The Best Nespresso Pods for Lattes and Cappuccinos (Updated For 2024!)

Green Pods The Best Nespresso Capsules for lattes flat whites and capaccinos

If you are like me, and love a good cafe Latte, then you’ll always be trying to perfect the drink at home too.

If you have a Nespresso machine with a milk frother you can get pretty close to the café benchmark with just a few simple steps, and by picking the right Nespresso pods for the job.

The Best Nespresso Pods for Lattes Include:

  • Ristretto
  • Kazaar
  • Cosi
  • Vanilla Eclair

Why Listen To Us? Well, because we KNOW coffee! In fact, we make our own coffee, coffee machine cleaners, and reusable capsules which we've sold to over 41 countries. Our team ouf experts include Tristan (an engineer), Claire (a food writer) and Richy (a barista). So, whether you're looking for a recipe or repair guide, we've got you covered 💚

1.   Ristretto

Nespresso Ristretto is popular for many coffees, as it is a blend of two Robusta coffees, giving them a creamy taste, making them really perfect for your latte, and frothy cappuccino. The beans are sourced from Brazil and Guatemala this gives them an even blend. All you really have to do is to froth the milk. Once you have tried Ristretto you won’t want to ever run out, and rightly so as this is one of the most popular Nespresso flavors worldwide.

Ristretto is a short shot of a concentrated espresso coffee. It is made with much finer ground coffee. Ristretto which originated in Italy is usually served with a glass of water. You may hear Ristretto referred to as ‘a short black’, as less water is used in the making and if you like a really strong coffee to ‘kick start ‘ your day, make it the perfect base for your cappuccino. The word Ristretto means restricted in Italian and it is very popular in Italy. Don’t restrict it add as much as you like in cappuccinos.

Click here for our full review of the Nespresso Ristretto, including the best places to buy them.

The Green Pods Recommends Nespresso Capsules OriginalLine Ristretto Intenso

Ristretto

  • A blend of two Robusta coffees
  • Beans are sourced from Brazil and Guatemala
  • Referred to as ‘a short black’
  • Originally from Italy
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2.   Kazaar

Kazaar is a strong and intense capsule and is actually the strongest Nespresso coffee, it is often described as being bitter and has a greater kick to it than the Ristretto. It also has the most caffeine of any Nespresso pod!

The problem with lattes and cappuccinos is that the large amount of milk can wash out a lot of the coffee flavor. If you like to taste the coffee in your Cappuccino this is the coffee for you.

The blend contains Robusta from Brazil and Arabica from South America giving it the intensity. Some people may find it a bit intense for their latte, while others will love it.

Kazzar has a slightly smoky flavor, making it a good choice for after-dinner coffee. Because you are using the capsule your coffee is never going to taste too strong unless you plan it that way. One of the better things about pods is that the measured dose is always right. If you find you have a deadline to meet keep a supply of Kazzar handy into the night, you certainly won’t fall asleep.

Click here for our full review of the Nespresso Ristretto, including the best places to buy them.

The Green Pods Recommends Lavazza Nespresso Capsules OriginalLine Kazaar Intenso

Kazaar

  • The strongest Nespresso coffee
  • Has the most caffeine of any Nespresso pod
  • Contains Robusta from Brazil and Arabica from South America
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3.   Cosi

The origin of the humble Cosi is Arabica from Costa Rica – bringing light notes to your cappuccino and latte, and a fruity note on the finish.

We wanted to include this because it’s one of the few pods that are 100% Arabica, and yet also in the cheapest Nespresso price bracket.

Cosi has a low caffeine content and a low intensity, which means you can enjoy a milder tasting café latte. That doesn’t let harsh roast or bitterness trump the actual flavor of the coffee.

For those that prefer a less full-bodied latte and Cappuccino, this is a pleasant-tasting light coffee to start the day with, or even to drink before going to bed. Being mild, it makes the perfect latte for you and your family to enjoy at any time.

Cosi is about the lightest coffee you can use in a cappuccino and for some, would not have enough strength – if this is the case, then read our tip below as we love using two capsules.

Bonus Trick: Use Two Cosi Capsules.

This is our little trick to make a late or flat white that tastes exactly you’d get from a café!

The problem is that café coffee machines use more coffee – about 7-9 grams for a single shot. Nespresso pods only contain 5 grams, which means there simply isn’t enough coffee in your coffee!

By using 2 capsules of 100% Arabica coffee, youre best replicating what your local barista would be brewing up.

The Green Pods Recommends Nespresso Capsules OriginalLine Cosi

Cosi

  • Arabica from Costa Rica
  • Low caffeine content and a low intensity
  • A milder tasting café latte
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4.   Vanilla Eclair

Nespresso Original Line Vanilla Eclair, has a full flavor and richness, making an excellent choice for a cappuccino.

We love it for its slightly rich sweetness and it is the ideal accompaniment to cake in the afternoon. Just to smell it wafting in the air makes afternoon tea essential. Having said that, it is also good to have when eating chocolate or anything sweet.

The Nespresso promo material calls the flavor warming vanilla on a base of malt cereal, but that doesn’t really do it justice. and it has a smoothness reminiscent of a good vanilla desert like a Creme Brulee, making it another perfect coffee to have with dessert.

Of all the flavored capsules we think this is the best for cappuccinos.

The Green Pods Recommends Nespresso Capsules OriginalLine Vanilla Eclair

Vanilla Eclair

  • Has a full flavor and richness
  • Good to have when eating chocolate or anything sweet
  • Brazilian Bourbon Arabica beans and Colombian Arabica
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How to Make Latte Art with Nespresso

Now you have the coffee tasting great, you’ll probably be thinking how do I get my coffee to like like one that’s been barista-made?

Though it may look intimidating, let me assure you, latte art doesn’t need to be something you only get at a café. You too can make tulips, ferns, hearts and rosettas at home.-without a barista diploma.

Check out our article on how you can make your own late art at home.

In this article, we go what equipment you need, how to prepare your coffee, how to prepare the milk with and without the Nespresso milk frother, and how to pour the milk to create the following wonderful designs just like a pro barista.

  • Heart
  • Rosetta
  • Tulip

Conclusion

We hope you’ve enjoyed our suggestions one which Nespresso pods are best for making milk coffee like the latte, cappuccino, and flat white.

If you’ve got any recommendations on what flavors you’ve found work best, then let us know. We’d love to hear your opinion!

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