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Nespresso Intensity Levels: What Do the Numbers on Nespresso Pods Mean?

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Brandon Pierce
November 13, 2021

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 nameNespresso Intensity levelCaffeine ContentAroma
Mexico7120-200 mgSpicy
Colombia5130-200 mgFruit
Costa Rica7120-200 mgCereal
Ethiopia4120-200 mgFloral
Diavolitto11150 mgintense
IL cafe1160-150 mgvelvety
Altissio960-150 mgcreamy
Orafia660-150 mgCaramel
Tocanto560-150 mgBerry
Voltesso485 mgSweet
Altissio Decaffeinateo92-4 mgCreamy
Double espresso  scuro11120-200 mgDark
Double espresso chiaro8120-200 mgDense
Double espresso dolce5120-200 mgMalted
Fortado8120-200 mgFull-bodied
Arondio6120-200 mgCereal
Inizio4120-200mgFloral
Fortando Decaffeinateo82-4 mgFull bodied
Intenso9130-200 mgDense
Stormio8130-200 mgRich
Odacio7130-200 mgBold
Melozio6130-200 mgBalanced
Solelio2130-200 mgFruity
Half caffeinato570 mgSweet
Melozio decaffeinato62-4 mgSmooth
Bianco LeggeroBalanced120-200 mgDark
Bianco ForteBalanced130-200 mgDak
Hazelino MuffinBalanced130-200 mgHazelnut

Intensity levels of Nespresso Original Coffee Capsules:

Capsule nameNespresso Intensity levelCaffeine ContentAroma
Rio de Janeiro977 mgHerbal
Istanbul espresso885 mgFruity
Paris espresso660 mgCereal/Biscuity
Cape Town Lungo10110 mgPotent
Stockholm Lungo880 mgRich
Tokyo Lungo675 mgComplex
Vienna Lungo675mgRound/Smooth
Shanghai Lungo582 mgFruity
Buenos Aires lungo4104 mgsweet
Ispiranzione Napoli13109 mgExceptionally Dark
Inspiration Palermo Kazaar12120 mgExceptionally intense
Inspiration ristretto Italiano1075 mgpowerful
Inspiration Firenze arpeggio decaffeinato92 mgcreamy
Inspiration Roma863 mgbalanced
Inspiration Venezia877 mgThick body
Inspiration Genoa livanto664 mground
Ispirazione Italiano1075 mgcontrasting
Inspiration Firenze arpeggio963 mgIntense
India11105 mgwoody
Indonesia872 mgrich
Colombia664 mgfruity
Nicaragua564 mgsweet
Ethiopia465 mgflowery
Caprico564 mgrich
Volute464 mglight
cosi4110 mgmild
Volluto decaffeinato41.7 mgsweet
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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.

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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 machines. This way you will be sure of the authenticity of the product and there are no chances of a scam.

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 amazon. Amazon has all of Nespresso's pods and coffee capsules. As amazon is Nespresso's legal distributor, some best-selling capsules might be out of stock due to the huge demand, but they restock them frequently so look out for your favorite ones.

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.


Brandon Pierce

About the author

My name is Brandon and I love cold-brew coffee. If you're a fan of everything homebrew, then we'll get along just fine. I also enjoy riding my Onewheel around town, and going on adventures with my future wife! As an online work-from-home advocate, it's important that I stay connected to the world while being able to maintain a healthy work/life balance.

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