Nespresso Vertuo machines use pods to make either espresso shots or different sizes of coffee. The question is, does Nespresso coffee compare to coffee brewed by a drip coffee maker? Do they taste the same and which is stronger?
If you are torn between a Nespresso machine and a drip coffee maker, or even a Keurig (which works similar to a drip coffee maker), I will try to answer all your questions in this post.
Is Nespresso Coffee The Same As Drip Coffee? Does It Make a ‘Regular’ Cup of Coffee?
Nespresso Vertuo has the ability to brew a larger cup of coffee, starting from 5 oz, 7.7 oz or 14 oz of coffee. But, referring to it as ‘regular’ would not be correct, as it’s entirely different than a cup of coffee you’d make using a traditional drip coffee maker.
To answer this question in details, I have to explain how each machine works to produce a cup of coffee.
How Nespresso Vertuo’s Centrifusion Technology Works
This is the technology that Vertuo uses to make espresso or coffee. It works by spinning the pod rapidly, up to 7000 spins per minute, to extract maximum flavor from each coffee capsule. This results in an espresso shot or a cup of coffee with a thick layer of crema, which is the ‘foam’ you see on top of the coffee.
How Drip Coffee Machine or Keurig Work
Drip coffee makers use a method in which water is repeatedly passed through ground coffee beans in a slow flow. Meanwhile, Keurig machines use the same method of dripping water through grounds, but instead of grounds in a filter basket, it uses K-Cup pods filled with ground coffee that are inserted into a brewing machine.
Different Brew Methods Equals Different Coffee Taste
Compared to drip coffee or Keurig machines, Nespresso’s Vertuo can produce a richer cup of coffee. This is because the Centrifusion technology extracts more flavor from each coffee capsule, resulting in a bold brew. But that will also depend on which pod you pick for your brew, milder blends make mild tasting coffee and vice versa. However, it does not replace drip coffee making. The tastes are not comparable at all. If you’re thinking of buying a Vertuo to replace a drip coffee maker, it’s important that you understand that you won’t get the same taste or experience.
What Does Nespresso Coffee Taste Like?
Here, I am commenting on larger cup sizes of Nespresso (Mug pods or larger). I’ve found that these pods taste a lot like Americano (a shot or two of espresso with added hot water). But, because the pods have more coffee grounds than in an espresso pod, brewing a large cup produces a strong brew that doesn’t taste watered down or over extracted.
Nespresso coffee does taste good, as long as you don’t compare it to drip coffee.
Caffeine Content and Strength
The average cup of drip coffee has caffeine content of about 95 mg to 140 mg per 8-ounce cup. (source) By comparison, a Nespresso Vertuo coffee capsule sizes 7.7 oz to 14 oz, the caffeine content averages between 170 mg to 200 mg (according to Nespresso)
So is Nespresso coffee the same as black coffee in terms of caffeine content? The answer is “it depends”.
Yes, the numbers above are in favor of Nespresso. But caffeine content depends on factors like the type of beans you are using (Arabica vs Robusta), and the roasting profile (light, medium or dark).
Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- The lighter the beans have been roasted, the more caffeine it contains. If you use a darker roast, it may taste stronger, but it will contain less caffeine.
- If you want coffee beans (or Nespresso pods) that have higher caffeine content, look for a blend that has some Robusta mixed into it. Robusta is a coffee bean varietal that is stronger than Arabica beans, which is what most of us consume. On it’s own, Robusta is so strong it’s not even drinkable. But some brands throw in a bit of it into their Arabica blends to raise the level of caffeine content.
Nespresso Vertuo Pods with Higher Caffeine Content (Arabica/Robusta Mix) Include:
Double Espresso Scuro – Intenso – ill Cafe – Fortado
Taste Strength and Intensity
One of the biggest misconceptions about coffee is that the stronger it taste, the higher is the caffeine content. This may be true in some cases, but it really depends on the coffee roasting profile and the type of beans used.
Just like how certain beans have different caffeine content, they also taste differently based on their acidity levels as well. So a blend that may taste stronger to you could actually contain less caffeine than a milder blend.
When shopping for Nespresso pods, they are organized by Intensity level. Don’t mistake this level for a higher or lower caffeine content. It just refers to how strong the coffee tastes.
Does Nespresso OriginalLine Make Large Cups of Coffee?
No, OriginalLine machines are strictly ‘espresso machines’. You can use them to make an espresso shot, a lungo, or any milk based drink like a latte or cappuccino.
So popular Nespresso machines like Lattissima, Creatista, Essenza, Citiz or Pixie won’t make you a large cup of black coffee.
Nespresso Coffee vs. Drip Coffee – The Verdict:
The final result from each machine is entirely different. A cup of coffee made by Nespresso tastes, to me at least, a lot like an Americano than a classic cup of coffee made by a drip machine. So if you like that classic taste of coffee, Nespresso isn’t right for you. It could be great for making espresso drinks, but maybe not larger cups of coffee. If you’re willing to try something new, and not compare Nespresso’s coffee to drip coffee, you’ll be in for a surprise. Nespresso’s coffee pods are available in a wide variety and strength levels, and their holiday and limited edition releases are always surprising.
