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Author:
Laura Myers
When you want to quickly and easily brew coffee at home, a coffee machine such as Nespresso is an excellent choice. It requires single-use pods that are already pre-measured. All you have to do is pop your choice of coffee in the machine, add water, and turn it on.
All of the hassle and mess is taken out of home brewing. But what type of Nespresso coffee is best for you?
Keep reading to understand all you need to know about Nespresso and the different kinds of coffee that this unique, world-renowned machine can brew.
There are many single-serve options for coffee makers on the market. As you decide what to get, you’re sure to come across Nespresso pods and Nespresso capsules. What’s the difference?
It turns out, not much–the main difference is in the packaging. However, you need to make sure whether your Nespresso machine is compatible with pods or capsules, so you can buy the right single-serve coffee product. Not every machine can go with every capsule, either, so you may need to alter your machine purchase to match the type of Nespresso capsule you like the most.
Nespresso pods:
Both pods and capsules were designed with the same idea in mind: to provide a single serving of espresso in a convenient way. You’ll get the same amount of coffee and a consistent brew each time. They’re also single-use, so you will throw the pods and capsules away after brewing your cup.
Nespresso offers a variety of coffee options. Whether you’re looking for a bold flavor or single-origin coffee, you’ll be able to find capsules that fit your preference. Here are the different types of Nespresso capsules.
These capsules are “shorter” coffees, meaning that they were designed to be consumed as straight espresso or in a coffee drink that doesn’t involve a large volume of water. You can put an espresso capsule in your Nespresso machine and drink the coffee that comes out straight from the cup without any additions. These capsules are the ones Nespresso is most well known for, so a lot of people are used to drinking them.
Because they’re “shorter” coffee, this doesn’t mean that they aren’t strong. You’ll find a decent variation of intensity in the Espresso capsules. They feature a coffee blend–the beans are from different origins rather than just one. The four kinds of Espresso capsules are:
Nespresso’s “intense” capsules have the greatest intensity of all the brand’s capsules. The five Intenso capsules have scores from 9-12 in intensity–the highest you’ll find in Nespresso’s products. If you’re looking for a bold, intense flavor, invest in these capsules, which boast full and tasty profiles.
The five kinds of Intenso capsules are:
If you like single-origin coffee, this capsule is the Nespresso capsule for you. Pure Origine capsules feature beans that come from a single source. You’ll get a specific flavor and unique taste that’s entirely based on the location that the beans were grown in.
Nespresso’s Pure Origine capsules are sourced from:
These capsules were made for “longer” drinks–drinks where you’ll add more water to the coffee. For example, Lungo capsules are perfect when you make lattes or cappuccinos. They’ll bring out a subtler taste yet more complex flavors that become well-balanced when a higher amount of water or milk is added.
Lungo capsules come in four varieties:
You’ve probably guessed it–these capsules are decaffeinated. Keep in mind that decaf coffee isn’t necessarily wholly free from caffeine; Nespresso is transparent about the caffeine content of these capsules, which is at about 0.1%. However, all of the natural caffeine has been taken out of the capsules, and it’s a great choice for people who are looking to lower their caffeine intake yet can’t quite give up their coffee.
There are four different Decaffeinato capsules:
These capsules are perfect for people who like flavored coffee. They’re essentially the Espresso capsule with certain flavors added, so your coffee has that kick of extra taste. These Variation capsules include:
Nespresso’s Espresso capsules are basically the staple of Nespresso and are some of the most common Nespresso products that people buy. They contain common coffee blends and range in intensity. You’ll also find a wider variety of tastes in Espresso capsules than in other categories. Here are the full details on each kind of Espresso capsule.
Ristretto features Arabica beans from East Africa and South America. It’s an intense and full-bodied coffee with subtle fruity notes. The aroma also includes chocolate and a subtle contrast between a fruity and acidic profile.
Arpeggio is creamy and intense, with an aromatic profile that features cocoa notes. It’s made from high-quality Central and South American Arabica beans. It’s intensely roasted to bring out the unique characteristics of each place of origin and is finely ground.
Roma’s woody and roasted notes come together to provide a balanced and full cup of coffee. Central and South American Arabica beans are lightly roasted this time and then finely ground to create a short espresso that isn’t too strong or intense. Its beans were cultivated at a high altitude.
Livanto is well-balanced and stands out from the rest, thanks to its cereal and roasted notes. It provides a rounded profile with subtle fruity hints. The beans from Central and South America were grown following traditional methods, so their fruity and malted profile was preserved.
Capriccio provides a distinctive, rich taste. It contains South American Arabica beans with a little bit of Robusta as well. It all comes together for a strong cereal note and rich aroma. The beans are grown at a high altitude, then lightly roasted for light acidity.
Volluto is the Espresso capsule that features coffee from high-quality, small plantations located in Colombia and Brazil. The Arabica beans in this capsule are sweet and fruity, and you’ll get a hint of a biscuity flavor as well. The coffee is lightly roasted to preserve the unique notes from each source, which value growing coffee beans in an environmentally friendly manner.
This coffee provides a unique, lemony taste. It is lightly roasted and delivers refreshing citrus notes thanks to a special roasting method that is completed by the Nespresso Master Roasters. It’s the perfect choice for people who want a lightness and freshness to their coffee, or who’d like to test out a rare aroma that features hints of lemon.
Even after going through the breakdown of Nespresso’s different products, you may still have some questions about Nespresso capsules. Find answers to the most frequently asked questions below.
The amount of caffeine you’ll get from your Nespresso coffee depends on a few factors:
However, Nespresso does provide a general idea of the amount of caffeine you can expect for its different blends. Depending on the type of capsule, you’ll get:
Nespresso delivers high-quality coffee. However, it’s well known that its machines and capsules are available at a high price point. Due to this, people want to know whether they can keep the capsules for a long time before using them, so their purchase doesn’t go to waste.
The good news is, Nespresso’s capsules were designed specifically to last for a long time. You can have them for months or even years before putting them in your machine. The capsules are air-tight and do not let light or moisture in, so there’s no chance of bacteria or mold occurring.
Nespresso does highly recommend that you use the capsules within a year of original purchase. This is because using them soon ensures that the coffee will still be fresh. Many people find that their Nespresso capsules offer the richest and freshest taste when used within the first six months after purchase.
Nespresso capsules are made out of aluminum material. Not only does this type of packaging ensure freshness and rich flavor, but it is also recyclable. Since capsules are single-use, Nespresso aims to prevent people from just throwing their capsules away, which adds to landfills. Instead, Nespresso specifically designed its capsules to be recycled so you can feel good about your single-serve coffee.