A Complete Guide to Nespresso Intensity Levels | Original & Vertuo Charts

This blog will give you a complete overview of Nespresso intensity levels, and it’s the perfect place to learn about the factors affecting the taste and quality of the coffee brew.

In the single-serving coffee market, Nespresso pods have quickly become a household name. Nespresso has made its mark for itself by producing delicious coffee with reliable espresso machines and better-quality capsules.

Do you frequently use Nespresso pods? But do you know about Nespresso intensity? You’ve arrived at the perfect place if you don’t know! This blog will give you a comprehensive guide about Nespresso intensity levels for both Original and Vertuo Line.

Factors affecting the taste & quality of the coffee brew

• Origin
• Intensity
• Aromatic profile
• Cup size

What do the numbers on Nespresso pods mean?

If you’re a die-hard Nespresso fan, you’ve surely noticed that each capsule has its own serial number. The number represents the level of intensity offered by a pod. The intensity is the only information provided by Nespresso, and the number ranges from 1 to 13. You can check out this number for every capsule on the Nespresso website. This is how Nespresso determines how strongly flavored a pod is.

What does Nespresso intensity mean?

The degree of roasting, the body, and the bitterness of a coffee is called Nespresso intensity, and it is determined by the coffee’s concentration.

The Nespresso intensity level ranges between 1 to 13, with 1 being the least severe and 13 being the most intense.

Light intensity: Levels 1-5

Nespresso pods with a 1-5 strength level are the best if you want a coffee with more taste and a vibrant profile. Low-intensity coffee is ideal for drinking black or in the form of an Americano.

Medium intensity: Levels 6-8

The Nespresso pods of medium intensity levels between 6 to 8 will fall somewhere in the middle of the intensity chart. They have a unique deep, bittersweet flavor as compared to other coffees. Aroma, acidity, and flavor profile will all be balanced; that means you can enjoy them with water or milk.

Highest intensity: Levels 9-13

You should use the strongest pods if you want a dark roast coffee with a big body, a rich scent, and powerful hints of bitter flavor. These range in size from 9 to 13 and are ideal for milk-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos.

Does “intensity” mean caffeine content?

In rare circumstances, a higher intensity number for the Nespresso coffee capsules may appear to correspond to increased caffeine content; however, this is not the case. The caffeine concentration isn’t factored in because the intensity is determined by the degree of roasting, body, and bitterness of the coffee. Furthermore, the intensity is due to the coffee’s concentration. It has nothing to do with the amount of caffeine in the coffee.

Intensity level vs. caffeine content

When coffee beans are dissolved in water, caffeine is liberated as a colorless and tasteless substance. Caffeine content and intensity level have nothing to do with each other.

Let’s say the intensity level of Cosi from the Original Nespresso series is 4 out of 13, and it includes 55-60 mg of caffeine. That means the higher caffeine content of Cosi pod doesn’t affect its intensity level; if coffee’s intensity level and caffeine content are at a higher level or vice versa, it’s just a coincidence. 

If you’re seeking a comprehensive guide on Nespresso caffeine content, check out our informative article on this subject. I’m willing to bet that it will clarify your perceptions of intensity and caffeine content.

Nespresso OriginalLine vs VertuoLine intensity

There are many pods to pick across the whole intensity range, whether you have an Original or Vertuo Nespresso machine. OriginalLine and VertuoLine Nespresso pods mostly fall in the light and medium intensity level category. Napoli is the strongest OriginalLine Nespresso pod. Diavolitto is the strongest Vertuoline Nespresso pod. Our comprehensive comparison of the Nespresso Vertuo line vs. the Original line will quench your hunger for knowledge about these two Nespresso lines.

Original Nespresso intensity chart

Original Nespresso pods are classified by intensity rating in this Nespresso intensity chart. The majority of pods are in the medium intensity category.

Original Pod	Size	Intensity Level	Intensity	Caffeine Content	Flavor Profile
Volluto	Espresso	Light	4	64 mg	Woody & Cereal
Volluto Decaffeinato	Espresso	Light	4	1.7 mg	Caramel & Cereal
Cosi	Espresso	Light	4	55 – 65 mg	Mild & Lightly Toasted
Hawaii Kona	Espresso	Light	5	72mg	Tropical & Exotic
Shanghai Lungo	Lungo	Light	5	82mg	Fruitness & Fine Acidity
Ethiopia	Espresso	Light	4	55 – 65 mg	Fruit Jam & Orange Blossom
Buenos Aires Lungo	Lungo	Light	4	104	Sweet & cereal
Volutto	Espresso	Light	4	55 – 65 mg	Sweet & Light
Volutto Decaf	Espresso	Light	4	Less than 3 mg	Sweet & Light
Capriccio	Espresso	Light	5	55 – 65 mg	Rich & Distinctive
Nicaragua	Espresso	Light	5	55 – 65 mg	Honey & Sweet Cereal
Freddo Intenso capsules	Espresso	Medium	6	50-100 mg	Bold & Dark Roasted
Vienna Linizio Lungo	Lungo	Medium	6	75 mg	Malty Cereal & Sweet
Genova Livanto	Espresso	Medium	6	64 mg	Caramel & Cereal
Tokyo Vivalto Lungo	Lungo	Medium	6	82 mg	Flowery & Complex
Caramel Creme Brulee	Espresso	Medium	6	55 – 65 mg	Caramel
Freddo Delicato	Espresso	Medium	6	50-100 mg	Fruity & Sweet
Jamaica Blue Edition	Espresso	Medium	7	62mg	Woody & Spicy
Cocoa Truffle	Espresso	Medium	6	55 – 65 mg	Chocolate
Esperanza De Columbia	Espresso	Light	5	53 mg	Fruity & Sweet
Forest Black	Espresso	Medium	7	60 mg	Woody & Spicy
Colombia	Espresso	Medium	6	55 – 65 mg	Winey & Red Fruit
Genova	Espresso	Medium	6	55 – 65 mg	Toasted Cereal & Sweet Caramel
Tokyo	Lungo	Medium	6	77 – 85 mg	Flowery & Complex
Vanilla Eclair	Espresso	Medium	6	55 – 65 mg	Vanilla
Vienna	Lungo	Medium	6	77 – 85 mg	Round & Smooth
Vivalto Lungo	Lungo	Medium	6	77 – 85 mg	Floral & Complex
Indonesia	Espresso	Medium	8	55 – 65 mg	Tobacco Leaves & Woody
Roma	Espresso	Medium	8	55 – 65 mg	Woody & Cerealy
Venezia	Espresso	Medium	8	55 – 65 mg	Balanced & Thick
Stockholm	Lungo	Medium	8	77 – 85 mg	Rich & Full-bodied
Stockholm Fortissio Lungo	Lungo	Medium	8	80 mg	Sweet Cereal & Malty
Firenze	Espresso	High	9	55 – 65 mg	Roasty, Cocoa & Creamy
Firenze Decaf	Espresso	High	9	Less than 3 mg	Roasty, Cocoa & Creamy
Cape Town	Lungo	High	10	77 – 85 mg	Intense & Roasted
Ristretto	Ristretto	High	10	55 – 65 mg	Soft Cocoa & Subtly Fruity
Ristretto Decaf	Ristretto	High	10	Less than 3 mg	Soft Cocoa & Subtly Fruity
Firenze Arpeggio	Ristretto	High	9	63 mg	Intense & Creamy
Firenze Arpeggio Decaffeinato	Ristretto	High	9	2 mg	Intense & Creamy
Cape Town Envivo Lungo	Lungo	High	10	110 mg	Intense & Roasted
Ristretto Italiano Decaffeinato	Ristretto	High	10	2 mg	Roasted, Berry & Cocca
Ristretto Italiano	Ristretto	High	10	75 mg	Roasted, Berry & Cocca
Corto	Espresso	High	11	103 mg	Dark roasted
India	Espresso	High	11	55 – 65 mg	Woody & Spicy
Palermo Kazaar	Espresso	High	12	125 mg	Intense & Syrupy
Napoli	Espresso	High	13	55 – 65 mg	Dark & Creamy

Vertuo Nespresso intensity levels chart

The Vertuo pods are categorized by intensity level in this chart. The majority of the pods fall into the medium intensity category. 

Vertuo Pod	Size	Intensity Level	Intensity	Caffeine Content	Flavor Profile
Solelio	Coffee	Light	2	170 – 200 mg	Fruity & Light
Giornio	Coffee	Light	4	170 – 200 mg	Floral & Velvety
Elvazio	Coffee	Light	4	170 – 200 mg	Fruity & Delicate
Ethiopia	Gran Lungo	Light	4	120 – 200 mg	Fruity & Floral
Decaffeinato Ontuoso	Gran Lungo	Light	4	Less than 12 mg	Malty Cereal & Creamy
Voltesso	Espresso	Light	4	50 – 60 mg	Biscuity & Sweet
Dolce XL	Alto	Light	4	228 – 350 mg	Caramel & Toasted
Half Caffeinato	Coffee	Light	5	90 mg	Sweet & Velvety
Colombia	Coffee	Light	5	170 – 200 mg	Washed Arabica
Dolce	Double Espresso	Light	5	100 – 120 mg	Cereal & Malted
Toccanto	Espresso	Light	5	50 – 60 mg	Berry & Winey
Jamaica Blue Mountain	Espresso	Medium	7	60-150 mg	Woody & Spicy
Melozio	Coffee	Medium	6	170 – 200 mg	Honeyed sweetness
Hazelino Muffin	Coffee	Medium	6	170 – 200 mg	Hazelnut
Forest Fruit	Coffee	Medium	7	130-200 mg	Juicy & Sweet
Caramel Cookie	Coffee	Medium	6	170 – 200 mg	Caramel
Vanilla Custard Pie	Coffee	Medium	6	170 – 200 mg	Vanilla
Chocolate Fudge	Coffee	Medium	6	170 – 200 mg	Dark chocolate
Melozio Decaffeinato	Coffee	Medium	6	2-4 mg	Biscuity & Cereal
Chiaro	Double Espresso	Medium	6	100 – 120 mg	Woody & Earthy
Orafio	Espresso	Medium	6	50 – 60 mg	Caramel & Roasted
Peru Organic	Espresso	Medium	6	50 – 60 mg	Fruity & Complex
Decaffeinato	Coffee	Medium	6	Less than 12 mg	Round & Malty
Arondio	Gran Lungo	Medium	6	120 – 200 mg	Cereal & Lightly Acidic
Odacio	Coffee	Medium	7	170 – 200 mg	Fruity & Lightly Acidic
Fortado Decaffeinato	Gran Lungo	Medium	8	2-4 mg	Roasted & Woody
Mexico	Coffee	Medium	7	170 – 200 mg	Intense & Spiced
Decaffeinato Intenso	Espresso	Medium	7	Less than 12 mg	Cocoa & Fruity
Costa Rica	Gran Lungo	Medium	7	120 – 200 mg	Malty & Sweet
Intenso XL	Alto	Medium	7	228 – 350 mg	Wood & Dark Caramel
Scuro	Double Espresso	Medium	8	100 – 120 mg	Cocoa & Vanilla
Fortado	Gran Lungo	Medium	8	120 – 200 mg	Cocoa & Oak
Stormio	Coffee	Medium	8	170 – 200 mg	Spicy & Woody
Cafecito de Puerto Rico	Double Espresso	High	10	120 – 200 mg	Cocca & Spicy
Intenso	Coffee	High	9	170 – 200 mg	Roasted Brown Sugar
Altissio	Espresso	High	9	50 – 60 mg	Roasty & Creamy Cereal
Altissio Decaffeinato	Espresso	High	9	Less than 12 mg	Full-Bodied & Creamy
Diavolitto	Espresso	High	10	150 mg	Oak Wood & Leather
Il Caffe	Espresso	High	11	50 – 60 mg	Intense & Velvety
Ice Leggero	Double Espresso	N/A	N/A	120 – 200 mg	Fruity & Lighty
Ice Forte	Coffee	N/A	N/A	130- 200 mg	Woody, Peppery & Woody
Bianco Leggero	Double Espresso	N/A	N/A	120 – 200 mg	Nutty & Balanced

How do the Nespresso intensity levels affect the taste & quality of the coffee?

The intensity level defines the degree of roasting, as well as the bitterness of the coffee beans, which have a significant impact on the coffee’s quality and flavor. Another aspect that determines the intensity level, as well as the taste and quality of the coffee brew, is the coffee’s concentration.

Does an intense coffee contain more caffeine?

Caffeine content is completely a distinct criterion that has no bearing on the Nespresso capsules’ intensity level. Intensity is due to the coffee concentration, the degree of roasting, its body, and bitterness. It doesn’t refer to the amount of caffeine found in the coffee. So, when it comes to intensity, don’t consider caffeine content whether it is high or low. 

Does a strong intensity scale coffee contain more caffeine?

Let’s start with the most pervasive myth. The coffee intensity level is simply a measure of how dark the coffee has been roasted. It has nothing to do with the amount of caffeine in the drink. 

Which Nespresso pod has the lowest intensity level?

Buenos Aires Lungo has the lowest intensity level (4 out of 13) in Original Nespresso capsules, whilst Solelio (2 out of 13) has the lowest intensity level in Vertuo Nespresso pods.

Which Nespresso pod has the highest intensity level?

Napoli has the highest intensity level (13) in Original Nespresso pods, Diavolitto (10 out of 13), and Il Caffee (11 out of 13) have the highest intensity level in Vertuo Nespresso capsules.

What are the different kinds of roasts?

• Light roasts
• Medium roasts
• Medium-dark roasts
• Dark roasts

Final thoughts:

Your increased knowledge of Nespresso intensity will come in handy when it comes to selecting the correct Nespresso pods for your palate. Choose a Nespresso capsule with a number below five if you prefer a light coffee or a pod with a number over eight if you prefer a darker coffee. You can choose your favorite coffee with ease now that you know what the Nespresso intensity level is.

Explore Other Nespresso Guides