I hope you’ve been reading the Nespresso Vertuo coffee pod reviews I’ve been sharing. If you are here for the first time, please join me on the journey of various tastes and flavor profiles of coffee pods that are compatible with the Nespresso Vertuo coffee machine – my latest coffee crush.
In today’s review, I will talk about how Nespresso Intenso differs from the other coffee pods of the same brand, its intensity, flavor profile, and key features that make it stand out from the rest.
So, let’s grab a cup of coffee and walk into the dark and deep world of Nespresso Intenso!
What is Nespresso Intenso?
Nespresso Intenso is one of the strongest coffee capsules offered by the brand. You can use it with a Nespresso VertuoLine coffee makers. The deep and dense coffee pod gives you a whole mug of coffee with a rich taste and aroma.
Nespresso Double Espresso Chiaro pods are available both in a 10-capsule sleeve and in a pack of 30 capsules.
My Nespresso Vertuo Next automatically recognized the Intenso pod and brewed a 7.77 oz (230 ml) mug of coffee. I knew this would a whole mug of coffee so I placed a my regular coffee mug under the nozzle.
Check out the photo below to see what happened!
As you can see the mug was filled to the brim. Somehow I didn’t realize that it would be so much coffee.
I wanted to add a splash of milk to my coffee so I had to drink a few sips before I could even do it.
The Intenso coffee is packaged in a recyclable aluminum capsule to preserve its freshness and flavor. Each capsule contains 12.5 grams of roast and ground coffee, which is just the right amount for brewing a mug of coffee.
Nespresso Intenso Flavor Profile
You can literally taste and smell the layers of flavor of Nespresso Intenso. The blend of Arabica and Robusta beans gives Nespresso Intenso its depth and complexity. The boldness of the dark Robusta beans from Nicaragua balances the sweetness of the Arabica beans from Latin America. The result is a round and roasted flavor profile.
The heavy roasted notes are accentuated by the brown sugar and chocolatey notes, giving a hint of caramel and cocoa flavor to your cup of coffee.
The strong aroma of the coffee fills the room, the thick crema gives you a loaded mouthfeel, and the taste lingers on your tongue.
Nespresso Intenso Caffeine Content
One portion of coffee made with a Nespresso Intenso capsule contains about 195 milligrams of caffeine. This is about two times the amount that you would have in an average 8–ounce cup of coffee.
I had my first Intenso coffee in an afternoon when I was a bit tired and needed an energy boost to continue working efficiently. As you might have guessed, this coffee delivered!
I can say that Nespresso Intenso coffee does not only taste strong but it also delivers a nice caffeine kick that is sure put some pep on your step.
Nespresso Intenso Features
Each Nespresso Vertuo coffee has numerous interesting features that give it a unique flavor and aroma. Some of these characteristics, like bitterness and acidity, are indicated in the package. Yet, it might not always be clear what they mean so below I will explain all about them.
Now it’s time to take a closer look at the Nespresso Intenso features and find out if it suits your taste.
Origin
Nespresso Intenso is made from rare Robusta beans from Nicaragua and Arabica beans from Latin America.
Bitterness
The Nespresso Intenso has a bitterness rating of 4 out of 5, due to the dark roast that enhances the bitter notes in the coffee.
I didn’t find the bitterness overpowering but I still prefer adding some full cream milk to my cup of Intenso to smooth things out a bit.
Acidity
The acidity level in Nespresso Intenso is low — 1 out of 5. Thus, there is no sharpness or tartness in the coffee.
Roast Level
The roast level of Nespresso Intenso is 5 out of 5 making it a very dark roast. The beans are split-roast to retain the distinct flavors and aroma of the two bean types and ensure that you get the lingering aftertaste.
While the Nicaraguan coffee is given a lengthier roast to enhance the robust and bitter flavors of the Robusta coffee beans, the Arabicas are given a darker roast to reduce acidity and bring out that brown sugar scent.
Body
Made for a full-bodied experience, the Nespresso Intenso has a full 5/5 score. The rich mouthfeel comes not only from the thick crema but also from the dark roasted Nicaraguan beans that lend the coffee its full-bodied taste.
Intensity
Nespresso Intenso has an intensity score of 9 out of 13. Thus, it is on the stronger side of the intensity scale.
For more on the intensity scale, you can refer to my review of Nespresso Il Caffè.
Finish
The initial sip provides a strong kick of bitterness that quickly turns into a rich and roasted taste. The sharpness of brown sugar caramel notes follows, with a lingering aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans and cocoa.
Portion Size
Nespresso Intenso is for a lingering coffee experience and is best served in a 230 ml or 7.7 oz mug.
Price
The price of a Nespresso Itenso coffee pod is $1.25 per pod or $12.50 per sleeve in the US. The exact price differs in each country.
Nespresso Intenso Review Conclusion
As the name suggests, Nespresso Intenso is for coffee enthusiasts who enjoy a long black with a robust and intense taste. If you are looking for a full-bodied coffee experience, it’s the right choice.
I was looking for a full mug of strong and dark roasted coffee and the Intenso fully delivered!
Every mug packs in an intense flavor laced with brown caramel and cocoa notes to heighten the taste of your coffee. And if you are like me and want to add some milk, go ahead for a velvety-rich experience.
If you prefer milder coffee flavors this is not your cup. Instead, I recommend that you try Nespresso Chiaro for a milder and more balanced flavor profile.
Looking for something specifically designed for making a cappuccino or latte?
Check out my review of Nespresso Bianco Doppio coffee.