There are a few different ways to incorporate seasonal flavors into your latte, regardless of your preferred Nespresso pod. Everyone loves Nespresso for the ease it provides for your daily brew, but who’s to say your Nespresso machine can’t also make a delicious seasonal coffee that’s perfect for springtime?
As a former barista who has tested a lot of Nespresso pods, I can tell you that if there’s a way to make your latte taste like spring, I’ve tried it. To make your next cup of Nespresso feel a little more seasonal, I’ve compiled a list of some unusual ingredients. To ensure that you’re selecting the Nespresso pod that’s ripe for the season, I’ve also put together a list of suggestions for which pods go best with these enjoyable springtime beverages. Don’t be scared to use your imagination and combine these ingredient selections with any Nespresso pod!
Matcha is the perfect addition to your espresso
The idea behind a “dirty matcha” is straightforward: matcha, milk, and a shot (or perhaps several shots) of your preferred espresso. You may already enjoy a traditional matcha latte, but have you ever heard of one? To be honest, matcha pairs well with almost all coffees. Even fruitier and more floral coffees add a brightness and sweetness to the tea that is difficult not to love, despite matcha’s grassy and herbal flavor.
This is one of the easiest ways to spice up your morning Nespresso with a little spring flair. Matcha will complement almost any pod well; however, to avoid overpowering the matcha flavor in the latte, you may want to start with a medium roast. It will also give your coffee a delightfully refreshing, vegetal taste of spring. I suggest incorporating unsweetened, unadulterated matcha powder into your beverage. Although you can add brown sugar or simple syrup to sweeten it later, traditional matcha has the best flavor.
Matcha milk should be added first, followed by a little extra milk for a gradient color, and finally, your Nespresso (either lungo or espresso works best in this situation) to finish off your latte like a pro. This will look best with ice, but why not use a hot dirty matcha instead? It’s not the most eye-catching name, but it tastes great regardless.
Use lavender for a floral flavor
A lavender latte is a classic seasonal menu item; almost every upscale local coffee shop will have a lavender concoction on its menu for spring. Lavender is actually quite simple to add to any kind of coffee or espresso beverage if you want to create the same floral vibes at home.
A lavender latte isn’t made with actual lavender flowers, but you are welcome to use them as a pretty garnish because most lavender is edible. But if you want to get that traditional lavender taste, you should look for lavender syrup. In this situation, simple syrup will work well. The amount of syrup you want in your coffee really depends on your personal preferences; start with one or two pumps and work your way up. If you need to add a bit more syrup than usual to taste lavender, don’t be shocked because it can be a rather subtle flavor.
Lavender is a very simple addition to floral, earthy, or nutty coffees. Personally, I would suggest a medium roast or blonde to avoid overpowering the flavor of the delicate flower. Even the Sweet Vanilla pod from Nespresso would make a delicious flavor combination.
Add fresh honey to sweeten things up
Although honey is typically thought of as a warm winter flavor, it takes on a completely different vibe when combined with summery flavors and iced lattes. To make it easier to blend with the rest of your coffee, you can use honey syrup, but pure honey will always have the fullest, richest flavor. To ensure the honey is evenly distributed by the hot coffee, place it at the bottom of the glass you intend to use before pulling your Nespresso shot. Honey can always be used to make iced coffee, but keep in mind that it will solidify once it gets cold, so dissolve the honey in your hot espresso shot before adding ice.
My best recommendation for incorporating honey into your springtime latte is to purchase honey locally from a nearby honey vendor or local farmers market. In addition to having access to a far wider range of honey flavors for your coffee, such as clover, orange blossom, and even chocolate, you will also be able to help the bees in your community. I enjoy experimenting with different honey combinations with coffee. For example, it would be a lot of fun to pair chocolate honey with Nespresso’s Rich Chocolate or Golden Caramel pods, or orange blossom honey with Orange Blossom and Citrus or Solelio for a delightfully sweet and sunny combination.
Coconut syrup will transform any drink
Your favorite Nespresso can be transformed into a coffee that’s ideal for both spring and summer with the help of coconut syrup. If you want the strongest coconut flavor, I always suggest using coconut syrup instead of coconut milk. This kind of syrup is sweet, earthy, and beachy. If you want to achieve a very subtle coconut flavor that is also rich and creamy, coconut milk is a good option. However, many coconut syrups also add a lot of sweetness and sugar that is more associated with coconut flavoring than actual coconut. You can also sprinkle toasted coconut flakes over your Nespresso latte for a little crunch.
With coconut syrup, lighter roasts are always preferred. A coffee should be nutty, sweet, fruity, caramel-flavored, or bitter-free. For instance, Nespresso’s Alto Ambrato has hints of honey and caramel, along with minimal acidity and a slight bitterness. Another option for a dash of coconut syrup is Bianco Doppio, a mild Nespresso pod that tastes like cereal and rich milk.
White chocolate is ideal for spring
White chocolate is more commonly found on coffee shop menus in the spring and summer, whereas dark chocolate is regarded as a more wintery addition. Compared to milk or dark chocolate, it is lighter and airier, but it still tastes rich and creamy like dark chocolate syrups. You can use white chocolate as a syrup or stir it directly into your latte. For a really rich, smooth finish, I personally suggest adding a tiny bit of premium white chocolate and stirring it in.
White chocolate works well for adding sweetness to dark roast Nespresso pods or iced lattes. White Chocolate and Strawberry, for instance, already has that essential rich and sweet white chocolate flavor you should seek in a good pairing. Nespresso’s menu of limited-edition pods that go well with white chocolate also offers delectable springtime variations. White chocolate, on the other hand, can enhance the richness and creaminess of a brew like Nespresso’s traditional Arpeggio if you prefer strong, dark coffees.
Simply place a square (or two) of white chocolate in the bottom of your glass before brewing your Nespresso to ensure an even distribution. The beauty of the crema will be ruined if you mix the chocolate into your coffee after it has finished brewing.