See all the coffee sizes and espresso servings made with Nespresso capsules for both the Original and Vertuo machines.
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Nespresso Capsules
Nespresso machines use capsules that contain ground coffee to make espresso and mugs of coffee.
There are 2 types of Nespresso machines: Original and Vertuo.
Original machines and Original capsules only make espresso and Vertuo machines and Vertuo capsules make espresso and full cups of coffee.
Original capsules are look like a top hat and the Vertuo capsules are shaped like a dome. The capsules from one can not be used in the other because they are shaped differently.
Vertuo capsules are different sizes depending on the coffee it makes. A flat dome is for espresso and a higher shaped dome makes full cups of coffee.
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Vertuo Coffee Sizes
Vertuo capsules can only be used in Vertuo Nespresso machines, like the VertuoPlus.
The Nespresso Vertuo machines make espresso, double espresso, gran lungo, and mug-sized regular brewed coffee like from a drip coffee machine.
Only the VertuoNext machine makes a carafe-sized coffee.
Espresso (1.35 oz) Vertuo Capsule
1 Nespresso espresso capsule = 1 shot of espresso
The espresso capsule makes a single shot of espresso. This capsule has a flat dome shape.
The Nespresso will automatically make this with crema on top.
An espresso capsule can make a latte, iced latte, or cappuccino.
A shot of espresso is the amount of espresso in most tall Starbucks drinks.
Espresso Nespresso Vertuo capsules:
Il Caffe
Toccanto
Orafio
Peru Organic
Diavolitto
Altissio
Altissio Decaffeinato
Voltesso
Bianco Piccolo
Tamuka Mu Zimbabwe (Limited Edition)
Jamaica Blue Mountain (Limited Edition)
Double Espresso (2.7 oz) Vertuo Capsule
1 Nespresso double espresso capsule = 2 shots of espresso
The double espresso make 2 shots of espresso in a single capsule. The dome shape of this capsule is taller than the espresso capsule.
A double espresso capsule can make a latte or iced latte drink, like a Starbucks Vanilla Latte. It can also be used to make a caramel macchiato, flat white, or cortado.
Add chilled milk and ice to make an iced version of any of these hot drinks.
2 shots of espresso is the amount of espresso in most grande Starbucks drinks.
Double Espresso Nespresso Vertuo capsules:
Double Espresso Dolce
Ice Leggero
Bianco Doppio
Double Espresso Scuro
Double Espresso Chiaro
Cafecito de Puerto Rico (Limited Edition)
Hawaii Kona (Limited Edition)
Gran Lungo (5.07 oz) Vertuo Capsule
This is a shot of espresso with more water automatically added so it’s not as strong as an espresso.
It’s similar to an Americano without you having to add extra hot water to an espresso shot yourself.
The dome shape is slightly taller than the double espresso capsules.
Gran Lungo Nespresso Vertuo capsules:
Inizio
Ethopia
Costa Rica
Fortado
Fortado Decaffeinato
Arondio
Coffee/Mug (7.77 oz) Vertuo Capsule
The coffee/mug capsules makes a full cup of coffee.
The dome shape of the capsule is tall.
Coffee/Mug Nespresso Vertuo capsules:
Hazelino Muffin
Caramel Cookie
Vanilla Custard Pie
Chocolate Fudge
Bianco Forte
Mexico
Colombia
Intenso
Stormio
Odacio
Melozio
Melozio Decaffeinato
Solelio
Half Caffeinato
Ice Forte
Melozio Boost (More Caffeine)
Stormio Boost (More Caffeine)
Esperanza de Colombia (Limited Edition)
Carafe (18 oz) Vertuo Capsule
This is only available with the VertuoNext machine. No other Nespresso machine makes a carafe size of coffee.
The capsules are very, very tall and are listed as “pour over.” A carafe is meant to be shared over 3-4 cups of coffee.
Carafe Nespresso Vertuo capsules:
Pour-Over Style Mild
Pour-Over Style
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Original Coffee Sizes
Original capsules can only be used in Original Nespresso machines.
The Original machines make ristretto, espresso, and lungo.
They do not make double espresso, gran lungo, or mugs of coffee like the Vertuo machines do.
Ristretto (0.85 oz) Original Capsules
Ristretto is a shot of espresso with less water than a regular shot.
It has a slightly sweeter taste than a regular shot of espresso. The Nespresso will automatically create the crema.
Any drink that is made with espresso can be made with a ristretto.
Espresso (1.35 oz) Original Capsules
1 Nespresso espresso capsule = 1 shot of espresso
An espresso Original capsule makes a single shot of espresso.
The Nespresso will automatically make this with crema on top.
Lungo (3.7 oz) Original Capsules
A “long shot” or lungo is a single shot of espresso with more water streamed through the grounds.
It contains slightly less water than a gran lungo available from a Vertuo capsule.
It’s said to taste more bitter and most often drunk on its own but can be used in any espresso-based drink.
Questions You May Have
Each capsule is printed with a black and white bar code embedded on the rim. The laser scans the code for cup size, water temperature, rotational speed, flow rate, and the amount of time the water is in contact with the coffee grounds.
If you want more (or less) water added to your drink, VertuoPlus machines can be reprogrammed to adjust the amount of water. Open the machine and insert the capsule you want to use. Close the head. Instead of briefly pressing the button on top, you can hold the button until the desired amount of water is added to your cup.
Capsule details are provided on the Nespresso website and also on the box of capsules, called a “sleeve.” Each sleeve will have the size and type of coffee printed on the side.
When you buy a new machine from Nespresso, they will send you a starter set box of coffee capsules. Included is a selection of coffee capsules for a variety of drink sizes. The capsules will be either Original or Vertuo depending on the machine you purchased.
Related
- Best Nespresso Machines
- 15 Best Vertuo Nespresso Pods
- 15 Nespresso Starbucks Drinks to Make at Home
- Nespresso VertuoPlus Setup & Review
- 15 Best Original Nespresso Pods
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