How to make a regular cup of coffee with Nespresso

Nespresso machines are well-known pod-based coffee machines that produce espresso with a thick and rich crema. However, we may not always be in the mood for rich and dense espresso shots; sometimes we crave a smooth 8 oz cup of coffee.

So many Nespresso users and people who are willing to buy a new Nespresso machine are wondering how to make a regular cup of coffee with Nespresso.

You can opt for Vertuo Nespresso machines if you want to prepare a regular 8oz cup of coffee using Nespresso machines. While Nespresso’s original line machines don’t have an option for a regular cup of coffee but you can easily prepare Americano coffee by adding hot water to the freshly brewed Espresso shot.

Does Nespresso make regular coffee?

Nespresso Vertuo machines offer a regular 8-oz cup, and they manufacture coffee-specific capsules as well. There are five different sizes of coffee available in the Nespresso Veruo line, including single and double Espresso shots, five, eight, and eighteen ounces. On the other Nespresso original line machines are only limited to Ristretto, Espresso, and Lungo shots.

Nespresso originated in Europe and Espresso is one of the most famous coffee drink 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.

Nespresso Machines that make regular coffee | Vertuo Line

Vertuo line machines from Nespresso use centrifugation brewing technology and have a special barcode system, so they only work with capsules designed for the Vertuo line machines.

Vertuo line Machines offer 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 drinks, Nespresso has designed special capsules, so you simply place the capsule in the capsule holder, and the machine automatically detects the capsule type and prepares the drink accordingly.

Here are the three models launched by Nespresso for the Vertuo line series.

• Vertuo
• Vertuo Plus
• Vertuo Next

Read a detailed comparison in Nespresso Vertuo Next and Plus

Nespresso Machines that don’t make regular coffee | Original Line

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 a regular 8oz cup of coffee with Nespresso Original line?

Nespresso’s original machines can’t make a regular 8-ounce 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:

1. The first step is to prepare two espresso shots one after the other.
2. As soon as the espresso shots have been poured into your mug, press the lungo button without inserting the lungo capsule into the machine. This will give you an Americano cup that is 8 ounces.

Americano prepared in this way will be rich and intense in flavors.

Method 2:

1. Insert the lungo capsule in the machine and prepare a lungo shot.
2. 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 smooth in flavor.

Can you use your own coffee with Nespresso?

Nespresso machines come with convenient pods or capsules that are designed for simplicity, reusability, and ease of use. Nevertheless, some people prefer to use their own coffee grounds, mainly because they are more economical and they enjoy the flavors of ground coffee better.

So, 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 Original line and Vertuo line machines.

There are, however, some cons associated with using these reusable capsules, and in my opinion, they easily outweigh their Pros.

Also read: Can you Nespresso pod twice

Final Thoughts on how to make coffee with Nespresso

It is very easy and convenient to make regular coffee with Nespresso Vertuo line machines. However, you will have to do some extra steps when preparing Americano coffee with Nespresso original line machines.

The Nespresso Veruo line machines are the best choice if you like both espresso and drip coffee depending on your mood and don’t mind the cost of the coffee capsules. You can also opt for pod-based drip coffee makers like Keurig if you only want coffee.

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