Nespresso, the popular brand owned by Nestle for single-serve coffee pods, offers over 30 varieties of their OriginalLine and VertuoLine coffees to customers worldwide. With such an extensive selection to choose from, Nespresso caters to a wide range of coffee drinkers and their diverse taste preferences. One coffee drink that has grown tremendously in popularity over the last decade is the flat white. So does Nespresso have a pre-made pod that can be used to make this espresso-based milk drink? Let’s take a closer look at what exactly a flat white is and the Nespresso offerings that come close to replicating this coffeehouse favorite.
What is a Flat White?
A flat white is a coffee drink that originated from Australia and New Zealand in the 1980s. It has grown popular in specialty coffee shops around the world, including in the United States and United Kingdom. The key characteristics of a flat white include:
- Made with espresso: A flat white features a double shot of espresso, making it more intense and concentrated than a latte.
- Smaller in volume: It typically contains 150-180ml of total liquid.
- Milkier than a cappuccino: A flat white has more steamed milk than foam, resulting in a thinner layer of microfoam on top.
- Greater coffee to milk ratio: A standard flat white uses a double ristretto shot of espresso and about 150ml of steamed milk, resulting in a coffee forward taste.
In summary, a flat white showcases espresso with just enough fresh steamed milk to allow its bold characteristics to shine through. The milk provides a silky texture while cutting down on the acidity of the espresso. The small portion size also keeps the drink from becoming diluted.
Nespresso Capsules Similar to Flat White
When examining the Nespresso OriginalLine and VertuoLine pods, there are a few varieties that can be used to produce a coffee experience resembling a flat white:
Ristretto
The Ristretto capsule is the closest Nespresso pod for making a flat white. Ristretto refers to an espresso made with half the water, producing a more concentrated shot of coffee. This works well as the espresso base of a flat white drink. The Ristretto capsule is available for both OriginalLine and VertuoLine brewers.
Intenso
The Intenso capsule could also be suitable for a flat white style coffee. It provides a bold, intense espresso with depth and toasted notes. Intenso is offered for both the Original and Vertuo systems.
Altissio
The Altissio capsule produces an espresso with rich amber and cereal notes. It provides a full-bodied mouthfeel and crema. The intensity of Altissio makes it another potential capsule for approximating a flat white. It is available for OriginalLine brewers.
Diavolitto
Diavolitto is one of the strongest blends from Nespresso, offering an intense espresso with woody notes. For those who like robust coffee, Diavolitto could be used as the espresso base of a homemade flat white drink when using an OriginalLine machine.
In addition to using one of these capsules, to get the real flat white experience, you would need to use fresh cold milk that is steamed until silky smooth. The milk should have a glossy appearance rather than dry, thick foam.
Does Nespresso Make a Pre-Made Flat White Pod?
At this time, Nespresso does not offer a pre-made flat white coffee pod itself. However, in 2016 Nespresso launched a special edition Flat White Over Ice capsule. This was a limited offering made in partnership with coffee expert World Barista Champion James Hoffman. The goal was to create a chilled coffee drink that resembled a flat white in flavor profile and texture.
While Nespresso currently does not have a permanent flat white pod variety, they do offer guidance on how to make flat white style coffees at home using their system. On their official blog The Nespresso Club, they provide a flat white coffee recipe using the following steps:
- Fill the milk jug with fresh cold milk to the level for a single cup
- With the Aeroccino switched on, gently plunge the frothing nozzle below the milk surface until the jug base feels warm
- Lower the nozzle beneath the surface and tilt the jug to create a whirlpool effect until milk is smooth and silky
- Pour milk into a pre-heated cup and add espresso on top
- For the espresso, use a Ristretto, Intenso or other intense capsule
- Enjoy your homemade Nespresso flat white!
Following this method allows you to manually steam and foam milk to the ideal consistency for a flat white. By pairing it with one of Nespresso’s bold espresso blends, you can come quite close to replicating the coffee shop experience.
Nespresso Flat White Pod in the Future?
While there is no official flat white pod currently available from Nespresso, it’s certainly possible they could add one to their lineup in the future based on consumer demand. As the flat white coffee continues growing in popularity globally, Nespresso may decide to produce their own proprietary capsule to quickly and easily make this drink at home.
Nespresso frequently innovates by releasing limited edition capsules and adding new permanent options based on coffee and flavor trends. For example, over the past few years they have added pods like Coconut Flavor Over Ice and Melozio Decaffeinato to expand their range. Therefore, a flat white pod could potentially join the Nespresso ranks down the line.
In the meantime, Nespresso drinkers looking for a flat white experience can follow the recipe guidelines using existing capsules. While not an exact replica, it allows you to modify the milk frothing and espresso blend to achieve a flat white-style coffee.
Other Brands With Flat White Pods
Although Nespresso itself does not currently sell a flat white coffee pod, there are other coffee brands and companies that do produce single-serve flat white capsules compatible with Nespresso machines. Here are a few options:
| Brand | Flat White Product |
|---|---|
| Starbucks | Starbucks Flat White Espresso Pods |
| Lavazza | Lavazza Flat White Capsules |
| Gloria Jeans | Gloria Jeans Flat White Coffee Pods |
| Cafe Barbera | Barbera Flat White Coffee Pods |
These flat white pod options are designed to be used in Nespresso OriginalLine brewers. By purchasing from one of these brands, you can enjoy a pre-made flat white coffee utilizing your Nespresso machine. The pods handle the espresso extraction and milk frothing in one step.
How Do Flat White Pods Compare to Making It Fresh?
The convenience of having ready-to-brew flat white coffee pods is appealing to many Nespresso owners. However, there are some disadvantages compared to making a fresh flat white yourself:
- Less control over milk texture: Pre-made pods contain powdered or condensed milk rather than freshly steamed milk.
- Espresso taste may differ: Espresso in pods can’t be adjusted, unlike Tailoring your own ristretto or intenso shot.
- Higher cost per serving: Pods are more expensive than buying your own coffee and milk.
- More packaging waste: Individual plastic pods generate more trash than reusable coffee beans.
Ultimately, the pod approach sacrifices some quality and sustainability for a quicker and simpler flat white experience. Freshly crafting your own allows you to fine-tune the drink exactly how you like it.
Pros of Freshly Made Flat Whites
- Control milk texture and temperature
- Choose your own espresso capsule, amount of coffee, etc.
- Fresher taste with whole milk and freshly extracted espresso
- More environmentally friendly and less packaging waste
- Less expensive per cup
Pros of Pre-Made Flat White Pods
- Convenient, no milk frothing required
- Easy, clean, and fast preparation
- Consistent flavor in every cup
- Great option for busy mornings
- No need to buy milk separately
Weighing these pros and cons can help you decide whether pre-made pods or a homemade flat white is the better choice based on your priorities, schedule, and preferences.
How to Get the Best Flat White at Home
For those willing to put in a little extra effort, preparing a flat white from scratch can really pay off in terms of quality and customization. Here are some tips for getting cafe-style flat white results using your Nespresso machine:
- Use fresh whole milk – Avoid ultrapasteurized or nonfat milk since the proteins won’t foam well. Whole milk steams best.
- Steam milk properly – Use a thermometer and stop heating before 170°F. Spinning the milk creates silky microfoam.
- Extract a double ristretto – Pull a concentrated espresso shot for a stronger base flavor.
- Preheat equipment – Heat the portafilter, espresso cups, and milk pitcher for best results.
- Pour espresso first – Let the crema bloom before gently pouring over the steamed milk.
With the right techniques and some practice, you can become your own barista and make coffeehouse quality flat whites using your Nespresso machine. The ability to fine-tune every step to your taste gives you maximum control over this specialty drink.
Conclusion
While Nespresso does not currently produce their own flat white coffee pod, they offer guidance for making flat white-style drinks using existing capsules like Ristretto and Intenso. Pre-made flat white pods are also available from other brands compatible with Nespresso OriginalLine brewers. However, to get the true flat white experience of rich espresso complemented by silky steamed milk, your best bet is to craft it fresh at home. With the right tools, milk frothing skills, and recipe, you can make cafe-worthy flat whites from your Nespresso machine.