Have you noticed that these automated coffee machines are becoming increasingly popular? Seriously if you look around, you will see that many people switched from drip coffee makers to those like Keurig and Nespresso, etc. But we have to say we were rather skeptical towards them for quite a long time. We were loyal to Moka pot and standard espresso machines. Hence we had a hard time imagining that coffee from a capsule or pod can be good.
But not so long ago, our opinion changed, because we had a chance to try a fantastic coffee made in the Nespresso machine. It was hard to believe that such a good coffee came from a pod. But it was true. “What is the trick?” we asked a friend who offered us this cup of java! “There is no trick! You just need to know how to choose the right Nespresso coffee pods!”
It was an interesting discovery for us! Hence we started reading various Nespresso pods reviews from users, and talking with baristas and other coffee professionals to figure out which pods and capsules would suit us most. In the end, we decided to compile all the information and create this pod and Nespresso capsule guide to help other people who may have similar questions as we did.
What Are Nespresso Capsules
Ha, who can answer this question ?! You are right it is tricky because different terms are often used interchangeably such as capsules, pads, and pods. However, they are not the same. So what are Nespresso capsules? Often when we hear about capsules, George Clooney pops into our mind! But George is Nespresso and not every capsule is Nespresso! There are different capsule brands on the market today. But, we can maybe say that Nespresso is the best. What are the best Nespresso capsules then? Okay, capsules are similar to pods in the sense that they are pre-packed doses of coffee. This coffee is packed in plastic or aluminum cups with foil on top. The most common name is a capsule, but you can find them also as coffee containers depending on the website of the store that sells them. Keep in mind that not all capsules fit all coffee machines.
Besides capsules, there are also Nespresso coffee pods. Coffee pods are puffed which is why some people call them tea bags on steroids. When you buy Nespresso machine pods you get a standardized 7 grams of espresso compressed in a paper pod in the shape of a disk. If you want to use pods you need to make sure to buy a machine for pods or the one that can use both capsules and pods.
Nespresso Pods Types Overview
This brand created sixteen different Nespresso capsules types that you can use in machines for personal use. Hence it is a bit strange to say that you don’t like Nespresso coffee! However, differentiating between all these capsules and figuring out which one is for you can be a tricky business. We will provide a brief description of each of them in the table below. But before we do that, it is essential to know that they are classified.
- Nespresso espresso pods and capsules. They are short coffee capsules. There are 6 different options.
- Pure origin capsules also contain espresso coffee. They are however +made with specialist variety. There are three options.
- Lungo capsules are made for longer coffee. It usually uses twice as much coffee as espresso. However, it uses less water than Americano.
- Decaffeinato capsules are specialist Nespresso capsules. Three options vary in flavor intensity.
Now it is time to check out this Nespresso flavours guide:
| Capsule | Aromatic Profile | Roasting | Origin | Size of Cup |
| Ristretto | Intensely roasted | Slowly and separately | South America and East Africa | 25ml/40ml |
| Arpeggio | Cocoa | Roasted intensely | South and Central America | 25/40ml |
| Roma Capsule | Woody | Light roasting and fine grinding | Central America | 25/40ml |
| Livanto capsule | Cereal | Medium roasting | Costa Rica and Columbia | 40ml |
| Volluto capsule | Cereal | Light | Brazil and Columbia | 40ml |
| Capriccio | cereal | Light | South America | 40 ml |
| Cosi capsule | Citrus | Light | East Africa | 40 ml |
| Dulsa Do Brazil Capsule | Honey | Light to medium | Brazil | 40ml |
| Rosabaya de Brazil | Winey | Split roasting | Brazil | 40ml |
| Indriya from India | Spicy | Arabica is lightly roasted and Robusta dark roasted. | Southern India | 25/40ml |
| Fortissio Lungo | Intensely roasted | Intense split roasting | Central and South America | 110ml |
| Vivalto Lungo | Flowery | Separate roasting | South America | 110ml |
| Linizio Lungo | Malted cereal | Split roasting | Brazil and Columbia | 110 ml |
| Decaffeinato | Winey | Short light roasting | South America, Columbia | 40 ml |
| Decaffeinato Lungo | Cereal | Slow and sustained | Brazil and Columbia | 110ml |
| Decaffeinato Intenso | Cocoa | Short and intense | South America | 40ml |
How Much Caffeine Is In Each Nespresso Capsule?
No matter how much we love coffee, it is essential to not exaggerate with caffeine intake. That is why it is necessary to know how much caffeine these capsules contain.
Well, while creating our Nespresso pods reviews, we’ve discovered that in general, the espresso capsule comes with about 55 to 65 mg of caffeine. Lungo capsules contain somewhere between 77 and 89 mg of caffeine. Meanwhile, decaffeinated capsules contain less than 0.1% of caffeine. They are ideal for people who want to enjoy their favorite beverage in the evening without disturbing their sleep patterns or other unpleasant “too much caffeine” side effects.
Are There Decaffeinated Pods
Yes, there are also decaf pods. They allow you to get a single serving easily. Decaffeination is the process of removing the caffeine from unroasted coffee beans. There are several ways to do it. Some involve chemicals, while others are done naturally. Nespresso uses 100 percent natural decaffeination process. Coffee is processed with water which allows the gradual extraction of caffeine from the beans. By doing this, the taste of coffee remains unchanged.
Are Nespresso Capsules Organic?
Unfortunately, none of the most popular Nespresso capsules contain organic coffee, for now. However, Nespresso has a program called Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality Coffee. More than 80% of the Nespresso original pods are created within this program. The company is working with more than seventy thousand farmers from twelve countries. They provide training, support, and financial and technical assistance. The goal of the program is to improve sustainability and production towards reaching organic production in the future.
Do Nespresso Capsules Contain Allergens?
None of the Nespresso coffee blends, including Nespresso vertuoline pods, do contain any allergens. They also don’t come with food preservatives. Some products contain aromas. However, they don’t contain any kind of contaminant.
Nespresso capsules and pods don’t contain sugar, either. The only thing you will find in them is ground coffee, nothing else. If you want a sweetened beverage you need to add sugar after. The same stands for milk.
What to Look for When Buying Nespresso Pods
As you noticed there are plenty of Nespresso options! So, how do you know which one is best for you? If you know whether you like light, medium, or dark roast, this may be enough! But what if you are not sure about the meaning of it all? We are going to discuss several essential factors you need to consider when choosing your strongest Nespresso pods or Nespresso pods for latte.
Intensities
Various Nespresso capsules come with different intensities. It is necessary to know which ones have the darkest roast or the fullest body. The mildest coffee is labeled with number 1 and the strongest with 12. However, the intensity range for most options is between four and ten.
Roasts
Also, you should consider that various pods come with different types of roast. Some are light and some dark roasted. And there are also mildly roasted options, which we believe are the best. Plus, you can also find split roast option.
Flavors
Most espresso pods don’t have any additional flavors. So you can enjoy regular or long espresso. But, there are some options with flavor in both Vertuoline and Original Nespresso. For instance, you can find Chocolate Fudge, Hazelnut, Caramel, Vanilla, Coconut, etc.
Capsule Quantity
The number of capsules may vary depending on the package. However, on average you can find packages with 50 or capsules. It is important to know this to figure out how much you are paying for Nespresso capsules.
Coffee Quantity
There are three variations of capsule size. Depending on the type of coffee you are preparing g you can choose the 25 like Nespresso esenza mini, 40, or 110 ml capsules. Interestingly, the quantity is always the same regardless of the type of coffee.
Are There other Nespresso Compatible Capsules?
Nespresso capsules are undeniably the best since they provide wonderfully creamy and delicious coffee. But according to a lot of Nespresso pods reviews from users, people often wonder – are there some other capsules compatible with Nespresso coffee makers? Will pods from other brands work for Nespresso Essenza Mini or another model?
Although the project to make compatible capsules wasn’t successful in the beginning, today we have a plethora of options. Among others, we have Starbucks capsules, MePiachi capsules, Caffe Vergnano, etc.
FAQ
How Many Times Can You Use Nespresso Capsule?
Even the best Nespresso capsules are designed for single use. Some people say that you can use it twice, but that the coffee will be watered down a bit. This is false. Coffee grounds can simply be used once regardless of whether they are in a capsule, pod, etc. Otherwise, you will just get brown water that won’t be drinkable.
How Do I Know If My Nespresso Capsules Have Expired?
Nespresso capsules have an expiration date. It doesn’t mean that you can’t use them after this date. However, the coffee will probably be pretty stale, nine to twelve months after the expiration date.
What Are Nespresso Capsules Made Of?
Nespresso capsules are made of plastic or aluminum. Aluminum is the best option to preserve the freshness of the coffee. Plus, is infinitely recyclable.
Conclusion
This is all about the best Nespresso pods for today, folks. All and all, it’s clear that Nespresso coffee makers are convenient and easy to use. Apart from that, they allow you to enjoy delicious java in a matter of minutes. Now you know everything that you need to choose the best Nespresso pods for 2023, and we sincerelly hope that our little Nespresso capsule guide will help you with that!
So, have you ever tried Nespresso capsules brefore? Do you have a favorite?