You can use Nespresso to brew douwe Egberts!

by Chee Leng
(Singapore)

It is a pretty shocking news especially one that comes from a very established coffee company. I simply cannot imagine Sara Lee coming out with a capsules that is compatible with Nespresso.

But, earlier this week, Sara Lee Corp, has announced that they would be selling coffee capsule that can be used in Nespresso machines as early as next week.

Known as Sara Lee's L OR espresso capsules, it will go on sales first in France from 7th April onwards.

Personally, if it is a smaller company, it makes sense as they wanted to grow their coffee tonnage, but Sara Lee already has Senseo which is doing reasonably well, why would they want to further develop Nespresso product range.

This move would be a short term gain to Sara Lee given the high usage of nespresso machine. But, in the long run, it is bad for Sara Lee.

Before this, if I want to get a nespresso machine, the thing that puts me off would be the closed system, only using nespresso capsules.

But now, with a wider range, this resistance would be lower, and the usage of the nespresso machine might even be higher. This might not be good news for senseo...

Sara Lee Corp. will begin selling a coffee capsule compatible with Nespresso machines next week, as Nestle SA's fastest-growing brand faces more competition.

Sara Lee's L'OR Espresso capsules will go on sale in stores in France on April 7, the Downers Grove-based company said today in a statement.