Last Updated on September 13, 2021 by John Moretti
A good part of the world has been moving to coffee pods or capsules due to how they are so easy to use yet still very delicious. That said, Nespresso has become one of the biggest names in the capsule coffee industry. It has delivered amazing machines with equally amazing pods coming from different coffee brands all over the world.
- Best Overall: Ispirazione Italiana Venezia
- Best For Flavor: Volluto
- Best Dark Coffee: Diavolitto
- Best For Pure Coffee: India
- Best For Sweets: Linizio Lungo
- Best For Your Early Morning Jolt: Intenso Ristretto
- Best For Intensity: Ispirazione Palermo Kazaar
- Best For Balance: Fortissio Lungo
- Best For Cappuccino: Ciocattino
- Best For Latte: Arpeggio
- Best For Americano: Roma
- Best For Variety: Starbucks
Now that we have that out of the way, let’s look at some of the best Nespresso pods that you should never miss out on if you own a Nespresso machine.
Best Overall: Ispirazione Italiana Venezia
What I like: Great for a wide variety of different uses. It comes with an amazing flavor profile that makes it very versatile and delicious.
What I don’t like: Pretty rare and only works with OriginalLine.
On the top of this list is arguably the best cappuccino coffee pod you could ever get from Nespresso. The Nespresso Ispirazione Italiana Venezia is perfect for those who want that Italian blend in their cappuccino as this coffee takes that Italian twist with intense flavors that use Brazilian and Colombian Arabica beans to deliver you an amazing milk-based drink.
As such, this coffee pod is one of the most versatile flavors you could ever get on the market as it can be used for a lot of different types of drinks other than a cappuccino. Nespresso even uses this capsule to create a special tiramisu-styled cappuccino that you can check out on Nespresso’s website.
That said, the overall versatility and amazing flavor that comes with Nespresso Ispirazione Italiana Venezia can be sensed in its caramel and cereal notes, as well as a bit of fruitiness. It isn’t the most intense coffee coming from Nespresso, but it works great if you want to have a delicious cappuccino or latte early in the morning.
Our only problem is that the Nespresso Ispirazione Italiana Venezia is relatively new and isn’t as available as some other coffee pod varieties. That means that you may have a problem searching for it in physical stores, but you can get it from the Nespresso website. Also, note that you can’t use this capsule with the VertuoLine machines as it is only compatible with OriginalLine.
Best For Flavor: Volluto
What I like: Still tastes like coffee despite the low intensity in its caffeine level. It gives you that sweet taste that works perfectly with a late-day espresso.
What I don’t like: Not the best for those who want to keep themselves up or get a shot of energy early in the day.
As one of the least intense capsule coffee varieties coming from Nespresso, Volluto is simply for those who like the taste of coffee or espresso. That’s because it comes with one of the lowest intensity ratings on the market, but it gives you that sweet and light taste that you would love when you are looking for a good espresso in the evening.
As such, Volluto should be a good choice for you if you are looking for a cup of coffee at night, but you still want to have a good night’s sleep. It is flavorful with fruity notes with a subtle bitterness that goes well with how light its intensity is. So, in that case, you are going to love the fact that Nespresso Volluto gives you a good entry-level coffee pod that will surely introduce you to what Nespresso is all about.
However, don’t expect Volluto to be a good option early in the morning if you want a quick jolt of energy before going to work or a quick run. That’s because, again, it doesn’t have the intensity and the caffeine that some of the other coffee pods have. Still, it gives you that relaxing bitter, sweet, and fruity taste that you are looking for in a good cup of espresso.
Volluto can also be good for your latte, especially because of how it comes with a subtle sweetness. This allows you to have a milky and creamy latte without the overpowering flavor that most coffee pods come with.
Best Dark Coffee: Diavolitto
What I like: Powerful kick that works perfectly with its dark flavor. Great for your early-morning cup of coffee because of its powerful effects.
What I don’t like: Only fills half a cup of coffee. Probably works better for americano or latte because of its smaller serving.
Diavolitto is kind of like the opposite of Volluto. While Volluto is the best when it comes to that somewhat mild coffee flavor and kick, Diavolitto is one of the best when it comes to that dark and intense flavor that you would want from your cup of coffee. This is why Diavolitto should be at the top of your list if you are looking for a good cup of espresso that is as strong as your will to press on during the day.
Even though one capsule of Diavolitto isn’t enough to make an entire cup, it should already be more than enough to give you that coffee fix that you need for your everyday tasks. This capsule coffee variant comes with that dark and intense flavor perfect for a quick shot of espresso. As such, it works great as your best choice for early in the morning when you need that shot to wake you up.
Of course, if you want Diavolitto to have a milder taste, it won’t hurt to mix it with water for that americano effect or mix it with milk or cream for that tasty latte. And because of how strong Diavolitto is, one capsule is all you need for that perfect cup of coffee regardless of what you want to mix with your daily dose of caffeine.
The only problem with Diavolitto is that it is only compatible with Nespresso’s VertuoLine. Still, if you own a VertuoLine machine, you will love this Nespresso pod and how strong and intense it is.
Best For Pure Coffee: India
What I like: Very clean and smooth coffee flavor. Works best as it is because of how its pure taste isn’t too overpowering or too mellow.
What I don’t like: Not the most intense or dark flavor. Can be blended with water or milk but won’t taste as good.
India should be the purist’s best choice for the perfect cup of coffee that comes with the best mix of dark bitterness and a very clean and smooth flavor that dwells in your mouth in the best way possible. As such, Nespresso’s India capsules should be a treat for those who want their coffee as pure as possible.
The India coffee pod comes with delicate flavors that blend dark notes with a bit of cocoa and spices such as nutmeg and cloves. It isn’t as strong and as intense as some of the other dark roasts on this list, but it does its job perfectly well as far as its flavor profile is concerned. India tantalizes your tastebuds really well on its own, and that is why it should be the best choice for the coffee purist out there.
However, even though India is great on its own, you can still enjoy this somewhat bitter and aromatic coffee pod with water or milk to create your own blend. Then again, it still is better to stick with it as plain as possible if you want to appreciate the flavors that come with this amazing variety.
The India Nespresso pod is compatible with the OriginalLine but might be quite rare in comparison to some of the other Nespresso pods out there. Still, if you can find it on the market, it is more than worth trying.
Best For Sweets: Linizio Lungo
What I like: Amazing light flavor that works well with sweets. Best paired with baked goods during an afternoon coffee break.
What I don’t like: Lacks the intensity of some other coffee flavors.
Linizio Lungo is the perfect blend of flavor and mild potency because of how it doesn’t compromise its amazing taste even though it isn’t the most potent coffee pod out there. Instead, think of it as a slightly more potent and more flavorful version of Volluto as Linizio Lungo is capable of delivering that amazing coffee flavor without delivering that strong kick that some coffee drinkers don’t like.
If you must know, Linizio Lungo is inspired by Vienna bakeries because of how it carries that subtle yet somewhat flavorful coffee taste that pairs well with different desserts. This is exactly why this coffee pod is best paired with cakes and bread during the afternoon, as you might want to enjoy a good cup of coffee with a quick snack.
Although Linizio Lungo is one of the most palatable coffee drinks out there, it still has enough strength and complexity to deliver a good cup of coffee for those looking for those complex notes in their java. As such, even though it is best for those who don’t like the overpowering flavor of coffee, it can still give you hints of that flavor as it may come with hidden notes that can tingle your tastebuds.
That said, Linizio Lungo is only available for OriginalLine machines. It also isn’t the best when it comes to lattes and cappuccinos due to how mild its flavor is. Then again, it still is worth a try if you prefer to drink your coffee with sweets.
Best For Your Morning Jotlt: Intenso Ristretto
What I like: Very intense coffee that works well in the morning to wake you up from your groggy state. Good for those who prefer darker flavors in their coffee.
What I don’t like: Probably a bit too intense for some people. Not the best for those who palpitate when drinking coffee.
Another Nespresso coffee pod that is great for those who love intense flavors and effects is Intenso Ristretto, which gives you a powerful, intense, and dark experience that should be right up there at the top. It works great for those who really want that complexity in their coffee, as Intenso Ristretto comes with some of the most complex flavors out there.
Intenso Ristretto gives you a spicy and peppery aroma that is complemented by a hint of woody fragrances. Meanwhile, its flavor is almost perfect in terms of how dark you want your coffee, as Intenso Ristretto gives you a punch of bitterness and roasty flavors that you wouldn’t want to miss out on.
That said, Intenso Ristretto is perfect as a good cup of plain espresso if you really want that intense flavor to dominate your tastebuds and senses. However, it also works as a good base for your latte or cappuccino because of how strong it is. You are going to enjoy the woodsy notes when you take a sip of this better and intense cup of coffee.
Intenso Ristretto is available only for the Nespresso Professional Machines. That said, it is quite easy to find this coffee pod as it is available in most Nespresso stores and through your favorite online vendor.
Best For Intencity: Ispirazione Palermo Kazaar
What I like: One of the most intense coffee pods out there. It keeps you awake and is great for that quick jolt of energy for your daily tasks.
What I don’t like: Probably a bit too intense for those with lower caffeine tolerances. Also, it might come off too strong in terms of its dark flavor.
If you think some of the dark roasts on this list are already dark and intense, the Ispirazione Palermo Kazaar gives you a different look at what it means to be intense. This is one of the darkest and most intense Nespresso coffee pods out there as it brings out the boldness that only those who want their coffee strong would want from their cup.
With an intensity rating of 12 out of a maximum of 13, Ispirazione Palermo Kazaar gives you a very delicious dark and bitter cup of coffee that is out of this world in terms of how bold it is. The first sip that you take will instantly give you a hint of what this coffee is all about, as the lingering aftertaste following that first sip will fill your mouth with notes of dark chocolate and bitter decadence. This makes a treat for those who really want a strong and dark flavorful cup of coffee.
The Ispirazione Palermo Kazaar pod is great for your early-morning shot of energy because of how its aroma alone will be more than enough to truly wake you up from your groggy state. Meanwhile, a shot of it will give you more than enough energy to last throughout the toughest parts of your day. That’s why this is one of the best in terms of its overall caffeine intensity and boldness.
But the problem when it comes to the Ispirazione Palermo Kazaar is that it might not be the ideal capsule coffee for those on the lower end of the caffeine tolerance spectrum. But, then again, it stands out for those who really want their coffee to give them an early punch minutes after waking up.
Best For Balance: Fortissio Lungo
What I like: Amazing balance in terms of its flavor and intensity level. Great for those who want a good and flavorful cup of coffee that is capable of keeping you awake but with a balanced flavor.
What I don’t like: Not the best for those who want a more intense cup.
Fortissio Lungo is the capsule coffee that marries flavor and intensity in one good pod. We believe that to be because Fortissio Lungo comes with a good flavor profile that will give you what you want from a mildly dark roast of coffee. However, despite that, it doesn’t really carry that intense kick that others might not want from their coffee.
Given that Fortissio Lungo is very flavorful yet not quite as intense as its flavor might suggest it to be, it is great for those who want the best-tasting cup of coffee without the intense caffeine that some of the darker roasts tend to have. As such, Fortissio Lungo is great for lattes because its dark and complex flavors blend well with the creaminess and sweetness of milk and sugar.
Still, if you want your coffee plain and dark, you can drink Fortissio Lungo as it is. And you can use this for your quick jolt of morning energy if you want to feel awake for work or a quick workout. This is why Fortissio Lungo is the perfect marriage of flavor and intensity.
Fortissio Lungo is only available for OriginalLine machines. That said, this should be in your arsenal of coffee pods if you do have an OriginalLine machine, as Fortissio Lungo is more than worth it.
Best For Capuccino: Ciocattino
What I like: It makes a great cup of cappuccino because of its amazing chocolatey flavor and texture. Good for those who love the taste of bitter dark chocolate.
What I don’t like: It can be too bitter for those who want a more mellow and lighter flavor.
The name of this Nespresso coffee pod says it all. Ciocattino is great for those who really love the taste of pure chocolate because this coffee capsule carries an amazing hint of chocolate on top of the amazing notes of coffee that comes with this dark roast. And it isn’t even as intense as its flavor might make it out to be.
Ciocattino gives you that dark and bold flavor full of chocolatey notes without the intensity that may be too much for some coffee drinkers out there. Its intensity level is only at 6, but you wouldn’t realize that when you sip a cup of this coffee because it is full of dark and intense flavors that dance well in your mouth.
So, if you are someone who loves plain yet rich espresso, a good shot of Ciocattino should be more than enough to tantalize your senses. However, if you want to truly make its chocolate flavor stand out, you can whip up a cappuccino or even a good mocha drink using this Nespresso coffee pod. The chocolatey possibilities are simply endless when it comes to Ciocattino.
Ciocattino is available only for OriginalLine machines. It is also on the more expensive side of the price spectrum. However, if you have an OriginalLine and have the money to buy the pods, you will understand why chocolate lovers are so high on this pod.
Best For Latte: Arpeggio
What I like: It blends well with milk to give you a creamy latte flavor. Amazing aroma that combines a woodsy and strong scent that you should be able to love.
What I don’t like: Not the best as it is because it’s better when mixed with milk or cream for that creamy latte.
The truth is that some coffee drinkers don’t necessarily like plain old coffee but are crazy about their latte. So, if you love lattes, then Arpeggio should be one of your go-to Nespresso capsules due to how it blends the taste of dark coffee with milk in a perfectly balanced way.
Arpeggio is made from a blend of beans that come from Central and South America, and that is why this dark roast comes with a malty and fruity flavor that is perfect for any latte. You can even taste hints of cocoa in this dark roast as Arpeggio should be able to bring the best out of your latte with just a dash of milk.
Of course, considering that it is a dark roast, Arpeggio can be quite strong and woodsy. But, when mixed with milk and a bit of sugar, you will be able to appreciate its flavor profile more while also benefiting from its intensity.
Arpeggio is available for OriginalLine machine owners out there. It should be a part of your collection, especially if you fancy a good cup of latte during your slow afternoons at home or whenever you are at work.
Best For Americano: Roma
What I like: Add a bit of water, and you will have an amazing cup of americano that isn’t too bitter and strong—well-balanced flavor profile due to being a medium-roast coffee.
What I don’t like: Not the most versatile coffee pod because it works better on its own or when mixed with water.
If Arpeggio is the best for lattes, Roma is perfect for your americano. Although not as intense as some of the other roasts on this list, Roma gives you that balance of flavor and intensity in one good capsule, and that is why it is great for your americano as the dash of water can be a good way for you to balance out its dark and intense flavors.
Roma beans are a mixture of Arabica from Central America and Robusta from Brazil. That means that the beans were carefully selected to ensure that they have a good flavor profile that is great for any americano lover out there.
Even though it may come with a darker and more intense flavor profile, Roma is actually a medium roast that was just roasted enough to bring out the smokiness of the beans. This gives you a delicious aroma that is full of flavorful notes that tantalize the senses. In addition, you can get Roma capsules for your OriginalLine machines.
Best For Variety: Starbucks
What I like: It comes with amazing varieties that you will love. It gives you a good dose of everything if you prefer to change your coffee preference daily.
What I don’t like: It doesn’t really stand out in one single coffee specialty.
If you want to enjoy different Starbucks drinks with your Nespresso machine, you can get a variety pack full of some of the best and most popular coffee varieties that Starbucks has to offer. This means that you can enjoy Starbucks without having to go to a nearby Starbucks store to offer an expensive cup of coffee.
The Starbucks variety pack for Nespresso is that you have a wide range of different options depending on what you prefer during a certain day. For example, the lowest intensity level is 6, while the highest is 11. This means that you could go for a light pick-me-up or a strong jolt of energy for your most intense activities.
So, if you are interested in enjoying Starbucks right in the comforts of your own home or your office, go and get a good Starbucks variety pack for Nespresso so that you can enjoy the world’s most popular coffee shop without having to order one from the counter.
