One of the main reasons people treat themselves to a nice cup of joe in the morning is for the caffeine content that wakes them up and gives them the boost they need to start their day. Of course, with that, you don’t want to end up drinking too much of it as it can also have adverse effects.
In the Nespresso pod line, there are several different size options and brewing standards that change the amount of caffeine in each. So, if you’re looking for an easy way to get your daily cup of coffee and want to know how much caffeine you’ll be consuming with each type, keep reading.
The Different Nespresso Pods
To answer how much caffeine is in Nespresso pods, we must first explain the different options available. The pods are split between the Original Line and the Vertuo Line, with the Vertuo pods only being available for use in Nespresso Vertuo coffee machines. This is because they have a special barcode that reads the pods and brews them to the correct amount.
While the Original pods only come in espresso-sized drinks, there’s a larger variety of roasts available in these capsules. But, with the Vertuo Line, you can get different sizes and even larger servings for more caffeine.
In the Nespresso Original Capsules, you have the option of Espresso (1.35 ounces) and Lungo (3.72 ounces). Meanwhile, in the Vertuo Capsules, you can get Espresso (1.35 ounces), Double Espresso (2.7 ounces), Gran Lungo (5 ounces), Coffee/Mug (7.7 ounces), Alto/XL Coffee (12 ounces), and Carafe (18 ounces).
Caffeine Content in Nespresso Pods
As the sizes and types of coffee in the Nespresso pods vary, so does the caffeine content. Apart from the amount of coffee brewed, the type of coffee beans extracted is maybe the most important thing that contributes to the level of caffeine.
You’ll find that capsules that contain Robusta origins have significantly more caffeine than those that contain Arabica beans. That being said, Nespresso also doesn’t give the exact caffeine content due to there being a variation in batches between capsules.
The brand also lists a coffee’s intensity, but this actually has nothing to do with caffeine. Instead, the intensity level just indicates the degree of roasting used on that coffee, its body, and the bitterness of the flavor profile.
Original Capsules
The brand lists that most of its Original Capsules contain around 60 milligrams of caffeine in each espresso selection. The only exception to this is the Palermo Kazaar, which actually has a much higher amount of 125 milligrams in just one espresso brew. This is due to the higher amount of Robusta present in the dark roast coffee pod.
As far as the Original Lungo Capsules go, there are about 80 milligrams of caffeine in each. Since there are a few more ounces of coffee available in this size, you also get a bit more of a boost.
Vertuo Capsules
Meanwhile, the Vertuo Single Espresso Capsules already have a higher caffeine level than the Original ones, typically sitting at 85 milligrams. There are a few that have more Robusta present and therefore are even more caffeinating. These include Orafio with 110 milligrams, II Caffè with 129 milligrams, and Diavolitto with 150 milligrams.
The Vertuo Gran Lungo Capsules are also higher in caffeine than the Original Lungo Capsules, but they are a bit bigger in size. They range from 120-200 milligrams of caffeine per pod, so if you’re looking for a bit more of a kick in a quick sip, this would be the way to go.
Moving onto the type of capsules that you can’t get in the Original line, the Double Espresso shot pods are a bit bigger than the single espresso shot ones and contain about 133-150 milligrams of caffeine. When it comes to the Coffee/Mug and Alto/XL Coffee sizes, both pod types fall into the range of 170-200 milligrams of caffeine.
The biggest brew amount available is the Carafe, which contains a caffeine content of anywhere from 220 to 250 milligrams. Of course, this option allows you to have multiple cups of coffee, so it’s still under 200 milligrams of caffeine per cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Apart from the general understanding of the various Nespresso capsules, there might be a few other questions you have regarding the caffeine content of the coffee pods.
Which Nespresso Pods Have the Most Caffeine?
As you might have noticed above, the Nespresso pods with the most caffeine are the Palermo Kazaar from the Original line with 125 milligrams in 1.35 ounces, and the Diavolitto from the Vertuo line with 150 milligrams in just 1.35 ounces of espresso.
Which Nespresso is Caffeine Free?
If you’re someone who can’t have too much caffeine, Nespresso does offer a few decaffeinated coffee capsule options in their Original 1.35-ounce espresso pods. These include the Ristretto Italiano, the Firenze Apreggio, and the Volluto Decaffeinato.
How Does Nespresso Remove Caffeine?
Nespresso decaffeinates their coffee before they roast through the use of natural ingredients that are safe, environmentally friendly, and stay true to the bean itself. As with any decaf coffee, it’s not 100% free of caffeine. There are a few traces left over, but the decaf pods are as decaffeinated as they can get.
Wrapping Up
To put it simply, the caffeine present in Nespresso pods does depend on the type of coffee capsule. This is because there’s a difference in the Original and Vertuo lines, pod sizes, and if there are more Robusta beans present in the ground coffee.
Regardless, you’ll be pretty close to the amount of caffeine in a traditional cup of coffee or a shot of espresso. So, coffee lovers, don’t worry about consuming a huge amount of it unless you’re brewing up the Palermo Kazaar or Diavolitto.
Happy Caffeinating!
