Capsules · Starbucks

Starbucks by Nespresso: three capsules, honestly

These are the Starbucks-branded capsules made for the Nespresso Original system. I tried the three common ones in the same machine over a week — first as a 40 ml espresso, then as a lungo, all black.

Espresso Roast — the one I'd buy again

Dark, cocoa-ish, thick crema, and it holds up as a lungo without going watery. This is the one that tastes like the box promises. As an espresso it's the closest a Starbucks capsule gets to a proper short black in my kitchen.

House Blend — fine, forgettable

Perfectly drinkable and completely middle-of-the-road. Nothing wrong with it, nothing to say about it. If it's in the cupboard I'll drink it; I wouldn't seek it out.

Pike Place — not for me

Marketed as the smooth everyday medium roast, but through the Original machine it came out flat with a sour finish, especially as it cooled. As a longer cup it thinned out fast. Others clearly love it — the notebook just says I didn't.

Across all three, these capsules are consistent and convenient rather than exciting. The Espresso Roast is the only one that surprised me upward.

Compared with a plain Nespresso "Ristretto" or a good third-party dark capsule, the Espresso Roast holds its own; the other two I'd skip for cheaper options that taste the same.

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