Unravel the Nespresso Caffeine Content Mystery of ALL Pods

Updated on: August 5, 2023
Author: Alex DeCapri
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Nespresso Caffeine Content

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).

Nespresso OriginalLine Capsules

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.

Nespresso VertuoLine Capsules

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 NameCategoryTaste NotesSize (name)Size (volume)Caffeine Content (mg)
Ispirazione KazaarInspirazione ItalianaExceptionally Intense And Syrupy CoffeeEspresso40 mL113
Cape Town LungoWorld ExplorationsPotent & RoastedLungo110 mL110
Ispirazione NapoliInspirazione ItalianaExceptionally Dark And Creamy CoffeeEspresso40 mL109
IndiaMaster OriginsIntense and spicyEspresso40 mL105
Buenos Aires LungoWorld ExplorationsDistinct Delight Sweet & CerealLungo110 mL104
CortoBarista CreationsFor Extra Intense Recipes With MilkEspresso40 mL103
Istanbul EspressoWorld ExplorationsFruity notes with a touch of almond finishEspresso40 mL85
Tokyo LungoWorld ExplorationsSips Of Elegance Floral & ComplexLungo110 mL82
Shanghai LungoWorld ExplorationsFruity With Fine AcidityLungo110 mL82
Stockholm LungoWorld ExplorationsStockholm LungoLungo110 mL80
Rio De Janeiro EspressoWorld ExplorationsFull body graced with exotic herbal aromasEspresso40 mL77
Ispirazione VeneziaInspirazione ItalianaHarmoniously Balanced And Thick Body CoffeeEspresso40 mL77
Paris EspressoWorld ExplorationsDelicate citrus notes and mild cereal characterEspresso40 mL75
Ispirazione RistrettoInspirazione ItalianaPowerful And Contrasting CoffeeEspresso40 mL75
Vienna LungoWorld ExplorationsOn A Classic Note Round & SmoothLungo110 mL75
ScuroBarista CreationsFor Intense Yet Balanced Recipes With MilkEspresso40 mL73
Freddo DelicatoSummer LimitedFor Sweet & Mild Recipes With IceEspresso40 mL72
IndonesiaMaster OriginsRich & WoodyEspresso40 mL72
NicaraguaMaster OriginsSweet & HarmoniousEspresso40 mL65
EthiopiaMaster OriginsFlowery and BrightEspresso40 mL65
ColombiaMaster OriginsFruity & VibrantEspresso40 mL64
Ispirazione LivantoInspirazione ItalianaRound And Balanced CoffeeEspresso40 mL64
CapriccioEspressoRich And DistinctiveEspresso40 mL64
VollutoEspressoSweet and LightEspresso40 mL64
Coconut Flavour Over Ice OriginalSummer LimitedFor Exotic Recipes Over IceEspresso40 mL63
Ispirazione ArpeggioInspirazione ItalianaIntense And Creamy CoffeeEspresso40 mL63
Ispirazione RomaInspirazione ItalianaFull And Balanced CoffeeEspresso40 mL63
Caramel Crème BruleeBarista CreationsCaramel FlavoredEspresso40 mL62
Cocoa TruffleBarista CreationsCocoa Truffle FlavoredEspresso40 mL62
Vanilla ÉclairBarista CreationsVanilla FlavoredEspresso40 mL62
Freddo IntensoSummer LimitedFor Intense Recipes With IceEspresso40 mL62
NocciolaBarista CreationsRich & NuttyLungo110 mL62
CioccolatinoBarista CreationsCreamy & ChocolateyLungo110 mL62
CaramelloBarista CreationsCreamy & CaramelLungo110 mL62
VanigliaBarista CreationsCustardy & VanillaLungo110 mL62
CosiEspressoMild and delicately toastedEspresso40 mL60
Filter Style MildBarista CreationsFloral & Malted CerealGran Lungo150 mL60
Filter Style IntenseBarista CreationsRoasted & SmokyGran Lungo150 mL60
ChiaroBarista CreationsFor Sweet And Smooth Recipes With MilkEspresso40 mL49
Ispirazione Ristretto DecaffeinatoInspirazione ItalianaPowerful And Contrasting CoffeeEspresso40 mL2
Ispirazione Arpeggio DecaffeinatoInspirazione ItalianaIntense And Creamy CoffeeEspresso40 mL2
Volluto DecaffeinatoEspressoSweet and LightEspresso40 mL1.7

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)

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).

Related Read: What is Gran Lungo? Get to Know This Nespresso Drink

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 NameCategoryTaste Notes Size (name)Size (volume)Caffeine Content (mg)
Carafe Pour-Over Style MildCraft BrewA distinctive coffee inspired by the pour-over method – bringing smooth taste, mellow flavors and subtle sweetness to your VERTUO Carafe Set.Carafe535 mL257
Carafe Pour-Over Style IntenseCraft BrewRoasted And SmokyCarafe535 mL230
FortadoIntense and full-bodiedGran Lungo150 mL195
IntensoSignatureDeep and denseMug230 mL195
Alto OniceSignatureHidden Treasure, Roasted & WoodyAlto355 mL190
MexicoMaster OriginsMaster Origin Mexico Double Washed RobustaMug230 mL190
Alto AmbratoSignatureGolden Gem, Honeyed & delicateAlto355 mL170
Roasted HazelnutBarista CreationsRich & NuttyMug230 mL170
OdacioSignatureBold and livelyMug230 mL170
StormioSignatureRich and strongMug230 mL170
MelozioSignatureSmooth and balancedMug230 mL170
Sweet VanillaBarista CreationsCreamy & SweetMug230 mL166
ColombiaMaster OriginsMaster Origin Colombia Washed Arabica. Fair TradeMug230 mL165
Ice ForteSummer LimitedFor Intense Recipes With IceMug230 mL161
Tropical Coconut Flavour Over Ice VertuoSummer LimitedRefreshing Coconut & Hint Of VanillaMug230 mL160
Bianco ForteBarista CreationsFor Intense Recipes With MilkMug230 mL160
Rich ChocolateBarista CreationsCreamy & ChocolateyMug230 mL160
Golden CaramelBarista CreationsCreamy & BiscuityMug230 mL159
Il CaffèEspressoExceptionally Intense & VelvetyEspresso40 mL152
Double Espresso ScuroEspressoDark and BoldDouble Espresso80 mL150
ArondioCereal and MildGran Lungo150 mL150
DiavolittoEspressoHighly Intense and PowerfulEspresso40 mL144
Costa RicaMaster OriginsWith crystal clarityGran Lungo150 mL140
El SalvadorMaster OriginsSweet & JamMug230 mL140
Double Espresso ChiaroEspressoDense and WildDouble Espresso80 mL135
Double Espresso DolceEspressoCereal and MaltedDouble Espresso80 mL135
SolelioSignatureFruity and light-bodiedMug230 mL133
Juicy Watermelon Flavour Over IceSummer LimitedRefreshing Watermelon FlavourDouble Espresso80 mL120
Ice LeggeroSummer LimitedFor mild recipes with iceDouble Espresso80 mL120
InizioFloral & CerealGran Lungo150 mL120
EthiopiaMaster OriginsCradled in the sunGran Lungo150 mL119
Cold Brew Style IntenseSummer LimitedSweet Caramel & Roasted CerealAlto355 mL114
OrafioEspressoCaramel & RoastedEspresso40 mL110
AltissioEspressoFull-Bodied And CreamyEspresso40 mL108
Bianco DoppioBarista CreationsA smooth and caramelly light-roast Arabica blend crafted specifically for your larger milky coffees.Double Espresso80 mL105
ToccantoEspressoBerry & WineyEspresso40 mL84
Half CaffeinatoSignatureSweet and velvetyMug230 mL83
Bianco PiccoloBarista CreationsA rich roasted coffee crafted specifically for a perfect pairing with creamy milk in your shorter cups.Espresso40 mL75
VoltessoEspressoLight and SweetEspresso40 mL64
Melozio DecaffeinatoSignatureSmooth and balancedMug230 mL11
Fortado DecaffeinatoIntense and full-bodiedGran Lungo150 mL7
Altissio DecaffeinatoEspressoFull-Bodied And CreamyEspresso40 mL4

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)

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 pods caffeine content
Nespresso Pod or DrinkCaffeine RangeAverage Caffeine Content
All OriginalLine Pods1.7 - 113 mg74 mg
All VertuoLine Pods4 - 257 mg147 mg
OriginalLine Espresso Pods (40 mL)49 - 113 mg73 mg
OriginalLine Lungo Pods (110 mL)62 - 110 mg78 mg
OriginalLine Gran Lungo Pods (150 mL)60 mg60 mg
OriginalLine Decaf Pods1.7 - 2 mg2 mg
VertuoLine Espresso Pods (40 mL)64 - 162 mg105 mg
VertuoLine Double Espresso Pods (80 mL)105 - 150 mg128 mg
VertuoLine Gran Lungo Pods (150 mL)119 - 195 mg145 mg
VertuoLine Mug Pods (230 mL)83 - 195 mg165 mg
VertuoLine Alto Pods (355 mL)114 - 190 mg158 mg
VertuoLine Carafe Pods (535 mL)230 - 257 mg244 mg
VertuoLine Decaf Pods4 - 11 mg7 mg
Regular Drip Coffee (230 mL)70 -140 mg (1)95 mg
Tea (230 mL)30 - 50 mg40 mg
Energy Drink (230 mL)50 - 150 mg85 mg
Soft Drink (355 mL)30 - 40 mg35 mg
Hot Chocolate0 - 25 mg13 mg
FDA Daily Limit400 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.

how much caffeine in nespresso pods

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!

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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:

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.

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