Pod coffee Italian style. In the machine you already own.

If you own a quality espresso machine at home, there's a very good chance it has an E61 grouphead. And if it has an E61 grouphead, you can use compostable ESE paper pods in it right now.

No new machine. No modifications. No compromise on espresso quality.

Most people don't know this exists. Now you do.

What's an E61 grouphead?

It's the most common grouphead design in home and prosumer espresso machines. Been the industry standard since the 1960s. You'll find it on a wide range of machines, from Breville's Dual Boiler through to Italian prosumer brands like Rocket, Lelit, ECM, Bezzera and Profitec.

If your machine has a traditional chrome grouphead with a lever or button brew system, it's almost certainly an E61.

Not sure? Check your machine's specifications. It'll be listed as the grouphead type.

And ESE paper pods?

ESE stands for Easy Serving Espresso. Developed in Italy in the 1970s. An open international standard built on a beautifully simple idea: 7 grams of perfectly ground, pre-tamped coffee sealed in biodegradable filter paper. Standard 44mm size. Works across any compatible machine.

No grinding. No measuring. No tamping. Drop in the pod, pull the shot, compost what's left.

Unlike plastic or aluminium capsules, ESE paper pods are fully compostable and you're never locked into one brand or one roaster. The standard is open, which means your choice is genuinely unlimited.

New to ESE entirely? Our What are ESE paper pods? guide covers everything.

So how do you actually use ESE pods in an E61 machine?

One word: the E61 ESE Pod Handle.

Your machine's standard portafilter is built for loose ground coffee. To use ESE paper pods, you swap to the E61 ESE Pod Handle. It's a purpose-built portafilter with a basket designed specifically for 44mm ESE pods. Fits any standard E61 grouphead. No tools, no modifications, no technical knowledge required.

Here's the full process:

Step 1. Swap the handle. Remove your standard portafilter and lock in the E61 ESE Pod Handle. Fits exactly the same way.

Step 2. Insert the pod. Place a 44mm ESE paper pod into the basket. Sits flat and flush. No tamping needed — it's already done.

Step 3. Brew. Pull the shot exactly as you normally would. Hot water passes evenly through the filter paper, extracting the full flavour and producing that thick golden crema.

Step 4. Compost. Lift out the pod, toss it in the green bin, and you're done. No grounds to knock out. No mess.

Same machine. Better pods.

Why bother switching?

Fair question, especially if you've spent weeks dialling in your grind and you're happy with where you're at.

Here's why experienced home baristas keep an E61 pod handle in the drawer:

Zero waste mornings. Grinding and tamping before work is a ritual some people love. Others just want a great coffee in under two minutes with nothing going to landfill. ESE pods deliver that without apology.

Consistency without variables. Same dose. Same grind. Same tamp pressure. Every single pod. On days when you don't want to think about it, the pod is reliable in a way that even the best home grinders can't always match.

Exploring new coffees easily. Because ESE is an open standard, you can try pods from different roasters without committing to a full bag of beans. Single origins, different roast levels, decaf, even herbal teas. Your machine, your choice.

Guests who don't want to wait. When you're making coffee for people who have no interest in watching you dial in a grind, ESE pods are a genuinely great solution. Proper espresso, quickly, without the performance.

Which pods work with the E61 handle?

Any standard 44mm ESE paper pod. That includes:

Bottega Coffee pods — our full range of Italian-roasted paper pods, from single origins like Colombia, Brazil and Costa Rica through to classic blends like Roma, Rosso and Velluto. All compostable. All plastic-free.

Lucaffé pods — premium Italian pods including Mr. Exclusive 100% Arabica, Blucaffè, Pulcinella and specialty single origins. Decaf too.

Any other 44mm ESE pod from any compatible roaster. The open standard means you're never stuck with one brand.

Not sure where to start? The Lucaffé Sampler Pack let you try a range of blends before committing to a full box.

Frequently asked questions

Will the E61 ESE Pod Handle fit my machine?
If it's got a standard E61 grouphead, yes. That covers the vast majority of quality home machines including Breville, Rocket, Lelit, ECM, Bezzera, Profitec and many more. Not sure about yours? Get in touch before you order and we'll confirm.

Do I need to adjust pressure or temperature for ESE pods?
No adjustment needed for most machines. ESE pods are designed for standard espresso extraction parameters — 9 bars of pressure, water temperature between 90 and 96 degrees. That's exactly what most E61 machines run at by default.

Can I still use my regular portafilter for ground coffee?
Absolutely. The E61 ESE Pod Handle is an addition to your setup, not a replacement. Switch between the two whenever you like.

Are ESE pods as good as freshly ground coffee?
That depends on your grinder, your technique and the quality of beans you're using. A well-dialled shot from fresh beans through a great grinder is exceptional. But a premium ESE pod from a quality roaster, brewed correctly, produces genuinely excellent espresso. The convenience-to-quality ratio is hard to argue with.

How do I clean the handle?
Remove the used pod after each shot and rinse the basket with hot water. Backflush the grouphead as you normally would with your regular portafilter. Simple.

Ready?

The E61 ESE Pod Handle is the lowest-effort upgrade you'll make to your coffee setup this year. Same machine. Compostable pods. Better mornings.

Shop the E61 ESE Pod Handle →
Browse Bottega Coffee ESE Paper Pods →
Try a Sampler Pack First →