Nespresso capsules come in two systems, Original and Vertuo, and a capsule from one does not fit the other system's machines. Original capsules differ by cup size (ristretto, espresso, lungo), intensity, origin and flavour, plus decaf, and Coffee & Cream stocks the Original line, both Nespresso's own capsules and compatible capsules from other coffee brands.
Original and Vertuo
Original is the smaller capsule, the one used in machines such as the Essenza Mini, the Inissia C40 and the Lattissima One. Vertuo is a different capsule shape and a different brew system. The two systems do not share capsules, and a Vertuo capsule will not run in an Original machine.
Coffee & Cream stocks the Original line only. We do not sell Vertuo capsules or Vertuo machines. If your machine is an Essenza Mini, an Inissia or a Lattissima One, you want Original capsules. The machines are in the Nespresso machines collection.
Cup size: ristretto, espresso, lungo
On the Original system each capsule is made for one cup size, and most of our product titles say which: ristretto, espresso or lungo. You pick the volume with the machine's button. Nespresso's standard volumes are:
- Ristretto: 25 ml. A short, concentrated shot. In stock: Ristretto Italiano (intensity 10).
- Espresso: 40 ml. The usual shot, and most of the Original range, from Volluto (4) and Roma (8) to Arpeggio (9) and Napoli (13).
- Lungo: 110 ml. A longer cup, from a capsule made for that volume. In stock: Vienna Linizio Lungo (6), Buenos Aires Lungo (9) and Shanghai Lungo (6).
Original machines such as the Essenza Mini and Inissia have an espresso button and a lungo button. For a ristretto, press espresso and press it again to stop the pour at about 25 ml. For how the three cups differ in taste, see espresso, lungo and ristretto.
What the intensity number means
The number on a Nespresso Original box is about roast and body. A higher number is a darker roast and a heavier cup. It is not a caffeine measure, and two capsules with the same number are not the same coffee.
Across the Original capsules we stock, the number runs from 4 to 13. At 4 you get Volluto, Cosi and Ethiopia. At the other end, Palermo Kazaar is 12 and Napoli is 13. Kahawa Ya Congo has no intensity number in its product name.
Nespresso capsule names, by group
Nespresso groups its Original coffees by style. We group the capsules we stock by the name on the box.
Italian-named espressos
The Italian names we stock are Ristretto Italiano (10), Arpeggio (9), Arpeggio Extra (9), Roma (8), Venezia (8), Scuro (8), Genova Livanto (6), Palermo Kazaar (12), Napoli (13), Corto (11), Capriccio (5), Chiaro (6), Volluto (4) and Cosi (4). The decaf Arpeggio is sold as Decaffeinato Ispirazione Firenze Arpeggio.
Origin capsules
These take their name from a place: Indonesia (7), Ethiopia (4), Colombia (6) and Kahawa Ya Congo.
City-named lungos and espressos
Vienna Linizio Lungo (6), Buenos Aires Lungo (9) and Shanghai Lungo (6) are lungo capsules named after cities. Istanbul Espresso (8) is the city-named espresso we stock.
Flavoured, decaf and over ice
The flavoured espressos are Barista Creations Caramello, Vaniglia and Nocciola, each intensity 6.
Decaf in stock: Decaffeinato Ispirazione Firenze Arpeggio (9), Decaffeinato Volluto (4) and Decaf Vienna Linizio Lungo.
For iced drinks, Coconut Flavour over Ice (5) is the over-ice capsule we keep in the range. Limited editions come and go, so check the product page before you plan a regular order around one.
A regular Nespresso box holds 10 capsules. The Variety Capsules Pack holds 7.
Capsules compatible with Nespresso Original
The other option is a capsule from another coffee brand, built to fit Original machines.
We stock capsules compatible with Nespresso Original from Illy, Lavazza, Starbucks, Kimbo, Granell and Daniel's Blend, mostly in boxes of 10. The Nespresso compatible capsules page compares them brand by brand, and the Nespresso capsules collection puts compatible boxes next to Nespresso's own. The wider capsule compatibility guide covers Original next to other capsule systems.
FAQ
Do all Nespresso capsules fit all Nespresso machines?
No. Original capsules fit Original machines (Essenza Mini, Inissia C40, Lattissima One). Vertuo capsules fit Vertuo machines only. The two systems do not share capsules. Coffee & Cream sells Original capsules and Original machines, not Vertuo.
Are there different types of Nespresso pods?
Yes. There are two systems, Original and Vertuo, and we stock Original only. Original capsules differ by cup size, intensity, origin and flavour, plus decaf, and capsules from other coffee brands that are compatible with Original run in the same machines.
What are the names of the different Nespresso coffee capsules?
Names we stock on the Nespresso Original line include Ristretto Italiano, Arpeggio, Roma, Venezia, Volluto, Capriccio, Cosi, Napoli, Palermo Kazaar, Genova Livanto, Vienna Linizio Lungo, Buenos Aires Lungo, Shanghai Lungo, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Colombia and Kahawa Ya Congo, plus the flavoured Barista Creations Caramello, Vaniglia and Nocciola, and the decaf boxes Decaffeinato Ispirazione Firenze Arpeggio, Decaffeinato Volluto and Decaf Vienna Linizio Lungo. The full set, including Chiaro, Istanbul Espresso, Scuro, Corto and Arpeggio Extra, is on Nespresso Original capsules.
What is the difference between Nespresso capsule types?
Cup size changes the volume: 25 ml, 40 ml or 110 ml. Intensity describes roast and body, from 4 (Volluto, Cosi, Ethiopia) to 13 (Napoli), and says nothing about caffeine. Origin capsules are named for a place. The flavoured Barista Creations capsules (Caramello, Vaniglia, Nocciola) add caramel, vanilla or hazelnut flavour. Decaf is the same style of cup with most of the caffeine taken out. Compatible capsules come from other coffee brands and are built to fit Original machines.
What are the best Nespresso capsules?
For a short strong shot, Ristretto Italiano. For a classic espresso, Arpeggio and Roma are the usual starting points, with Volluto if you want something lighter. For a long cup, Vienna Linizio Lungo. Best sellers move, so use the bestseller order on the Nespresso collection and match the intensity to the cup you already like.
How much do Nespresso capsules cost in Egypt?
The price box on the Nespresso collection shows the lowest and highest price and the price per capsule, and it is rebuilt every night from stock. The Nespresso capsules collection has its own price box, covering Nespresso's own capsules and compatible ones together.
Shop Nespresso Original capsules for Nespresso's own boxes, or Nespresso capsules for Nespresso's own and compatible capsules together. Original machines are in Nespresso machines, and the Aeroccino 3 milk frother is with the milk frothers and French presses.