Best Starbucks Nespresso Pods

See all Starbucks Nespresso pods for Vertuo machines ranked. See if your favorite is #1 and how the others fall on the list.

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Nespresso Starbucks Vertuo Pods

Starbucks Nespresso pods are made in collaboration with Starbucks but they are made by Nespresso.

This means the capsules are genuine Nespresso and using them will not void the warranty on your Vertuo machine, unlike third-party pods.

Be sure to choose Starbucks Vertuo pods for your Vertuo machine because there are also Starbucks Original pods, which will not work in a Vertuo machine.

Although Nespresso makes the pods for Starbucks, you can’t buy them from the Nespresso website. Starbucks pods are available at supermarkets, Target, and Amazon.

There is no decaffeinated capsule from Starbucks for the Vertuo machines but there is one decaf Starbucks option (dark roast espresso) for Original machines.

Starbucks pods are only available in two sizes: espresso (1.35 oz) and mug (7.77 oz).

All mug-sized pods (7.77 oz) have 130-200 mg of caffeine per cup and espressos (1.35 oz) contain around 60-100 mg of caffeine.

The different pods vary by roast, intensity, caffeine, and aromatic notes.

Roast
From light (or blonde) to dark, the roast tells you how long the beans were roasted. The lighter the roast, the smoother and lighter the roasted taste.

Intensity
Nespresso rates the intensity of Vertuo capsules from 1 to 11, which is based on roast, body, bitterness, and concentration of each coffee. The higher the score, the stronger the coffee.

Aromatic notes
Notes like brown sugar, earthy, or roasted gives you a better idea of how the coffee will taste.

RELATED: Best Nespresso Vertuo Pods

Best Starbucks Vertuo Pods

8. Caramel Flavored Coffee

Roast: Starbucks Blonde (light)
Intensity: 5
Aromatic notes: Caramel, Vanilla
Cup size: Mug (7.77 oz)

A flavored coffee made with a light roast, it’s the latest capsule to be added to the Starbucks Nespresso line. Made for Vertuo and Original machines.

This is best for flavored coffee fans only.

7. Veranda Blend

Roast: Starbucks Blonde (light)
Intensity: 6
Aromatic notes: Toasted malt, Baking chocolate
Cup size: Mug (7.77 oz)

Veranda Blend is the only full mug option for a light roast coffee from the Starbucks Vertuo capsules.

Many have commented that they wish Nespresso would make a mug size capsule of the Starbucks Blonde Roast instead of only an single espresso.

Unfortunately, although it’s also a light roast, the Veranda doesn’t quite do the job.

6. Sumatra

Roast: Dark roast
Intensity: 10
Aromatic notes: Earthy, Herbal
Cup size: Mug (7.77 oz)

Pop this in to your Nespresso Vertuo machine for a solidly roasty and bold cup of coffee.

Those who enjoy a strong, dark roast find that this hits the spot.

5. Colombia

Roast: Medium roast
Intensity: 7
Aromatic notes: Toasted walnut, Herbs
Cup size: Mug (7.77 oz)

This is a good choice for a medium roast morning cup of coffee and is popular with those who like a single-origin, South American sourced coffee.

This will become your favorite if you prefer less roasty but still want that warm, rounded coffee aroma.

4. Caffe Verona

Roast: Dark roast
Intensity: 10
Aromatic notes: Dark cocoa, Caramelized sugar
Cup size: Mug (7.77 oz)

For anyone who loves a Starbucks dark roast cup of coffee, this is their go-to.

People who like Espresso Roast pods for making cappuccinos or lattes might like the Caffe Verona when they want a full mug of coffee.

3. Pike Place Roast

Roast: Medium roast
Intensity: 7
Aromatic notes: Chocolate, Toasted nuts
Cup size: Mug (7.77 oz)

This one is the favorite of the pods that make a mug of coffee.

People really like it for its medium roast, which gives it a rounded flavor and is just as good with milk and sugar as it is on its own.

2. Espresso Roast

Roast: Dark roast
Intensity: 11
Aromatic notes: Molasses, Caramelized sugar
Cup size: Espresso (1.35 oz)

Most people either strongly prefer a dark roast or a lighter one, and so it’s not a surprise that the second on this list is a dark roast.

This Starbucks pod is enjoyed for its stronger taste and pairs well with milk in cappuccinos or lattes.

1.

Roast: Starbucks Blonde (light)
Intensity: 6
Aromatic notes: Smooth, Sweet
Cup size: Espresso (1.35 oz)

Hands down, the Starbucks Blonde Espresso Roast is the most popular Starbucks pod.

Some fans wish it came as a double espresso capsule but you can make your own double shot by using two pods in the same cup.

Questions You May Have

Does a high intensity score means there’s a lot of caffeine?

Not necessarily. A higher intensity coffee might also have more caffeine, but a higher intensity score just means it’s more roasty, fuller bodied, more intense aroma, and more bitter.

How many times can you use a Starbucks Nespresso pod?

It is strongly recommended to use each capsule just once. Reusing a pod could damage your Nespresso machine, which will void the warranty.

What type of coffee is used to make Starbucks pods?

All coffee in the Starbucks capsules are made from 100% Arabica beans.

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