Unravel the Nespresso Caffeine Content Mystery of ALL Pods

Updated on: August 5, 2023

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Have you ever found yourself desperately searching for the Nespresso caffeine content of your favorite pods, only to be met with frustration and uncertainty?

You're not alone. Nespresso's elusive approach to disclosing the exact amount of caffeine has left many coffee lovers puzzled.

In this article, we did all the research for you so you don’t have to.

Keep reading on to answer the question, “How much caffeine is in these coffee pods?” We dissect both OriginalLine and VertuoLine pods.

Why Is It So Difficult to Find Nespresso Caffeine Content Anywhere?

Nespresso claims that “[since] coffee is a “live” product, caffeine content may vary, and so [they] are only able to provide a range of caffeine in order to be as accurate as possible.”

Since the type of coffee bean used, the roasting process, the grind size, and the actual extraction process all affect the final amount of caffeine in your drink, the company doesn’t list specific values.

Nespresso also sources its coffee blends from various regions, which adds another layer of complexity in determining the precise caffeine content for each individual capsule.

Nespresso - The Original and Vertuo Lines

Nespresso is a brand of single-serve coffee machines and proprietary coffee capsules, known for its convenience and high-quality coffee. Simply put, you insert a capsule and press a few buttons to enjoy a cup of coffee just moments later.

Nespresso has two main model lineups: the OriginalLine and VertuoLine Nespresso machines. How are they different?

The OriginalLine is the original Nespresso system, and it focuses on making espresso-based drinks. The capsules used for this machine produce smaller, more concentrated shots of espresso (well, not real espresso since 9 bars of pressure aren’t used… but close enough for most people).

The VertuoLine is a newer system that offers more versatility in terms of drink types. The capsules are larger and can make different sizes of coffee, from espresso and lungo to filling regular coffee mugs and even carafes for multiple cups of coffee. The VertuoLine machines are fancy and use a barcode system on the capsules to automatically adjust brewing parameters for each specific blend.

What Factors Influence the Caffeine Content of Nespresso Pods?

Several factors influence the caffeine content of Nespresso coffee.

OriginalLine vs VertuoLine: The VertuoLine pods have varying sizes, ranging from espresso shots to larger carafe sizes. Generally, larger pods have the potential to contain more coffee and thus may have a higher amount of caffeine. So the caffeine range will depend on which type of Nespresso machine you got.
Types of Bean Used: Nespresso utilizes both Arabica and Robusta beans in their blends, with Robusta beans generally containing more caffeine than Arabica beans. Some blends, such as the Vertuo Espresso Diavolitto, use Robusta coffee beans and have a higher level of caffeine because of it.
Decaffeinated or Half-Decaffeinated Pods: Nespresso offers decaffeinated and half-decaffeinated pods. The latter is a mix of caffeinated and decaf beans. Decaf beans undergo specific processes to reduce caffeine levels. Obviously, these pods will have a lower amount of caffeine compared to their regular counterparts.

Nespresso Caffeine Content

Nespresso states the amount of caffeine in their pods in a rather unhelpful way… by using wide ranges.

Espresso coffees (40 mL): 60-150 mg of caffeine per cup
Double espresso and Gran Lungo coffees (80 and 150 mL): 120-200 mg of caffeine per cup
Mug and Alto coffees (230 and 414 mL): 130-200 mg of caffeine per cup
Decaffeinated coffee: 4-12 mg of caffeine per cup
Half Caffeinato: 70 mg of caffeine per cup

If you are looking for the specific amount of caffeine in the pod you have at home, you might be out of luck with an exact number of milligrams. However, some countries like Taiwan require specific caffeine values for each product. Thankfully, we were able to find a lot of the values on the Taiwanese Nespresso website.

Note: Not all US Nespresso coffee pods are available in Taiwan, so this table might be missing a few Nespresso capsules. However, it should cover most of the available pods for the Original and Vertuo lines.

Nespresso OriginalLine Caffeine Content

Let’s get started with the caffeine content of OriginalLine Nespresso pods. We’ll cite a few stats before presenting the caffeine levels of all the Nespresso original capsules.

Nespresso OriginalLine Pods Caffeine Content

Highest Caffeine: Inspirazione Kazaar (113 mg)
Lowest Caffeine (non-decaffeinated): Chiaro (49 mg)
Lowest Caffeine (decaffeinated): Volluto Decaffeinato (1.7 mg)
Average caffeine content of non-decaffeinated pods: 74 mg

Nespresso Capsule Name	Category	Taste Notes	Size (name)	Size (volume)	Caffeine Content (mg)
Ispirazione Kazaar	Inspirazione Italiana	Exceptionally Intense And Syrupy Coffee	Espresso	40 mL	113
Cape Town Lungo	World Explorations	Potent & Roasted	Lungo	110 mL	110
Ispirazione Napoli	Inspirazione Italiana	Exceptionally Dark And Creamy Coffee	Espresso	40 mL	109
India	Master Origins	Intense and spicy	Espresso	40 mL	105
Buenos Aires Lungo	World Explorations	Distinct Delight Sweet & Cereal	Lungo	110 mL	104
Corto	Barista Creations	For Extra Intense Recipes With Milk	Espresso	40 mL	103
Istanbul Espresso	World Explorations	Fruity notes with a touch of almond finish	Espresso	40 mL	85
Tokyo Lungo	World Explorations	Sips Of Elegance Floral & Complex	Lungo	110 mL	82
Shanghai Lungo	World Explorations	Fruity With Fine Acidity	Lungo	110 mL	82
Stockholm Lungo	World Explorations	Stockholm Lungo	Lungo	110 mL	80
Rio De Janeiro Espresso	World Explorations	Full body graced with exotic herbal aromas	Espresso	40 mL	77
Ispirazione Venezia	Inspirazione Italiana	Harmoniously Balanced And Thick Body Coffee	Espresso	40 mL	77
Paris Espresso	World Explorations	Delicate citrus notes and mild cereal character	Espresso	40 mL	75
Ispirazione Ristretto	Inspirazione Italiana	Powerful And Contrasting Coffee	Espresso	40 mL	75
Vienna Lungo	World Explorations	On A Classic Note Round & Smooth	Lungo	110 mL	75
Scuro	Barista Creations	For Intense Yet Balanced Recipes With Milk	Espresso	40 mL	73
Freddo Delicato	Summer Limited	For Sweet & Mild Recipes With Ice	Espresso	40 mL	72
Indonesia	Master Origins	Rich & Woody	Espresso	40 mL	72
Nicaragua	Master Origins	Sweet & Harmonious	Espresso	40 mL	65
Ethiopia	Master Origins	Flowery and Bright	Espresso	40 mL	65
Colombia	Master Origins	Fruity & Vibrant	Espresso	40 mL	64
Ispirazione Livanto	Inspirazione Italiana	Round And Balanced Coffee	Espresso	40 mL	64
Capriccio	Espresso	Rich And Distinctive	Espresso	40 mL	64
Volluto	Espresso	Sweet and Light	Espresso	40 mL	64
Coconut Flavour Over Ice Original	Summer Limited	For Exotic Recipes Over Ice	Espresso	40 mL	63
Ispirazione Arpeggio	Inspirazione Italiana	Intense And Creamy Coffee	Espresso	40 mL	63
Ispirazione Roma	Inspirazione Italiana	Full And Balanced Coffee	Espresso	40 mL	63
Caramel Crème Brulee	Barista Creations	Caramel Flavored	Espresso	40 mL	62
Cocoa Truffle	Barista Creations	Cocoa Truffle Flavored	Espresso	40 mL	62
Vanilla Éclair	Barista Creations	Vanilla Flavored	Espresso	40 mL	62
Freddo Intenso	Summer Limited	For Intense Recipes With Ice	Espresso	40 mL	62
Nocciola	Barista Creations	Rich & Nutty	Lungo	110 mL	62
Cioccolatino	Barista Creations	Creamy & Chocolatey	Lungo	110 mL	62
Caramello	Barista Creations	Creamy & Caramel	Lungo	110 mL	62
Vaniglia	Barista Creations	Custardy & Vanilla	Lungo	110 mL	62
Cosi	Espresso	Mild and delicately toasted	Espresso	40 mL	60
Filter Style Mild	Barista Creations	Floral & Malted Cereal	Gran Lungo	150 mL	60
Filter Style Intense	Barista Creations	Roasted & Smoky	Gran Lungo	150 mL	60
Chiaro	Barista Creations	For Sweet And Smooth Recipes With Milk	Espresso	40 mL	49
Ispirazione Ristretto Decaffeinato	Inspirazione Italiana	Powerful And Contrasting Coffee	Espresso	40 mL	2
Ispirazione Arpeggio Decaffeinato	Inspirazione Italiana	Intense And Creamy Coffee	Espresso	40 mL	2
Volluto Decaffeinato	Espresso	Sweet and Light	Espresso	40 mL	1.7

If you're more of a visual person check this Nespresso caffeine chart (Original Nespresso capsules). Click the link below for a larger version of the OriginalLine Nespresso caffeine content chart.

Nespresso Caffeine Content (OriginalLine Capsules)

Nespresso Caffeine Content Chart (OriginalLine Capsules)

What Is the Caffeine Content of the Espresso OriginalLine Nespresso Pods?

The Espresso OriginalLine pods are the ones sized specifically for espresso at 40 mL. The caffeine content ranges from 49 to 113 mg, with an average of 73 mg (this does not include decaffeinated pods).

Here’s a complete list of the Espresso OriginalLine pods: Ispirazione Kazaar, Ispirazione Napoli, India, Corto, Istanbul Espresso, Rio De Janeiro Espresso, Ispirazione Venezia, Paris Espresso, Ispirazione Ristretto, Scuro, Freddo Delicato, Indonesia, Nicaragua, Ethiopia, Colombia, Ispirazione Livanto, Capriccio, Volluto, Coconut Flavour Over Ice Original, Ispirazione Arpeggio, Ispirazione Roma, Caramel, Crème Brulee, Cocoa Truffle, Vanilla Éclair, Freddo Intenso, Cosi, Chiaro, Ispirazione Ristretto, Decaffeinato, Ispirazione Arpeggio, and Decaffeinato.

What Is the Caffeine Content of the Lungo OriginalLine Nespresso Pods?

The Lungo OriginalLine pods are the ones sized specifically for lungos at 110 mL. The caffeine content ranges from 62 to 110 mg, with an average of 78 mg (this does not include decaf capsules).

Here’s a complete list of the Lungo OriginalLine pods: Cape Town Lungo, Buenos Aires Lungo, Tokyo Lungo, Shanghai Lungo, Stockholm Lungo, Vienna Lungo, Nocciola, Cioccolatino, Caramello, and Vaniglia.

What Is the Caffeine Content of the Gran Lungo OriginalLine Nespresso Pods?

The Gran Lungo OriginalLine pods are the ones sized specifically for gran lungos at 150 mL. Both the Filter Style Mild and Filter Style Intense pods have 60 mg of caffeine (this does not include decaffeinated pods).

What Is the Caffeine Content of the OriginalLine Decaffeinated Nespresso Pods?

The OriginalLine Decaffeinated pods have around 2 mg of caffeine. All three of the pods (Ispirazione Ristretto Decaffeinato, Ispirazione Arpeggio Decaffeinato, and Volluto Decaffeinato) come in 40 mL. The Volluto Decaffeinato contains a bit less than the other two with only 1.7 mg of caffeine.

Nespresso Vertuo Caffeine Content

Now it’s time to go over the caffeine content of VertuoLine Nespresso capsules. We’ll start with a few caffeine stats, followed by a table summarizing the caffeine content of all the Nespresso Vertuo capsules.

Nespresso VertuoLine Pods Caffeine Content

Highest Caffeine: Carafe Pour-Over Style Mild (257 mg)
Lowest Caffeine (non-decaffeinated): Voltesso (64 mg)
Lowest Caffeine (decaffeinated): Altissio Decaffeinato (4 mg)
Average caffeine content of non-decaffeinated pods: 147 mg

Nespresso Capsule Name	Category	Taste Notes	Size (name)	Size (volume)	Caffeine Content (mg)
Carafe Pour-Over Style Mild	Craft Brew	A distinctive coffee inspired by the pour-over method – bringing smooth taste, mellow flavors and subtle sweetness to your VERTUO Carafe Set.	Carafe	535 mL	257
Carafe Pour-Over Style Intense	Craft Brew	Roasted And Smoky	Carafe	535 mL	230
Fortado		Intense and full-bodied	Gran Lungo	150 mL	195
Intenso	Signature	Deep and dense	Mug	230 mL	195
Alto Onice	Signature	Hidden Treasure, Roasted & Woody	Alto	355 mL	190
Mexico	Master Origins	Master Origin Mexico Double Washed Robusta	Mug	230 mL	190
Alto Ambrato	Signature	Golden Gem, Honeyed & delicate	Alto	355 mL	170
Roasted Hazelnut	Barista Creations	Rich & Nutty	Mug	230 mL	170
Odacio	Signature	Bold and lively	Mug	230 mL	170
Stormio	Signature	Rich and strong	Mug	230 mL	170
Melozio	Signature	Smooth and balanced	Mug	230 mL	170
Sweet Vanilla	Barista Creations	Creamy & Sweet	Mug	230 mL	166
Colombia	Master Origins	Master Origin Colombia Washed Arabica. Fair Trade	Mug	230 mL	165
Ice Forte	Summer Limited	For Intense Recipes With Ice	Mug	230 mL	161
Tropical Coconut Flavour Over Ice Vertuo	Summer Limited	Refreshing Coconut & Hint Of Vanilla	Mug	230 mL	160
Bianco Forte	Barista Creations	For Intense Recipes With Milk	Mug	230 mL	160
Rich Chocolate	Barista Creations	Creamy & Chocolatey	Mug	230 mL	160
Golden Caramel	Barista Creations	Creamy & Biscuity	Mug	230 mL	159
Il Caffè	Espresso	Exceptionally Intense & Velvety	Espresso	40 mL	152
Double Espresso Scuro	Espresso	Dark and Bold	Double Espresso	80 mL	150
Arondio		Cereal and Mild	Gran Lungo	150 mL	150
Diavolitto	Espresso	Highly Intense and Powerful	Espresso	40 mL	144
Costa Rica	Master Origins	With crystal clarity	Gran Lungo	150 mL	140
El Salvador	Master Origins	Sweet & Jam	Mug	230 mL	140
Double Espresso Chiaro	Espresso	Dense and Wild	Double Espresso	80 mL	135
Double Espresso Dolce	Espresso	Cereal and Malted	Double Espresso	80 mL	135
Solelio	Signature	Fruity and light-bodied	Mug	230 mL	133
Juicy Watermelon Flavour Over Ice	Summer Limited	Refreshing Watermelon Flavour	Double Espresso	80 mL	120
Ice Leggero	Summer Limited	For mild recipes with ice	Double Espresso	80 mL	120
Inizio		Floral & Cereal	Gran Lungo	150 mL	120
Ethiopia	Master Origins	Cradled in the sun	Gran Lungo	150 mL	119
Cold Brew Style Intense	Summer Limited	Sweet Caramel & Roasted Cereal	Alto	355 mL	114
Orafio	Espresso	Caramel & Roasted	Espresso	40 mL	110
Altissio	Espresso	Full-Bodied And Creamy	Espresso	40 mL	108
Bianco Doppio	Barista Creations	A smooth and caramelly light-roast Arabica blend crafted specifically for your larger milky coffees.	Double Espresso	80 mL	105
Toccanto	Espresso	Berry & Winey	Espresso	40 mL	84
Half Caffeinato	Signature	Sweet and velvety	Mug	230 mL	83
Bianco Piccolo	Barista Creations	A rich roasted coffee crafted specifically for a perfect pairing with creamy milk in your shorter cups.	Espresso	40 mL	75
Voltesso	Espresso	Light and Sweet	Espresso	40 mL	64
Melozio Decaffeinato	Signature	Smooth and balanced	Mug	230 mL	11
Fortado Decaffeinato		Intense and full-bodied	Gran Lungo	150 mL	7
Altissio Decaffeinato	Espresso	Full-Bodied And Creamy	Espresso	40 mL	4

If you're more of a visual person check this Nespresso caffeine chart (Vertuo Nespresso capsules). Click the link below for a larger version of the VertuoLine Nespresso caffeine content chart.

Nespresso Caffeine Chart (VertuolLine Capsules)

Nespresso Caffeine Content Chart (VertuolLine Capsules)

What Is the Caffeine Content of the Espresso VertuoLine Nespresso Pods?

The Espresso VertuoLine pods are the ones sized specifically for espresso at 40 mL. The caffeine content ranges from 64 to 152 mg, with an average of 105 mg (this does not include decaffeinated pods).

Here’s a complete list of the Espresso VertuoLine pods: Il Caffè, Diavolitto, Orafio, Altissio, Toccanto, Bianco Piccolo, Voltesso, and Altissio Decaffeinato.

What Is the Caffeine Content of the Double Espresso VertuoLine Nespresso Pods?

The double espresso pods contain - you guessed it - 80 mL of coffee, double the amount of the espresso pods. The caffeine content ranges from 105 to 150 mg, with an average of 128 mg.

Here’s a complete list of the Double Espresso VertuoLine pods: Double Espresso Scuro, Double Espresso Chiaro, Double Espresso Dolce, Juicy Watermelon Flavour Over Ice, Ice Leggero, and Bianco Doppio.

What Is the Caffeine Content of the Gran Lungo VertuoLine Nespresso Pods?

The Gran Lungo VertuoLine pods are the ones sized specifically for gran lungos at 150 mL. The caffeine content ranges from 119 to 195 mg, with an average of 145 mg (this does not include decaffeinated pods).

Here’s a complete list of the Gran Lungo VertuoLine pods: Fortado, Arondio, Costa Rica, Inizio, Ethiopia, and Fortado Decaffeinato.

What Is the Caffeine Content of the Mug VertuoLine Nespresso Pods?

The Mug VertuoLine pods are the larger pods that make 230 mL of coffee. The caffeine content ranges from 83 to 195 mg, with an average of 145 mg.

Here’s a complete list of the Mug VertuoLine pods: Intenso, Mexico, Roasted Hazelnut, Odacio, Stormio, Melozio, Sweet Vanilla, Colombia, Ice Forte, Tropical Coconut Flavour Over Ice Vertuo, Bianco Forte, Rich Chocolate, Golden Caramel, El Salvador, Solelio, Half Caffeinato, and Melozio Decaffeinato.

What Is the Caffeine Content of the Alto and Carafe VertuoLine Nespresso Pods?

The Alto pods are 355 mL, while the Carafe pods are 535 mL. The three Alto pods are the Alto Onice, Alto Ambrato, and Cold Brew Style Intense. They range from 114 to 190 mg of caffeine, with an average of 158 mg.

The two Carafe pods are Carafe Pour-Over Style Mild and Carafe Pour-Over Style Intense, with 257 and 230 mg of caffeine, respectively. Expect an average of 244 mg of caffeine when drinking the Carafe VertuoLine pods.

What Is the Caffeine Content of the VertuoLine Decaffeinated Nespresso Pods?

The three decaffeinated pods for VertuoLine are Melozio Decaffeinato, Fortado Decaffeinato, and Altissio Decaffeinato. They range from 4 to 11 mg of caffeine, with an average of 7 mg.

Nespresso Caffeine Content Summary

Alright, now let’s compare how all of these Nespresso capsules stack up against the caffeine levels of other common drinks that most people enjoy on a daily basis.

Nespresso Pod or Drink	Caffeine Range	Average Caffeine Content
All OriginalLine Pods	1.7 - 113 mg	74 mg
All VertuoLine Pods	4 - 257 mg	147 mg
OriginalLine Espresso Pods (40 mL)	49 - 113 mg	73 mg
OriginalLine Lungo Pods (110 mL)	62 - 110 mg	78 mg
OriginalLine Gran Lungo Pods (150 mL)	60 mg	60 mg
OriginalLine Decaf Pods	1.7 - 2 mg	2 mg
VertuoLine Espresso Pods (40 mL)	64 - 162 mg	105 mg
VertuoLine Double Espresso Pods (80 mL)	105 - 150 mg	128 mg
VertuoLine Gran Lungo Pods (150 mL)	119 - 195 mg	145 mg
VertuoLine Mug Pods (230 mL)	83 - 195 mg	165 mg
VertuoLine Alto Pods (355 mL)	114 - 190 mg	158 mg
VertuoLine Carafe Pods (535 mL)	230 - 257 mg	244 mg
VertuoLine Decaf Pods	4 - 11 mg	7 mg
Regular Drip Coffee (230 mL)	70 -140 mg (1)	95 mg
Tea (230 mL)	30 - 50 mg	40 mg
Energy Drink (230 mL)	50 - 150 mg	85 mg
Soft Drink (355 mL)	30 - 40 mg	35 mg
Hot Chocolate	0 - 25 mg	13 mg
FDA Daily Limit	400 mg

How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?

Determining how much caffeine is too much can vary from person to person, as individuals have different sensitivities and tolerances. The FDA recommends that most healthy adults can safely consume up to 400 mg of caffeine per day. This amount is equivalent to approximately four or five cups of coffee.

That sounds like a lot, right?

It's important to note that some individuals may be more sensitive to caffeine and experience adverse effects even with lower doses. High levels of caffeine intake can lead to symptoms such as restlessness, jitteriness, increased heart rate, insomnia, and digestive issues.

Nespresso Caffeine Content - How much caffeine is too much

It’s also worth noting that the time of day you consume caffeine can interrupt other crucial functions, like proper sleep. One study has found that even consuming caffeine 6 hours before bedtime reduced total sleep time by 1 hour (2).

I make sure to never drink coffee past 2 PM because I’ve noticed how drinking any later affects the quality of my sleep.

Nespresso Caffeine Content & Pod Intensity

At this point, you may have one remaining question about these coffee pods from Nespresso… What does “pod intensity” mean? This refers to the flavor intensity of each pod. While higher-intensity pods tend to have more caffeine, this isn’t always the case.

The reason for this is actually due to the fact that many of the more intense Nespresso capsules contain Robusta coffee beans, which have a more bitter and intense flavor than their Arabica counterparts. Robusta beans tend to have about twice the amount of caffeine as Arabica ones.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which Nespresso Pod has the most caffeine?

The OriginalLine Nespresso Pod with the most caffeine is the Ispirazione Kazaar, which has 113 mg. The VertuoLine Nespresso Pod with the most caffeine is the Carafe Pour-Over Style Mild with 257 mg.

How much caffeine is in a regular Nespresso?

The average OriginalLine Nespresso Pod contains 74 mg of caffeine, while the average VertuoLine Nespresso Pod (which varies from 40 ml to 535 mL) contains 147 mg of caffeine. Of course, there are half-caffeinated and decaf capsules available.

How much caffeine is in a Nespresso pod vs coffee?

The average cup of drip coffee is 230 mL large with 70-140 mg of caffeine. The average amount of caffeine in a drip coffee is 95 mg, but this depends on how much ground coffee you use, as well as many other factors. Nespresso coffee capsules in the “Mug” size (230 mL) have an average of 145 mg of caffeine, more than a normal drip coffee.

What has more caffeine, Nespresso or Keurig?

Nespresso pods have more caffeine. Many Keurig coffee pods contain between 65-150 mg of caffeine, while VertuoLine Nespresso coffee pods contain between 65 to 257 mg of caffeine.

How many Nespresso pods can I have per day?

The number of Nespresso coffee capsules you can have per day depends on your caffeine tolerance, but it's generally recommended to stay within the FDA's daily limit of 400 mg. On average, you could safely drink up to 4-5 OriginalLine pods or 2 VertuoLine pods per day.

Bottom Line

Alright, now you should be up to speed on the varying caffeine levels between different Nespresso capsules in Nespresso’s vast collection. From decaf pods to normal pods, all the info you need is in the tables above.

With this information, we hope you can make a more educated decision about how much coffee you can safely enjoy each day. Remember, try to keep it under 400 mg of caffeine.

Happy brewing!

Meet Alex DeCapri

Alex DeCapri is a curious coffee writer and specialty coffee roaster. Currently, he is slowly making his way from the United States to Brazil in his camper van, visiting as many coffee farms as possible!

Disclaimer and Sources

Disclaimer:

This article is intended for informational purposes only. It is not meant to replace professional medical advice, treatment or diagnosis. Do not consume any type of coffee, tea or herbal infusion if you are allergic to it. The information in this article is not intended to treat serious medical conditions. Please seek professional medical advice before using home remedies.

Sources:

How Much Caffeine in a Cup of Coffee? A Detailed Guide (healthline.com)

Sleep and Caffeine | Benefits and Risks | Sleep Education