Best Nespresso Pods For Latte 2023 (+ Delecious Recipes Included)

Lattes are one of the most flavorful and appetizing coffee beverages out there. They have one or two shots of espresso with double the amount of milk to give you an instant boost of freshness and deliciousness.

Making a latte in your Nespresso machine is a piece of cake; you only need a milk frother and a Nespresso pod. However, finding the best Nespresso capsules for lattes can take time and effort. There are more than 60 options available, so how will you identify the right ones that brew perfect lattes?

As always, we have done the hard work for you! We are compiling a list of the 14 best Nespresso pods for lattes for both Vertuo and OriginalLine machines and everything else you need to know. Keep reading!

The Best Nespresso Vertuo Pods for Lattes

You get five options in Nespresso Vertuo pods; espresso, double espresso, coffee, gran lungo, and alto xl. For making lattes, you will have to only opt for double and single espresso pods. Here are my recommendations for the best Nespresso pods for regular-sized, decaf, large, and iced lattes:

1. Vertuo Pods for Regular-Sized Lattes

Diavolitto

Intensity: 11

Size: 1.35 oz espresso

Roast: Dark Roasted

Are you someone who wants their lattes very intense and high in caffeine? If yes, then the Nespresso Diavolitto capsules are the best option. The pods are a perfect blend of dark roasted coffee beans (Arabica and Robusta) and contain approximately 150mg of caffeine. With an intensity level of 11, the Diavolitto capsules will provide you with the most robust and powerful latte ever with subtle notes of oak and leather. The texture was super rich and velvety and the coffee quality was exceptional.

Altissio

Intensity: 9

Size: 1.35 oz espresso

Roast: Medium Roast

The Altissio capsules are a blend of medium-roasted Arabica and Robusta beans with an intensity level of 9. These pods will make your lattes taste like heaven with bold notes and balanced acidity and bitterness. The thing I loved the most about these Nespresso capsules was their refreshing aroma. Moreover, the capsules brewed a full-bodied coffee with delicious cereal notes and rich texture. Not to forget, my latte had the thick signature Nespresso crema on top that was to die for!

Volttlesso

Intensity: 4

Size: 1.35 oz espresso

Roast: Mild Roast

If you are looking for a super light, sweet, and mild roast espresso for making lattes, then the Nespresso Voltesso capsules are your dream come true. These pods have a very gentle and balanced flavor with an intensity level of 4. Moreover, it is a perfect blend of Columbian and Brazilian arabica beans to provide you with the most authentic taste! Now coming to the taste, the latte has subtle flavor notes of nuts and sweet biscuits that were a delight to my taste buds.

2. Vertuo Pod for Decaf Latte

Decaffeinato Intenso

Intensity: 7

Size: 1.35 oz espresso

Roast: Medium Roast

Are you a decaf lover but need help finding suitable pods for making lattes? Say no more! These decaffeinato Intenso Nespresso capsules for decaf lattes will solve that problem for you! These capsules are sufficiently intense and can brew the sweetest and creamiest latte. Honestly, the cocoa notes and fruity flavor of these decaffeinated Nespresso capsules worked perfectly with the milk, and the latte was as delicious as heaven.

3. Vertuo Pods for Large Lattes

Double Espresso Chiaro

Intensity: 6

Size: 2.7 oz double espresso

Roast: Medium Roast

Double espresso Chiaro pods are a fantastic blend of medium-roasted coffee beans from Central and South America. They contain wild caramel flavor notes and an earthy and woody aroma to soothe your soul. Trust me when I say these pods are the perfect companions for lattes. Since they are double espresso pods, they brewed a large cup of latte which was creamy, rich in texture, and extremely flavorful. Moreover, I found the Chiaro capsules best to pair with steamed milk.

Double Espresso Scuro

Intensity: 8

Size: 2.7 oz double espresso

Roast: Dark Roast Coffee

The double espresso Scuro capsules are curated to be paired with milk, so they undoubtedly become the best option for lattes. These Nespresso capsules have an intensity level of 8. So, the coffee was definitely intense but rich in flavor too. The coffee has aromatic notes of vanilla and cocoa with a smoky flavor to satisfy the taste buds of dark roast lovers. When mixed with milk for lattes, those cocoa notes become stronger and more intense and give a heavenly taste.

4. Best Nespresso Vertuo Pod for Iced Latte

Iced Leggero

Intensity: 6

Size: 2.7 oz double espresso

Roast: Light Roast

Though all the Nespresso pods mentioned above in this list can make an iced latte, you still need the best option, right? Well, the Iced Leggero Nespresso capsules are the perfect pick for you! They are a blend of lightly roasted Ethiopian and Peruvian Arabica beans with fruity and icy flavor notes. Since the Iced Leggero capsules lie on number 6 on the intensity, I found no bitterness or acidity in the taste of my latte. It was just delicious, refreshing, and super aromatic.

How to Make A Latte With Nespresso VertuoLine Machines?

Now that we have gone through the best options, it’s time to learn how to make a latte with a Nespresso machine. Since VertuoLine machines are not equipped with any milk accessories for lattes and cappuccinos, you will need to purchase a separate Aeroccino milk frother by Nespresso. Here is how to brew different kinds of lattes after you get the accessory:

Caffe Latte:

Put a Vertuo Nespresso capsule into the machine and brew simple espresso in a cup. After that, steam some milk and pour it into the espresso cup. Your perfect cup of caffe latte will be ready!

Macchiato:

To make a delicious macchiato drink, you need to steam the milk and pour it into a cup. After that, brew a shot of espresso in that cup with the steamed milk.

Iced Latte

An iced latte is as easy to make as a macchiato and caffe latte. All you have to do is use cold milk instead of steamed one and brew an espresso over it. After that, add some ice and put your latte into a freezer if you want it super chilled.

The Best Original Nespresso Pods for Latte Drinks

Now, it’s time to go through the best Nespresso pods for dark roast, medium roast, light roast, decaf, and iced lattes for OriginalLine machines. Let’s get started!

1. Original Pods for Dark Roast Lattes

Firenze Arpeggio

Intensity: 9

Size: 1.35 oz espresso

Roast: Dark Roast

The Firenzo Arpeggio Nespresso capsules are our favorite dark roast blend of Brazilian and Costa Rican beans. The coffee has an intensity level of 9 and features delicious flavor notes of cocoa and citrus fruits. The thing I loved about the Arpeggio coffee is that it blended perfectly with the amount of milk you use for lattes. Moreover, the texture was super creamy and rich with the Signature foamy Nespresso crema on top!

Ristretto Italiano

Intensity: 10

Size: 1.35 oz espresso

Roast: Dark Roast

If you are a fan of Italian coffee, then you will definitely love these Ristretto Italiano Nespresso capsules. It is a blend of dark roasted East African and South American beans with an intensity level of 10. Also, the capsules were the perfect companion to my latte. The first sip felt like citrus fruits and had a slight bitterness. The coffee was very acidic, so make sure you are used to the taste before purchasing.

2. Original Pods for Medium Roast Lattes

Caramel Crème Brulee

Intensity: 6

Size: 1.35 oz espresso

Roast: Mild Roast

The Caramel Creme Brulee coffee pods are a blend of lightly roasted Columbian and Brazilian beans with an intensity level of 6. The coffee tastes like sweet cream with pleasant aromatic notes of coconut, caramel, and vanilla. Moreover, the capsules brewed the perfect sweet latte ever! Not to forget, the texture of the coffee was rich, smooth, and full-bodied.

Genova Livanto

Intensity: 6

Size: 1.35 oz espresso

Roast: Medium Roast

This Genova Nespresso blend is medium-roasted for a perfectly balanced coffee flavor. Moreover, it has slight fruity notes for a complex and delightful taste. Genova also has a roasted and caramelized cereal odor that will nudge you of freshly roasted coffee beans. Also, it provides you with a sensational mouthfeel that will make you feel like you are in northern Italy.

3. Original Pod for Light Roast Lattes

Volutto

Intensity: 4

Size: 1.35 oz

Roast: Light roast

The Volutto coffee pods blend lightly roasted Colombian and Brazilian beans with a sweet biscuit flavor and fruity notes. Despite being light roast, they still have a rich coffee flavor with a blend of Brazilian and Colombian Arabica beans. Moreover, the pods are perfect for people who want to lower their caffeine intake as it only contains 3mg of caffeine or less.

4. Original Pod for Decaf Lattes

Firenze Arpeggio Decaffeinato

Intensity: 9

Size: 1.35 oz espresso

Roast: Dark Roast

The Firenze Arpeggio Decaffeinato pods are the perfect blend of Brazilian and Costa Rican coffee beans with an intensity level of 9. These Nespresso capsules for lattes have minimal caffeine and brew the perfect coffee with a rich and creamy texture. Not to forget, the thick and foamy crema on the top of my latte was everything delicious and tempting!

5. Original Pods for Iced Lattes

Freddo Delicato

Intensity: 6

Size: 1.35 oz espresso

Roast: Medium Roast

The Freddo Delicato Nespresso capsules are made of pure Kenyan coffee beans to give you the most authentic juicy flavor notes. These pods have less intensity and taste perfectly with ice! Moreover, since Freddo Delicato is a medium roast, the latte had a delightful and sweet taste with close to zero acidity and bitterness.

How to Make A Latte With Nespresso Original Line Machines?

Like VertuoLine machines, you will need steamed or frothed milk to make lattes in OriginalLine machines. Some high-end OriginalLine models like Nespresso Lattissima One, Lattissima Pro, and Creatista Plus have built-in milk frothers. However, you can also purchase an Aeroccino milk frother separately using a different model like Nespresso Essenza Mini or Nespresso Inissia. Here is how you can brew different types of lattes:

Caffe Latte:

You need to brew a capsule into your cup or mug first to make a caffe latte. Afterward, warm up your milk, and when your latte mixture is brewed, slowly pour the milk into the mug along with the espresso.

Macchiato:

To make a macchiato, first, you have to froth your milk and put it into the mug. Then brew a Nespresso pod into the mug with the frothed milk, and your macchiato will be ready!

Iced Latte:

For an iced latte, you have to use cold milk from the fridge instead of steamed one. Pour the brewed espresso into the milk mug, then top your latte with ice.

The Difference Between A Caffe Latte And Latte Macchiato

Caffe Latte and Latte Macchiato are two of the most famous types of lattes. Both coffee drinks are made with milk and espresso. However, there is a slight difference between their preparation methods.

For Caffe Latte, you brew the espresso and then add steamed milk. This method helps the milk to blend perfectly into the espresso.

For Macchiato, you steam the milk first and then brew espresso over it. This method gives your latte a more strong espresso flavor.

What Milk To Use In A Nespresso Latte?

Choosing the correct type of milk to make lattes is crucial; you will need something that gives the perfect and dense foam. Ideally, the whole milk in your refrigerators will work perfectly for lattes. However, if you don’t like whole milk, you can opt for skimmed milk too. But keep in mind that skim milk will give you a different taste, nothing like the one with whole milk.

You can also opt for soy, almond, and oat milk if you are vegan or prefer plant-based ones. However, we would only recommend using something other than coconut or cashew milk since they won’t give you a thick and dense crema.

Things to Consider Before Buying Best Nespresso Pods for Latte

Buying the best Nespresso capsules for lattes is more challenging than it sounds. It would be best if you considered many things to ensure you are getting the right product that brews perfect lattes according to your taste preferences.

So, are you curious to learn more about those considerations? Read on!

Machine Compatibility

You will come across two types of options while looking for the best Nespresso capsules for lattes; OriginalLine pods and VertuoLine pods. Now, you need to identify what type of Nespresso machine you have and then make the purchase accordingly. Because OriginalLine pods won’t work with Vertuo machines, and VertuoLine pods won’t work with Original machines.

We have recommended Nespresso pods for lattes for both machine types in the above list. All you have to do is find your groove with the Nespresso capsules you like the most and start enjoying your lattes!

Roast Levels

Nespresso capsules come in three types of roasts; light, medium, and dark roast. Dark roast coffee capsules will taste smoky, bitter, and chocolaty. While on the other hand, medium roasts will be less bitter and acidic, and light roasts will have no bitterness at all.

Now the decision of which roast level to opt for totally depends on your taste preferences. However, dark roasts are typically the perfect companions for lattes. Since they are incredibly bitter, nutty, and chocolaty, the milk in lattes will balance it out and give the richest flavor possible.

Intensity

All Nespresso pods lie on an intensity scale ranging from 5 to 13. The higher the intensity, the stronger your coffee will be. For lattes, we recommend opting for pods with an intensity level of 8 or higher if you like your coffee very intense and strong.

If you want your lattes to be light, you can choose pods with intensity levels between 5 to 8.

Caffeinated or Decaffeinated?

There are two types of coffee lovers; one who likes caffeinated drinks and others who prefer decaffeinated. Luckily, you can enjoy lattes with both types of coffee drinks. We mentioned both caffeinated and decaffeinated Nespresso pods in the list above to cater to the needs of all types of coffee lovers. However, keep in mind that decaffeinated pods are more expensive than caffeinated ones because of the lengthy process involved.

Price

Nespresso coffee pods are usually more expensive than third-party brands but trust me; they are worth every dollar you spend. But there is still a trick to cut down the cost. Buying a pack of 50 or 100 capsules at once is always better than buying two or three pods. Purchasing in bulk quantities is always affordable. Also, Nespresso pods have a generous expiration timeline, so you won’t have to worry about that while purchasing in bulk.

Nespresso Latte Recipes [Vertuo & Original]

Do you know what is the best thing about lattes? You can experiment with plenty of recipes and enjoy a new latte drink every day! Below, I am sharing a few of my favorite latte recipes you can try in both your OriginalLine and VertuoLine machines.

1. Eggnog Latte

• Place a 12 oz cup in your Nespresso machine.
• Brew one double espresso pod or two single espresso pods in the cup.
• Take an Aeroccino milk frother and pour some milk and eggnog into it. Slightly mix the two ingredients and heat the mixture.
• After heating up, just pour the mixture into the cup with espresso, and your perfect and scrumptious eggnog latte is ready!

2. Nespresso Vanilla Latte

• Take a 12 oz cup and pour some vanilla syrup into it.
• Then, brew a single espresso pod in that cup.
• Take 6 oz milk and pour it into the espresso and vanilla syrup mixture.
• Top the cup with some whipped cream, and your Vanilla latte is ready!

3. Pumpkin Spice Latte

• Take a 12 oz cup and pour some pumpkin spice syrup into it.
• Brew one double espresso pod or two single espresso pods directly in the cup.
• Take 6 oz of frothed or cold milk (whatever you like) and pour it into the espresso cup. Slightly stir the mixture, and your pumpkin spice latte is ready!

Conclusion

Lattes are truly delicious, and these Nespresso pods mentioned above will make the drink more enjoyable for you. Just make sure you are picking the right product according to your needs and taste. We have categorized all the best Nespresso capsules for lattes in different sections to cater to the needs of all coffee lovers. Also, there are detailed descriptions and step-by-step guides on how to brew the lattes perfectly. Just keep the information mentioned above in mind, and we promise you will nail your latte-brewing experience!

FAQs

What is the best way to store Nespresso pods?

The best way to store Nespresso pods is to keep them at room temperature and not in refrigerators. You can purchase pod holders to keep the pod holders neat and organized.

Which Nespresso capsule is best for a latte macchiato?

The Nespresso Firenze Arpeggio capsules are the perfect pick for brewing a Latte Macchiato. The capsules are strong, intense, and creamy!

How much milk goes in a Nespresso latte?

For lattes, the milk-to-espresso ratio should be 3:1. For example, if you have 1.35 oz of espresso, the milk should be 4.5 oz.

Is a latte healthier than a cappuccino?

Both lattes and cappuccinos are healthier than regular coffee since they contain milk: the more milk, the more protein.

Which has more foam? Cappuccino or Latte?

The cappuccino has more foam because of the less amount of milk.