Posted in Best Coffee Capsules

Whether you are a coffee lover who likes a dark roast espresso shot or a casual drinker who enjoys lighter roasts, you will find a here a great selection for your Nespresso machines. In this article, we will look at the best Nespresso original capsules as of 2024 (this list doesn’t include Vertuo Pods or Nespresso-compatible pods such as Starbucks coffee pods or Illy capsules).

TASTING PROCESS

Coming from Europe, with Italian and French origins, our in-house expert has more than 20 years of experience drinking Nespresso. Our capsule reviews follow the same strict, unbiased, uncompromising process: each capsule get tested in its pure form, without any sugar, milk or water. We then try it as latte, macchiato or iced coffee if recommended by Nespresso.  From there, we take a long time, carefully rating each pod from 1 to 5 stars and provide you with food and music pairing suggestions because coffee is not just a drink: it is culture and lifestyle.

You will find below our top picks for each drink style and range.

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12 BEST NESPRESSO CAPSULES

Nespresso Il Caffè review: capsule and coffee cup

Do you have one of the Nespresso original machines and want to know what are the best Nespresso capsules for espresso, Lungo, Latte and Cappuccino? Here’s our exclusive list of the best 12 best Nespresso pods that are currently available as of 2024 in online shops and Nespresso boutiques, including all Original limited edition and standard ranges:

IL CAFFE
rating: 5 Stars
Il Caffè is a limited edition espresso made of a blend of Robusta beans from Vietnam, Indonesia and Arabica beans Latin America. An intense roast of 13 out of 13, Nespresso’s Il Caffè capsule is as dark and intense as it gets and is a good choice for espresso connoisseurs.
Intensity: 13/13. Flavor: roasted, cereal.

ISPIRAZIONE NOVECENTO
rating: 5 Stars
Ispirazione Novecento is a limited edition espresso made from Robusta beans. With an intensity of 13 out of 13, it delivers a dark, intense and addictive experience with a distinct roasted flavor.
Intensity: 13/13. Flavor: roasted, bitter.

KAZAAR
rating: 5 Stars
Kazaar is an espresso made with Robusta beans from Brazil and Guatemala. Woody with nice bitter tones, Kazaar tastes like a real espresso should taste.
Intensity: 12/13. Flavor: bitter, peppery.

MASTER ORIGIN COSTA RICA
rating: 5 Stars
Master Origin Costa Rica is a limited edition espresso/lungo made from Arabica beans from Costa Rica. Made from beans soaked in Costa Rica’s Orosi mineral hot spring, this coffee features a surprisingly rich and smooth body with a malty flavor.
Intensity: 7/13. Flavor: malty.

MONSOON MALABAR
rating: 5 Stars
Monsoon Malabar is an espresso made with green coffees from south-western India. Featuring a medium intensity, it stands out by combining a rich body with salty, woody tones and an upfront bitterness coming from the spices.
Intensity: 8/13. Flavor: woody, spicy.

SELECTION VINTAGE 2014
rating: 5 Stars
Selection Vintage 2014 is a limited edition espresso made with Arabica beans from Colombian Highlands. This raw, authentic espresso manages to be soft, velvety, fruity while delivering moderate intensity.
Intensity: 7/13. Flavor: woody, fruity.

TRIBUTE TO PALERMO
rating: 5 Stars
Tribute to Palermo is an espresso made with Arabica and Robusta beans from Africa. Featuring a rich, velvety body, Tribute to Palermo feels and tastes like authentic European coffee, almost transporting you to a café’s terrace.
Intensity: 11/13. Flavor: cacao, spicy.

UMUTIMA WA LAKE KIVU RWANDA
rating: 5 Stars
Umutima Wa Lake Kivu Rwanda is an espresso made with Arabica beans from Rwanda. What makes this coffee stand out is its split roast which offers a very subtle experience with a slightly liquorice sensation, a fruity flavor and salty aftertaste.
Intensity: 6/13. Flavor: fruity.

CAFECITO DE CUBA
rating: 4 Stars
Cafecito de Cuba is an espresso made of Arabica beans from Cuba. Very short, intense but with a soft texture,  it delivers a strong flavour featuring tobacco and citrus notes with a spicy aftertaste.
Intensity: 10/13. Flavor: woody, smoky notes.

HAWAI KONA
rating: 4 Stars
Hawaii Kona is an espresso made of Arabica beans from Big Island, Hawaii. Feeling surprisingly dark despite its moderate intensity, it features roasted nuts and spicy red fruit notes with a lasting smoky salty aftertaste.
Intensity: 5/13. Flavor: nutty, fruity.

ISPIRAZIONE NAPOLI
rating: 4 Stars
Ispirazione Napoli is a limited edition espresso made of Robusta beans.
This capsule is exactly how an authentic espresso should be: With an intensity of 13 out of 13, it delivers a dark, intense experience with a distinct roasted flavor as well as a salty and bitter aftertaste.
Intensity: 13/13. Flavor: roasted, bitter.

PARIS BLACK
rating: 4 Stars
Paris Black is a limited edition espresso made of Arabica and Robusta beans. It is dark, boldly roasted and peppery just the way we like it, leaving you with a thick finish.
Intensity: 9/13. Flavor: cereal, woody, spicy.
Intensity: 11/13. Flavor: cacao, spicy.

Last but not least, we will also give your our selection of the Top 3 Nespresso pods released in 2023.

Discontinued capsules might be available in our Amazon online store.

BEST EVERYDAY NESPRESSO CAPSULES

Nespresso’s Volluto espresso and capsule

While the best-rated Nespresso pods are usually high-priced limited-edition releases – a scarcity marketing model -, readers often ask what are our favorite Nespresso capsules, including go-to pods for everyday use. So here are our top 3 everyday capsules:

LIVANTO
Livanto is a medium roast coffee that is made from a blend of Central and South American Arabica beans. With an intensity of 6, Livanto is a milder coffee option that is perfect for those who want a coffee that is smooth and easy to drink. This coffee has a balanced flavor profile, with hints of caramel, cereal notes and is your best bet if you’re looking for a crowd-pleaser.
Intensity: 6/13. Flavor: malt, cereal. Rating: 4 stars.

VOLLUTO

Volluto is a Nespresso capsule that is made from pure South American Arabica beans. This light coffee roast has an intensity of 4, making it the perfect choice for longer cups of coffees. The Volluto pod has a smooth and creamy texture, with notes of honey and biscuit.
Intensity: 4/13. Flavor: fruity, biscuity. Rating: 4 stars.

VIENNA LINIZIO LUNGO

Vienna Linizio Lungo is a smooth coffee made from a blend of Arabica beans from South America. With a mild intensity, silky texture and malted flavor, this one is a crowd-pleaser which both casual coffee drinkers and fanatics should enjoy.

Intensity: 4/13. Flavor: fruity, malted, caramelized. Rating: 4 stars.

BEST CAPSULES / COFFEE DRINKS

You can then find lists below our picks for original pod ranges.

BEST LIMITED EDITION CAPSULES

Nespresso’s Tribute To Palermo capsule and coffee cup

Nespresso’s limited time capsules are usually in high demand, selling out pretty fast, the Swiss company playing the scarcity card here. A few limited editions come out every year, most particularly around summer and the holidays. Sometime they bring back old favorites under the same or different names. While you could expect these pods to be superior to their regular ranges, they are sometime not worth the hype or their higher price.

Here is a list of all our Best Picks for Limited Edition Capsules:

• Master Origin Costa Rica: 2019 Limited Edition espresso made with beans from Costa Rica. Roast: split. Intensity: 7/13. Flavor: malty. Rating: 5 stars. Master Origin Costa Rica features a surprisingly rich and smooth body with a malty flavor.
• Paris Black: 2018 Limited Edition Explorations espresso made from a blend of Arabica and Robusta beans. Roast: dark. Intensity: 9/13. Flavor: cereal, woody, spicy. Rating: 4 stars. Paris Black is dark, boldly roasted and peppery just the way we like it, leaving you with a thick finish.
• Monsoon Malabar: 2015 Limited Edition espresso made with Green coffees from south-western India . Roast: strong. Intensity: 8/13. Flavor: woody, spicy. Rating: 5 stars. Monsoon Malabar stands out by combining a rich body with salty, woody tones and an upfront bitterness coming from the spices.
• Tribute to Palermo: 2015 Limited Edition espresso made with Arabica and Robusta beans from Africa. Roast: split – dark, medium, long. Intensity: 11/13. Flavor: cacao, spicy. Rating: 5 stars. Tribute to Palermo feels and tastes like authentic European coffee, almost transporting you to a Sicilian café’s terrace.
• Umutima Wa Lake Kivu Rwanda: 2016 Limited Edition espresso made with Arabica beans from from Lake Kivu, Rwanda. Roast: split – light roast, dark. Intensity: 6/13. Flavor: fruity. Rating: 5 stars. Umutima Wa Lake Kivu Rwanda offers a very subtle experience with a slightly liquorice sensation, a fruity flavor and salty aftertaste.
• Selection Vintage 2014: 2017 Limited Edition espresso made with Arabica beans from Colombian Highlands. Roast: split. light/dark Intensity: 7/13. Flavor: woody, fruity. Rating: 5 stars. Selection Vintage 2014 manages to be soft, velvety, fruity while delivering moderate intensity.

BEST BARISTA CREATIONS

Nespresso Cocoa Truffle review: capsule and coffee cup

Here are our top 3 Barista Creations:

• Cocoa Truffle: Espresso made from Robusta beans from Brazil and Colombia. Roast: split. Intensity: 6/13. Flavor: cocoa, cereal. Rating: 4 stars.
• Freddo Intenso: Espresso made from 100% Arabica beans from South America and Indonesia. Roast: dark. Intensity: 9/13. Flavor: roasted. Rating: 4 stars.
• Cioccolatino: Lungo made from Arabica beans from South America. Roast: light. Intensity: 6/13. Flavor: cocoa, biscuit. Rating: 4 stars.

BEST ISPIRAZIONE ITALIANA CAPSULES

Nespresso’s Kazaar capsule and espresso cup.

Just like the name implies, this line includes Nespresso’s Italian-style intense and darker espresso and ristretto coffee capsules. Here are our top 3 Ispirazione Italiana pods:

• Palermo Kazaar: espresso/ristretto made with Robusta beans from Brazil and Guatemala. Roast: dark & light split-roasting. Intensity: 12/13. Flavor: bitter with notes of pepper. Rating: 5 stars.
• Ispirazione Novecento: 2021 Exclusive Edition espresso organic Arabica beans from Africa and Brazil.. Roast: split. Intensity: 9/13. Flavor: cocoa, spicy. Rating: 5 stars.
• Ispirazione Napoli: 2020 Limited Edition espresso. Roast: dark. Intensity: 13/13. Flavor: roasted, bitter. Rating: 4 stars.

BEST ESPRESSO CAPSULES

Nespresso’s Volluto espresso and capsule

Nespresso’s Espresso line is specifically designed for espresso aficionados, featuring a fine selection of moderately intense coffees including some of our favorite go-to capsules we drink on a daily basis.

Here are our top 2 Espresso picks:

• Genova Livanto: medium roast coffee that is made from a blend of Central and South American Arabica beans. Roast: dark & light split-roasting. Intensity: 6/13. Flavor: malt, cereal. Rating: 4 stars.
• Volluto: Espresso made with Arabica from South America. Roast: light. Intensity: 4/13. Flavor: fruity, biscuity. Rating: 4 stars.

BEST REVIVING ORIGINS CAPSULES

Nespresso Amaha awe Uganda review: capsule and coffee cup

Nespresso’s Reviving Origins program focuses on investing in regions where coffee crops and farms are under threat.

Here are our 2 favorite  Reviving Origins capsules:

• Amaha awe Uganda: 2019 Reviving Origins Limited Edition espresso made from Arabica beans from Uganda. Roast: split. Intensity: 5/13. Flavor: fruity, biscuity. Rating: 3 stars.
• Tamuka mu Zimbabwe: 2019 Reviving Origins Limited Edition espresso made from Arabica beans from Zimbabwe. Roast: split. Intensity: 5/13. Flavor: fruity, flowery. Rating: 3 stars.

BEST MASTER CRAFTED SINGLE ORIGINS CAPSULES

Nespresso Paris Black review: capsule and coffee cup

Launched in 2018, Nespresso’s Master Origin line mostly features exotic coffees from various parts of the world and is replacing the Pure Origin Capsule Line. They have very distinctive flavors.

Here are our top 3 Master Origin picks:

• Peru Organic: 2021 Exclusive Edition espresso. Roast: medium. Intensity: 6/13. Flavor: fruity, cereal. Rating: 4 stars.
• Colombia: espresso/lungo made from 100% Late Harvest Arabica beans. Roast: medium. Intensity: 6/13. Flavor: winey red fruit. Rating: 4 stars.

• India: espresso/lungo made from  Robusta blended with Arabica beans. Roast: split. Intensity: 11/13. Flavor: woody, spicy. Rating: 4 stars.

BEST WORD EXPLORATIONS

Nespresso’s Envivo Lungo capsule and coffee cup

Known as long coffees, lungo coffees are not as concentrated as espressos, making a good alternative for casual coffee drinkers and those who cannot handle espresso shots. Because at Coffee Capsule Guide, we first and foremost are espresso fanatics, we mostly keep lungo for weekends and tend to prefer the lighter capsules, including two of our go-to favorites.

Here are our top 2 World Exploration picks:

• Vienna Linizio Lungo: Lungo made with Arabicas beans from Brazil and Colombia. Roast: medium. Intensity: 4/13. Flavor: fruity, malted, caramelized. Rating: 4 stars.
• Tokyo Vivalto Lungo: Lungo made with Arabica beans from South American and East Africa. Roast: split-roasting. Intensity: 4/13. Flavor: floral, cereal. Rating: 4 stars.

BEST DECAFFEINATO CAPSULES

Nespresso’s Decaffeinato Intenso capsule and coffee cup

This line is kind of tricky because we like our coffee caffeinated. However, Nespresso was able to create a couple worthy decaf coffees which we review below.

Here is our favorite Decaffeinato pod:

Here is a non-inclusive list of all our Decaffeinato Capsules Reviews starting with the strongest and including our best picks:

• Decaffeinato Intenso: Decaf espresso made with Arabica and Robusta beans from South America. Roast: dark. Intensity: 7/13. Flavor: cocoa, cereal. Rating: 4 stars.

BEST VARIATIONS

Nespresso’s Vanilio capsule and coffee cup

Here’s another problematic line – as least for me – as I rarely enjoy my coffee mixed with funky flavors. I would mostly use Variations for guests and special occasions such as Holidays.

Here is our pick (in that case the least painful):

• Ciocattino: espresso made with Arabica from South and Central America with chocolate notes. Roast: medium. Intensity: 6/13 Flavor: chocolate, malted, caramelized. Rating: 1 star.

BEST PURE ORIGIN CAPSULES – DISCONTINUED REPLACED WITH MASTER ORIGIN

Nespresso’s Indriya from India capsule and coffee cup

Nespresso’s Pure Origin line mostly features exotic coffees from various parts of the world. They have very distinctive flavors.

Here are our top 2 Pure Origin capsules:

• Indrya from India: Espresso made with Arabica and Robusta beans from Southern India. Roast: split. roasting Intensity: 10/13. Flavor: spicy, cocoa. Rating: 4 stars.
• Rosabaya de Colombia: Espresso made with Arabica beans from Colombia. Roast: split roasting. Intensity: 6/13. Flavor: fruity, winy. Rating: 4 stars.