Short answer: insert a green tea capsule and brew for 30 to 45 seconds, much longer than an espresso shot. That one change turns a weak, thin cup into a full, smooth cup of green tea.
Most people use a Nespresso OriginalLine machine only for espresso, so they brew tea the same way and are disappointed. Tea needs more time and more water than coffee. Here is how to get it right, plus a bonus: iced green tea in 2 minutes.
The 30-second trick, step by step
- Warm your cup with a little hot water, then pour it out. Tea stays hot longer.
- Insert a green tea pod compatible with Nespresso OriginalLine machines.
- Brew for 30 to 45 seconds. Use the longer cup setting or program the volume. Your machine's manual explains how.
- Want it stronger? Stop the run a little earlier. Want it lighter? Let it run to the full 45 seconds.
Why the espresso button gives you weak tea
An espresso shot runs for only a few seconds. That is perfect for coffee, but tea leaves need more time and more water to open up and release their flavor. On a short run, you get just a few sips of tea that taste thin. A longer run gives the leaves time to brew a full, balanced cup.
More tips for a better cup
- One capsule per cup. Running the same capsule a second time makes a thin, bitter cup.
- Rinse first if you also make coffee. Run a short cycle with no capsule, so your tea tastes like tea and not like coffee.
- Add lemon or honey, not milk. Green tea has a light, fresh taste that milk tends to cover.
Which machines does this work with?
Nespresso OriginalLine machines. Tea capsules compatible with Nespresso OriginalLine fit and brew like a regular coffee capsule. They do not work in VertuoLine machines, which use a different capsule shape. Not sure which one you have? Read which machines work with tea pods compatible with Nespresso OriginalLine.
Green, jasmine or decaf green?
- Green Tea Pods compatible with Nespresso OriginalLine: 100% green tea, no additives. Clean, fresh and light.
- Jasmine Green Tea Pods compatible with Nespresso OriginalLine: green tea with jasmine petals for a floral aroma and a slightly sweeter finish.
- Decaf Green Tea Pods compatible with Nespresso OriginalLine: smooth green tea with most of the caffeine removed, for an evening cup.
- Decaf Black Tea Pods and Decaf Earl Grey Tea Pods: the classic black tea taste with most of the caffeine removed, for an evening cup.
All three come in packs of 10, 18 or 50 capsules. To try several teas first, start with the Variety Pack or the Decaf Variety Pack.
Bonus: iced green tea in 2 minutes
The same capsules make excellent iced tea, with no kettle and no waiting for tea to cool. Fill a glass with ice, brew one green tea pod straight over it on a slightly shorter run than usual, then top up with cold water. The stronger hot tea chills in seconds and keeps its flavor as the ice melts. Jasmine green tea is especially good iced.
Other teas to try
- Black Tea Pods and English Breakfast Tea Pods: classic, full-bodied black tea.
- Earl Grey Tea Pods: black tea with bergamot.
- Paradise Tea Pods: fruity black tea, great hot or iced.
- Peppermint Tea Pods and Hibiscus Tea Pods: caffeine-free herbal options.
All are compatible with Nespresso OriginalLine machines. See the full collection of tea pods compatible with Nespresso OriginalLine.
Quick answers
Why is my tea from a Nespresso OriginalLine machine weak? The run is too short. Tea capsules need 30 to 45 seconds, much longer than an espresso shot.
Do tea capsules compatible with Nespresso OriginalLine work in VertuoLine machines? No. They fit OriginalLine machines only. See tea pods compatible with Nespresso OriginalLine and VertuoLine machines.
Does green tea have caffeine? Yes, unless it is decaf. A cup of green tea usually has much less caffeine than a cup of coffee.
Can I make iced tea with these capsules? Yes. Brew one pod straight over a glass of ice on a slightly shorter run, then add cold water to taste.
For the full brewing steps, read brewing tea pods compatible with Nespresso OriginalLine.
