Lavazza Espresso Barista Gran Crema Whole Bean Coffee Blend, Medium

I’ve had this coffee as hot French press, iced French press (because the hot got cold…), espresso, and cold brew. The photo was my first time trying this as cold brew today (served with a splash of heavy cream and Chobani sweet cream). I would say the flavor is a very neutral "coffee flavor" - nothing special or adventurous just coffee as it should be. When I’m not going for a specialty coffee brand, this is a good basic option.

the richest coffee beans out there! The lavazza espresso beans are a staple in my home and are used for coffee everyday! It is my favorite scent taste and is so rich and creamy with just milk! The best for hot or iced coffee although i always have it iced!

THE BOTTOM LINE: Gran Crema is an EXCELLENT blend of coffee to make cappuccinos and lattes, producing an incredibly velvety crema. The espresso drinker who prefers a stronger taste and full body will also certainly enjoy this roast blend. Tastes: If everyone had the same tastes and liked the same things, there would only be one coffee in the world. Finding the "perfect" coffee is a personal decision tailored by your own taste and likes, and even then, many times you want to have something different or change, therefore in finding YOUR perfect coffee, it depends on your present tastes and moods at that one particular moment in time...which can change. My best advice is follow your feelings and have a try at different things to find NOT what you like, but what you ... MoreTHE BOTTOM LINE: Gran Crema is an EXCELLENT blend of coffee to make cappuccinos and lattes, producing an incredibly velvety crema. The espresso drinker who prefers a stronger taste and full body will also certainly enjoy this roast blend. Tastes: If everyone had the same tastes and liked the same things, there would only be one coffee in the world. Finding the "perfect" coffee is a personal decision tailored by your own taste and likes, and even then, many times you want to have something different or change, therefore in finding YOUR perfect coffee, it depends on your present tastes and moods at that one particular moment in time...which can change. My best advice is follow your feelings and have a try at different things to find NOT what you like, but what you DEFINITELY do not like. And most certainly do not buy or force yourself to like something, because others do like it or love it. Buy for you, not for them. Coffee basics: 2 types of beans. Arabica, which have a smoother taste in general but have lighter body and make less crema, and Robusto, which make more crema and have a stronger taste and body but carry more bitterness. Plants are grown in warmer climates all around the globe, and each place yields beans with distinct flavors regardless of the same bean used. The roasting of the coffee, different machines, water quality and grind quality also add to these differences. Tamping (espresso styles) and amount of coffee makes a very minimal difference compared to all the other factors, and everyone gets the hang of it with practice (i.e. no need to focus so much on pressures and exact weight and times). WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT: the WATER!, the quality of the coffee, the right grind for the style you are making (finer for espresso and Turkish, coarser for other styles), and a good machine for that style, which is NOT synonymous with expensive (stove tops are not). You get these 4 things right, and all the other factors won't matter much, and you will have an excellent coffee every time. The water here where I live is horrible, and so was my coffee, so I had to spend quite a lot on a filtration system for the water. Italian coffee: Our preferred styles are espresso, cappuccino, and latte (it really means milk and the original Italian name is caffè e latte, but we have dropped the "e" over time) and all are served hot. In Italy, flavors/things added to these styles are only found in places where tourists are (i.e. no creams, cinnamon, iced, etc) and most Italians do not even consider or have heard of adding anything else, other than sugar. In Italian bars (this is what we call coffee shops in Italy and why they're called baristas) ALL coffee is a blend of arabica and robusta, making them versatile. ALL bars in Italy also use whole milk, typically what we call lunga conservazione which stores at room temperature until opened (hence less refrigeration storing space needed). You might find places that use more than just whole milk in tourist areas, but is not a certainty. Whole milk froths better than other milk. Coffee is quite important in Italy, so much that the price of coffee is strictly regulated and has been, long before the owners of Starbucks were even born. Lavazza: Most sold coffee brand in Italy. Lavazza makes 2 lines of coffee geared to the preferred Italian styles, one for home use, and one commercial, but each and every one of them is different from each other and any coffee in the home line is totally different from any one in the commercial line. The home line consists of: 1. Qualità Oro - 100% Arabica beans from a blend of Central America and African highlands. Medium roast. 2. Qualità Rossa - 70% Brasilian arabica and 30% African robusta. Medium roast. 3. Gran Aroma - 60% arabica and 40% robusta. All Brasilian. Medium roast. 4. Gran Crema - 40% South America arabica and 60% Southeast Asia robusta. Dark roast. 5. Crema e Aroma - 30% South America arabica and 70% African robusta. Medium roast. Qualità Rossa is the most readily available in Italy and hence the less expensive and most used/sold in Italy also. Qualità Oro is aimed at espresso style, Gran Crema is aimed at cappuccino and latte styles, with Gran Bar and Qualità Rossa being more versatile. Qualità Rossa seems to most to have a balance IN TASTE (smooth vs. strong) between arabica and robusta. The entire Lavazza home line is excellent Italian roast espresso coffee but is best to stick Gran Crema (mixing) and Qualità Oro (straight) for what they're geared for, and in the proper use you will find the correct taste, smoothness, and next to no bitterness, if any at all. They are all superb for use in the right manner and none of them are oily.

Lavazza espresso is known for its rich and bold flavor, making it a favorite among coffee enthusiasts. The finely crafted beans contribute to a smooth and velvety texture. The packaging is convenient, maintaining the freshness of the coffee. Remarkably, this high-quality espresso is priced similarly to regular coffee, providing excellent value for money.

A barista's choice

Having purchased pre-ground Lavazza coffee in the supermarkets, I decided it was time to try grinding whole beans. This particular blend, Gran Crema, seemed like a good value, and it hit my preference for intensity (7/10). I was surprised at how easily the beans grind into a fine texture using my Vitamix dry blade container. The taste is exquisite, without bitterness, although, I do add a touch of cream in my coffee.

Great Espresso for a fair price

Very tasty Espresso. Some Arabica has too much of a "sour" taste, this doesn't, it's very balanced. Given the proper grinder and espresso machine, it creates very nice crema as well. The price is fair - it's in the ballpark of what it would be in Italy. Saying that because some coffee has huge mark-ups due to being "exotic". It doesn't have the particulars of truly exotic brands like Del Doge, Ionia etc. - which are very hard to find in the US and if at all obtainable very expensive. We use it also in a normal coffee machine with a slightly coarser grind as the price is right and even brewed as normal coffee the taste if pleasantly smooth and balanced.

Not ready to review but since you keep insisting....

Have been using Lavaza super crema as part of my personal blend. Outstanding results. I decided to try out L'Espresso Grand Crema in place of Lavaza Super crema. Results: Distintfully better moca lattes. Still dialing in straight espressos. Currently, mild bitterness and 'not quite there' flavor for me. This could go either way over the next week or so.

Strong roasted taste, a little bitter but not acidic.

Gran Crema is a bit too strong alone in espresso shots for me. I am blending it 50/50 with the Espresso Italiano which results in more mild shot. Not an issue in milk based drinks, which are my drink of choice. Alone the shots taste is a little burnt and a little bitter but not that acidic or sour. A half and half mix results in a lot more cocca taste with just a touch bitterness and no acidity in espresso shots. Beans are not that oily, just a hint of sheen. Using a Miele superautomatic.

Taste is uniquely individual, but

Taste is uniquely individual, but this variety of whole bean does not make a very strong or flavorful cup of espresso. It's too fruity for my taste, in any case. It might make a better cup of regular coffee, but that's not what I bought it for. It does not compare to Peets, my regular brand.

best ever

its amazing! great flavor and grinds well. bag comes slightly vaccuumed. some crema but flavor is perfect. will buy again!