Nowadays, there are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of coffee varieties that exist, and just to add to the convenience, coffee pods, also called coffee capsules or Nespresso capsules, were invented to help people and machines alike to make coffee quicker and more efficient.
Finland stands tall at the top of the world’s biggest coffee consumers. Finland consumes 12 kilograms of coffee per capita, and which translates to approximately three cups of coffee per person, including children, per day.
Mind-boggling, isn’t it?
I think you will agree with me that coffee has several health benefits when consumed regularly and in moderation aside from the energy boost it provides.
In this product review and buying guide, we’re going to provide you with all the information you need to help you choose the right Nespresso capsule for your daily coffee needs! This article will help you make an informed decision when it comes to buying only the best Nespresso capsule for you.
We recently reviewed the best espresso machines under $200 – you should definitely check that out, too, if you are a big espresso fan!
Best Nespresso Capsules On The 2023 Market
Café Agga Nespresso Compatible Capsules
The Cafe Agga Nespresso Compatible Capsules are Nespresso-compatible coffee capsules pack that contains Intenso, Fortissimo, Lungo, Orgasmo, Ristretto, and Cremoso coffee varieties. Each of these coffee types has a distinct flavor, and all of them make for a creamy coffee cup ideal for those who like creamy coffees.
This coffee capsule pack is made in Canada and is compatible with most original-line Nespresso machines. A lot of consumers who’ve already tried this product comment on how it is similar to original Nespresso capsules but at a more affordable price.
The Cafe Agga Nespresso Compatible Capsules are a worthy substitute for original Nespresso capsules not only because of the wide variety of coffee options but also because they are made from high-quality premium roasted coffee at an affordable price.
Pros
- Made from high-quality premium roasted coffee
- The pack contains several coffee varieties
- Compatible with most original line Nespresso machines.
Cons
- Some consumers find these capsules to be bland.
Roastesso Gourmet Cubanito Dark Roast Espresso Capsules
The Roastesso Gourmet Cubanito Dark Roast Espresso Capsules are U.S-made Nespresso-compatible coffee capsules that offer a sweet and chocolatey flavor for coffee drinkers. These capsules are made from Fairtrade Certified coffee that originated from South America and Africa.
That’s not all…
These coffee capsules also have a foil bottom and top for easy piercing and coffee extraction. It offers coffee drinkers a Cuban espresso experience with its smooth body and distinctive aroma. The producer claims that these coffee capsules are sold and delivered fresh, compared to other coffee capsules that have been sitting in warehouses for months.
The Roastesso Gourmet Cubanito Dark Roast Espresso Capsules are recommended to be combined with ristretto for a complete Cuban espresso shot experience. The producer also recommends consumers use filtered water for these coffee capsules.
Pros
- U.S-made Nespresso-compatible coffee capsules
- Smooth body and excellent aroma
- Ideal to be combined with a ristretto.
Cons
- Some consumers find that the capsules doesn’t fit right with their Nespresso machines.
Peet’s Coffee Espresso Capsules Variety Pack
The Peet’s Coffee Espresso Capsules Variety Pack contains four dark and rich espresso blends, which are the Nerissimo, Ristretto, Crema Scura, and Ricchezza. It is a sample pack that contains coffee capsules that are designed to fit most Nespresso machines. These coffee capsules are made from Aluminum and are made airtight to preserve the aromas and the integrity of the coffees they contain.
These coffee capsules contain 100% Arabica coffee varieties formulated in four different ways to provide consumers with several options when it comes to their dark espresso blends. Each coffee variety in this pack has a different flavor and finish. The Peet’s Coffee Espresso Capsules Variety Pack coffee capsules in varying strengths for your everyday coffee needs.
Pros
- Airtight coffee capsules preserve the aromas and integrity of the coffee
- Made from 100% Arabica coffee
- Four coffee varieties, each of which varies in intensity.
Cons
- Some consumers aren’t happy that the pods aren’t recyclable.
Sant’ Eustachio Nespresso Capsules
The Sant’ Eustachio Nespresso Capsules are Nespresso-compatible capsules made and packed in an original coffee store in Rome, Italy. These coffee capsules contain 100% Arabica coffee that features a dark and rich flavor, perfect for coffee drinkers that prefer a highly-concentrated cup of coffee.
This coffee capsule pack contains 100 coffee capsules that contain Sant’ Eustachio Coffee, wood-roasted and air-cooled coffee that has a unique taste and aroma. The manufacturer of these capsules claims that the coffee in these capsules is naturally low in caffeine and goes well with other coffee blends.
Pros
- Made from 100% Arabica coffee that features a dark and rich flavor
- The Manufacturer claims that the coffee used for these capsules is naturally low in caffeine
- Goes well with other coffee blends.
Cons
- Some consumers find its taste a bit stale.
Nespresso VertuoLine Espresso Diavolitto
The Nespresso VertuoLine Espresso Diavolitto is an original Nespresso product that is compatible with VertuoLine, a more modern Nespresso system that offers more coffee brewing options for coffee aficionados. The coffee in the capsules is made from Robusta beans with Brazilian Arabica that originated from Central and South America.
The coffee capsules themselves are made of Aluminum which Nespresso claims to be 100% recyclable, and is made airtight to guarantee the freshness of the coffee in the capsules. The coffee blend contained in the capsules is a dark roast espresso that has an 11 Nespresso intensity. To put things into perspective, that’s equivalent to a cup of strong coffee that can keep you awake for at least 12 hours.
The Nespresso VertuoLine Espresso Diavolitto has an aroma that hints at oak wood and leather balanced with a creamy texture. Nespresso claims that the materials used are sourced and farmed ethically, and the methods of coffee production promote sustainability.
Pros
- Made from Robusta beans with Brazilian Arabica
- Dark roast espresso with 11 Nespresso intensity
- Ethically sourced and farmed materials and sustainable coffee production methods.
Cons
- Not compatible with original line Nespresso machines.
Best Nespresso Capsule Buying Guide To Help You Have A Perfect Cup of Coffee
Nespresso is a company owned by Nestlé SA, and it was the one that introduced the Nespresso system to the world. Back in ‘76, an employee of Nestlé named Eric Favre invented, patented, and launched the Nespresso system in Switzerland, but success proved to be elusive. Nespresso was only able to open its first boutique in 2000 in Paris, originally as a concept store. It was then that the Nespresso system gained popularity and emerged on top of other coffee systems worldwide.
Why does this matter?
When the Nespresso patent began to expire in 2012, they gradually allowed competitors to create their own coffee capsules that are compatible with Nespresso systems. Since then, the number of coffee capsule varieties has increased exceptionally, and the same goes for their flavors. Since Nespresso can be a bit overwhelming to new consumers, coffee aficionados began creating Nespresso guides to help other coffee lovers get acclimated to the different Nespresso characters available in the market. In case you’re wondering, Nespresso capsules are single-serve coffee capsules designed to make instant coffee using Nespresso machines.
Today, countless Nespresso capsules are currently being sold in the market, and even the most devoted coffee drinker can sometimes get confused as to what Nespresso capsule is the best for him or her. This guide is intended for both experienced and inexperienced coffee drinkers to help all of you pick the right Nespresso capsule for your daily dose of coffee goodness!
Here are a few factors to consider when it comes to buying the best Nespresso capsule for you:
Material
There’s a lot of controversy surrounding Nespresso capsules. The biggest subject of debate when it comes to Nespresso capsules is the materials used to create the capsules. Most Nespresso capsules are made of unrecyclable materials, and although Nespresso launched a sustainability program, which includes a long list of commitments from the company to ethically source and farm materials for sustainability, skeptics don’t fully believe this since Nespresso would not disclose to the public how many of its pods actually get recycled.
Nespresso capsules are made mostly of Aluminum, the most abundant metal element in the planet’s crust. Approximately 41 million tons of Aluminum are smelted every year, and they are being used for a multitude of applications. Oral exposure to Aluminum doesn’t usually cause harm, but being exposed to high levels of Aluminum poses a serious threat to anyone, especially if someone drinks, breathes, or ingests substances that contain high levels of Aluminum. The risk factors associated with Aluminum toxicity include reduced kidney function, weakening of the bones, seizures, speech problems, and lung problems.
Nespresso is adamant that they are taking all the necessary steps to ensure that the Nespresso capsules they produce would not have adverse effects on humans. There were no reported incidents when it comes to Nespresso capsules, but it doesn’t hurt to be keen on such details. Make sure you know what material is used for the coffee capsule, and if your gut is telling you that a coffee capsule isn’t right for you, then perhaps you should consider following it.
Coffee Type
Here comes the best part when it comes to choosing the best Nespresso capsule for you. There are many coffee types in existence, but the most popular ones narrow down to around only 12. Everybody has probably heard about cappuccino, espresso, macchiato, americano, and latte. These are among the most popular coffee types consumed every day. Nespresso capsule offers you a vast array of options when it comes to the kind of coffee you want.
Espresso is a famous, powerful coffee shot that is highly concentrated and full-flavored. Most coffee lovers prefer this coffee type as it has the purest character among all the other coffee types. Espresso shots are the base for most of the different coffee types, and they can produce a weaker, more flavorful coffee variety.
Cappuccino is an espresso-based Italian coffee that’s often prepared with steamed milk foam. This is popular with coffee lovers that want a combination of the bitter coffee taste and the sweetness of steamed milk along with its creamy texture.
Macchiato is another espresso-based Italian coffee that’s combined with foamed milk. The only difference between this coffee type and cappuccino is the way they are prepared.
Caffè Americano is a coffee variety made by diluting an espresso shot with hot water. This process gives it a kind of similar strength to the coffee itself, but with a different flavor. The strength of this coffee varies depending on the number of espresso shots used and the amount of water added.
Latte literally translates to “milk,” and its full name, caffe latte, means milk coffee. This is one of the sweeter coffee types and is preferred by coffee drinkers that want to enjoy coffee without its bitter taste.
These are just some of the most popular coffee types available in Nespresso capsule form; make sure to carefully consider which coffee type you want, depending on what you need to do for the day.
Caffeine Content
An average coffee contains around 40 milligrams of caffeine per 100 grams of the coffee itself. Caffeine is classified as a drug because it stimulates the brain, which causes increased alertness, and gives consumers a short-term energy boost and heightened mood. Although generally safe, excessive caffeine intake can cause headaches and fatigue, most likely because, during the energy boost, your body masks the exhaustion, and it all sums up once the caffeine is eliminated from your system.
Different coffee types have different caffeine content, and even though it’s already a factor to consider, remember, some manufacturers like to experiment with their product to see whether people would actually like it or not; following this logic, knowing how much caffeine is in a coffee capsule is a good practice, especially if you’re a person who drinks multiple cups of coffee in a day.
Brand
As mentioned earlier in this buying guide, Nespresso was the one who patented Nespresso capsules, but when that patent expired, a lot of Nespresso competitors started manufacturing their own coffee capsules to go along with Nespresso machines. There are many coffee brands offering coffee capsules, each with a sales tactic to attract coffee lovers to buy their products. If you can’t get your hands on original Nespresso capsules sold by Nespresso itself, it’s best to do a bit of research first about the company that supplies the coffee capsules in your area. This lessens the likelihood of you buying a subpar product that you might end up regretting later.
Remember to be keen on coffee brands, and buy only from producers that have extensive experience when it comes to producing quality coffee capsules. As much as possible, buy the original Nespresso capsules, but if these aren’t available to you, then purchase from an established brand that is trusted by many.
Conclusion
Coffee is a beautiful beverage that can be enjoyed throughout the day. There are a lot of different coffee varieties available in capsule form. This offers convenience and allows coffee lovers to enjoy their drinks without having to wait for their coffee for long periods. Nespresso capsules were created with the consumers’ comfort and pleasure in mind, and as much as they are convenient, they provide a wide array of options to coffee lovers on what type of coffee to enjoy.
Bottom line?
The Nespresso VertuoLine Espresso Diavolitto tops our list of the best Nespresso capsules because of its amazing features, such as its unique aroma and flavor, as well as the quality ingredients used and the sustainable coffee production methods applied in creating these excellent coffee capsules.
We hope that this product review and buying guide supplied you with sufficient information and helped you in choosing the best Nespresso capsule for your everyday coffee needs! If you have feedback and suggestions, please let us know in the comments section!
