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There's nothing like a good cup of coffee to get you going in the morning, especially when you're feeling like a zombie.
So have you tried Nespresso's VertuoLine series?
It's a new and improved version of their Original Line, and it offers dozens of coffee and espresso pods that are made specifically for their single-serve coffee makers.
Their tastes and textures range from strong, bitter espressos to creamy, frothy coffees, so there's a little something for everyone.
You don't have to take our word for it, though. Here are just a few Nespresso VertuoLine pods that you might want to try!
Best Nespresso VertuoLine Espresso Pods
The VertuoLine offers both coffee and espresso pods, so let's start with their espresso collection, shall we?
Features:
Just like it says on the label, the Half Caffeinato is a half-caffeinated espresso drink that will wake you up without wearing you out.
It offers a smooth, creamy texture with a flavor profile that includes biscuit-y notes and hints of caramel and hazelnut.
It's partly sweet, partly bitter and entirely tasty. Whether you're a fan of light roasts in the morning or strong brews to keep you awake at night, the Half Caffeinato has you covered. It's a flavor that can be enjoyed 24 hours a day.
Bottom Line
Made with beans from two different continents, the Half Caffeinato is an espresso that tastes great but can still provide a much-needed energy boost. It'll get the job done, but it won't have a bitter aftertaste.
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Not for the faint of heart, the Diavolitto is an extremely strong espresso that will fuel your brain and light up your nerves for the day ahead.
You can dilute it with milk or hot water if the taste is a little much, or you can drink it straight if you really want to drop-kick your morning.
You can also add a frothy top layer of crema if you want to create your own cappuccino.
The Diavolitto is made with a blend of robusta and arabica beans from Central America, so you're guaranteed an authentic and exotic taste no matter how you prepare your morning cup.
Bottom Line
If you can handle its severity, the Diavolitto is what you'll want when it's cold and bleak at 5AM. It rates an 11 on Nespresso's 1-12 intensity scale, so the only thing stronger would be caffeine injected directly into your veins..
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The Altissio is roasted in a short, intense burst to give it a rich and full-bodied flavor.
You can make it creamier by adding milk, but it's also drinkable on its own, especially if you like espresso beverages with cereal notes.
You might taste a bready, toasty flavor, or you might detect a hint of honey along with your biscuits. The Altissio will give you a new experience with every cup.
Only one thing is for sure: Costa Rica doesn't skimp on flavors. These coffee beans are sure to create an espresso that you'll remember long after you've drained the last drops.
Bottom Line
The Altissio offers a rich, powerful taste that will complement everything from breakfast foods to after-dinner desserts. Part of this is due to its natural flavor make-up, but another part is because of its customization potential with milk and cream.
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You'll smell this one before it's even done brewing! Crisp and sweet, the Voltesso has a mouthwatering aroma that combines everything from hazelnuts to brown sugar.
Its texture is also rich, smooth and well-balanced, so you'll enjoy swirling it around your cup before you actually take a sip.
Cereal notes give it a luscious aftertaste, and its Brazilian bourbon beans keep it from being overwhelmingly saccharine.
The Voltesso is an espresso that knows how to balance its flavors, so all of its drinkers benefit. Give it a try on a cold morning and become a convert.
Bottom Line
When it comes to the Voltesso, it's hard to know which is more appetizing: the fragrance or the taste. It's an espresso that will make your whole kitchen smell like a high-end bakery.
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Maybe you're watching your caffeine intake. Maybe you enjoy the taste of an espresso but could do without the mid-morning energy crash.
Whatever your reasons for seeking a decaffeinated beverage, the Decaffeinato Intenso is what you want.
It has a sweet, almost cocoa-like flavor that can be enhanced even further with froth and crema, so you won't have to grimace at any bitterness.
It also has a full-body balance that's entirely independent of its caffeine content. You get the best of both worlds when you drink the Decaffeinato Intenso.
Bottom Line
Give your blood pressure a rest with the Decaffeinato Intenso. It's a coffee beverage that's rich with flavor but not caffeine, so it's slightly better for your heart than regular espresso.
Best Nespresso VertuoLine Coffee Pods
Are you someone who doesn't want or need fancy espresso drinks? You can still enjoy rich, decadent flavors with regular coffee pods, and here are just a few brands that will prove it.
Features:
Intenso lives up to its name by providing a real kick in the teeth for those sluggish mornings when you need something strong to wake you up.
It's made with robusta beans from Guatemala and arabica beans from Mexico, so it draws from the deepest, darkest parts of South American coffee lore, and it's brewed hot and strong to ensure that you'll get your caffeine fix.
But don't worry, sugar lovers! Intenso has a hint of sweetness in its flavor profile, too.
There are brown sugar notes to offset its boldness, and you can add milk to create a kind of caramel aftertaste. While it's not a coffee flavor to be taken lightly, it isn't without a little sugar in its spice.
Bottom Line
Intenso is a strong, dark-roasted coffee that will become one of your go-to pod choices after a long night. If it doesn't get you caffeinated and ready to go, nothing will!
Features:
Like a storm in a cup, Stormio offers an exotic blend of flavors that will hit your senses like thunder and lightning.
There's something almost spicy about it, but there are also strong cereal notes that bring to mind the taste of bread, toast, granola and other crunchy breakfast foods.
Pair it with your morning meal if you like, or enjoy Stormio as an afternoon pick-me-up or evening dessert coffee.
It's suitable for all hours of the day, making it both a tasty and versatile choice in coffee pods.
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It's hard to describe the Odacio line without resorting to cliches like "sweet yet subtle" and "fruity yet earthy." This is because its beans split the difference between long-roasted Nicaraguan flavors and light-roasted Ethiopian ones, so there's a complicated arrangement of flavors hitting your tongue with every sip.
It's 100 percent arabica, so you don't have to worry about quality, but its complexity might be unlike anything that you've tasted before. It's a study in contrasts, and the flavor profile is amazing for it, but it can be difficult to capture its true essence in words.
You'll just have to try it and taste it for yourself.
Bottom Line
Combining both long-roasted and light-roasted flavors, the Odacio will take you across thousands of miles of South America with a single cup. You might not have imagined Nicaragua and Ethiopia going well together, but Odacio proves it true!
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Coming from the lighter side of the VertuoLine, the Melozio is softer and sweeter than other pods on this list. It offers a mild taste that merely hints at toasted cereal notes instead of declaring them outright, and there's a suggestion of honey in its sweetness, too. You can also add milk to work up a crema and enhance its biscuit-y flavor.
Given its light, fresh taste, you might not be able to fully appreciate its bourbon roots, but you'll definitely recognize Central America in its beans. No one brews coffee like the Brazilians, and the Melozio is a great sample of their work.
Bottom Line
With a mild, almost honeyed taste, the Melozio is perfect for lazy mornings when you want to sip on something sweet. It's not a drink meant for gulping, so take your time and savor it.
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You've probably guessed from the name that Hazelino contains hazelnut flavors. But did you know that it also hints at sugar, butter and boiled nuts?
The praline makes this coffee flavor taste like a snack that you can actually eat, especially when you add milk for an even creamier blend. It has a smooth, well-balanced texture, and it's mild enough that it barely kicks on the way down.
You could throw back several Hazelinos before you were even aware that you'd done it, so it's probably a good thing that it comes in single-serve pods. Think of your waistline!
Bottom Line
Made with the smoothest blend that the VertuoLine line has to offer, the Hazelino will delight coffee drinkers who enjoy sweet, nutty flavors. If you've never tried such a beverage before, this is the brand to sample.
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With a silky, velvety taste, the Vanizio will fool you into thinking that it's a ridiculously expensive and decadent cup of coffee. The good news is that it's still from the budget-friendly Nespresso line that you know and love; it just feels like a luxurious flavor since it's an ultra-smooth blend with just enough vanilla notes to spark off your taste buds.
It also suggests at cereal notes, making it a perfect complement to a breakfast of toast, oatmeal, waffles or biscuits. Like a fine wine, it can be paired with certain foods to bring out its full flavor profile, so don't be afraid to experiment.
Bottom Line
Silky vanilla notes combine with a smooth, even blend to make the Vanizio an extravagant coffee choice. It's a high-end experience without the high-end price tag.
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Who doesn't love the taste of caramel? Whether you're using the sugar to wake yourself up or the smoothness to soften the edges of a hard day, the Caramelizio will delight you in more ways than one. It has distinct notes of nuts, vanilla and caramel, but it's still mild enough as a medium roast that these flavors aren't overpowering.
They'll just linger as an aftertaste that will make you smack your lips and wonder why you're craving a candy bar all of a sudden. It's definitely a dessert coffee, but you don't have to be a dessert lover to enjoy it. Anyone with a distinguished palette can appreciate its complex mix of tastes.
Bottom Line
Smooth and sweet, the Caramelizio will give you a sugar rush in liquid form. You might not want to down it before bed, but it's great for getting yourself hyped before an activity or event.
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The light, fruity flavors of the Elvazio make it the perfect capsule choice for people who don't like their coffee to taste like coffee. Instead of a dark sludge that's just meant to get you through the day, the Elvazio is an almost delicate blend that will complement everything from brunches to garden parties.
It's lightly roasted but deeply flavorful, and you'll taste sweet, slightly sugary notes with every sip. You can also add a dash of milk to give it an even creamier taste with an enhanced body. It might not be a "strong" coffee, but the Elvazio is certainly a delicious one.
Bottom Line
Colombians know coffee, so trust in their beans when you buy the Elvazio. It's fresh and fun, and it's sure to be a hit at your next social gathering.
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The Giornio packs a lot of flavor into a light roast. It's not overwhelming, but it has a distinct taste, texture and aroma that you'll come to recognize with every cup, and you might even start to crave it when you're in the mood for something sweet.
Some people say that it tastes like a hazelnut blend; others think that it's earthier and spicier, but all are agreed that it has a rich, nutty taste that froths well. This arrangement of tastes is probably due to the split nature of its beans. You can taste both Kenya and Ethiopia in its roast, and it's a combination that will definitely leave you coming back for more.
Bottom Line
Sweet but solid, the Giornio is perfect as both a standalone drink and a companion to snacks and desserts. Just be prepared to taste something different every time!
Features:
The fresh, fruity flavors of the Solelio make it a lightly-roasted blend that will please coffee drinkers of all types. If you're a flavor aficionado, you'll love the fact that you can taste the red fruits of Africa right there in your cup; if you're a caffeine addict, you'll appreciate that the Solelio tastes mild but still provides a great energy boost.
The only real flaw of this flavor is that it comes in single-serve form, so you'll need to brew it again and again when you inevitably come to love it and want to drink it all of the time. It's the kind of coffee that creates addicts!
Bottom Line
The Solelio offers a fun and fruity flavor for coffee drinkers who want something a little different than the traditional dark-and-strong java. Who says that coffee has to stick to the bottom of the mug to be worthwhile?
Nespresso VertuoLine Coffee Pods and Capsules - A Buying Guide
Offering a wide variety of coffee makers and drink flavors, Nespresso is one of the biggest names in java.
Their VertuoLine line gives you the chance to experience their latest and greatest creations... but what do you need to know about them before opening your checkbook? How do they even work? What factors should go into your purchase decision?
Consider this a buying guide to the Nespresso VertuoLine coffee pods.
How to Use the Nespresso VertuoLine Coffee Capsules - Video
The 4-1-1
VertuoLine coffee makers are single-serve machines that work via pods or capsules. All you have to do is place the pod inside the coffee maker, press the button and wait. You'll have a single cup of coffee ready for consumption within minutes!
Not only is this faster than waiting for an entire pot to brew, but it also enables you to make small specialty drinks like cappuccinos and macchiatos from the comfort of your own home. You can forget about waiting in line for hours behind frustrating customers with complicated drink orders.
- Also Read: Best Nespresso Machines of 2020 - Our Top Picks
Bar Code Recognition
From creamy vanilla to rich hazelnut, there are dozens of coffee and espresso flavors available through the VertuoLine. The good news is that you don't have to know specific brewing instructions for each one.
Every pod comes with a magnetic bar code that the coffee maker will automatically detect, and it will brew your chosen flavor with the right time and temperature to bring out its nuances. For example, some bitter espresso drinks have short, intense brewing times while others are roasted for longer periods to draw out sweeter flavors.
Centrifusion Technology
VertuoLine coffee makers don't use pumps. They employ Nespresso's patented "centrifusion technology" to rapidly spin the capsules and create their own centrifugal force. At its most efficient, this centrifusion technology can achieve more than 7,000 rotations per minute, so it's great for blending a smooth and well-balanced cup of joe.
Of course, there are some coffee drinkers out there who prefer their machines to use pumps; they say that the coffee tastes better when made that way. You'll have to decide for yourself if Nespresso's centrifusion technique is a feature or a flaw.
Ranging Intensities
All of the pods available through the Nespresso VertuoLine are ranked on an intensity scale of 1-12. This measurement has nothing to do with caffeine, so don't assume that a higher number means a bigger kick! The way that Nespresso uses it, "intensity" simply refers to the degree of roasting that the beans have undergone.
It will give you an idea about things like body and bitterness, but it won't tell you how much energy that you'll receive from a shot.
Caffeine Content
Since we're on the subject of caffeine, you might be surprised to learn that VertuoLine products offer more bang for your buck in terms of caffeine content. While the average cup of coffee contains around 100 mg of caffeine, VertuoLine coffee pods have anywhere from 150-180 mg.
It's the same with their espresso pods. The average espresso contains around 55 mg of caffeine, but VertuoLine espresso pods boast between 70-150 mg.
Different Volumes for Different Needs
The VertuoLine coffee maker is equipped to handle several different cup sizes, including espresso (1.35 ounces), lungo (3.70 ounces) and long coffee (up to 17 ounces). As a general rule, Nespresso's coffee pods are bigger than their espresso pods, but you shouldn't have a problem fitting any of them into your machine. Their coffee makers are equipped to handle all of their coffee pods.
Just make sure that you're shopping from the right product line when you're looking at flavors: Their VertuoLine products are bigger than their Original Line products, so VertuoLine pods will not fit into Original Line coffee makers.
Extras and Upgrades
There are several different coffee makers available through the VertuoLine, and they range from "basic and affordable" to "expensive and complicated." It's up to you to decide which is right for your personal coffee needs.
Would you like a built-in steam wand to help you create frothy, milky drinks, or does that seem like an unnecessary indulgence? Is a small water tank enough for you, or are you a serious coffee addict who doesn't want to refill a tiny tank over and over again?
Price
Coffee pods are usually sold in bulk, so you'll be buying a lot of 10- and 20-count collections if you go for a Nespresso VertuoLine product. If you like a little variety in your morning coffee routine, you can also buy multipacks and sample packs that allow you to try different flavors.
As for the coffee makers themselves, there are all kinds of sizes, colors and models available. You might want to check out coffee pods before you decide on a coffee maker; once you figure out which pods you want, you can see which coffee maker suits them.
Practical Matters
No one likes to think about the boring details of buying a coffee maker or coffee pods, but it's something that you should do anyway. For example, Nespresso VertuoLine pods come in aluminum containers that will need to be properly thrown away if you care about recycling. You might want to buy Nespresso's special recycling container for your used pods.
You should also pay attention to things like the size of your coffee maker, the average wait time for its warm-up and the way that it should be cleaned between uses. These small details can have a big impact on your long-term coffee brewing.
A Few Final Words
At the end of the day, you're the only one who can decide if Nespresso VertuoLine products are right for you. What do you think about them so far? Do you have any questions about their coffee makers or coffee pods?
If you already own a Nespresso VertuoLine machine, what flavors would you recommend to new buyers? Sound off in the comments!
Need more decaf ….not so strong
Love the vertuoLine !!! Love the crema it makes! It’s a treat!
Wish there was more variety in the decafs.. I love good strong coffee, but I also would like to try the flavored ones and I can’t bc they’re all caffeinated. (I can’t tolerate caffeine)
A variety pack would be great . I need caffeine pods for guests but don’t want to have dozens of boxes of caffeinated on hand that I can’t use ,
I purchased a unit that is less expensive and affordable. (VirtuoPlus) It works wonderfully. I liked most flavor choices that came with my order.
Please do your research before making a purchase. I found that the replacement pods are only available online and they are not cheap. You have to buy their coffee because no other pods fit. I hadn’t thought that part through pre-purchase.
If $$ is an issue for you, perhaps a different product would suit you better. If you choose Nespresso VertuoLine, no doubt in my mind you will enjoy your daily coffee.
We have the Nespresso Vertuoline and love it, however, the cost of the pods are $1.10-$1.20 each which is ridiculous. Nespresso can have the coffee pod market over Keurig if they would lower the price of pods to half the price. I would pay a little more over the Keurig (about .42 each, but not more than double the price. I LOVE Nespresso coffees….they are very good, smooth, etc. But I have to stick to my Keurig for my 2-3 cups a day because I can’t afford $3.50 a day for Nespresso. ????
You are 100% right. I literally sold my virtuoline because I couldn’t afford the pods anymore. I find it pathetic that they charge as much as they do for one pod. This is obviously only a coffee maker for the rich!!!!
I also find the pods expensive but you have to consider as well that you’re getting a quality coffee drink that is on par (I’d even say above par) to chain coffee places like Starbucks.
I too bought a Nespresso Vertuoline & was told something different by the seller. The pods are ridiculously expensive. I think I will be selling mine, no wonder they are having difficulties. Kuerig is a great coffee & reasonable priced will be staying with them?
Too bitter for us. I love the convenience but every pod I tried (10 or more varieties) were so bitter that we had to dose them with tons of cream and sugar to make them drinkable. Only found online comments about ‘this issue on a Canadian site. What’s up with that.
Nice review although would have liked to see the same info on the Double Espresso pods as well as the Grand lungo pods.
Wife and I are anxiously awaiting our Nespresso Virtuo Plus (Deluxe?) which she ordered directly from Nespresso a couple of days ago. She she just received a message that out unit has been shipped.
We currently have a Cuisinart K-cup coffee maker and we are happy with the unit, but we’re seeking something (coffee) with more taste & flavor. After hours spent reading reviews and watching YouTube videos, we settled on the Nespresso Virtuo Plus w/milk frother. Safe to say we are both coffee aficionados and looking forward to making our own specialty drinks. Much, much cheaper than visiting a local coffee shop and pay $5-8 for coffee.
So when considering costs, keep in mind how much we spend on bottled water.
Me and my wife always choose the higher intensity coffee pods, then we make 2 batches from one capsule. We enjoy the same coffee but in a smarter and cheaper way of doing it.
Great idea we just tried it!!!
We love our Nespresso coffee,
Thanks
They’re delicious, the pods are ridiculously expensive though.