Lavazza · Reviewed by Cafelista · Published 2026-08-15
Based on a review by Cafelista (accessed 2026-08-15).
Based on this review alone: buy it if you care about well-balanced and round profile — just accept industrial coffee, lacking the complex notes of specialty beans.
The reviewer concludes that not all Lavazza coffees are equal; some are acceptable while others are less appealing. While acknowledging their accessibility and ease of use in automatic machines, he states that Lavazza would not be his first choice for daily coffee, preferring fresher beans from specialty roasters with more distinct characteristics. His top picks are Lavazza Espresso for balanced, classic, punchy coffee and Qualità Oro for a softer, slightly fruity profile.
Colin from Cafelista reviews six different Lavazza coffee bean varieties readily available in supermarkets. He tests each coffee using a consistent brewing protocol on the same machine to evaluate their taste profiles, intensity, and suitability for espresso and milk-based drinks. The review culminates in a ranked list of the tested coffees.
Lavazza Espresso is a top recommendation for those seeking a classic, versatile coffee bean for daily use. It delivers a well-rounded body and nicely controlled bitterness, a significant improvement over some other Lavazza varieties like Crema e Gusto which become overly bitter. The beautiful crema and dark chocolate notes make it enjoyable both as a straight espresso and in milk-based drinks. If you're looking for a single package that excels in multiple preparations and offers a more refined taste than the Qualità Rossa, this is a strong choice. If you primarily seek complex, nuanced notes found in specialty coffee, you might consider other options.
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The Qualità Rossa has a more regular, medium roast. In the cup, it's correct but flat, with some body, no real acidity, reasonable bitterness, and light chocolate notes, lacking distinctness.
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The reviewer describes Qualità Rossa as a "passe-partout" coffee, a safe and slightly cheaper option that won't disappoint but also won't surprise.
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Lavazza Espresso has a less developed roast and a classic Italian espresso blend. It offers good body, no aggressive acidity, well-controlled bitterness, a nice crema, and rounded dark chocolate notes without a burnt taste.
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The reviewer found Lavazza Espresso to work well with milk, as a solo espresso, or as a longer coffee, making it a qualitative and versatile choice.
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Qualità Oro is described as the lightest roast in the selection, a medium roast, and is 100% Arabica, with grains sourced from Central and South America.
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Contrary to other Lavazza coffees, Qualità Oro offers a softer profile with a pleasant slight acidity and light fruity aromas, standing out from the usual chocolate/hazelnut register.
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This coffee has a dark roast (intensity 8/10), offering chocolate and toasted hazelnut aromas, full body, and a generous, syrupy crema.
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While potentially heavy on its own, Crema e Aroma functions very well with milk, maintaining its intensity and chocolate notes in drinks like cappuccino.
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With a dark, "pushed" roast (intensity 7/10), this coffee moved towards a burnt taste with a slight impression of rubber, and bitterness dominated the otherwise flat flavor profile.
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Super Crema provides an important, persistent crema, body, and notes of hazelnut and toasted bread, but quickly turns bitter with too much of a burnt or overly toasted flavor.
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The reviewer ranked Lavazza Espresso as one of his top two choices due to its balance, body, traditional punchy intensity, and versatility for both espresso and milk drinks.
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Qualità Oro was also ranked in the top two for its lighter roast, unique fruity touch, and distinguishing flavor profile compared to other Lavazza options.
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Crema e Aroma was ranked second overall, specifically noted as the ideal choice for milk-based beverages like cappuccinos and lattes.
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The reviewer states that while Lavazza coffees are accessible, easy to find, and generally simple to use in automatic machines, not all varieties are good, and they wouldn't be his top daily choice due to preference for fresher, more personalized roasts.
The reviewer highly recommends Lavazza Espresso for those seeking a traditional, punchy, and intense espresso. It offers excellent balance, a good body, well-controlled bitterness, and pleasant dark chocolate notes, making it suitable for both solo espresso and milk-based drinks.
For those desiring a departure from typical chocolate and hazelnut profiles, Qualità Oro is highly recommended. It's a 100% Arabica blend with a lighter roast that provides a softer cup, pleasant acidity, and delicate fruity aromas, offering a distinct and more nuanced experience.
The Crema e Aroma blend is specifically highlighted as the ideal choice for milk-based beverages. Its dark roast, robust body, generous crema, and prominent chocolate and toasted hazelnut flavors ensure that the coffee's character does not get lost when combined with milk.
The reviewer describes Qualità Rossa as a generally acceptable, "passe-partout" coffee that is a safe purchase and won't likely disappoint. However, it's noted for being somewhat flat in flavor, lacking any distinctive qualities that would make it exceptional. It's a decent, slightly cheaper option but not a standout.
The reviewer states that not all Lavazza coffees are equal, with some being acceptable and others less so. While they are accessible, easy to find, and generally simple to use in automatic machines, they are not his first choice for daily consumption. He prefers fresher coffee from specialty roasters with more precise aromas and personality.
The reviewer specifically identifies Crema e Gusto and Super Crema as coffees to potentially avoid. Crema e Gusto suffers from an overly dark roast, leading to burnt and rubbery flavors with dominating bitterness. Super Crema, while having good body and crema, quickly develops an unpleasant bitterness and overly toasted or burnt notes that detract from the experience.
100/100 source quality
In this review, Colin from Cafelista evaluates six commonly found Lavazza coffee bean varieties to determine the best options. He meticulously tests each coffee using a consistent brewing method, noting their distinct aroma, body, acidity, bitterness, and crema. The review categorizes the coffees by their suitability for espresso or milk-based beverages, ultimately ranking them from least to most recommended. The reviewer also provides general insights into the overall quality of Lavazza coffees as a brand, suggesting they are a convenient but not a top-tier choice for daily consumption.
Full transcript is not redistributed here to respect the original creator’s rights.
This page converts Cafelista's review of the Lavazza Lavazza Espresso into structured evidence — timestamped claims, pros & cons, and buyer questions. It is not the original review and does not replace watching or reading the full source.
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