I can describe the scenario quite well, given it occurred in 2010.

Our friend had a Nespresso machine made here, and used the coffeduck capsules, chamois or gold coloured plastic or polyprophelene of some kind. She offered us an expresso coffee first, which unfortunately was somewhat bitter. There were a few grinds that also leaked into the cup, and I gently teased her about being surprised at her serving Greek coffee.

She said she was using tea for herself, and demonstrated how she filled ground tea into the capsule. I had heard about these capsules but had not seen one before as they do not sell them here. I noticed that there was a little remaining grinds in the capsule tray, and cleaned those out for her in the sink.

Two months later we took her to the local Vendange festivities here (so this would have been October) and she told us her machine had gone out. The coffeeduck capsule had jammed in the loading mechanism. Later I took a look at the machine coming home, and it appeared to have been crushed; Quite a mess !

I asked her if I could work on it in my shop and took it home. No luck even with my best magnifying glass, hemostat, and surgical knife. I informed her and asked if she wanted an electric tea pot, but she said the machine was primarily for guests. We then gave her a new C 100 machine for the holidays.

I understand some believing that these capsules will allow them to enjoy a coffee brand or mix that they like. Previously I did this too using Brasilian beans and a Gaggia Carezza for many years. But seeing the results it just does not work.

Wasting a little money on the cuckoo capsules is one thing: Throwing away a perfectly good Nespresso machine using something never intended, is not worth it, and not warranted. With these capsule " entrepreneurs ", you and your machine are on your own.