Does Nespresso Make Regular Coffee?
On some mornings, you just want a quick shot of espresso to get you out the door. On others, you want to savour a full mug of coffee slowly. Can your Nespresso machine do both?
The short answer is that it can make coffee. But the slightly longer answer is that you’ll need the right model. Keep reading to find out which Nespresso machines will meet your needs.
Nespresso Lines
As of 2014, Nespresso offers two distinct lines of machines: the Original Line and the new VertuoLine. They operate differently and make different types of drinks. The Original Line uses high pressure, like an espresso maker, while the VertuoLine uses centrifugal force to extract coffee.
This video does an excellent job of comparing the two, as well as a Keurig brewer:
The Original Line
Nespresso’s Original Line includes the popular Pixie, CitiZ, and Essenza, as well as the larger Creatista and Lattissima super-automatics that are perfect if you want a Nespresso machine that comes with a milk frother. These single-serve models all use the original Nespresso capsules and brew three drink sizes: a 25-ml ristretto, a 40 ml espresso, and a 110 ml lungo. There are also coffee companies that offer Original Line-compatible capsules.
You’ll notice that none of those are coffee.
Indeed, Nespresso’s Original Line doesn’t make your usual cup of coffee. It makes espresso drinks albeit a little different – it’s not as high-quality as the drinks you can make with a proper espresso machine. Here’s where we delved into the difference between Nespresso and espresso.
However, it can make a tasty Americano that’s more flavourful than a typical K-Cup and nearly as easy.
Just brew a lungo, eject the capsule, and then brew another lungo without a capsule to add about 110 ml of hot water. Voila! A 220-ml Americano you can sip and savour like a regular cup of coffee.
The VertuoLine
But if you’re used to a daily stop at your local Starbucks for their whopping 590-ml venti, that 220-ml serving might not cut it. Now what?
Well, as it turns out, Nespresso foresaw this very scenario. Europe-based Nespresso developed the VertuoLine when they realized they were losing global market share because North Americans prefer larger coffees to quick shots of espresso. Similarly, drinkers in cold regions like Scandinavia enjoy the warming effect of a full-size coffee (1).
Americans are simply not looking for an espresso first thing in the morning. This is the land of the Starbucks venti.
To tackle this problem, Nespresso Vertuo Line models make FIVE sizes of coffee and espresso: ristretto, espresso, a 150-ml gran lungo, a 230-ml mug, and a 415-ml alto XL.
If you want a full-size regular coffee from a Nespresso machine, opt for the VertuoLine.
Unfortunately, no Nespresso machine will make you a trenta, but that’s a habit probably worth breaking anyway!
Here’s a more detailed comparison: Nespresso Vertuo vs Original Line.
The Verdict
Nespresso Original Line machines don’t make regular coffee, but you can easily use one to make a tasty Americano. If you have your heart set on a normal coffee, opt for the VertuoLine instead. Of course, if you have no desire to drink espresso, a regular coffee machine will be the most cost-effective.
Enjoy your Nespresso experience!
FAQs
Nespresso differs from Keurig in that it offers both espresso and coffee, while Keurig makes exclusively drip coffee. Nespresso also uses recyclable aluminium capsules that are superior to Keurig’s plastic K-Cups.
The main difference between Nespresso vs espresso machines is that espresso machines use freshly ground coffee that has been dosed into a portafilter and tamped. Nespresso machines on the other hand use hermetically sealed capsules of pre-ground coffee.
Yes, you can use your own coffee in Nespresso machines. There are refillable capsules available for both Vertuo and Original machines. Just keep in mind that the barcode on the refillable Vertuo capsule won’t have optimised brew instructions for your coffee.
References
- Cumming, E. (2020, July 14). How Nespresso’s coffee revolution got ground down. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/food/2020/jul/14/nespresso-coffee-capsule-pods-branding-clooney-nestle-recycling-environment
