The Ultimate Guide to Nespresso Grands Crus Coffee Capsules
Nespresso Coffee Capsules
Back in 2015 we wrote a guide to Nespresso coffee capsules – you can find the old Nespresso coffee capsules guide here. When originally released, there were sixteen varieties of the Nespresso coffee capsule. Recently, eight more Nespresso coffee types have been released, upping your total number of choices to twenty-four. Not sure which are right for you? Here is a Nespresso coffee guide to help you make your choice and get to know these new capsules.
The 24 Nespresso Grands Crus capsules are are split into six ranges:
Espresso capsules are the shorter coffees that most people are used to drinking. Just because they are typically ‘short’ coffees does not mean they’re very strong. Some are, but there is a good variation of intensity among these capsules. Most of the coffees that go into this have blended origins.
Intenso capsules have split out (previously some of these were in the Espresso category) and contain some of the fuller flavour, more intense Nespresso coffee flavours. These are again typically blended in their origins.
Pure Origin capsules have their beans typically sourced from one location. These are very specific in flavour to where the capsules originate from and have a very unique taste.
Lungo capsules are especially designed for longer drinks where a larger volume of water is added to the coffee. These have the potential to bring out more complex flavours and allow you to enjoy subtler tastes, without detracting from overall intensity as some of these are still quite strong in flavour.
Decaffeinato capsules do what they (almost) says on the tin – some of the great coffees from other categories but with the naturally occurring caffeine taken away. Ideal for those who have poor reactions to caffeine and simply enjoy the taste of coffee.
Variation capsules are typically based on the Livanto (Espresso) capsule, but with specific additional flavours to give your coffee that little extra kick of contrasting flavour.
Nespresso Espresso Grands Crus Capsules
Capriccio Grand Cru
With this capsule, you will get a strong, grainy cereal note, from one of the most aromatic espressos in the collection. It contains both Arabica and Robusta coffee, but only a bit of the latter. Both are from South America, with the Arabica coffee grown at high altitude to lighten the acidity.
Intensity: 3 out of 10
Size of Cup: Espresso (40ml)
Aromatic Profile: Cereal notes, light acidity
Volluto Grand Cru
Sweeter and nuttier than many of our other Nespresso coffee types, this capsule uses only the very best South American Arabica for a little bit of acidity and fruitiness. A mixture of lightly roasted and pure coffee goes into this Grand Cru, which allows a bit of fruitiness to shine through.
Intensity: 4 out of 10
Size of Cup: Espresso (40ml)
Aromatic Profile: Fruity, sweet & biscuity notes
Livanto Grand Cru
Made of just the very best Arabica from Central and South America, this capsule has a hint of caramel and malt. It has a medium level of roasting to produce a balanced profile.
Intensity: 6 out of 10
Size of Cup: Espresso (40ml)
Aromatic Profile: Cereal, malted & fruity notes
Cosi Grand Cru
For a delightful blend of fruitiness and cereal notes, choose this capsule. Delicate, but intense, it uses Aravicas from all over the world to achieve its unique flavour. The Cosi Grand Cru uses a blend of Costa Rican and Kenyan coffee beans, lighted roasted, to create its unique flavour.
Intensity: 4 out of 10
Size of Cup: Espresso (40ml)
Aromatic Profile: Toasted, cereal, fruity notes
Nespresso Intenso Grands Crus Capsules
Arpeggio Grand Cru
Taking hints from Costa Rican coffee, this capsule offers a strong flavour, with just a touch of chocolate. Both creamy and intense, it is a great choice. Fine grinding combined with very intense roasting is what gives the Arpeggio its taste.
Intensity: 7 out of 10
Size of Cup: Ristretto (25ml), Espresso (40ml)
Aromatic Profile: Grilled notes, cocoa, woody hints
Roma Grand Cru
The height of luxury, Roma is both sweet and aromatic, lingering on the palate long after the last sip. A lighter roast than many of the other options, it still has the intensity you expect from Nespresso. The Arabicas from Central America that are used in this blend are specifically of the high altitude variety, which brings more subtle flavours to the aromatic profile.
Intensity: 6 out of 10
Size of Cup: Ristretto (25ml), Espresso (40ml)
Aromatic Profile: Roasted & woody notes
Ristretto Grand Cru
Combining the best of Eastern African and South American Arabicas, this espresso is both intense and fruity, with a fully body. Both South American and East African Arabica coffees are present in this Grand Cru which gives it a light acidity, in addition to a small amount of Robusta which adds a kick to create a fantastic profile.
Intensity: 8 out of 10
Size of Cup: Ristretto (25ml), Espresso (40ml)
Aromatic Profile: Roasted notes, chocolate hints
Dharkan Grand Cru
Roasted for much longer than other espresso, over a lower heat, this capsule provides an intense flavour, with a subtle note of cocoa and a slightly nutty flavour that combine to be both silky and sophisticated. There are four different origin coffees present here which contributes to a really strong and complex flavour.
Intensity: 9 out of 10
Size of Cup: Espresso (40ml)
Aromatic Profile: Intense, bitter cocoa powder, toasted cereals
DISCONTINUED: We recommend the Palermo Kazaar capsule as a good alternative
Kazaar Grand Cru
This is a blend of two of the best Robustas on the market, both from South America. Perfect for those who enjoy a bitter espresso, it is both creamy and boasting peppery notes. The Brazilian Robusta that contributes to the Kazaar is sun dried, and the Guatemalan Robusta is washed – so you have the intensity of flavour but without some of the harshness that you might otherwise expect from a Robusta.
Intensity: 10 out of 10
Size of Cup: Ristretto (25ml), Espresso (40ml)
Aromatic Profile: Rich, roasted, peppery notes, creamy
Pure Origin Grands Crus Capsules
Bukeela ka Ethiopia Grand Cru
Made from Arabicas derived from the birthplace of coffee, Ethiopia, this blend is slightly musky, with a hint of wood. The Sidama beans are gently washed and dried in the sun before roasting. These are mixed with a western Ethiopian bean which is unwashed and naturally processed.
Intensity: 1 out of 10
Size of Cup: Lungo (110ml)
Aromatic Profile: Floral, notes of musk & wood
DISCONTINUED: We recommend the Tokyo Vivalto Lungo capsule as a good alternative
Indriya from India Grand Cru
Created to embody the very best flavours of Indian coffee, this espresso has a full body and spicy notes that remain on the palette, making it distinct from all other flavours. It uses a combination of an Indian Arabica and Robusta bean to bring a big breadth of flavour. The Arabica is only roasted lightly while the Robusta is intensely roasted, and these combine to form the Indriya Grand Cru.
Intensity: 8 out of 10
Size of Cup: Ristretto (25ml), Espresso (40ml)
Aromatic Profile: Cocoa, dry plant notes, cloves, pepper, nutmeg
DISCONTINUED: We recommend the Kazaar capsule as a good alternative
Rosabaya de Colombia Grand Cru
This blend made only from the very best coffee beans in Colombia, has the acidity and wine notes that are typical of Colombian coffee. The coffee that goes into the Rosabaya are predominantly from smaller coffee farm owners at high altitude.
Intensity: 4 out of 10
Size of Cup: Espresso (40ml)
Aromatic Profile: Blackcurrants, cranberries, redcurrants
DISCONTINUED: We recommend the Nespresso Volluto capsule as a good alternative
Dulsao do Brasil Grand Cru
Smooth and creamy, this capsule has slight cereal notes. It is made only from the very best Bourbon coffee beans that Brazil has to offer. Sun drying to allow the mucilage sugars to adopt the flavour of the bean combined with light roasting means the natural sweetness is maintained.
Intensity: 4 out of 10
Size of Cup: Espresso (40ml)
Aromatic Profile: Lightly toasted grain
DISCONTINUED: We recommend the Nespresso Volluto capsule as a good alternative
Nespresso Lungo Grands Crus Capsules
Linizio Lungo Grand Cru
A blend of the very best of Colombian and Brazilian coffee, this capsule provides a malted note that is common in Brazilian blends, while maintaining the smoothness of Colombia blends.
Intensity: 4 out of 10
Size of Cup: Lungo (110ml)
Aromatic Profile: Cereal
DISCONTINUED: This has now become a whole line of Lungo capsules, and we’d recommend starting with trying the Vienna Linizio Lungo:
Vivalto Lungo Grand Cru
Created to be one of the most balanced blends in the collection, it combines the robustness, smoothness, and intensity of many different regions. Lightly acidic, subtly floral, and slightly bitter, it is a unique flavour.
Intensity: 4 out of 10
Size of Cup: Lungo (110ml)
Aromatic Profile: Roasted, woody, cereal, floral notes
Fortissio Lungo Grand Cru
Typical of coffee from the West Indies, this espresso has a rich aromatic profile that is rife with malt and cereal, combined with Latin American coffee beans for an unmatched intensity.
Intensity: 7 out of 10
Size of Cup: Lungo (110ml)
Aromatic Profile: Sweet cereal, malty toasted notes
Envivo Lungo Grand Cru
Combining the best green coffees from Mexico and India, this capsule produces an espresso that will wake you up in the morning with its gingerbread notes and full body.
Intensity: 8 out of 10
Size of Cup: Lungo (110ml)
Aromatic Profile: Caramelised notes, gingerbread, woody
Nespresso Decaffeinato Grands Crus Capsules
Decaffeinato Arpeggio Grand Cru
This capsule provides you with a decaffeinated version of the traditional Arpeggio capsule. You get all of the same intensity and the same hint of cocoa, without the caffeine.
Intensity: 8 out of 10
Size of Cup: Ristretto (25ml), Espresso (40ml)
Aromatic Profile: Grilled notes, cocoa, woody hints
Decaffeinato Vivalto Lungo Grand Cru
With all of the same deeply roasted flavour, without any of the caffeine, this capsule is the perfect choice for those who love South American and East African varieties.
Intensity: 3 out of 10
Size of Cup: Lungo (110ml)
Aromatic Profile: Roasted, woody, cereal, floral notes
DISCONTINUED: We recommend the Nespresso Volluto Decaffeinato Capsule as a good close alternative:
Decaffeinato Intenso Grand Cru
If you still want to be able to enjoy an intense flavour and strong body in a decaffeinated espresso, this is the perfect capsule for you.
Intensity: 6 out of 10
Size of Cup: Espresso (40ml)
Aromatic Profile: Grilled, chocolate notes
DISCONTINUED: Also dense and creamy, the Firenze Arpeggio Decaffeinato capsule is an excellent alternative to the Decaffeinato Intenso.
Decaffeinato Volluto Grand Cru
Delicate, sweet, acidic, and slightly fruity, this lighter roast still has plenty of flavour, but lacks the caffeine of the original Volluto capsule.
Intensity: 3 out of 10
Size of Cup: Espresso (40ml)
Aromatic Profile: Fruit, sweet & biscuity notes
Nespresso Variation Grands Crus Capsules
Vanilio Grand Cru
For fans of flavoured coffee, look no further than this capsule. Velvety, sweet, and mellow, this espresso has a smooth finish and sophisticated flavour.
Intensity: 5 out of 10
Size of Cup: Espresso (40ml)
Aromatic Profile: Cereal, malted & caramelised notes (vanilla flavour)
Discontinued: Despite being a different default cup size, the Tokyo Vivalto Lungo capsule has a really strong natural sweetness, similar to how the Nespresso Vanilio capsule is. The aromas on this coffee are also floral and complex, making for a delightful smell as well as taste. If you enjoyed the Nespresso Vanilio capsule, we think you’d like the Vivalto Lungo!
Caramelito Grand Cru
This is a sweet, full-flavoured espresso, with delicate caramel flavour and a smooth, creamy finish.
Intensity: 5 out of 10
Size of Cup: Espresso (40ml)
Aromatic Profile: Cereal, malted & caramelised notes (caramel flavour)
Discontinued: Despite being a different default cup size, the Tokyo Vivalto Lungo capsule has a really strong natural sweetness, similar to how the Nespresso Caramelito capsule is. The aromas on this coffee are also floral and complex, making for a delightful smell as well as taste. If you enjoyed the Nespresso Caramelito capsule, we think you’d like the Vivalto Lungo!
Ciocattino Grand Cru
The intense flavour of the espresso blends expertly with the dark bitterness of the chocolate. It results in a rich, full espresso that is neither too bitter nor too sweet.
Intensity: 5 out of 10
Size of Cup: Espresso (40ml)
Aromatic Profile: Cereal, malted & caramelised notes (chocolate flavour)
Discontinued: Despite being a different default cup size, the Tokyo Vivalto Lungo capsule has a really strong natural sweetness, similar to how the Nespresso Ciocattino capsule is. The aromas on this coffee are also floral and complex, making for a delightful smell as well as taste. If you enjoyed the Nespresso Caramelito capsule, we think you’d like the Vivalto Lungo!