- February 17, 2022
- 2:12 am
Whether you roll out of bed thinking about it or you enjoy sipping on it late at night, there’s no doubt that coffee – in all its shapes and forms – is one of the most popular beverages across the globe thanks to its special flavor, alluring aroma, and never-failing “wake up” call!
Today, we’ve got a real treat for all sorts of coffee lovers as we present you with the 22 best Nespresso capsules available on the market that’ll surely satisfy your taste buds’ cravings.
So if you already own a reliable Nespresso machine, or you’re simply scoping the field for interesting spices before you make a purchase, this article is definitely for you!
Our Top 5 Nespresso Capsules
The Top 22 Nespresso Coffee Pods
1. Nespresso VertuoLine Coffee, Intenso
First up on our list is a capsule compatible with Vertuo machines, the Nespresso VertuoLine Coffee Intenso is exactly what the name implies, a deep and heavy blend that offers a lingering dense taste as well as a strong aroma.
Brewing a 7.8 oz cup of coffee, this capsule contains dark roasted ground made of Guatemalan washed Robusta along with Central and South America Arabicas.
Delivering a coffee experience with intensity level 9, the Nespresso VertuoLine Coffee Intenso will surely give a head start on the day! These capsules are available in sleeves of 10 or 30 pods.
- DEEP ; DENSE:;;Brown sugar and roasted notes are the signature...
- DARK ROAST: The Arabicas get a darker roast to lower the acidity...
2. Nespresso VertuoLine Coffee, Stormio
Meant for VertuoLine machines, the Nespresso VertuoLine Coffee Stormio quite literally takes your taste buds by storm with its unmistakable rich flavor that delivers addicting notes of spice, wood, and cereal.
Developed to brew a recommend cup size of 7.8 oz, the Stormio capsule gets its signature taste as a result of highly roasted ground that originates from Guatemalan washed Arabica mixed with Nicaraguan coffee beans.
The distinct Stormio capsule offers a level 8 intensity, and you can always dial it down by adding milk without losing the essence. These coffee capsules are available in packs containing 30 pods each.
- RICH ; STRONG:;Stormio can carry all the intensity of those...
- DARK ROAST: Enjoy the intensity of these Central American...
3. Nespresso Kazaar OriginalLine Capsules
Switching to capsules developed for OriginalLine machines, the Nespresso Kazaar OriginalLine Capsule is widely popular thanks to its unmatched delivery of intensity and strength.
Engineered to brew a perfect 1.35 oz espresso shot, the Kazaar capsule carries medium roasted ground sourced all the way from Brazilian and Guatemalan Robusta, blended with Arabica coffee beans from South America.
The beautiful spicy flavor of the Kazaar capsule delivers a level 12 intensity, one of the highest ranks offered by Nespresso. These coffee pods are sold as sleeves of 10 units per box.
- COFFEE BLEND:;;Brazilian ; Guatemalan Robusta and South American...
- DARK ROAST:; We split roast the coffees to bring out distinct...
4. Nespresso Dharkan Intenso OriginalLine Capsules
Also created for the Nespresso OriginalLine machines, these Nespresso Dharkan Intenso OriginalLine Capsules are almost as heavy and drastic as the previous Kazaar ones, with the keyword here being almost.
Landing at a level 11 intensity, the Dharkan capsules still offer a strong flavor, but with a velvety texture that coats your mouth in its rich aftertaste, ideal for kicking off a long day.
Recommended for 1.35 espresso cup size, the Dharkan coffee capsule is made of split-roasted beans from Latin America and Asia, blending together to give you a delicious experience. Each box of the Dharkan OriginalLine capsules has 10 pods.
- LONG ROASTED & VELVETY: This Nespresso coffee blends powerful...
- INTENSITY 11: This Nespresso coffee blend offers a subtle balance...
5. Nespresso VertuoLine Coffee, Melozio
Jumping back to capsules compatible with VertuoLine machines, the Nespresso VertuoLine Coffee Melozio capsule is specifically designed to please coffee lovers with a knack for well-balanced flavor profiles.
The smooth and rounded taste of the Melozio capsule is the result of lightly roasting a blend of Brazilian Bourbon and Central American Arabica beans, delivering a dose of soft notes.
Rounding at intensity level 6, the Nespresso VertuoLine Melozio capsules can be perfect for a mid-day recharge. Once you add milk, you can also enjoy a sweeter side of this coffee. Again, each pack of these capsules consists of 10 pods.
- SMOOTH ; BALANCED:;Through the coffee crema you’ll catch its...
- MEDIUM ROAST: Split roasting these Arabica coffees allows the...
Don’t have a Nespresso yet?
If you haven’t yet figured out which Nespresso to buy, or if you’re thinking about trading up to a different model, check out our Nespresso Buying Guide.
Find the Best Nespresso Machine
6. Nespresso VertuoLine Coffee, Caramelizio
Who said that coffee drinks can’t associate with fun flavors? If you appreciate a cup of coffee with a sprinkle of unique flavors, then you’ll definitely like the Nespresso Coffee Caramelizio Capsule.
Originating from the countries of Brazil and Central America, the Caramelizio capsule is made of lightly roasted Arabica beans to deliver a rich texture of caramelized sugar notes and a subtle aroma of soothing vanilla.
Hovering around a level 6 intensity, this particular capsule is best brewed as a 7.8 oz cup of coffee, available in sleeves of 10 pots.
7. Nespresso Master Origin India OriginalLine Capsules
Coming in with a highly praised option for OriginalLine machines, this Nespresso capsule is part of the prestigious Master Origin category, particularly capturing the raw flavor profile of the land of India.
Spirited and loaded with spicy notes, the Master Origin India capsule is a blend of Indian Monsooned Robusta as well as South and Central American Arabica beans, offering a full-bodied coffee combo like no other.
The split-roasted capsule ranks at intensity level 8 so you can start your morning with a blast. The Master Origin India capsule is recommended for brewing a 1.35 oz espresso shot.
8. Nespresso VertuoLine Coffee, Odacio
A big cup of coffee has the ability to completely make your day, and if you crave to taste bold flavors that just explode in your mouth, you may want to try out the Nespresso VertuoLine Coffee Odacio capsule.
Only compatible with the VertuoLine machine, the Odacio brings about an exciting blend of fine Arabica coffee beans from Ethiopia and Nicaragua, creating a lively full-bodied taste with cereal notes and a hint of fruitiness.
Contrasting yet complementary, the Nespresso Odacio capsule offers just the right amount of intensity at level 7 to wake up your senses. With 10 capsules per sleeve, these capsules are recommended for a 7.8 oz cup size.
9. Nespresso VertuoLine Coffee, Solelio
Continuing our trip through the VertuoLine capsules, the Nespresso VertuoLine Coffee Solelio Capsule is here to give you a thrilling taste as bright as its golden package.
The Solelio coffee capsule carries notes of toasted cereal infused with hints of delicate red fruit aromas, a well-balanced blend that can only be the result of roasting Arabica beans from Kenya and Colombia.
The process is done in two splits, combining light and medium-roast techniques to produce a distinct and rich flavor, landing at a laid-back intensity of level 3. The VertuoLine Solelio capsule brews a beautiful 7.8 oz cup of coffee.
10. Nespresso VertuoLine Coffee, Giornio
Adored by thousands of coffee drinkers, the Nespresso Giornio capsule is part of the exclusive VertuoLine club, uniquely developed to give you a delightful blend of flavors over your breakfast.
The mixture of coffee beans used to make the Giornio capsule is quite interesting. First, we can sense both soft and wild floral aromas resulting from roasting two types of Ethiopian Arabicas: Sidamo and Mokaboji. Then the Kenyan Arabica adds acidity to really highlight the sweetness of the coffee.
With level 4 intensity, the Giornio capsule brews a cup of coffee just under 8 oz.
11. Nespresso Ristretto OriginalLine Capsules
Traveling back to capsules compatible with OriginalLine machines, the Nespresso Ristretto capsule is based upon delivering a flavor that’s so powerful and rich that you keep thinking about it the whole day!
This capsule gets its distinctly strong taste from the combination of South American Arabica beans, sourced from countries such as Colombia and Brazil, with citrusy East African Arabicas and a touch of Robusta to shake things up.
It’s made through a process of slow split roasting to ensure a pleasant merge of fruity and acidic notes. The Nespresso Ristretto capsule offers intensity at level 10.
12. Nespresso Arpeggio OriginalLine Capsules
Scoring a 9 on the intensity chart, the Nespresso Arpeggio Capsule for OriginalLine machines can very likely be your next favorite step of your morning routine.
Made of beans originated from Central and South American Arabicas, the Arpeggio blend goes through a long roasting process to develop a rich and creamy flavor profile, enriched with cocoa and roasted notes.
The intense taste tends to linger around for a while, something highly appreciated by any fan of coffee. The Arpeggio capsule is best recommended to brew a 1.35 oz espresso cup, available in boxes containing 50 pods each.
13. Nespresso OriginalLine Fortissio Lungo
Designed for the biggest cup size brewed by the OriginalLine machines, the Nespresso Fortissio Lungo promises a dark and rich taste experience that’ll surely satisfy your coffee cravings.
The blend used in the Fortissio Capsule is made from premium Arabica beans of Central and South America, mixed with a hint of Robusta for an extra zing. The result is a full-bodied coffee, swimming among toasted notes of sweet cereal and malt.
Fortissio also offers a welcomed bitterness, which all but adds to its delicious flavor. This capsule scores a 7 across the intensity scale, available in boxes of 50 pieces and brewing a 3.7 oz cup.
14. Nespresso Livanto OriginalLine Capsules
Another great capsule for your Nespresso OriginalLine machine collection is none other than the Livanto Capsule with its refreshing and simple, yet luscious flavor profile.
Utilizing medium roasted beans, the Livanto capsule brings together pure Arabica from South and Central America to create a smooth, well-balanced blend that particularly originates from Colombia and Costa Rica.
With a delicious freckle of roasted caramel, the Livanto capsule brews a 1.35 oz espresso shot at a moderate intensity of level 6. It’s also sold as a 5 box package, each carrying 10 capsules.
15. Nespresso VertuoLine Coffee, Decaffeinato
Taking a break from the caffeine craze, the Nespresso Coffee Decaffeinato Capsule is a special one for all coffee lovers out there who are in it for the flavor rather than the alertness buzz.
Developed from pure Arabica beans originating from Colombia and Costa Rica, the Decaffeinato medium roast blend is wonderfully smooth and wholesome, with undeniable richness and generous notes of malt and cereal.
If you enjoy adding milk to your coffee, do it to explore additional hints of fresh nuts. The Decaffeinato capsule offers a level 6 when it comes to intensity, brewing a 7.77 oz cup of coffee.
16. Nespresso VertuoLine Coffee, Elvazio
Designated for the Nespresso VertuoLine machine system, the Elvazio capsule is a tribute to people who appreciate the fun and fruity flavor profiles as much as they enjoy the familiar tinge of a good coffee brew.
Light and delicate, the Elvazio capsule is a refreshing blend of superb Arabica sourced from Colombian and Brazilian Bourbon beans, which undergo a special extraction process to create a fragrant mixture of rounded smoothness, fruitness, and hinted acidity.
Once you add milk, the fruity side fades away to let the creamy texture shine, along with notes of caramel and cereal. The Elvazio capsule ranks at intensity 4, brewing a 7.77 oz cup of coffee.
17. Nespresso VertuoLine Espresso, Altissio
Adopting a magical blend of South American and Costa Rican flavors, the Nespresso Altissio capsule is what you need if you’re looking for a straightforward coffee experience with minimal interruption.
Compatible with the VertuoLine machine system, the Altissio capsule is made of highly roasted beans from South America that enhance the intensity of the full-bodied brew, mixed with Costa Rican Arabica to balance the depth with soft cereal notes.
This dark roast capsule brings intensity to a level 9, brewing a jolting 1.35 oz cup of espresso.
18. Nespresso Vivalto Lungo Decaffeinato OriginalLine Capsules
We’ve already mentioned a decaf coffee capsule designed for the VertuoLine up on our list, but you didn’t think we’d miss out on adding one for OriginalLine users, did you?
Introducing the Vivalto Lungo Decaffeinato capsule, specifically created for espresso lovers who can do without the buzz of caffeine in their days. It’s an excellent brew to sip on for a less intense experience while still keeping every bit of complexity in flavors.
Here, the Colombian and Ethiopian Arabicas are roasted separately to perfectly capture the balanced floral notes of coffee beans. Brewing a 3.7 oz cup of espresso, the Vivalto Lungo Decaffeinato scores a nice 4 on the Nespresso intensity scale.
19. Nespresso OriginalLine Roma Capsules
Unique and memorable just like its name, the Roma Capsules developed for the Nespresso OriginalLine systems offer a subtle yet addicting taste that combines fullness and power with impeccable balance.
The Roma capsule is made of lightly roasted Central and South American Arabica beans, bringing forth the signature notes of sweet and woody flavors that simply coat your palate with a lasting richness.
Ranking at intensity level 8, the Nespresso OriginalLine Roma capsules brew a 1.35 oz cup of espresso, sold in packs with 10 pods per sleeve.
20. Nespresso VertuoLine Coffee, Hazelino
For the times when you need more than the traditional bitterness of coffee, Nespresso has got your back with a big yummy cup of coffee courtesy of the exquisite Hazelino Capsule.
The exciting Hazelino capsule is compatible with Nespresso VertuoLine machines as they’re able to efficiently extract the rich flavors for a perfect brew.
The Hazelino capsule is made from pure Arabica beans, originating from Brazil and Central America, which are medium roasted and infused with hazelnut notes, creating a smooth sweet taste and giving off a striking nutty aroma. If you wish to add a praline touch, just pour in some milk!
The VertuoLine Hazelino Capsules offer an intensity of level 6, best suited to produce a 7.8 oz cup of coffee.
21. Nespresso Capriccio OriginalLine Capsules
Just as there are times when you just feel like experimenting with your coffee flavor, we all have those days where we just need a good old cup of coffee without any extra bling. A cup of simple familiarity is what you get with the Capriccio Capsule.
This capsule is created for OriginalLine machines, offering an intensity level that’s exactly down the middle of the scale; a 5.
Not too strong, nor too weak, the Capriccio capsule is made from South American Arabica beans, lightly roasted and blended with a hint of Robust to deliver a rich aroma and a typical note of cereal.
22. Nespresso VertuoLine Coffee, Half Caffeinato
Last but not least, the Half Caffeinato Capsule is a middle ground for anybody watching their caffeine intake, which is probably why it’s been recently gaining more and more popularity.
But it doesn’t stop there, the caffeine may be cut down to half in this capsule, but the flavor is full-on present! Brazilian and Ethiopian Arabica beans meet together to create a sweet blend of velvety texture and touches of biscuit. Caramel and nutty notes also come into the picture with the addition of milk.
With intensity 5, the Half Caffeinato is meant for VertuoLine machines, brewing a 7.8 oz cup of coffee.
What are Nespresso Capsules?
I mean, some would argue that if you don’t know what Nespresso capsules are then you must have been living under a rock, but since we all share a passion for all that’s coffee, we decided to explain what Nespresso capsules are anyway! So buckle up, it’s a wild ride!
Let’s start with the basic concept of Nespresso capsules.
A Nespresso capsule, also known as a Nespresso pod, is part of a patented system developed by the company Nespresso, part of the infamous multinational Swiss corporation Nestlé, to make you one cup of premium-quality coffee per each capsule using their innovative Nespresso machines.
The way this thing works is as simple as ABC, you just pop your favorite capsule into its designated compartment on the machine, press the ‘start’ button, and sit back while the machine brews and dispenses your coffee drink. The machine runs hot water over the coffee granules through the capsule to extract flavors and aromas, offering you a wonderful cup of coffee at the end.
Before you start up the machine, you get to choose the cup size, as well as your preferred type of coffee capsule to produce a drink as intense as you want with a flavor that you like.
What are Nespresso Capsules made of?
As for the materials used in manufacturing Nespresso capsules, the pod itself is made of aluminum which was found to provide the maximum level of protection for the optimal preservation of freshness and aromas of the coffee inside.
The material is highly recyclable and lighting, allowing for less packaging and transportation costs.
To ensure your safety and keep your mind at ease, the coffee within the capsule is separated from the aluminum layer by a food-grade lacquer. Also, all the materials that come in contact with your coffee are free of BPA and fully compliant with the regulations set by international organizations such as the FDA.
You may be wondering: well, what about Nespresso coffees? Are they all-natural? Halal? Perhaps they contain gluten or some sort of allergen?
Well, you should be pleased to know that the answers to all those questions are rather positive. Nespresso coffees contain flavors and aromas extracted from natural sources. They’re both Halal and Kosher to comply with Muslim and Jewish religions.
Also, Nespresso coffees are free of gluten as well as most of the common allergens including soy, dairy, nuts, and eggs. Granted, Nespresso offers coffees with flavors that hint at substances such as milk and cocoa, however, these are essentially just aromas that don’t really exist in the coffee for consumption.
Nespresso Capsules – Cracking the Code
By now, you should have a pretty clear understanding as to what Nespresso capsules are, what they’re made of, and the nature of the coffee packed inside them. This means it’s time for us to dig deeper into the fascinating universe of Nespresso capsules to really crack their code!
So let’s start by saying that there are 2 major lines of Nespresso coffee capsules: Original and Vertuo, and before we break down each line to a simple guide, there are a few points you need to recognize.
Nespresso capsules aren’t created the same, meaning that while all capsules end up giving you coffee, they widely differ in application, size, intensity, and many other aspects such as aroma, flavor, and origin.
Since you can refer to our list for better insight on the latter qualities of Nespresso coffee capsules, here, we’ll be covering application, sizing, and intensity.
Application
For application, we’d like you to recall what we said about Nespresso capsules being produced under 2 lines, Original and Vertuo. Nespresso capsules are made for only one or the other of these lines, so basically, you can’t use the same capsule in both machines.
Original Nespresso machines are capable of brewing espresso alone, while Vertuo Nespresso machines can brew espresso as well as coffee. This translates into a more authentic experience with the Original coffee capsules vs a wider range of coffee styles with the Vertuo coffee capsules.
Sizing
Each line of coffee capsules offers different types of coffee, which in turn, has specific cup size recommendations to provide the optimal flavor and texture. Here’s a chart to better explain the numerous cup sizes offered by Nespresso
- Ristretto – 0.85 oz
- Espresso – 1.35 oz
- Double Espresso – 2.7 oz
- Lungo – 3.7 oz
- Gran Lungo – 5 oz
- Coffee – 7.77 oz
- Alto XL – the biggest cup size at 14 oz
Nespresso Original Capsules come in Ristretto, Espresso, and Lungo cup sizes, while Nespresso Vertuo Capsules are available in Espresso, Double Espresso, Gran Lungo, Coffee, and Alto XL.
Intensity
Another element you should understand, and one that we talk about in every item on our list, is the level of intensity offered by a Nespresso coffee capsule.
Nespresso ranks the intensity of their coffees on a scale that goes from intensity level 1 all the way to intensity level 13!
Now, you may be thinking that this “intensity” somehow relates to how much caffeine a certain coffee capsule contains, but actually, the caffeine content doesn’t have anything to do with intensity ratings.
Nespresso came up with their intensity levels after considering 3 major factors that affect your coffee drinking experience, which are:
- Body: If you like bold flavors with a heavy and rich taste, then perhaps you should go for a higher intensity capsule as it offers a full-bodied satisfaction. But if you’re more into a laid back coffee taste with a gentle profile, then a lower intensity is probably what you want since it delivers moderate to light-bodied coffee.
- Bitterness: This one is pretty much self-explanatory, a higher intensity level capsule means a more bitter coffee and vice versa.
- Roasting: With so many flavors obtained from different roast levels, it’s up to you to determine the level of fullness you prefer.
Hey, we’re almost done! There’s just one final step remaining on our journey of cracking the code behind Nespresso capsules, and that’s to know what categories of coffee are available under each line of Nespresso capsules. Here we go:
Original Line
Produced for Original line Nespresso machines, there are 6 main categories of Nespresso Original Coffee Capsules:
- Intenso – meant to be enjoyed in a Ristretto or an Espresso cup, this category of capsules is all about powerful and heavy coffee. As you can probably tell by the name, Intenso capsules are seriously intense, rated between levels 8 to 12.
- Espresso – old is truly gold with this one. Obviously, such capsules should be served as shots to waken up the senses with balanced familiar blends, ranking at lower levels of intensity from 4 to 6.
- Master Origin – this category focuses on delivering a distinctive and pure coffee taste using beans that were harvested from one specific location and mastered by local craftsmen. These capsules are available for Espresso and Lungo cups with intensity ranging from 4 to 11.
- Lungo – once again, this category refers to different types of Nespresso capsules made for the Lungo cup size, offering intensity levels from 4 to 9.
- Decaffeinato – true to its name, this category of Nespresso capsules will give you all the flavor, aroma, and experience of any regular coffee, minus the caffeine and with quite a range too, going from intensity level 4 up to level 10.
- Crafted For Milk – landing at a solid 6 for intensity, this particular category has capsules developed to let you get creative with home recipes using milk for a yummy cup of coffee, sized Ristretto or Espresso.
VertuoLine
As for the versatile Nespresso Vertuo Coffee Capsules, you can basically find the same 6 categories but with a twist on style as well as intensity. Oh, and bigger sizes of course!
- Alto XL – as we mentioned above, this is the largest cup size offered by Nespresso capsules for the days when you just wish your drink to never come to an end! Here, you’ll find capsules ranking at intensity 4 to 7.
- Coffee – with intensity levels going from 2 to 9, capsules in this category offer almost 8 oz of multiple blends of strong, balanced, and even decaffeinated coffees. You just need to choose!
- Gran Lungo – Also presenting an assortment of different coffee styles, these capsules allow you to hold onto your favorite taste experience a little bit longer, with intensities running through levels 4 to 8.
- Double Espresso – sometimes you need more than a single shot, so how about doubling the authentic deliciousness of Espresso, keeping the intensity high at 6 and 8 ranks.
- Espresso – “Less is more” is what this category of Nespresso Vertuo capsules came to accomplish, offering a couple of heavy, light, and decaffeinated options, as well as 4 to 11 intensity spectrum.
- Crafted For Milk – this special set of Nespresso capsules is actually s a new addition to the Vertuo family, bringing yummy recipes in bigger servings available for Double Espresso and Coffee cup sizes.
Wrapping Up Our Review of the Best Nespresso Pods
There you have it, folks! 22 of the best Nespresso capsules that money can buy. You may already be familiar with some of the flavors we’ve mentioned on our list and you may be completely surprised by others.
However, that’s the beauty of drinking coffee! While traditional flavors offer a sense of comfort and joy, new spices bring exciting taste profiles that may just rock your world!
(If you’re still looking for a Nespresso machine, make sure you check out our Nespresso reviews and buying guide, where we pick the best machines available this year!)
- The Best Nespresso Capsules - Review of Our Top 22 Picks
- The Best Nespresso Capsules
- Nespresso Capsules - Review
- The Best Nespresso Capsules - Review
- Nespresso Capsules - Review of Our Top 22 Picks