Lavazza Espresso Barista Gran Crema Whole Bean Coffee Blend, Medium Espresso Roast, Oz Bag (Packaging May Vary) - 2.2 LB, 35.2 Ounce

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 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.About me: I definitely do not like bitter or oily coffee (all coffee is oily per se, but I do not like coffee that has a distinct film of oil on top, which you can see at an angle and which is typically bitter coffee). I prefer cappuccinos and "lattes", but regardless I like a strong taste and therefore use Gran Crema, but I do enjoy espresso also so I do use Gran Aroma, which still has enough strong taste for my cappuccinos and lattes. My family in Italy in general prefer espressos and use Qualità Oro, but also use Qualità Rossa (much much less). You will only see me at Starbucks in case of dire emergency, which translates to 3 times in 20 years (once after an 18 hour travel marathon in planes). I'm not even mentioning any other coffee places. I use a Gaggia at home and drink tea while I travel. My entire family owns Gaggias. Not because we're married to the brand, but because we have tried plenty others, but Gaggias last us much better than the rest. My mother's must be at least 30 years old. However, one glance at her stove top will convince you it was around before Metusela.Anecdote: I was quite entertained when I learned about the craziness to obsess over tamping pressures, weighing, and stopwatches. Out of curiosity on a British espresso machine that uses no electricity or stove (but you have to have boiling water so you need it anyway), I found a video of this American guy showing the ROK coffee maker which was totally obsessed with this and I learned that it was quite common. I told my mother, who laughed, and shared it at the local bar in her neighborhood the next morning. The barista (our friend) had to call me at 4 a.m. my time (it's ok, mamma has been doing it all these years). He almost didn't believe me. I had to send him youtube links, including the ROK guy. He asked "Are they crazy? People believe we use scales and stopwatches at the bars?" About tamping he said it's common sense. It has to be compact enough so that you get the flavor out of the coffee, but not too compact that breaks the pump on the machine.

I’ve been really happy with this Lavazza coffee. The beans have a great aroma as soon as you open the bag, and the coffee comes out rich and smooth without being overly bitter.I especially like the balance of flavor. It’s strong enough to make a good espresso, but still smooth and enjoyable for my everyday coffee. It also works really well for cappuccinos and lattes.Overall, this has quickly become one of my favorite whole bean coffees. Great flavor, nice aroma, and consistently good every time I make it. I’ll definitely be buying it again.

**Lavazza Espresso Barista Gran Crema Whole Bean Coffee Blend, Medium Espresso Roast, 2.2 LB (35.2 Ounce)****Brand: Lavazza**I’ve been using the Lavazza Espresso Barista Gran Crema Whole Bean Coffee Blend for several weeks, and it’s become a regular part of my morning routine.The medium espresso roast delivers a beautifully balanced flavor that sits right between bold and smooth. The blend of Arabica beans from Brazil and Honduras with African Robusta adds a rich depth, and I can taste subtle notes of dark chocolate and spice in every cup. Whether I use my espresso machine or moka pot, the aroma fills the kitchen with that unmistakable café-quality scent that Lavazza is known for.The crema this coffee produces is outstanding—thick, velvety, and consistent every time. I find that the beans grind evenly and produce a strong but not bitter shot. When I steam milk for cappuccinos or lattes, this blend pairs perfectly, creating a creamy texture and full-bodied flavor without any burnt or harsh tones. It’s versatile enough that I’ve also used it in a French press, and the result was still rich and satisfying, which isn’t always the case with espresso blends.What I appreciate most is Lavazza’s consistency and quality control. Every bag I’ve opened has smelled fresh, with no stale or flat beans. The resealable coffee product packaging helps maintain that freshness, which is important when buying a 2.2-pound bag. It’s also a great value considering the quality you get for around $21. For anyone who wants a dependable, authentic Italian espresso experience at home without spending a fortune, this blend is hard to beat.**Pros:**✅ Balanced medium roast with smooth, rich flavor✅ Produces excellent, creamy crema for espresso drinks✅ Works well with espresso machines, moka pots, and French presses✅ Fresh, aromatic beans in resealable packaging✅ Great value for premium Italian coffee**Cons:**❌ Slightly too mild for those who prefer very dark roasts❌ Can taste a bit bitter if brewed too strong❌ Product packaging could use a one-way valve for better long-term freshness

Overall Grade: B+Pros:- Excellent, strong aroma that cuts through the bag- Sweet, inviting aroma when brewed- Distinctive flavor with low bitterness- Light body and pleasant mouthfeel- Enjoyable without milk or sugarCons:- Questionable bag and valve quality- Sweet flavor profile doesn't pair particularly well with milk- Flavor may not appeal to everyone**Review:**My first impression of Lavazza Barista Espresso was a bit of a mixed bag. The packaging itself is fine, but there was quite a lot of air trapped inside, which raised some concerns about the quality of the valve. Fortunately, the aroma more than made up for it. Even through the bag, I could pick up a wonderful combination of smoky spices, musk, and sweet milk chocolate. It's a strong, fresh-smelling aroma that definitely got me excited to start brewing.Things got interesting when I pulled my first shot... I was immediately greeted with an incredibly sweet, almost sugary aroma that I absolutely loved. It's fun and inviting, like a candy or donut shop, and very much unlike most of the espresso aromas I've experienced so far. That sweetness carries directly into the flavor too. The best way I can describe it is simple syrup mixed with barbecued almonds. Sounds strange, I know, but that's genuinely what I'm picking up. There's an unmistakable sweetness accompanied by a smoky, roasted nuttiness that gives this espresso a pretty unique character.The espresso itself has a light body, medium acidity, and a surprisingly bright mouthfeel. There's some sharpness, as you would expect, but the bitterness is very manageable. The oil level is moderate, and overall, I found it remarkably easy to enjoy on its own. In fact, I think that's where this coffee performs best. The natural sweetness makes it easy to casually sip without needing any additional milk or sugar, which is something I really appreciate in an espresso.Unfortunately, that same sweetness becomes a bit of a disadvantage when you start adding milk or other flavors. Rather than complementing the espresso, I found that those additions didn't work particularly well with its existing flavor profile. This roast may already be sweet enough on its own and doesn't really benefit from anything else. That said, I was excited to try it as a shaken espresso, and I'm happy to report that it turned out quite nice.Overall, I think Lavazza has delivered a very respectable espresso here for many reasons. The aroma is great, the flavor is unique, and it's surprisingly enjoyable without any add ins. While I can certainly appreciate those qualities, the sugary flavor just isn’t within my personal preference. I don't see myself purchasing another bag for that reason alone. Interestingly enough, my wife really enjoys it, so opinions in our household are pretty divided on this one. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend giving it a try though, especially if you enjoy sweeter espresso.

The Lavazza Espresso Barista Gran Crema is a great option if you’re a heavy coffee drinker and need a better value. I was purchasing blue bottle espresso beans consistently as it was my favorite taste, but the amount you get for the price wasn’t worth it for me anymore. I tried a few different brands and eventually landed on this as it was the best value. I love the taste, the espresso is rich, smooth and gives you a good amount of energy. Tastes reminds me of Blue Bottle beans, but you get triple the amount of beans for $8 more! I will be purchasing this brand again and might try the organic blend next time!

Living in Florida, I’ve realized that a decent cup of coffee is the only way to kickstart a humid morning. Since I travel quite a bit for work, I’m usually at the mercy of whatever burnt brew is available in hotel lobbies. Because of that, I’ve become pretty particular about the espresso I make when I’m actually home. I bought this 2.2lb bag of Lavazza Espresso Barista Gran Crema because I was tired of overpaying for "boutique" beans that were often hit-or-miss. I needed something consistent, reasonably priced, and capable of producing that thick crema you usually only get in a real Italian café.Honestly, my expectations were pretty grounded. I wanted a medium roast that wasn't overly oily (to save my grinder’s life) and something that could hold its own in a latte without being drowned out by the milk.The ProsThe Crema is Legit: The name isn't just marketing. Even on my home setup, it pulls a thick, velvety layer of foam every time.Zero Bitterness: It’s a very balanced blend. You get those chocolatey, nutty notes without that "charred" aftertaste some darker roasts have.Versatility: I mostly use this for straight espresso or Americanos, but it’s smooth enough to use in a standard drip machine if you have guests over who aren't into the strong stuff.Value: Getting a kilo (2.2 lbs) at this price point is a steal compared to buying smaller bags every week.The ConsBag Freshness: Since it’s a massive bag, you really need a dedicated airtight container. If you leave it in the original bag with just a clip, the flavor starts to flatline after the second week.Intensity: It’s a 7/10 on their scale. If you’re looking for a real "kick in the teeth" dark roast, this might feel a little too mellow for you.In terms of real-world use, this has become my go-to "daily driver." It’s reliable. I don't have to constantly mess with my grinder settings to get a good shot, which is exactly what I need when I'm rushing to get things done before a trip. It’s also oily enough to look fresh but dry enough that it hasn't clogged my super-automatic machine yet—a huge plus for maintenance.Did it meet my expectations? Yeah, it actually did. It’s not a "religious experience" coffee, but it is a high-quality, professional-grade bean that makes a better latte than most local shops. For the price, the value for money is hard to beat. If you’re looking for a solid, no-nonsense Italian espresso that works for everything from a morning shot to a casual afternoon cup, this is a safe bet.

Once ground to a fine espresso consistency this coffee is very aromatic, tastes wonderful and delivers a potent a potent caffeine "punch" so to speak yet was not bitter. And the icing on the cake? The PERFECT espresso crema on top of the brewed coffee! I have NEVER found a bean that produces such a lavish, velvety crema before and when used to make a cappuccino with frothed milk the result was perfection!

We LOVE this coffee, we have been buying this espresso for years and it always tastes great. It's smooth and has low acidity which is what we like. The beans always seem fresh and the price per pound is great. We use this in our espresso machine every day and have never had any issues. Highly recommend!

رائع

Great tasting coffee beans

Excellent tasting coffee. Full-bodied and chock full of flavour. Makes great espresso, and espresso-based drinks. The aroma fills the room. Would buy again and again

Very great beans fresh strong smells

What else should I say other than I like it! Great pricing that beats comparable brands I got locally, including the big names. And, great taste too.