If you are new to the world of Nespresso and Nespresso pods, you can get overwhelmed with the capsules available and keeping track of what you like and don’t like.
Nespresso pods are easily identified by color and name. Since Nespresso pods usually have Italian names that can be hard to remember (I know I never remember their names!), many people simply refer to them by the color of the pod instead.
What Do The Colors of Nespresso Pods Mean?
Nespresso releases their coffee pods in several colors and patterns on the aluminum of the pod.
Many Nespresso users are under the impression that there’s a set of Nespresso pod color code and that these colors have meanings.
The truth is, Nespresso Pod colors don’t have any specific meaning.
Nespresso pods are colored to help you identify them. But a set of color doesn’t necessarily signify anything in particular.
Also, Nespresso tends to change their pod colors and patterns, especially when it comes to Limited edition pods.
How To Identify Nespresso Pods by Color
Below, I will do my best to group all Nespresso pods by their colors to help you identify any Nespresso capsule you are looking for.
This is why this guide will have:
- Nespresso brand pods only (no 3rd party brands).
- Nespresso permanent pod collection (no limited editions).
And since there are two types of Nespresso pods, OriginalLine pods and Vertuo pods, I will list both of them in each Nespresso color code.
Nespresso Pod Colors Chart
| Pod Color | Pod Name | Pod Type |
| Purple | Firenze Arpeggio | OL Espresso |
| Purple | Altissio | Vertuo Espresso |
| Green | Capriccio | OL Espresso |
| Green | India | OL Espresso |
| Green | Peru Organic | OL Espresso |
| Green | Stockholm Fortissio Lungo | OL Lungo |
| Green | Rio De Janeiro | OL Espresso |
| Green | Peru Organic | Vertuo Espresso |
| Green | Mexico | Vertuo Coffee |
| Green | Stormio | Vertuo Coffee |
| Gold | Volluto | OL Espresso |
| Gold | Voltesso | Vertuo Espresso |
| Gold | Bianco Doppio | Vertuo Double Espresso |
| Gold | Golden Caramel | Vertuo Coffee |
| Gold | Alto Ambrato | Vertuo XL Coffee |
| Gold | Melozio | Vertuo Coffee |
| Red | Napoli | OL Espresso |
| Red | Shanghai Lungo | OL Lungo |
| Blue | Freddo Intenso | OL Espresso |
| Blue | Freddo Delicato | OL Espresso |
| Blue | Palermo Kazaar | OL Ristretto |
| Blue | Tokyo Vivalto Lungo | OL Lungo |
| Blue | Indonesia | OL Espresso |
| Blue | Odacio | Vertuo Coffee |
| Blue | Diavolitto | Vertuo Espresso |
| Blue | Costa Rica | Vertuo Gran Lungo |
| Black | Ristretto Italiano | OL Ristretto |
What Is the Purple Nespresso Pod
Nespresso OriginalLine Purple Pod
Nespresso Firenze Arpeggio Espresso Pod
This is the most popular Purple Nespresso pod that has been around ever since Nespresso existed (almost). It’s a Ristretto or Espresso pod with intensity level of 9, so it’s quite strong in taste.
If you find the same purple pod with a red dot on it, it means it’s the Decaf Arpeggio (Arpeggio Decaffeinato).
Nespresso Vertuo Purple Pod
Nespresso Altissio Espresso Pod
Altissio can be considered the Vertuo version of Arpeggio. It is an espresso pod and has an intensity level of 9. The Decaf version of Altissio (Altissio Decaffeinato) has a red mark around the rim.
What Is the Green Nespresso Pod
Green Nespresso OriginalLine Pods
Capriccio Espresso Pod
Intensity 5 espresso pod
India Espresso Pod
part of Nespresso’s Master Crafted Single Origins, this is a robust espresso pod of intensity level 11.
Peru Organic Espresso Pod
an espresso pod in a lighter shade of green. It’s a medium and balanced pod with an intensity level of 6.
Stockholm Fortissio Lungo
a rich tasting Lungo serving pod that has a deep green shade.
Rio De Janeiro Espresso Pod
a strong espresso pod with herbal notes. It has a light green color with a tree leaf pattern.
Green Nespresso Vertuo Pods
Stormio Coffee Pod
This dark green Nespresso pod has a strong tasting coffee capsule with spicy and woody after-notes. It has an intensity level of 8.
Peru Organic Espresso Pod
this is the same pod as the OrigianlLine Peru, but made for Vertuo machines. It’s an espresso capsules with intensity level of 6.
Mexico Coffee Pod
an intense and robust coffee capsule with a medium roast and intensity level of 7.
What Is the Gold Nespresso Pod
Nespresso OriginalLine Gold Pod
Nespresso Volluto Espresso pod
another stable at the Nespresso pod collection. Volluto is a popular, mild tasting espresso pod that is light and sweet. It has an intensity level of 4.
And if you come across a Nespresso gold pod with a red dot, that would be the Volluto Decaffeinato.
Nespresso Vertuo Gold Pod
Nespresso Voltesso Espresso Pod
this is the Nespresso Vertuo alternative for Volluto. It’s a light, intensity 4 level espresso pod.
Bianco Doppio For Milk
If your gold vertuo pod says ‘For Milk’ on top, then it’s probably Bianco Doppio. It’s part of the Barista Creations collection and it’s recommended for milk based coffee drinks. It’s a double espresso serving size.
Golden Caramel Coffee Pod
Another gold Vertuo pod from the Barista Creations collection, this time, it’s a 7.7 oz flavored coffee pod.
Alto Ambrato XL Coffee Pod
this is a larger than usual gold Vertuo pod. It’s the XL coffee Alto pod, serving size 12 oz and intensity level of 4. This pod only works with Nespresso Vertuo Pop or Vertuo Next.
Melozio Coffee Pod
this popular coffee pod for Vertuo is mild and smooth to taste. It’s an intensity level of 6. Melozio Decaffeinato is available, too. It’s a gold pod with a red mark around it.
What Is the Red Nespresso Pod
Nespresso OriginalLine Red Pods
Napoli Espresso Pod
This classic ristretto/espresso pod is the strongest out of the group, with a full 13-level intensity, which is the highest level available.
Shanghai Lungo Pod
a balanced, intensity level of 5 Lungo capsule that is part of the World Explorations collection.
What Is the Blue Nespresso Pod
Nespresso OriginalLine Blue Pods
Freddo Intenso Espresso Pod
a dark roast espresso pod that is suggested to serve over ice. The blue shade on this pod is darker.
Freddo Delicato Espresso Pod
a medium roast espresso pod, also made to be brewed over ice. The blue shade on the Delicato is a lighter shade.
Palermo Kazaar Espresso Pod
a strong and intense ristretto pod in deep blue color. This pod has intensity level of 12, so it’s not for the faint of heart.
Tokyo Vivalto Lungo
a medium, level 6, Lungo pod.
Indonesia Espresso Pod
a single-origin espresso pod with strong and woody flavor.
Nespresso Vertuo Blue Pods
Odacio Coffee Pod
a bold yet balanced coffee capsule with intensity level of 7.
Diavolitto Espresso Pod
Dark blue espresso pod with an intense flavor and intensity level of 11.
Costa Rica Gran Lungo
a single-origin Gran Lungo pod with a medium intensity.
Ice Leggero Pod
a light double espresso capsule to be brewed over ice for a refreshing iced coffee
Ice Forte Pod
Dark and intense coffee pod to be brewed over ice.
What Is the Black Nespresso Pod
Nespresso OriginalLine Black Pods
Ristretto Italiano Pod
One of Nespresso’s classic pods. It’s a strong and robust tasting risrestto style pod that can also be brewed as espresso. It has level 10 intensity.
The black Nespresso pod with red dot would be the Ristretto Italiano Decaffeinato.
What Do The Squares and Numbers Mean on Nespresso Pods?
If you look at the sleeve, or package of Nespresso pods, you’ll find squares or boxes marked with a number.
What do these mean, exactly?
That would be the Intensity level of said Nespresso pod.
Intensity level is marked from 1 to 13.
Nespresso Barista Creation pods don’t have this intensity level rating on it.
It marks the bitterness or strength as well as roastiness of the coffee pod. So the higher the number, the stronger it tastes and darker the roast is.
Nespresso Intensity vs Caffeine
The level of intensity does not equal to how much caffeine a pod has.
Caffeine is measured by the type of coffee grounds use, its origins and other factors.
A decaf coffee pod can have an intensity level of 11. So it will taste strong and will be dark roasted, but won’t have any caffeine.
Same goes for some milder blends that can have high caffeine content while tasting mild and balanced.
Please refer to my Nespresso caffeine content chart for an idea on how much caffeine each Nespresso pod can have.
Decaf Nespresso Pod Colors
I have a complete guide on Decaf Nespresso pods, what colors they are and how to identify them.
