo models. Their other offerings are also compatible with this single-serve machine. But the taste and flavor profile of the coffee you get will be dependant on the pods you use.
You might also want to try coffee pods (or even an espresso pod) from other single-serve coffee machines like the Keurig or Nespresso. There are a few challenges like the pod not fitting well with the machine and can even end up damaging it.
If you want a Starbucks coffee made at the comfort of your home, then you should stick to the pods that Starbucks offers.
Are Nespresso Pods Compatible With Verismo?
There are no Nespresso pods that are compatible with Verismo models. Nespresso capsules are different from the Verismo coffee pods and trying to use them in your Starbucks single-serve coffee maker will not bear any fruit.
The same is true for Keurig K-cups. The K-cups are not compatible with this Starbucks coffee maker so don’t bother trying.
Are Verismo Pods Reusable?
You can reuse your Verismo pods if you have a concern about their environmental impact. The proprietary pods are not reusable but the ones from K-Fee and CBTL can be reused by filling them with grounds coffee and then resealing the pods.
If this looks like a stretch, you don’t have to feel bad about using Verismo pods and other compatible ones. They are made from #5 plastic and they can be recycled without causing any environmental impact.
The only condition for recycling is that you have to peel off the top and remove the filter and the grounds from the pods. Once it is done, you can recycle the pods. Having said that, removing the filter from the pod has proven to be a difficult task than one can imagine.
Is Starbucks Discontinuing Verismo Pods?
As of December 31, 2020, Verismo pods are no longer made by Starbucks. Do keep in mind that Starbucks didn’t manufacture the pods by themselves.
The original Verismo pods were manufactured by K-Fee, a swiss company. They are still making coffee pods that are compatible with The Starbucks Verismo coffee maker. They are also less expensive than the proprietary ones which is more the reason to use them.
Does Walmart and Target Sell Verismo Pods?
You won’t find Verismo coffee pods in Walmart and Target as Starbucks has discontinued its production in December 2020.
However, you might be able to find K-Fee coffee pods online on their own website and also on Amazon. We do feel that buying these pods on Amazon is a better way than checking them out on the Walmart and Target websites.
Verismo Compatible Pods – Wrap Up
Finding compatible pods for your Verismo model is as important as getting a coffee from Starbucks. After all, that’s the reason why you brought one home, to get a coffee that’s similar to that of Starbucks.
Thanks to the discontinuation of the original Verismo coffee pod, you are left with a couple of alternatives when it comes to choosing the right pods for your Verismo model.
You can go with K-Fee Mr and Mrs Mill Verismo compatible coffee pods. They are more affordable and are made K-Fee the manufacturer that made the proprietary pods for the Verismo model. In my opinion, this is the best alternative out there.
Some people also had some luck with the pods from Coffee bean and Tea leaf. Be a bit careful with these ones as they can do some damage to your coffee maker.
That’s all we have here. We hope you found it useful. If you have any questions, you know where to find us. Shoot us your queries and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.