Nespresso Original versus Nespresso Vertuo: What's the difference and how to choose?

Summary

In this video, Erin from TechGadgetsCanada compares Nespresso's Original and Vertuo lines, focusing on convenience and coffee variety. The Original line excels in espresso and offers a wider pod selection, while the Vertuo line, introduced in 2014, caters to North American tastes with a range of coffee sizes, including regular coffee. Vertuo's barcoded pods allow for customizable drink sizes and temperatures, aiming for a less bitter taste. Both systems provide crema, but Vertuo's dissipates quicker. Erin suggests the Original line for espresso lovers and Vertuo for those seeking versatility in coffee styles.

Takeaways

• ☕ Nespresso machines offer a convenient coffee solution using special coffee pods for espresso-based drinks.
• 🌐 The original and Vertuo lines are compared side by side for their differences and capabilities.
• 📦 Original line pods are smaller and designed for espresso, while Vertuo pods are larger and can make various coffee sizes including regular coffee.
• 🔑 Vertuo pods have special barcodes that carry instructions for coffee extraction, allowing for a variety of drink sizes.
• 🥛 None of the Vertuo models come with built-in milk frothers, unlike some original line machines.
• 🌟 The original line has a wider selection of capsules available, including reusable ones, while Vertuo capsules are exclusive to Nespresso.
• 🍂 Both machines produce crema, but Vertuo capsules are said to produce a thicker layer that dissipates quickly.
• 🚀 Despite the tech-savvy feel of the Vertuo line, both use the same 19 bars of pressure for extraction.
• ⏱️ The original line tends to brew faster, likely due to the smaller drink sizes.
• 🌡️ The Vertuo line uses a slightly lower temperature for brewing to reduce bitterness and enhance flavor.
• 💭 The choice between original and Vertuo lines depends on personal preference for espresso or regular coffee and desired features.

Q & A

What is the primary difference between Nespresso's Original and Vertuo lines?

The main difference is that the Original line primarily uses small, narrow pods for espresso-based drinks, while the Vertuo line offers a wider range of pod sizes and is designed to brew both espresso and regular coffees.

Do both Nespresso Original and Vertuo machines allow for customization of drink size?

Yes, both the Nespresso Original and Vertuo machines let you permanently alter the drink size to your tastes, with the Vertuo pods also having special barcodes that can be reprogrammed for different drink sizes.

Which Nespresso line offers machines with built-in milk frothers?

The Nespresso Original line offers machines with built-in milk frothers, while none of the Vertuo models come with this feature.

How does the availability of capsules differ between the Nespresso Original and Vertuo lines?

The Nespresso Original line has a bigger selection of capsules and can be found practically everywhere, even in reusable forms. Vertuo capsules are only available from Nespresso due to their proprietary barcode requirement.

What is the significance of the crema in Nespresso coffee?

Crema is a layer of foam on top of the coffee, which many coffee enthusiasts appreciate for its aesthetic and taste. Both Nespresso Original and Vertuo machines produce crema, with some suggesting that Vertuo capsules produce a thicker layer.

Does the brewing pressure differ between Nespresso Original and Vertuo machines?

No, both Nespresso Original and Vertuo machines use the same amount of pressure to extract the coffee, which is generally 19 bars.

Why does the Vertuo line use a slightly lower temperature for brewing coffee?

The Vertuo line uses a slightly lower temperature to reduce bitterness and acrid taste, aiming for a more flavorful and less bitter brew.

What is the general brew time difference between Nespresso Original and Vertuo machines?

The Nespresso Original line tends to produce faster brew times, likely due to the smaller drink sizes it typically creates compared to the Vertuo line.

What factors should one consider when choosing between Nespresso Original and Vertuo machines?

One should consider their primary coffee preference (espresso vs. regular coffee), the importance of milk frothing capabilities, the variety in capsule selection, and personal taste preferences regarding crema and coffee temperature.

Where can viewers find more detailed comparisons and reviews of Nespresso machines?

Viewers can find more detailed comparisons and reviews on techgadgetscanada.com or by exploring the TechGadgetsCanada channel for additional machine reviews.

Outlines

00:00

😎 Nespresso Machine Comparison: Original vs. Virtuo

Erin from TechGadgetsCanada.com explores the differences between Nespresso's Original and Virtuo lines. The Original line focuses on espresso-based drinks using small, narrow pods, while the Virtuo line, introduced in 2014, caters to North American preferences with a broader range of coffee sizes, including regular coffee. The Virtuo pods are wider and round, with barcodes that carry specific extraction instructions, allowing for a variety of drink sizes. Both systems allow for permanent alteration of drink size, but the Original line offers more capsule choices and even the option to fill reusable capsules. The video also discusses the lack of built-in milk frothers in the Virtuo line, compared to some Original models, and the different crema and brewing pressure characteristics of each system.

05:01

🌡 Brew Temperature and Personal Preference in Nespresso Machines

The second paragraph delves into the brewing temperature and personal taste preferences for Nespresso coffee. While the Original line uses boiling water, which can lead to bitterness, the Virtuo line employs a slightly lower temperature to reduce bitterness and enhance flavor. Despite this, Erin found some Virtuo roasts still tasted bitter, suggesting individual taste preferences play a significant role. The paragraph concludes with advice on which Nespresso line to choose based on one's coffee drinking habits, with the Original line recommended for espresso enthusiasts and the Virtuo line for those seeking versatility in coffee styles. Erin invites viewers to share their experiences and preferences in the comments and directs them to TechGadgetsCanada.com for a detailed write-up and further discussion.

Keywords

💡Nespresso Original Line

The Nespresso Original Line is a coffee machine system that uses small, narrow pods to brew espresso-based drinks. In the video, it is positioned as the better option for those who mainly want espresso or espresso-based beverages, offering a wider selection of pods and milk frothing capabilities.

💡Nespresso Vertuo Line

The Nespresso Vertuo Line is another system from Nespresso designed to brew both espresso and full-sized coffee. It uses special pods with barcodes that guide the brewing process. This line is more suitable for coffee drinkers who want versatility in their drink choices, from single espresso shots to large mugs of coffee.

💡Espresso

Espresso is a concentrated coffee brewed by forcing a small amount of nearly boiling water through finely-ground coffee beans. The video discusses both Nespresso systems as capable of making espresso, with the Original Line being more focused on espresso-based drinks.

💡Coffee Pods

Coffee pods are single-use containers of ground coffee used in coffee machines. The video compares the Original Line’s smaller, uniform pods designed for espresso to the Vertuo Line’s larger, varied pods, which come with barcodes for customized brewing.

💡Milk Frother

A milk frother is a device that foams milk, used to make creamy, textured milk for drinks like lattes or cappuccinos. The video highlights that only the Original Line offers machines with built-in milk frothers, such as the Latissima 1, making it ideal for those who enjoy milk-based espresso drinks.

💡Barcoded Pods

Barcoded pods are a key feature of the Nespresso Vertuo Line, as they have embedded barcodes that provide specific brewing instructions to the machine. This ensures precise extraction for various coffee sizes and styles, making the brewing process nearly foolproof.

💡Brew Pressure

Brew pressure refers to the amount of pressure applied during the brewing process to extract flavors from coffee. Both Nespresso systems use 19 bars of pressure, which is standard for making high-quality espresso. The video mentions this to debunk any myths about the Vertuo Line having a higher pressure.

💡Crema

Crema is the foamy layer that forms on top of an espresso shot due to the emulsification of coffee oils. Both the Original and Vertuo machines produce crema, though the video notes that the Vertuo’s crema is thicker but tends to dissipate quickly due to the machine's spinning process.

💡Drink Size Customization

Drink size customization allows users to adjust the amount of coffee brewed to match their preferences. Although Vertuo pods come with pre-set barcoded instructions, the video explains that both the Original and Vertuo systems allow for permanent customization of drink sizes.

💡Brewing Temperature

Brewing temperature is the heat level at which coffee is brewed. The video explains that the Vertuo Line brews at a slightly lower temperature to avoid bitterness, in contrast to the higher temperatures traditionally used for brewing, which can sometimes result in a bitter taste.

Highlights

Nespresso machines use special coffee pods for espresso-based drinks.

The Virtuo line was launched to appeal to North American coffee drinkers.

Original pods are small and come in one size for espresso.

Virtual pods are larger and can vary in height, offering five drink sizes.

Virtual pods have barcodes for specific extraction instructions.

Both lines allow permanent alteration of drink size to taste.

Original line machines often include built-in milk frothers.

Original line has a wider selection of capsules and reusable options.

Virtual capsules are only available from Nespresso due to the barcode requirement.

Both machines produce crema, with Virtuo pods potentially creating a thicker layer.

Brewing pressure is the same at 19 bars for both lines.

Original line tends to produce coffee faster due to smaller drink sizes.

Virtual line uses a slightly lower temperature for brewing to reduce bitterness.

The choice between Original and Virtuo lines depends on personal coffee preferences.

Original machines are recommended for those who mainly want espresso.

Virtuo machines are recommended for regular coffee drinkers who also want espresso options.

The video provides a detailed comparison and practical advice on choosing between the two Nespresso lines.

Transcripts

if you're considering a more convenient

coffee solution you're likely looking

into nespresso machines i'm erin from

techgadgetscanada.com and these machines

use special coffee pods to create a

variety of espresso-based drinks and

some will also make regular coffee

but what is the difference between these

two systems and which one is ultimately

better i went hands on with both the

original line and the virtual line to

try them out side by side to see i'll be

comparing the nespresso virtuo next by

delonghi to the nespresso delonghi

latissima 1 here in this video but i've

reviewed many more models as well head

over to

techgadgetscanada.com or surf the

channel here to see more machine reviews

both machines make espresso but the

virtual line is designed to also brew

regular coffees in the same machine

nespresso launched the virtuo line in

about 2014 as a way to lure more north

american coffee drinkers who i guess are

less about espressos than they are about

full-sized coffees and maybe the odd

double-double first let's look at the

difference in pods the original pods on

the left there are small and narrow and

come in just one size since they're

really just meant for espresso well the

virtual pods on the right are wide and

round and may differ in height depending

on what's inside with an original pod

you can make espresso double espresso or

add water for an americano virtual pods

have special barcodes on the pod that

carry specific instructions for how each

coffee is to be extracted the virtual

lineup offers drinks in five sizes from

a single espresso to a double a five

ounce grand luango or americano a eight

ounce mug coffee and right up to a 14

ounce alto coffee now you can make a

bigger coffee with an original pod by

adding more water but it's obviously

more diluted something you don't get

with the virtual machine now with that

said both the nespresso original and

virtual machines let you permanently

alter the drink size to your tastes yes

even the nespresso virtual capsules with

that special barcode can be easily

reprogrammed to make the drink you want

i've got videos here on the channel

that'll show you how to do that for both

types of machines

let's move on to another differentiator

milk or no milk

one of the key differences between these

two setups is that none of the virtual

models here come with built-in milk

frothers while the nespresso original

does offer machines that'll handle the

milk much like the automatic latissima

machine right here

when it comes to choice and availability

the nespresso original line seems to

have a bigger selection of capsules and

because the patent on the capsules has

expired from what i've read about them

you can get them practically everywhere

and even fill reusable capsules with

your own coffee

virtual capsules by contrast are only

available from nespresso because they

need that proprietary barcode to be

recognized by the virtual machine

crema is a hot word in coffee circles

both the original and virtual machines

and their coffee pods give you a

beautiful crema on top of the coffee and

the espresso which a lot of folks really

love some say the virtuo nespresso

capsules produce a thicker layer of

crema and i guess i could say that's

true but it does begin to dissipate

almost immediately you can almost see

the little bubbles bursting and i think

that's because all that foam is mainly

the product of all of the air in the

spinning process

for me i guess i'd rather have a better

coffee than a taller coffee foam so i'm

not as wowed by that feature personally

brewing pressure is another hot topic

since that helps make a creamier drink

despite the seeming higher end feel and

more tech smarts i guess you could say

of the virtuo experience the virtual

machines use exactly the same amount of

pressure to extract the coffee as the

original line does you can generally

expect 19 bars of pressure from both

sets of machines

when it comes to brew time perhaps not

surprising but the original lineup tends

to produce faster results this is

probably though because the original

lime drinks tend to be smaller let's

talk temperature coffee should be hot

right

not so fast we tend to brew our coffee

with boiling water since the temperature

can help extract the flavors and the

coffee oils a little easier but very hot

water can actually contribute to making

coffee bitter you're probably familiar

with cold brew coffee which essentially

replaces heat with time letting the

ground coffee sit in cold water for up

to 24 hours to extract those same

flavors without the bitterness and that

acrid taste

for that reason the virtual line uses a

slightly lower temperature when making

coffee and here all those rotations help

to saturate the grounds faster and

better so i guess not as much heat is

needed now for some people this is a

problem coffee that comes out of the

machine at any temperature other than

volcanic may not be as enjoyable i guess

your temperature and taste preferences

are probably very individual so whether

a slightly cooler or more flavorful and

less bitter brew will be as enjoyable

for you

is definitely a matter of taste for me i

found there were still some virtual

coffee roasts that did taste bitter to

me and at the same time i didn't really

notice a huge difference in the

temperature

so which to choose the original or the

slightly more advanced virtual line in

my opinion you should buy an espresso

original machine if you want it mainly

for espresso or espresso based drinks

you'll pay less for the machine and the

nespresso capsules overall and you'll

have way more espresso pod choices

buy a nespresso virtuo machine if you're

more of a coffee drinker a regular

coffee drinker and you also want the

option of making espresso and that

coffee from the same machine

with the barcoded capsule brewing system

the virtual line makes brewing any style

and size of drink pretty much fool proof

but like i said it is adjustable for me

though since i mainly want it for

espresso i'm going to stick with my

nespresso original machine but i think

both of these systems do have their

benefits the choice is ultimately up to

you i would love though to hear which

line you chose or are thinking of

choosing and why so please share your

story in comments below

if you want to read up on what i've

talked about here this comparison or

reference anything that's been in this

video head over to techgadgetscanada.com

where i've got a full write-up posted

you can also post your questions there

or as always here on the channel

did this video help you if so please

mash that like button and hit me with a

sub as the kids say that means subscribe

i'm erin thanks so much for watching

this video until the next time you can

find me on either twitter or instagram

i'm at aaronlyc you can also always

reach me through facebook at

facebook.com techgadgetscanada