The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, 10% Kona Blend Brew Coffee Capsules for Caffitaly Brewers, 16-Count Pods

Excellent flavor. It tastes exactly as the Starbucks Verismo Expresso ones (for Latte). I am a coffee lover and side by side they are similar. The pods size is identical the Verismo ones. They DO NOT get stuck on the machine, just follow this tip: Wait at least 10 seconds after the coffee is done, so the pressure applied by the machine while brewing is released. Finally just open the level slowly and they will fall 100% of the times to the container. Even with he original pods, if you open the level quickly they will get stuck. There is a plastic filter inside the CBTL cups, but the Verismo 600 can make the holes without any problems. I always do a quick motion, to close it to be sure the pods are punctured good enough (Verismo and CBTL), BE SURE to push the Expresso Button, not the Brewing one at the Verismo machine. Finally remember to open slowly so they do not bounce and get stuck. You won't have ANY trouble at all, trust me. They are less expensive and probably the ONLY other brand with pods compatible (K-FEE) with the exclusive Verismo 600 machine. A package costs almost the same as the Verismo pods, but instead of 12 you get 16 with CBTL. More value for the money. Also warranty WON'T be voided, because in the very same Verismo 600 manual says, compatible with other K-fee pods too, so it is all good. Verismo and CBTL are the only K-fee pods in the market, so they work. Thanks and enjoy great coffee :)

The best espresso coffee bar none it taste amazing, wish Amazon will bring back the 16 ct boxes this coffee is pricey but the taste is superb

The CBTL Italian Espresso Dark Pods. Amazing in quality, strength, and taste. I love the quality of the espresso and the crema it leaves when it makes a shot. I will say I did purchase these because they are a tad cheaper than Starbucks Verismo Pods. Do they fit in the Verismo? Yes. However, I will say, I can usually get 2-3 shots of full strength espresso out of the Starbucks to brew for a Latte. It seems after the first shot for the CBTL pods, it gets a little slower and tighter. I wait, but it still comes out perfect. Sometimes, I don't like to wait so I will just use the Starbucks Verismo Pod. However, it is a great pod and excellent in flavor. It might stick in the pod holder, but you just need to nudge it to knock it loose. If you need a cheaper, delicious alternative .... CBTL Italian Espresso Dark Capsules are it!

My coffee profile for reference: Male dark coffee drinker, no sugar. Black or a little non-dairy liquid creamer is my preference. Cow milk allergy means I don't drink latte's, cappuccinos, espressos or anything except 'coffee'. I prefer to sip a big cup American-style over the tiny European-style. Machines: I have both CBTL and Keurig single-server brewers. The Keurig is a superior machine in most ways except size and heating time. However, my Keurig has been stored away since I discovered this flavor (Italian Espresso Dark). In my side-by-side tests, the CBTL flavors are usually only slightly better than Keurig flavors. Italian Espresso Dark Capsule: This is unlike any coffee that I've ever had. It is thick, a little foamy, and very complex in flavor. It is strong even though I usually use the "coffee" size buttons on the machine so that I can enjoy it for a while (the small espresso sizes are good for fast jolt of caffeine). An important thing to me is to add a bit of International Delight "Hershey's Chocolate & Caramel" creamer for more complexity and to tone down the bitterness. Wife's Opinion: She does not prefer dark coffee and her normal preference is a weak cup of Nescafe with LOTS of dairy milk. She has also become crazy about the Italian Espress Dark + International Delight Hershey's combination...rarely drinks the Nescafe anymore. Basically, it's the only coffee drink we agree on :-)

There's a lot of confusion out there as to whether these pods work in the Starbucks Verismo brewer. Technically CBTL pods are not compatible with K-Fee brewers (like the Verismo), but they do work with the following caveats: 1) The CBTL *brewed coffee pods* (like their French Roast, which is far better than any of the Starbucks brewed coffee pods) generally work without a problem. On the rare occasion when a pod does get stuck, let the pod cool before trying to eject it. 2) The CBTL *espresso pods* have a filter disk in them, which helps build extra pressure for brewing espresso. This disk can cause the pod to get stuck in a Verismo, as the disk is rigid, not flexible like the body of the pod. Typically if you let the pod cool before trying to eject it, it won't get stuck. Sometimes it takes gently working the Verismo lever open and closed a few times to dislodge a pod and for those truly stuck pods you may need to use a toothpick to pry it out. Another thing that works is sticking the tines of a small fork through the foil lid of the pod, then turning the fork to loosen the pod so you can pull it out with the fork. 3) The espresso pods can sometimes build up enough pressure that it causes a blow-through of the pod filter and you end up with grounds in your espresso. This is more likely to happen the longer you let the pod brew. I've never had a problem with a single-shot of espresso, but anything more than that is a risk. You will usually hear a change in the pump sound which indicates you're near the point of blow-through, so push the espresso button again to stop the flow of water before it happens.

These pods do not work in the Verismo machine. My first pod attempt got stuck in the machine. My second pod burst and the water barely trickled through it; and I also heard a strange noise from my machine. I took the pod apart out of curiosity. This malfunction is likely due to a hard plastic insert at the bottom end (not the foil covered top) of the CBTL pod. Verismo pods do not have this insert. Or, it could be the plastic casing is especially hard. At any rate, it would have been too much trouble to return them, so I improvised. I cut off the bottom end, including the hard plastic insert. I then cut a used Verismo pod in 1/2 and placed that bottom 1/2 over the CBTL bottom. If you cut the pods each to the correct size (creating a new pod the same length as a Verismo pod), it will work; but I don't see it as a practical resolution. I won't buy them again for my Verismo. In all likelihood, continued use of these with the Verismo would ruin the machine. The coffee did have a very good flavor.

I have a Kaldi espresso brewer that I love and I use this flavor exclusively on a large cup brew cycle. This is a dark roast level so I add in a little caramel cream or froth some skim milk and I have a fantastic cup of coffee. I have also made it using the espresso setting as well, but I usually dilute it as I prefer that more. The flavor is rich and smoky with a hint of chocolate -- in short -- a delicious cup of coffee for much less hassle and expense of going to a barista each morning. I think that sometimes, thinking about my first sip of coffee is what propels me out of bed each morning! I have tried other single cup brewers but prefer the Kaldi by CBTL and this favor of capsules over the brands I've used or tasted. I've had the Kaldi machine for over 2 years now and have even given one as a gift so I highly recommend it.

This is great espresso and works in my verismo well! Tip if using in verismo: just make sure the last pod "drops" down fully or these might get stuck. Once in awhile, I've had one not drop, and you just have to open and close gently a second time in order for it to drop down. As long as you hear the drop, you are good! If not, pop the stuck one out from below with your fingernail or a butter knife. No big deal for me, now that I figured it out. I'd say 9 times out of 10 these drop down just fine, and they taste great at a fraction of the cost of *bucks pods!