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Nespresso machines have been well known for brewing really good coffee and having a very large variety of flavors available, but they’ve also been known to become quite expensive in the long run.
The specialty of Nespresso machines are the pods. The pods contain coffee grounds and flavorings and using pressure extraction, the machine brews a really nice shot or two of espresso.
In 2014, Nespresso released a new “technology” for brewing coffee and called it Vertuoline. There are a wide variety of capsules available, but we feel that the best Nespresso VertuoLine pods are the Intenso pods for intense coffee, or the Altissio for a balanced cup.
10 Best Nespresso VertuoLine Pods: Top Picks for 2020
1. Nespresso VertuoLine Intenso Pods
Our favorite VertuoLine pod is the Intenso. As the name gives away, these pods are really, really intense. Normally, espresso is brewed best with medium-dark roasts, but these are more towards the darker side.
The resulting shot is a deep, bold flavored shot crafted from the best South American coffee beans. A word of warning, though: these shots may be a little too strong for you if you’re not used to drinking intense coffee.
If you’ve developed a taste for strong espresso, you’ll love the bold, earthy notes that this pod brings out. You will even get a hint of brown sugar.
2. Nespresso Vertuoline Melozio Pods
While the Intenso pods are on one extreme of the intensity scale, the Melozio pods are comparatively lighter roasts. Sourced from Brazil, the resulting cup will be nice and balanced, with hints of sweetness and still that toastiness that you love in espresso.
The reason these pods are number 2 on the list is that they’re great alternatives for folks who want to get started with espresso and Nespresso machines but would prefer to start with something that’s not too strong.
Even when I got started in coffee, I preferred lighter and sweeter blends before eventually graduating towards more intense roasts.
The Melozio pods also make great bases for cappuccinos and lattes.
3. Nespresso Vertuoline Voltesso Pods
The Voltesso is an ideal drink to have as an espresso shot. It’s also on the lighter end of roasts, but the flavors are really sharp and sweet, which go well against the background taste of espresso.
The Voltesso’s aroma is nothing short of legendary. The moment your machine dispenses the shot, you’ll get a whiff of hazelnuts and brown sugar. It will feel like you’re having coffee in a Parisian bakery!
Overall, this is a great pod for someone who wants something they can enjoy every day and is still undecided between going the light roast route or the dark roast route.
4. Nespresso Vertuoline Stormio Pods
If you’re a little adventurous with your coffee, you’ll love the Stormio pods. Stormio pods are like a storm of flavors where a very interesting medley of flavors come together and rain on your taste buds.
You’ll get a mix of spiciness and toasty, cereal notes. The combination is very interesting and will be a really new experiencce.
Some people may find the flavor combination a little strange, though, so if you’re not too sure about committing, consider trying Stormio pods in a sampler before ordering a whole bunch!
5. Nespresso Vertuoline Altissio Pods
The middle choice in our list is a pod that is a middle-ground coffee. It’s everything you’d expect from an espresso shot: the crema, smooth body, and bold taste. It’s like the comfort food of espresso.
Overall, it’s a dark roast, which tends to produce a little more crema thanks to the extra oils in the beans. The Altissio pods are made with Costa Rican beans. Costa Rica is one of the most famous coffee-producing nations in the world.
If you’re looking for something very balanced, the Altissio pods are a great choice. They’ll brew a shot that will always meet your expectations and give you a warm, satisfying espresso sensation in every sip.
6. Nespresso Vertuoline Intenso Decaffeinato
Just because you wish to avoid caffeine does not mean you need to sacrifice drinking great coffee. The sweet, mildly intense flavor will fool your taste buds into thinking you’re just drinking regular coffee.
Many folks want to watch their caffeine intake for health reasons, or as a personal choice. Nespresso has done a good job with the Intenso Decaffeinato to make a shot which still tastes great but does not have the caffeine concentration of a typical espresso,
It’s still a dark roast, so you’ll get the intense, earthy tastes that are commonly found in these roasts.
7. Nespresso Vertuoline Caramelizio Pods
For those of us who prefer really sweet coffees, the Caramelizio is a good choice. The Caramelizio pods are light roasts and noticeably sweet.
It’s almost like adding sugar to your coffee, except there’s actually no added sugar.
Seasoned espresso lovers may not like the extra sweetness though, as they may prefer the full-bodied, bold shots that are typical of espresso.
However, if you or your significant other prefers really sweet coffee, these pods are good to have around so they can enjoy espresso too!
8. Nespresso Vertuoline Solelio Pods
The Solelio pods have a really bright,