Nespresso's Vertuo line offers a huge range of drink sizes at the touch of a button. Its smart tech automatically adjusts dispensing time depending on your pod of choice, extracting the ideal amount of coffee for the size and roast of your Nespresso capsule automatically.
But I often find myself wanting to override all that smart tech. Whether I have some XL pods lying around, but really want an iced latte, or I've discovered a new favorite Nespresso flavor, but it's not available in the size of my favorite mug, there are plenty of reasons why you might want to simply default to an espresso size brew.
It's a hidden feature, but your Nespresso machine may well allow you to override its pre-set dosing, and ever since I discovered it, it's virtually all I used.
The setting is called "Expert Mode", and it's available on a selection of Vertuo machines. Here's how it works.
How the Nespresso Expert Mode works
If you have a compatible machine, all you need to do to activate Expert Mode is allow the machine to heat up, and then double-press the brew button.
When you do this, the button should flash blue, which indicates that you've successfully switched the setting on.
From there, your machine will brew a more concentrated shot of your pod automatically.
This is especially ideal for the summer months, where you may want to enjoy an espresso-based iced coffee but find yourself stuck with oversized pods that brew a long, hot mug of Joe.
It also brews a more concentrated drink by default, which is a win for those who need a strong coffee to kickstart their morning.
What size will it brew?
The size of the drink your machine will brew in Expert Mode is still dependent on the size of the pod you've used.
According to Nespresso, the setting is designed for those who want to pair their favorite blends with milk-based drinks like latte or cappuccinos. That means it will brew a smaller shot of coffee in order to leave room in your mug for some steamed milk.
The pod will brew as follows:
- Espresso becomes Ristretto
- Double Espresso becomes Espresso
- Gran Lungo becomes Espresso
- Mug becomes Double Espresso
Will this work on my machine?
If you have a Nespresso Original machine, the answer is no. These machines will only brew a single or double shot as standard, but some do allow you to change the dose size depending on your preferences.
But if you have a Nespresso Vertuo machine, your machine probably will work with Expert Mode. Expert Mode is available on the following machines:
- Nespresso Vertuo Pop
- Nespresso Vertuo Next
- Nespresso Vertuo Creatista
- Nespresso Vertuo Lattissima
The only Vertuo machine it won't work on is the Nespresso Vertuo Plus (pictured above), which is the brand's earliest iteration of its Vertuo line, and doesn't come with the more up-to-date settings.
Did you know about this extra Nespresso feature?
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