Getting a Nespresso machine is an exciting moment, but then the sheer number of capsules to choose from may take over and have you wondering which of their selection are the best Nespresso capsules for lattes. Choosing the right coffee for a milky beverage is a little different than just reading descriptions to see which ones sound good the way you can when you just want a regular cup of coffee.
How to Know What to Use
The easiest way to choose the best Nespresso capsules for lattes is to just check the descriptions. Anything that suggests that what’s inside will yield bold, rich, or intense flavor will most likely do well in a latte because that type of flavor will stand up to the flavors and creaminess of the milk. It will also work side by side with any additional flavors you want to add to create a delicious latte, rather than letting the flavors overpower it. In those cases, the coffee flavor will seem weak and your latte’s flavor may leave a bit to be desired.
By contrast, you’ll usually (but not always) want to stay away from anything that says the flavor is delicate or light. Those are best enjoyed alone, or in the very least, with less milk than a latte calls for.
Skip the ones designed specifically for the Lungo cup size, as well. These are meant to be enjoyed in a different manner, each capsule stretched to create more ounces of coffee than the espresso or ristretto capsules. Trying to then make a Lungo into a latte would dilute the flavor; it would already be less intense and adding enough milk to it for a latte would lead to a disappointing cup.
So, in summary, the keywords to look for:
- Intense
- Bold
- Dark
- Rich
- Espresso
You don’t have to have all of those in a single description (in fact, you probably won’t), but the presence of one or two of them is a good sign that you’re headed in the right direction.
Feel free to stray outside of what’s marked as espresso only, however. Some of the bolder, stronger coffees can stand up to the milk in a latte, too.
The Top 12 Nespresso Capsules for Lattes
You can always feel free to play around. What makes a delicious latte for one may be just a mediocre choice for someone else. Here are 12 options to start your latte exploration, though. See which ones sound the most intriguing to you and get started with your experiments.
- Ristretto
- Arpeggio
- Diavolito
- Altissio
- Kazaar
- Vanilio
- Stormio
- Voltesso
- Decaffeinato Intenso
- Odacio
- Volluto
- Roma
Let’s take a closer look at how they all compare so you can find the capsule that will allow you to make the perfect latte for your preferences:
Ristretto
This is strong, slightly bitter coffee in a full-bodied Italian roast and part of Nespresso’s Espresso line (Originalline). There are chocolate and fruit notes along with some acidity. The beans in this blend come from a variety of places: South American (Colombia and Brazil) as well as East Africa. The contrast between the two regions’ coffees allow it to feel rich and heavy while at the same time having a brightness to it. It ranks as a 10 on the Nespresso scale of intensity.
Arpeggio
Arpeggio is only slightly less intense than Ristretto, ranking at a nine. This one (from the Originalline) is considered to be “rich and creamy” and it’s a blend of South and Central American coffees that particularly plays up the flavor profile Costa Rica is known for. There’s a smokiness to it that plays well with cocoa notes and adds flavor depth to lattes.
Diavolitto
The creamy Diavolitto option is an espresso pick from the Vertuoline and a combination of Robusta beans from Central and South America and Arabica beans from Brazil. This is a deep, dark coffee with a richness and bitterness that can cut through the milk of a latte and still taste like a coffee drink. The aroma is all about oak and leather, rather than the sweetness or fruit you’ll find in some blends. This one gets an 11 on the intensity scale.
Altissio
With the Altissio, we’re back into a slightly lower level on the intensity scale. This one comes in at a nine. It has a full body that will help create a decadent latte, and it’s part of the Vertuoline. This is another option that feature a malty note Costa Rica is known for, plus South American Arabicas.
Kazaar
If you want to go all-out in the intensity level, this 12 from the Originalline should do it. This is a blend of two Robustas, a combination of beans from Brazil and Guatemala that is ready to knock you off your feet. You may find that you always want to pair this one with several ounces of steamed milk. It’s bitter, peppery, and syrupy in a way that Brazilian coffees are known for. This selection has been so fine-tuned between the bitterness and natural sweetness in the roasting processes for both types of beans, this one should go on your must-try list.
Vanilio
If you love flavored lattes, you’ll want to try this one. The Vanilio (the Variations line from the Originalline collection) is one of the less intense ones on the list (at a six), but it’s worth mentioning because of its subtle vanilla flavor and ability to take your next latte up a notch. If you’re hooked on vanilla lattes with syrup, this might be a good substitute sometimes (especially if you’re trying to cut back on sugar).
Stormio
The Stormio from the Vertuoline rates at an eight on the scale of intensity and contains a blend of Nicaraguan and Guatemalan beans that offer “spicy, woody, and cereal notes.” You’ll still get a strong coffee flavor from this one even after you add the milk. You’ll merely take the edge off of this one’s power and strength.
Decaffeinato Intenso
If you don’t consume caffeine at all or nothing sounds better than an after-dinner latte when you can’t stay up all night, your drink will benefit from the Decaffeinato Intenso, a seven on the intensity scale within the Vertuoline offerings. It will still have a bold, almost syrupy taste and depth since it’s made from Colombian and Brazilian beans combined with Asian Robusta beans. You’ll get notes of fruit and cocoa that play well with the creaminess of the milk.
Odacio
A middle-ground option from the intensity scale (a seven), Odacio is a Vertuoline capsule featuring a blend of beans from Central America (Nicaragua) and East Africa (Ethiopia). Adding milk to it will play up its sweetness, but on its own, the Odacio blend has notes of cereal and fruit. Even though it’s listed as a bold coffee, there’s a lightness to it that comes from the Ethiopian beans.
Volluto
In this case, the description calls it “light,” but it’s still one of Nespresso’s options within the Espresso line and should still pair well with milk. If you do like a lighter, almost buttery or biscuit-like flavor to your espresso, this may be the one for you. A biscuit-like flavor comes from Brazilian Arabica beans, while Colombian coffee adds a fruitiness. This is part of the Originalline Espresso selection.
Voltesso
The Voltesso capsule is the Vertuoline’s solution to a need for a lighter, biscuity flavor. This one comes from Brazil and Colombia to create a smooth, well-rounded flavor. This one’s good on its own or with steamed milk, though it may not be intense enough for people who love a strong coffee flavor (versus a milkier taste) to their lattes (the intensity level is four).
Roma
Roma is another option that’s perfectly suited to a latte. The strong flavor can withstand the milk and the roasted notes create depth. The Roma option is made from Central American Arabicas and Brazilian Arabicas and Robustas. If you like a balanced coffee, with or without steamed milk, this may be the one for you.
Where to Start Experimenting
If no one or two stand out to you as something you feel like you could commit to over the course of several lattes (since you usually need to purchase at least 10 of the same kind), look for variety packs that have several different options to try.
You may not use them all in lattes, but you will at least get to explore the flavor profiles of a variety of beans, which will allow you to narrow down your favorite types of blends, intensities, and even bean origin for your ideal latte. The boldest of the bold capsules may not be your first choice; instead, you may prefer a brighter, buttery flavor. One of the variety packs on the Nespresso website even comes with a box of dark chocolates, espresso cups, and saucers.
Trying to nail down your perfect morning or afternoon (or even after-dinner) latte may seem like an urgent task. Be sure you take the time to slow down, savor the flavors of the different coffee blends, and turn the pursuit of the perfect latte into an experience.
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