A Full-Bodied Blend for Rich, Bold Coffee Lovers
For coffee drinkers who appreciate deep, rich flavors with a touch of boldness, Lavazza Crema e Gusto stand out. It’s widely available on the market. Known for its distinctively full-bodied taste, this coffee appeals to fans of espresso, cappuccinos, and other classic Italian coffee drinks.
It strikes a perfect balance between Arabica and Robusta beans, delivering an intense, creamy experience. This comprehensive review will take you through the origins, flavor profile and brewing options. As well as revealing the overall quality of Lavazza Crema e Gusto, helping you decide whether it’s the right blend for your home coffee bar.
Background and Origins
Founded in 1895 in Turin, Italy, Lavazza has established itself as one of the most iconic coffee brands globally. The company’s commitment to crafting unique and flavorful coffee blends has led to a vast range of products, and Crema e Gusto is among its most beloved offerings.
While Lavazza offers various blends to suit different tastes, Crema e Gusto has become a favorite among those who enjoy a stronger cup of coffee with a rich crema and robust body.
Crema e Gusto is a blend of 30% Arabica and 70% Robusta beans, a combination that results in a powerful yet well-rounded coffee. Arabica beans, known for their sweetness and acidity, balance the boldness of the Robusta, which adds body and intensity.
Lavazza Crema e Gusto
- Rich, Full-Bodied Flavor: Delivers a smooth, intense espresso experience
- Perfect Crema: Produces a velvety crema
- Versatile Use
- High-Quality Arabica & Robusta Beans
- Affordably Priced
The Robusta beans also contribute to a higher caffeine content, making this blend ideal for those who need a strong pick-me-up in the morning or throughout the day.
Lavazza sources its beans from various regions, including South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia, which gives Crema e Gusto a unique flavor profile influenced by different growing conditions.
Each region brings its characteristics to the blend, resulting in a coffee that is rich, slightly spiced, and deeply satisfying.
Flavor Profile
The flavor of Lavazza Crema e Gusto is unmistakably bold, with a full-bodied intensity that’s well-suited for espresso lovers and those who enjoy coffee with a more pronounced taste. The blend’s high Robusta content gives it a distinctive bite, while the Arabica beans soften the bitterness, adding depth and nuance to the flavor.
Upon the first sip, the coffee delivers a robust punch, with earthy undertones and hints of dark chocolate and spices. This makes it ideal for fans of espresso or those who enjoy coffee with complex, lingering flavors. The bitterness is present, but it’s balanced by the smoothness of the Arabica, which adds just enough sweetness to round out the cup.
Lavazza Crema e Gusto is also known for its rich crema, a golden layer of foam that sits on top of espresso shots and signals a well-extracted, high-quality coffee. The crema adds texture and creaminess to the coffee, making it a great choice for espresso-based drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos.
In terms of acidity, this blend is relatively low, which makes it smooth and easy to drink, even in larger quantities. It’s the type of coffee that stands up well to milk and sugar, enhancing rather than overpowering the drink.
Aroma
The aroma of Lavazza Crema e Gusto is warm and inviting, with notes of toasted nuts, dark chocolate, and subtle hints of spices. As the coffee brews, it fills the room with a rich, intoxicating scent that’s perfect for waking up your senses in the morning. This strong aroma is a clear indicator of the boldness and intensity you’ll find in the cup, preparing you for a deeply satisfying coffee experience.
Brewing Options
One of the great things about Lavazza Crema e Gusto is its versatility. While it’s often associated with espresso due to its strong flavor and creamy texture, this blend can be used in a variety of brewing methods, each delivering a slightly different but equally enjoyable coffee experience.
Espresso
Espresso is where Lavazza Crema e Gusto truly shines. Its strong flavor and thick crema make it an excellent choice for espresso machines. The blend’s high Robusta content ensures that the espresso is full-bodied and intense, with just the right amount of bitterness to complement the creamy mouthfeel.
If you own an espresso machine or a Moka pot, you’ll find that Crema e Gusto produces a rich, authentic Italian-style espresso that can be enjoyed on its own or used as the base for a variety of coffee drinks.
Moka Pot
As an Italian blend, Lavazza Crema e Gusto is perfectly suited for brewing in a Moka pot, the classic Italian stovetop espresso maker. The Moka pot method extracts the bold, robust flavors of the coffee, producing a brew that’s somewhere between espresso and drip coffee in terms of strength.
If you prefer a slightly less intense coffee than a traditional espresso shot but still want a full-bodied cup, the Moka pot is an excellent choice for this blend.
French Press
For those who prefer a more traditional cup of coffee, the French press is another great option for brewing Crema e Gusto. The immersion method used in French press brewing highlights the coffee’s depth and complexity while producing a smooth, full-bodied cup.
The longer brewing time brings out the earthy and chocolatey flavors, while the heavier body makes it a satisfying option for those who enjoy a rich cup of coffee without the intensity of espresso.
Drip Coffee
Though Lavazza Crema e Gusto is designed for more robust brewing methods like espresso and Moka pots, it can also be brewed in a drip coffee maker for a milder but still flavorful experience. The drip method tones down the intensity of the blend, resulting in a smoother, less bitter cup.
While it may not have the same rich crema as espresso, drip brewing still highlights the coffee’s chocolatey and nutty undertones, making it a solid option for those who want a flavorful morning brew without the punch of espresso.
Crema e Gusto for Milk-Based Drinks
One of the standout features of Lavazza Crema e Gusto is its ability to pair beautifully with milk. The coffee’s strong, bold flavor cuts through milk and sugar, making it an ideal choice for lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos. The blend’s rich crema adds a velvety texture to these drinks, while the dark chocolate and spice notes complement the sweetness of steamed milk.
If you enjoy crafting milk-based drinks at home, Crema e Gusto offers a great foundation for experimenting with flavors and textures. The blend is strong enough to maintain its distinct taste even when mixed with larger amounts of milk, ensuring that your lattes and cappuccinos still have that rich coffee flavor.
Packaging and Freshness
Lavazza Crema e Gusto is available in both whole bean and pre-ground options, catering to different brewing preferences. The packaging is simple yet effective, designed to preserve the freshness of the coffee for as long as possible.
For the best experience, it’s recommended to purchase the whole bean version and grind the coffee just before brewing. This ensures that you get the freshest possible cup with all the aroma and flavor locked in.
However, if convenience is a priority, the pre-ground version is still a good option, especially if you don’t own a grinder or prefer not to grind your beans each time.
Price and Availability
One of the best things about Lavazza Crema e Gusto is its affordability. Despite its rich, full-bodied flavor and high-quality blend of Arabica and Robusta beans, it’s relatively inexpensive compared to many other premium coffee blends.
This makes it an excellent choice for coffee lovers who want a high-quality espresso blend without breaking the bank.
Lavazza Crema e Gusto is widely available both online and in supermarkets. This makes it accessible for coffee drinkers around the world. Its popularity and affordability make it a staple in many households, particularly those who appreciate Italian coffee culture.
Advantages
- Full-bodied flavor: Bold, rich, and intense, perfect for espresso lovers.
- Versatile: Works well with multiple brewing methods, including espresso, Moka pot, French press, and drip coffee.
- Rich crema: Provides a creamy texture, especially when brewed as espresso.
- Great for milk-based drinks: Strong enough to shine through milk in lattes and cappuccinos.
- Affordable: Offers excellent value for money, especially considering its quality.
- Widely available: Easy to find in supermarkets and online stores.
Disadvantages
- Strong flavor may not suit everyone: Those who prefer lighter, more delicate coffees may find Crema e Gusto too intense.
- Pre-ground option loses freshness: For the best flavor, the whole bean version is recommended.
- Robusta bitterness: The higher Robusta content gives it a slight bitterness, which may not appeal to everyone.
Who Should Buy Lavazza Crema e Gusto?
Lavazza Crema e Gusto is ideal for coffee lovers who appreciate strong, bold flavors. Its also good if you want to enjoy a traditional Italian coffee experience. If you prefer a rich, full-bodied espresso with a creamy texture & a touch of bitterness, this blend will not disappoint.
It’s also a great choice for those who enjoy milk-based drinks like cappuccinos and lattes. It’s the coffee’s strength pairs well with milk.
Additionally, its versatility across brewing methods makes it suitable for a variety of coffee drinkers. Whether you prefer espresso, Moka pot, French press, or drip coffee, its for you. If you enjoy experimenting with different brewing techniques, it offers enough flexibility to satisfy your coffee cravings across various styles.
Wrapping Up
In summary, Lavazza Crema e Gusto is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a robust and flavorful coffee blend. It embodies the essence of Italian coffee culture. Its unique combination of 30% Arabica and 70% Robusta beans results in a full-bodied, creamy coffee experience, making it perfect for espresso aficionados and those who enjoy milk-based beverages.
The versatility in brewing options, from espresso machines to Moka pots and French presses, adds to its appeal, allowing coffee lovers to explore different brewing methods while still enjoying the rich flavor profile that Crema e Gusto has to offer.
Its affordability and widespread availability also make it accessible for many coffee enthusiasts, ensuring that you can enjoy a café-quality experience at home without overspending.
Whether you’re a novice seeking to explore the world of espresso or a seasoned barista looking for a reliable blend to keep on hand, Lavazza Crema e Gusto is worth considering. Its well-balanced flavor, rich crema, and consistent quality make it a standout choice that caters to both everyday drinkers and those who appreciate the nuances of a finely crafted coffee.
Ultimately, if you value a strong, flavorful coffee that delivers satisfaction with every sip, Lavazza Crema e Gusto is a blend that you won’t want to overlook. Perfect for starting your day or as an afternoon pick-me-up, this coffee is sure to elevate your home brewing experience and leave you eager for your next cup.
Lavazza Crema e Gusto
- Rich, Full-Bodied Flavor
- Perfect Crema
- High-Quality Arabica and Robusta Beans
- Affordably Priced