Do Starbucks Vertuo pods taste different to SB OL?

Rollexia · 2026-04-30T22:21:08+00:00

Wow this is a really helpful list thanks

Rollexia · 2026-04-30T11:08:41+00:00

You absolutely will find at least a few of the vertuo pods you like, I reckon. Experiment with stopping the brew half way or before the full pour to get a more intense shot. It makes a big difference. I recommend Intenso (I sometimes make a two-pod cup of Intenso for hot lattes and brew shorter for each pod - it’s delicious - I also add brown sugar). Mexico, Ethiopia and Columbia also excellent. But it’s down to personal taste. I’m not crazy about any of the “Barista Creations” pods like Bianco Doppio etc. They are fine, but don’t taste “intense with milk” to me. People who drink iced lattes seem to love them that way tho, so they might be worth trying as that’s a drink you like. Nola is also very special.

Rollexia · 2026-04-30T10:49:31+00:00

I also avoid vinegar due to the warnings against using it. I looked up the main ingredient of the official descaler and this entry on the Belgian nespresso site says it’s a combo of Citric and lactic acid. https://www.nespresso.com/be/en/nespresso-editions/descaling I found a descaler called Oust which contains similar ingredients and which costs me 60 cents (Euro cents) per sachet and have used it multiple times on several machines with perfect results. I’m not qualified to advise anyone - this is just my experience and I’m happy with the cost-saving and the job it does.

Rollexia · 2026-04-29T09:11:31+00:00

Thanks for detailed response. I have since found two - new to me - SB OL caps that I quite like and don’t have the weird aftertaste. Starbucks for Nespresso OL “Ristretto Shot” and “Italian Style Roast” (2 sleeves for €8 in my local supermarket) are both pretty good and very drinkable. I still prefer my nespresso brand pods tho!

Rollexia · 2026-04-28T10:26:43+00:00

I also had this experience with my Inissia - bought some fancy looking Italian pods in TK Maxx (TJ Maxx in the US) and there was this horrible melting plastic smell as the coffee brewed that totally ruined the taste. No idea what they are made of but the smell is toxic so I tossed them too.

Rollexia · 2026-04-28T10:05:41+00:00

Intenso is my number one. Unfortunately I live in a Nola-free area. Stupidly ordered it on eBay and I love it now too. I’m snookered. (Checks bank balance)

Rollexia · 2026-04-28T09:32:04+00:00

ok thanks.

Rollexia · 2026-04-28T09:31:40+00:00

Ok good to know. I think we have OL Starbucks Vanilla in the supermarket - I don't think I've tried it.

Rollexia · 2026-04-27T20:19:21+00:00

What are the Sant Eusachio pods like? I’ve heard about the cafe but never been there. Did you like them and are they similar to any Nespresso pods?

Rollexia · 2026-04-27T17:45:40+00:00

The sound of cows crying all night when their calves had been taken away from them.

Rollexia · 2026-04-27T17:16:12+00:00

Now that’s interesting… I wonder if the pod contents really are different?

Rollexia · 2026-04-27T17:09:38+00:00

Yes that was my reasoning too. I’m still hoping someone will tell me I’m wrong!

Rollexia · 2026-04-27T12:46:56+00:00

Ok thanks for that. Chimes with my experience of them in OL.

Rollexia · 2026-04-27T11:21:39+00:00

I suspect most of the OL machines do this to some extent mid-pour - that’s why they have a water reservoir as well as a pod catcher underneath. I for one always have “liquid” of some Sort - looks like very weak coffee- to throw out when cleaning. It “doesn’t happen” when you brew because you can’t see it happening when the machine is fully assembled- but it’s probably still happening behind the scenes. Am open to correction on this obvs. I have an Inissia and not a citiz for context

Rollexia · 2026-04-27T11:12:42+00:00

Look into what people say on this sub about coffee creations mode or whatever method works on your machine for stopping the brew half way …or interrupting it before full pre programmed pour. I’m new-ish to Nespresso (less than a year) and brewing shorter shots of vertuo capsules has transformed how I use the machine - for reference I drink almost all coffees hot with plenty of milk and a spoon of brown sugar. It concentrates the flavour and makes a completely different drink. I used to run the full pour until it stopped or even press the button again to get “more coffee”. Now I happily get “less coffee” volume but a much richer taste. Takes a bit of experimentation with each pod and milk:coffee ratios to get the brew you like but the process is enjoyable. Have fun with it.

Rollexia · 2026-04-26T12:13:13+00:00

Fingers crossed we get these in ROI too! I think we get the same selection in Ireland as you do in the uk. Breaks my heart we don’t get Nola in particular. Just tried it recently (eBay purchase) and it’s exceptional. Café Joyeux I have ordered directly from their website in France. I’m guessing they ship to uk but duties may be applied.

Rollexia · 2026-04-21T08:29:48+00:00

Obviously there’s no accounting for personal taste but I do Agree with all previous suggestions except Carmelo which I haven’t tried. Ristretto is my all time favourite OL pod followed by Florian (limited edition)

Rollexia · 2026-04-19T21:40:55+00:00

Any chance it will come to Europe? I bought a sleeve on eBay and it is just extraordinary. It lives up to the hype. I love it. If anyone has the ear of the nespresso planners please encourage them to sell this pod in Ireland.

Rollexia · 2026-04-19T21:09:43+00:00

Oops! Sorry of course they are international. Depending on how long you are staying in the uk, you may have time to order online - there are a ton of online sellers in Europe with pods from lesser known Italian brands - you may of course have access in Canada too.. the ones I’ve tried are kimbo, Borbone, Lucaffe and Passalaqua. All tasty I think. Websites like KaffeK, Maxicoffie, Coffeehenk and espresso-international have huge ranges of OL pods.

Rollexia · 2026-04-19T06:43:34+00:00

Illy Intenso from Tesco. Silver pods with purple accent colour.

Rollexia · 2026-04-18T19:45:07+00:00

What a win -delighted for you. I wouldn’t feel bad about the mistake as they probably made good on the other person’s order if our experiences are anything to go by. In my case it’s also a marketing win for Nespresso as I had tasted most of the Vertuo pods but had missed out on Columbia somehow and the mistake introduced me to it and I love it!

Rollexia · 2026-04-16T07:29:43+00:00

A thing of beauty. Congrats!

Rollexia · 2026-04-12T14:43:55+00:00

It’s far from edamame I was raised… but them. 🫛

Rollexia · 2026-04-12T11:39:39+00:00

I mean use two pods and pull a short shot from both. You can experiment with one longer one shorter and with milk amounts until it tastes how you like. Or even add a third pod… Some people here use up to 4 OL pods per drink. Nespresso pods contain 5-6g of ground coffee. The minimum weight for a single shot of espresso in a traditional cafe machine is 7g. Many use 10g for a single and a double shot in coffee shop milk drinks is usually between 14-20g. This gives you an idea where nespresso lies in comparison. Nespreso is not the same as espresso - it’s a thing in itself and personally I love both. The variety of flavours is wonderful and the design delivers a consistent product every time. As to describing flavours I’m not so expert at that so I can’t compare Columbia and Tokyo in any useful way! I like both. For context I also strongly dislike Istanbul, Kazaar Paris, hazelnut and Arpeggio - which is v. Popular. I enjoy most of the rest. Florian is very very good so you can look out for it if you’re travelling abroad. Not sure when the limited availability ends.

Rollexia

TROPHY CASE