Encapsulated: Nespresso’s Original Line Capsule Review
Maybe your new year started with the gift of a Nespresso machine. Or you’ve decided to cut the $4 Starbucks drinks out of your life and make espresso at home.
Whatever reason brings you here today, you want to know more about the Nespresso’s Original Line capsules. So we’ve reviewed each one for you below.
You’ll get a snapshot of the origin (where the coffee comes from), the roast level (light, medium, or dark), and the intensity (on a scale of 12 and often related to roast), as well as a description.
We’ve also included information about the amount of coffee each capsule can make.
To help you out, here’s what each of the sizes means:
Let’s get started with the most traditional, the Espresso line.
Espresso Line
The originals of the Original Line, Espresso capsules bring you back to the roots of Nespresso through four smooth, balanced flavors in the classic 1.35oz sized cup.
Livanto
Livanto gives you a well-balanced and full-bodied flavor. It’ll remind you of freshly roasted, caramelized beans and is perfect for someone who likes their coffee with an even mix of mellow and bold.
Capriccio
The Capriccio blend, while also balanced, carries a lighter acidity than the Livanto. You’ll also taste a distinctive cereal flavor, perfect for breakfast coffee drinkers.
Volluto
Think richness and finesse with this sweet-smelling, light roasted Volluto. Perfectly rounded mouthfeel and flavors reminiscent of honeyed biscuits and fruit.
Cosi
A great espresso cup for lovers of mild and delicate flavors. Cosi joins the tastes of sweet fruit and toasted cereal for a thoroughly gentle cup.
Master Origin Line
One region. One process. Many skilled craftsmen.
The five Master Origin capsules highlight a different coffee growing region and a different coffee process. The results are the purest and most enduring coffee experiences available in the Original Line.
Colombia
Grown high in the Colombian mountains and harvested late in the growing season, this capsule hits you with a bright acidity and flavors of red fruits and wine. And typical of a washed coffee, this Colombian capsule gives you an extremely high-quality coffee.
Try it as a cappuccino for an added flavor of sweet biscuits.
Ethiopia
You’ll first notice the pleasing orange blossom scent of this Ethiopian coffee. And the masterful sun drying (or unwashed) process yields a delicate fruit jam flavor. Add a touch of frothed milk for an enjoyable, fruity cup.
Nicaragua
This luxurious, nutty coffee comes from the meticulous and highly skilled process known as Black Honey. The end product gives off a creamy, honeyed mouthfeel and cereal flavors.
A latte macchiato provides the perfect balance for this toasty, smooth coffee capsule.
India
Through an ancient process called monsooning, this Indian coffee greets you with a delightful blend of earthiness and spice. It’s an intense coffee flavor with a surprisingly low acidity. With milk, you’ll experience a strong, woody flavor.
Indonesia
The humid Indonesian climate lends itself to a unique coffee process known as wet-hulling. And wet-hulling produces intense woody flavors with hints of tobacco. Go with frothed milk for a full, nutty drink.
Intenso Line
Full-bodied and strong, the five-capsule Intenso line features blended coffees from the most respected growing regions. These capsules are not for the weak with their intensely bold flavors. And for an even stronger taste, they can be made as a 0.85oz ristretto.
Kazaar
Full and creamy on one hand. Bitter and peppery on the other. The Kazaar blend gives you the most intense coffee you can find in the original line.
Dharkan
As the runner up in intensity to Kazaar, this bold coffee will remind you of toasted cereal and bitter cocoa. Its flavors are made slightly more subtle with milk, but the pleasant bitterness sticks around long after you finish your cup.
Ristretto
A perfect balance of dark roasted and fruity. Imagine the strong flavor of chocolate married to citrus notes. It’s your very own chocolate orange, kicked up a notch, in a cup.
Arpeggio
Slightly less intense than the other Intenso capsules, the Arpeggio coffee still holds its own as a bold coffee. In this cup, you’ll get toasted cocoa flavors.
Roma
This blended light roast makes it the least bold Intenso capsule. With its woody and balanced flavors, it’s perfect for espresso lovers who like to keep things mild
Lungo Line
The four blended origin Lungo capsules make your morning coffee complete. Designed for a larger cup (3.7oz), they’re a perfect jumpstart to your day, while still offering the finesse of the Original Line coffees.
Envivo
Envivo infuses your morning with stimulating scents like gingerbread and wood. It’s bold flavor, similar to caramel, makes it the perfect strong coffee to last you all day.
Fortissio
This unique blend of monsooned beans and Latin American coffee has earthiness and richness for a full-bodied mouthfeel. You’ll taste sweet cereal with a hint of malt. And just the right amount of bitter.
Vivalto
Beans grown in high-altitude mean you’ll get remarkably fruity acidity and light floral notes. But the East African contribution means a robust toasted flavor. While still light, this capsule provides a complex taste.
Linizio
If you’re looking for smooth and mild, go for Linizio. It combines cereal and malt with a touch of Bourbon for the perfectly balanced larger cup.
Decaffeinato Line
The Decaffeinato capsules feature four of the same coffees above, with the same flavor profiles, intensity, and aromas just without the caffeine. A split roasting process preserves the integrity of the coffee while removing the caffeine.
You can choose from the Volluto Decaffeinato (like the Espresso line), the Vivalto Lungo Decaffeinato (like the Lungo line), or the Ristretto or Arpeggio Decaffeinato (like the Intenso line). (This list can also be a box if you think it would look ok).
So for those of us who want to enjoy our espresso around the clock but don’t want to be kept up by the caffeine, these capsules are for us.
Variations
The three Variations capsules are basically flavored coffees. You can choose from Vanilio, Caramelito, Ciocattino for a vanilla, caramel, or chocolate flavor respectively.
Each of these capsules are based off the round and balanced Livanto capsule (from the Espresso line). They rank as a 6/12 on the intensity scale and can be enjoyed as an espresso or lungo size.
How to Choose?
By now you may be overwhelmed with the different choices listed here. And to top it off, Nespresso’s Original Line also features Festive and Limited Edition capsules.
If you don’t know where to start, consider Nespresso’s 5 sleeve assortment that also comes with cappuccino cups.
Or, go with what you already know. If you like mochas, try out the capsules with chocolate notes. If you’re into the bitter and bold, Intenso will probably suit you best.
And then? Keep trying until you find what you love. And then try a couple more just to be sure! You’ll never run out of options with the Original Line.