Nespresso is world-famous for its top-quality coffee machines. These machines use coffee capsules of different flavors containing coffee beans to brew coffee without a hassle and within a few minutes.
It produces flavorful coffee once a capsule of your choice is inserted into it, some water is added to the container and with a push of one button, the brewing process starts.
It is the most convenient way to make a delicious cup of coffee at work or home. You can choose a Nespresso Machine according to your preferences and enjoy a cup of coffee anytime.
Nespresso Coffee Capsules
Nespresso coffee machines require coffee capsules specially designed for it. These coffee capsules consist of coffee beans packed in aluminum foil.
These Nespresso compatible capsules are filled with aroma and flavor which remains intact till you put them into the coffee machine.
How to use Coffee Capsules in Nespresso Machine?
Nespresso machines are the first choice of coffee drinkers due to its convenience and time saving factor. The coffee capsule is placed in the coffee machine, the machine uses the coffee beans from the capsule to brew a fresh cup of coffee.
Every time you make a cup of coffee, you can try another flavor just by changing the capsule. The quality, taste and aroma of coffee brews turns out to be exceptional.
What does Nespresso intensity mean?
The Nespresso capsules used to brew coffee come in different colors and several flavors. Each coffee capsule gives a specific number to it. This number suggests the intensity level of the coffee that will be brewed using these specific Nespresso capsules.
The intensity of coffee does not depend on the amount of caffeine it contains. The amount of caffeine content a capsule contains does not increase or decrease the intensity. Intensity means how the coffee beans are roasted, what kind of texture it has, and how bitter it is.
Nespresso intensity levels & the caffeine content
The Nespresso intensity chart shows levels ranging from 1 to 13. Nespresso Pods containing numbers from 1 to 6 are not considered to be intense and anything above this level is dark and intense.
The whole process of giving coffee pods a number for their intensity depends on how the coffee beans are roasted, the concentration of coffee, the method of brewing it, and the bitter taste.
The caffeine content in a pod does not define the intensity. The Nespresso coffee capsules usually contain 5 grams of caffeine, no matter what the intensity level is. The caffeine content just gives coffee the taste and aroma it is supposed to have.
Nespresso Intensity Levels:
Nespresso coffee capsules have intensity levels of their own, ranging from light to dark to intense.
1 to 6: light, not too bitter, and lighter roast
8 to 13: intense, bitter, and stronger roast
Intensity levels of Nespresso Vertuo Coffee Capsules:
Nespresso Vertuo is a versatile machine to brew coffee conveniently at home. It is hassle-free and stylish. It has a range of recyclable coffee capsules with a long list of flavors.
By just putting your favorite capsule in and pressing one button, a delicious cup of coffee is ready.
The following table shows how unique one Nespresso coffee capsule is from another depending on the intensity level and aroma.
Capsule name | Nespresso Intensity level | Caffeine Content | Aroma |
Mexico | 7 | 120-200 mg | Spicy |
Colombia | 5 | 130-200 mg | Fruit |
Costa Rica | 7 | 120-200 mg | Cereal |
Ethiopia | 4 | 120-200 mg | Floral |
Diavolitto | 11 | 150 mg | intense |
IL cafe | 11 | 60-150 mg | velvety |
Altissio | 9 | 60-150 mg | creamy |
Orafia | 6 | 60-150 mg | Caramel |
Tocanto | 5 | 60-150 mg | Berry |
Voltesso | 4 | 85 mg | Sweet |
Altissio Decaffeinateo | 9 | 2-4 mg | Creamy |
Double espresso scuro | 11 | 120-200 mg | Dark |
Double espresso chiaro | 8 | 120-200 mg | Dense |
Double espresso dolce | 5 | 120-200 mg | Malted |
Fortado | 8 | 120-200 mg | Full-bodied |
Arondio | 6 | 120-200 mg | Cereal |
Inizio | 4 | 120-200mg | Floral |
Fortando Decaffeinateo | 8 | 2-4 mg | Full bodied |
Intenso | 9 | 130-200 mg | Dense |
Stormio | 8 | 130-200 mg | Rich |
Odacio | 7 | 130-200 mg | Bold |
Melozio | 6 | 130-200 mg | Balanced |
Solelio | 2 | 130-200 mg | Fruity |
Half caffeinato | 5 | 70 mg | Sweet |
Melozio decaffeinato | 6 | 2-4 mg | Smooth |
Bianco Leggero | Balanced | 120-200 mg | Dark |
Bianco Forte | Balanced | 130-200 mg | Dak |
Hazelino Muffin | Balanced | 130-200 mg | Hazelnut |
Intensity levels of Nespresso Original Coffee Capsules:
Capsule name | Nespresso Intensity level | Caffeine Content | Aroma |
Rio de Janeiro | 9 | 77 mg | Herbal |
Istanbul espresso | 8 | 85 mg | Fruity |
Paris espresso | 6 | 60 mg | Cereal/Biscuity |
Cape Town Lungo | 10 | 110 mg | Potent |
Stockholm Lungo | 8 | 80 mg | Rich |
Tokyo Lungo | 6 | 75 mg | Complex |
Vienna Lungo | 6 | 75mg | Round/Smooth |
Shanghai Lungo | 5 | 82 mg | Fruity |
Buenos Aires lungo | 4 | 104 mg | sweet |
Ispiranzione Napoli | 13 | 109 mg | Exceptionally Dark |
Inspiration Palermo Kazaar | 12 | 120 mg | Exceptionally intense |
Inspiration ristretto Italiano | 10 | 75 mg | powerful |
Inspiration Firenze arpeggio decaffeinato | 9 | 2 mg | creamy |
Inspiration Roma | 8 | 63 mg | balanced |
Inspiration Venezia | 8 | 77 mg | Thick body |
Inspiration Genoa livanto | 6 | 64 mg | round |
Ispirazione Italiano | 10 | 75 mg | contrasting |
Inspiration Firenze arpeggio | 9 | 63 mg | Intense |
India | 11 | 105 mg | woody |
Indonesia | 8 | 72 mg | rich |
Colombia | 6 | 64 mg | fruity |
Nicaragua | 5 | 64 mg | sweet |
Ethiopia | 4 | 65 mg | flowery |
Caprico | 5 | 64 mg | rich |
Volute | 4 | 64 mg | light |
cosi | 4 | 110 mg | mild |
Volluto decaffeinato | 4 | 1.7 mg | sweet |

Nespresso Intensity levels and coffee quality
Nespresso intensity level charts for its capsules show a range from 1 to 13. Each Nespresso capsule has a different color and a different number.
Factors affecting the coffee brew:
- Origin of coffee grounds
- Aroma, serving size
- Intensity
More than any other factor, the intensity of a coffee capsule decides the taste and quality of the coffee brew.
The intensity of coffee increases when coffee beans are roasted longer which makes the coffee strong and dark. This type of coffee is intense and bitter.
Medium roasted coffee beans have intensity levels ranging from 1 to 6. This type of coffee is light and not too bitter.

FAQs
Does an intense coffee contain more caffeine?
No! The caffeine content does not have any effect on the intensity of the coffee. No matter what number of Nespresso intensity levels are given to a coffee capsule, the amount of caffeine is usually the same and intensity depends on the dark or light roast of the coffee beans.
Where to buy Nespresso capsules online?
Nespresso’s website should be your first choice if you want to buy Nespresso capsules or
Their website has all the information about the Nespresso intensity levels so you can look at the details to figure out your taste.
Another option can be
What is Nespresso's strongest pod?
Black insomnia smooth roast coffee is said to be the most intense coffee capsule. It contains 1105 mg of caffeine for 120z cups. If you use one coffee capsule, your espresso cup will have 374 mg of caffeine. It is made from sunflower seeds and it is roasted slowly using the centuries-old Italian tradition. Black insomnia smooth roast pod comes in different flavors like dark chocolate, hazelnut, and caramel.
What does the number on each Nespresso pod mean?
Each number represents the interest of the pods. It means if the pod has a number ranging from 1 to 6, the coffee will be of low intensity and the pods having numbers of 8 and above will have high intensity. Low-Intensity pods make less bitter coffee while high-intensity pods have a strong bitter taste.
What does Nespresso kazaar taste like?
A daring blend of two Robustas from Brazil and Guatemala and a separately roasted Arabica from South America, Kazaar is a coffee capsule of exceptional intensity. Its powerful bitterness and notes of pepper are balanced by a full and creamy texture.
Can I Return Nespresso coffee capsules?
Nespresso has a consumer-friendly return and exchange policy that allows you to return coffee capsules within 30 days of purchase. However, the condition is that the coffee capsules must not be damaged and you should return them within the given time frame.