Top 3 Reviews for Best Nespresso Capsules for Making Americano at Home
There is something simple, yet satisfying to making the perfect Americano at home.
What is even better is making the perfect Amerciano at home with little effort or mess.
You don’t need to mess around with filtered coffee or percolater coffee grinds anymore. With the invention of Nespresso, you can now enjoy a authentic tasting Amerciano every morning in your home with the simple push of a button.
Thanks for Nespresso, they have taken the hard work and taken you about 90% of the way to replicating an Americano coffee at home, but there is still a few things you need to decide before you can enjoy your favorite coffee.
In this article we will walk you through the things you need to consider to achieving the perfect Americano for YOU. Coffee taste and preferences is a personal journey that only you can decide, so we are going to take you through the questions and options you have to make to achieving a great tasting Americano.
Short on time? Check out our favorite Best Nespresso Capsules for Americano Coffees Table
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Nespresso Capsules VertuoLine , Intense Variety Pack, Dark Roast Coffee, 40 Count Coffee Pods, Brews 7.8 oz & Capsules VertuoLine, Intenso, Dark Roast Coffee, 30 Count Coffee Pods, Brews 7.8oz
Starbucks by Nespresso, Espresso Dark Roast (50-count single serve capsules) & Single-Origin Colombia (50-count single serve capsules, compatible with Nespresso Original Line System)
If we could prescribe a simple formula to produce the perfect Americano, we’d be geniuses. The fact of the matter is that the perfect Americano very much comes down to personal taste and preference.
What we have noticed is there are certain similarities in the coffee connoiseurs that prefer Americanos over the milky coffees. So with that in mind, let’s take a look at the features of a perfect Americano.
An Americano coffee must have a strong bold profile. This means the flavors, tones and notes of the roasted bean should be strong enough to come through, but not too strong as to overpower the coffee flavor. It sounds counter-intuitive however for coffee drinkers who like Americanos, the coffee flavor is the main act, while the nuances and tones are the pre-show entertainment.
The coffee also needs to have a smooth coffee flavor, so nothing too bitter and sharp, otherwise it makes the drink unpleasant and not enjoyable at all.
Top 3 Reviews of our Favorite Nespresso Capsules for Americano Coffee
Let’s now take a detailed look at the Best Nespresso Capsules for making Americano coffee at home.
Before we dive into the review for this Nespresso Capsule we would like to highlight that this is actually a bundle pack. It includes 50 capsules of Arpeggio Intenso (traditional capsule style) and 30 Coffee Pods of the Intenso, dark roast coffee (from the new Vertuo style machines). Both are wonderful coffees that produce Americanos that are packed with flavor and intensity. Let’s take a look at each flavor.
Arpeggio Intenso
As the name suggests, this Nespresso capsule has an intense flavor profile. With a intensity rating of 9, you won’t be missing your coffee flavor hit. The flavors associated with this origin and roast is a strong earthy flavor with notes of cocoa that come through.
The name and roasting style has been inspired by the Florenzian culture in the heart of Italy.
Note this capsule style is based on the first generation Nespresso machines.
Rich Dark Roast Coffee
The Intenso uses a unique blend of Robusta beans from Guatemala and Arabica beans from Costa Rica. This combination results in a strong coffe flavor (from the Robusta) and a counter-balanced smoothness of the Arabica beans.
At first you would think this is counter-intuitive, however the balance somehow works to deliver the perfect Americano with woody after tones and caramel flavors.
Note this is a pod for the newest generation Nespresso machines.
Pros
this is a combo pack, which includes two strong, bold nespresso capsules for americano coffees
two distinct flavor profiles to choose from
lots of value with the quantities of pods and capsules you receive in this value pack
Cons
if you do not have the latest generation Vertuo Nespresso machines, you will not be able to use the Intenso Pods.
Product 1: NEW LOOK, NEW NAME, SAME GREAT TASTE: The espresso coffee you love, inspired by the lifestyle in Florence. This collection of Nespresso capsules are our homage to those regional blends and roasting techniques.
Product 1: INTENSITY 9: This Nespresso coffee blend offers intense, grilled notes alongside subtle cocoa notes and woody hints, all in easy to use Nespresso Capsules
Product 1: ISPIRAZIONE FIRENZE ARPEGGIO COFFEE BREWS 1.35 OZ : These Nespresso OriginalLine pods are part of the Espresso range that will provide you with a 1.35 oz serving of a traditional espresso coffee beverage
Product 1: WE RECYCLE: Nespresso aluminum capsules are fully recyclable and guarantee coffee freshness - we provide different options for recycling your used aluminum coffee pods to fulfill our collective commitment to protecting the environment
Product 2: DEEP & DENSE: This Nespresso coffee is unexpectedly thick and dense featuring a lingering aftertaste with notes of brown sugar and strongly toasted flavors incorporated into this dark roasted coffee
Product 2: INTENSITY 9: This Nespresso coffee blend has a dense character that comes from roast splitting with a mix of Guatemalan Robusta, and bold and bitter notes while Mexican and Latin American Arabicas are roasted to enhance their notes of brown sugar
Product 2: INTENSO COFFEE BREWS 7.8 OZ: These Nespresso VertuoLine pods provide you with a 7.8 OZ serving of coffee which is perfect for a longer drinking experience
Product 2: WE RECYCLE: Nespresso aluminum capsules are fully recyclable and guarantee coffee freshness - we provide different options for recycling your used aluminum coffee pods to fulfill our collective commitment to protecting the environment
Another combination pack, however the difference between this one and the first value pack we reviewed is that this one is brought to you by Starbucks.
Starbucks and Nespresso combined their forces to produce a collaboration to bring Starbucks coffee into your home to enjoy every morning.
What is even more special about this value pack is that each coffee has been sourced from single origins. This means, unlike the Intenso pods from before which was a blend of two types of beans, each coffee is only sourced from one place/country.
Let’s take a look at the these two flavor packed Starbucks coffees.
Espresso Dark Roast
We know, this capsule is meant to be for espressos, however we went against the grain and tried this capsule as an Americano. And you know what…it worked. It was a delicious intense coffee with caramel tones.
The Dark Roast has an intensity rating of 11, which means you are going to taste coffee in every last sip!
Single Origin Columbia
This smooth and well balanced single origin coffee from Columbia ticks all the right boxes for the perfect Americano coffee. Even though it is only a medium roast, it still holds a strong coffee flavor with approachable flavors. It is only an intensity of 7, however what it lacks in intensity, it surely makes up for it in the nutty undertones of the coffee.
Pros
value pack with two single origin coffees from Starbucks
enjoy Starbucks in your very home without stepping outside (perfect for those raining mornings)
Cons
Single origin Columbia is only an intensity of 7 which may not resonate with some coffee aficionados.
Product 1: Developed with Nespresso to work perfectly with original line Nespresso machines: Essenza Mini, Pixie, CitiZ, Expert, Lattissima, KitchenAid, Creatista
Product 1: Dark-roast coffees have fuller body with robust, bold taste
Product 1: Each espresso capsule brews 0.85 or 1.35 ounces. Pop in the Nespresso Capsule and select the espresso or ristretto brew size
Product 1: Package contains 5 boxes of 10 Starbucks Espresso Roast Nespresso Coffee Capsules to make up to 50 cups
Product 2: Developed with Nespresso to work perfectly with original line Nespresso machines: Essenza Mini, Pixie, CitiZ, Expert, Lattissima, KitchenAid, Creatista
Product 2: Medium-roasted coffees are smooth and balanced with rich, approachable flavors
Product 2: Each espresso capsule brews 0.85 or 3.7 ounces of coffee. Pop in the Nespresso Capsule and select the espresso or lungo brew size
Product 2: Package contains 5 boxes of 10 Starbucks Single-Origin Colombia Nespresso Coffee Capsules to make up to 50 cups
If you are into Nespresso coffees on the high end of the intensity scale, this variety pack is for you. This variety pack offers up a flavor journey for you to explore from the Odacio (intensity rating 7), to the Stormio (intensity rating 8) to the Diavollitto (intensity rating 11) and Altissio (intensity rating 9). You won’t be short of coffees to try with this pack.
Each has their very own unique flavor profile to match the intensity and ensure you end up with a satisfyingly good Americano to enjoy.
Rich Dark Roast Coffee
We reviewed this coffee pod earlier (first review). If you want to revisit the description for the Intenso Dark Roast coffee please refer above for
Note this is a pod for the newest Vertuo generation Nespresso machines.
Pros
value pack with four flavors to experience and select your favorite to enjoy each morning
extra value with the number of pods you receive (when compared to buying separately)
perfect for families that have members with different coffee tastes
Cons
only compatible with the latest Vertuo generation Nespresso machines.
Product 1: NESPRESSO VERTUOLINE VARIETY PACK ASSORTMENT: This Nespresso coffee assortment offers 40 Nespresso Pods in a variety of 4 best-selling coffee blends for the Nespresso VertuoLine System.10 Odacio, 10 Stormio, 10 Diavollitto, 10 Altissio
Product 1: INTENSITY: This intense assortment will let you explore the rich tastes and differing notes of the following Nespresso Capsules: Odacio (Intensity 7), Stormio (Intensity 8) & Diavollitto (Intensity 11), Altissio (Intensity 9)
Product 1: COFFEE BREWS 7.8 OZ COFFEE & ESPRESSO BREWS 1.35 OZ COFFEE : These Nespresso VertuoLine pods provide you with a 7.8 OZ serving of coffee (and 1.35oz of traditional espresso which is perfect for a longer drinking experience)
Product 1: WE RECYCLE: Nespresso aluminum capsules are fully recyclable and guarantee coffee freshness - we provide different options for recycling your used aluminum coffee pods to fulfill our collective commitment to protecting the environment
Product 2: DEEP & DENSE: This Nespresso coffee is unexpectedly thick and dense featuring a lingering aftertaste with notes of brown sugar and strongly toasted flavors incorporated into this dark roasted coffee
Product 2: INTENSITY 9: This Nespresso coffee blend has a dense character that comes from roast splitting with a mix of Guatemalan Robusta, and bold and bitter notes while Mexican and Latin American Arabicas are roasted to enhance their notes of brown sugar
Product 2: INTENSO COFFEE BREWS 7.8 OZ: These Nespresso VertuoLine pods provide you with a 7.8 OZ serving of coffee which is perfect for a longer drinking experience
Product 2: WE RECYCLE: Nespresso aluminum capsules are fully recyclable and guarantee coffee freshness - we provide different options for recycling your used aluminum coffee pods to fulfill our collective commitment to protecting the environment
How to make the Best Tasting Americano at home using Nespresso Capsules – Taste and Buyer’s Guide
Coffee Roast
Coffee beans are roasted to achieve different flavors and tones in the resulting coffee beverage. Roast is measured in the color of the beans once they have finished their roasting cycle. Think of it as a roasting spectrum that can range from light to medium to dark roasted coffee.
So what does coffee roast mean in terms of taste?
Lightly roasted coffee beans tend to produce a milder tasting coffee and really enhance their naturally occuring fruity or floral tones in the flavor.
When it comes to medium roasted coffee, the beans are roasted for slightly longer and the flavors tend to intensify and can change to very different combinations. The coffee flavor also becomes stronger, and is one fo the more common roast types available. Mainly because it sits nicely in the middle and it has a good coffee kick with some tasty flavors depending on the origin of the bean.
Which brings us to your next consideration…bean origin.
Bean Origin
Coffee beans come from a range of countries – each with their own climate and nuances to their coffee flavor.
The source (or bean origin) will determine the flavors that are enhanced during the roasting process. Many companies will mix beans with different origins to create new flavors for new tasting experiences.
The two main types of coffee beans available from different countries are Robusta and Arabica beans. You will probably have heard or read about Arabica coffee beans, mainly because they are perceived as the higher quality bean and companies like to advertise that they have them included in their coffee.
The Arabica beans generally produce more flavorful coffee, with many fruity tones and flavors. Whereas Robusta coffee beans are known for their stronger coffee taste and higher caffeine content.
Flavor, Tones and Notes
As we mentioned earlier, the flavor, tones and notes of a coffee are determined by the type and origin of the beans. The roast of the bean will also help to give the coffee a soft notes of the flavors (for light roasts) to strong intense notes in the coffee (for darker roasts).
What is great about Nespresso capsules is that they help to identify the flavors, tones and notes by conveniently producing flavor capsules to suit even the pickiest of coffee drinkers.
What we love about Nespresso is that you can taste a range of coffees and literally travel around the world sampling each countries coffee profile on every other day.
Intensity
Intensity is very much determined by personal preference and can be a polarizing aspect of coffee. Many people love the rich intensity of a dark roasted coffee for a maximum caffeine hit. Whereas some individuals like to enjoy the less intense coffees that allow the other flavors and tones to come through when enjoying your Americano.
There is no right or wrong here – it really is just up to to individuals taste and preference.
Final Verdict
It is almost impossible to define the best nespresso capsules for americano coffees. The reason it is impossible is because it ultimately comes down to personal taste and preference.
We have identified similar features of the favorite nespresso capsules for making the perfect Americano at home, which will help you narrow down your options.
Our favorite of the three very good options we have provided for you is the Nespresso Capsules VertuoLine Intense Variety pack as it provides 5 different intense flavors to explore – one for each weekday.
What do you think is the Best Nespresso Capsules for Americano coffees? Let us know in the comments below and we’ll be sure to include it in our next update of this review.
