I didn't think the white chocolate and strawberry coffee would work, but the new Nespresso capsules surprised me.

Fruity coffees are experiencing a rise in popularity, not just because of the beans that showcase hints of cherry or blackcurrant through careful roasting, but also due to those that directly incorporate fruit. A fascinating example I tried recently was a double fermentation coffee, where coffee cherries ripen alongside passion fruit before being processed. This technique allows the flavor of the passion fruit to infuse into the beans, resulting in a delicious drink, especially when prepared cold overnight and served over ice. Although some consider it a gimmick, to me, it’s simply tasty.

Nespresso has also jumped on this trend with a new Vertuo capsule that contains ground Arabica beans, complemented by strawberry and white chocolate flavors. Traditionally, I think of coffee as either a fruity drink (best enjoyed on its own) or a chocolatey one (better complemented with milk), which piqued my curiosity about how this unusual blend would work.

The launch follows the introduction of “functional” coffees that provide an energy boost, with additions like caffeine (derived from decaffeinated coffee beans) and B vitamins. Those coffees turned out to be quite appetizing, and I have a special fondness for Ginseng Delight with caramel notes, so I was looking forward to another pleasant surprise.

I have also been introduced to sweetened coffees thanks to the Jura J10 espresso machine, which has an attachment that infuses syrup into the milk as it dispenses, and it has earned a spot in our guide to the best coffee machines.

With all this in mind, I decided to try one of the strawberry and white chocolate capsules in my trusty Nespresso Vertuo Pop, which stands out in our recommendations for its compact design and affordable price.

The resulting coffee, a blend of Arabica beans from Brazil and Colombia with added flavors post-roast, was a delightful surprise. The additional aromas did not mask the taste of the coffee but complemented it. I noticed that the strawberry flavor was the most prominent, bringing a freshness to the drink's flavor, which was then balanced by the smoothness of sweet vanilla notes.

These capsules are Nespresso's "mug" size, providing 230 ml of coffee, enough to completely fill my glass mugs. I had to take a few sips before experimenting with a little milk. I was concerned that the fruit wouldn’t pair well with the dairy, but, in fact, it turned out even better.

The flavor works well on its own or with milk, unlike a typical fruity coffee. Next time, I’ll opt for a larger cup and add some steamed milk to make a great strawberry latte. I'm convinced that, just like the double fermentation passion fruit coffee, it will also work well cold over ice. I have many more tests to carry out.