Nespresso machines are known for rich and concentrated espresso shots with a thick layer of crema.
However, we are not always in the mood for strong espresso shots; sometimes we crave a smooth 8 oz cup of coffee.
Yes, Nespresso Vertuo machines make regular 8-oz servings of coffee, and they offer coffee mug-sized capsules as well. But the original line machines can’t make regular coffee directly and they are only limited to Ristretto, Espresso, and Lungo shots.
Making Regular Coffee with Nespresso Vertuo
You can easily prepare a full cup of coffee in Nespresso Vertuo by inserting 8-oz mug-sized capsules in the machine. In fact, Vertuo Line Machines offers five different sizes of coffee and Espresso.
- Single shot Espresso (1.35 oz)
- Double shot Espresso (2.7 oz)
- Lungo shot (5 oz)
- Coffee (8 oz)
- Alto XL (18 oz)
For all these drink sizes, Nespresso has designed specific capsules with a barcode imprinted on them. You just have to insert your favorite capsule and the machine will adjust the brewing volume and parameters accordingly.
Here’s a guide on Nespresso cup sizes and programming
Nespresso originated in Europe and Espresso is one of the most famous coffee drinks in Europe.
“Most Europeans still begin their day with a shot of espresso and a croissant at the counter of their favorite neighborhood café before hustling off to work.” – Moon
Nespresso has been successful in the European market because of that, but to expand its market in North America it must offer a coffee option since Americans do not usually enjoy espresso shots first thing in the morning.
“Coffee is almost ritualistic for Americans. Most of this coffee is regularly brewed: the kind found in diners and restaurants, for example. But, noticeably fewer people drink Italian-styled espressos for their regular caffeine rush.” – Medium
To satisfy American consumers Nespresso launched the Vertuo line in 2014.
What is the Best Nespresso Vertuo Coffee pod?
I really like the Intenso coffee pod for its bold, strong flavors. It has a rich, bold flavor with hints of roasted coffee and a touch of brown sugar. The aftertaste is nice, with a lightly bitter and creamy finish. If you like something smoother, Melozio is a great option. Its balanced, medium roast delivers a sweet and smooth coffee drink.
Read a detailed comparison in Nespresso Vertuo Next and Plus
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Nespresso Original line Machines don’t make regular coffee
Nespresso’s original line includes Pixie, Essenza, Citiz, and Inissia machines. These machines are limited to making espresso, ristretto, and lungo shots.
Furthermore, there are a few high-end models of Nespresso’s original line, namely the Lattissima and Creatista, which come with a built-in milk frother that allows for quick and easy preparation of milk-based espresso drinks.
Also Read: Nespresso Vertuo line or Original line | Which’s better?
How to make coffee with the Nespresso Original line?
Nespresso’s original line machines can’t make a full cup of coffee. However, they can make Caffe Americanos, which I think are more flavorful than a regular 8-ounce cup from a pod-based drip machine.
Americano is prepared by adding hot water to Espresso. This gives it a similar strength to drip coffee but differs in flavors and aroma.
“If you’re hankering for the closest thing to brewed coffee, ask for a caffè americano (Italy) or un café allongé (France) — an espresso diluted with hot water.” – RickSteves
There are two methods of preparing a regular 8 oz Americano coffee with the original line Nespresso machine.
Method 1:
- The first step is to prepare two espresso shots one after the other.
- As soon as the espresso shots have been poured into your mug, press the lungo button without inserting the lungo capsule into the machine. Repeat the lungo button one more time and this will give you an 8 oz serving of Americano coffee drink.
Americano prepared in this way will be rich and smooth in flavors.
Method 2:
- Insert the lungo capsule into the machine and prepare a lungo shot.
- Remove the capsule once the first lungo shot has been prepared. Press the Lungo button again without inserting the capsule.
Americano prepared in this way will be milder and a little bitter in flavor.
2 More Ways to Make Full Cup of Coffee with Nespresso Original Line
1- You can run the same Nespresso pod twice to get a larger drink.
2- You can program your machine for larger volume settings. To do this insert the Capsule in the machine and press and hold the Espresso or Lungo button until the desired volume is achieved.
I don’t recommend these methods as they deliver an over-extracted drink. But you can try these methods too maybe you’ll like them!
Can you use your own coffee with Nespresso?
Yes, you can use your own coffee with Nespresso as many companies manufacture reusable coffee capsules both for the Nespresso Original line and Vertuo line machines.
However, there are some cons associated with using Nespresso reusable capsules, and in my opinion, they easily outweigh their Pros.
Pros:
- It’s economical as ground coffee is significantly cheaper than Nespresso capsules.
- It’s environmentally friendly. It is true that Nespresso has a good recycling system, but a portion of its capsules still end up in waste.
- You can use coffee grounds of your favorite brand.
Cons:
- These reusable capsules aren’t designed by Nespresso itself so they may cause compatibility issues and may damage the machine in the worst-case scenario.
- Nespresso machines are popular because of their convenience and user-friendliness, but using reusable coffee grounds is quite a hassle, which defeats the purpose of the machine.
- Often you will end up with a weak, overly bitter, or watery cup of coffee.
- With original line machines, reusable capsules work fine in most cases, but I wouldn’t recommend using them with Vertuo machines.
Also read: How to use your own coffee in Nespresso
Check out related Nespresso brewing guides:
- How to Make Iced Coffee Nespresso
- How to Make Cappuccino with Nespresso
- How to make Latte in a Nespresso
FAQs
What Is the Difference Between Nespresso And Keurig?
The Nespresso brand is famous for its espresso coffee with a pressurized brewing system, while Keurig is famous for its regular drip coffee. However, both brands use pods to brew coffee.
Read a guide comparing Nespresso vs Keurig
What Are the Differences Between Nespresso And Espresso Machines?
Nespresso machines are user-friendly. Even a beginner can brew a shot of Espresso easily without learning the complex brewing process.
On the other hand, Espresso machines are complex and you need expertise in brewing to operate it properly.
Here’s a detailed guide on Nespresso vs Espresso
