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.

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 Pros The 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 Cons Bag 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.

I've been using these Lavazza Barista Gran Crema beans for about two months now in my Breville Barista Express and I'm honestly impressed. I've tried probably a dozen different espresso beans over the past year and these are the ones I keep coming back to. The crema is ridiculous. Like, thick and persistent. Way more than I was getting with Illy or the local roaster beans I was using before. It sits on top of the shot with that tiger striping and actually lasts instead of disappearing in 30 seconds. Makes a huge difference when I'm making lattes because the milk integrates better. Flavor-wise, it's not overly acidic or bright like some lighter roasts. I definitely taste the dark chocolate notes they mention, and there's a slight sweetness that I'm guessing is the honey they're talking about. There's also this subtle spice thing happening that's hard to describe but works really well. It's a medium roast but drinks like a darker one, which I prefer for espresso. The Arabica and Robusta blend seems to be doing something right. I've read that Robusta adds body and crema, and I can tell. The shots are full and thick, not watery at all. When I add milk for cappuccinos or lattes, it stays silky and doesn't get thin or bitter. The 2.2 pound bag is a good size. It lasts me about three weeks with two shots a day. I keep the beans in an airtight container and they stay fresh pretty much until the bag is empty. No noticeable drop-off in quality toward the end. Grinding these is easy. They're not super oily like some dark roasts, so they don't gum up my grinder. I usually grind pretty fine for espresso and the consistency is even. I've also tried these in my French press on a lazy Sunday morning and they work fine there too, though they're definitely optimized for espresso. The flavor is a bit intense for drip coffee in my opinion, but if you like strong coffee it could work. Price point is solid. Way cheaper than buying beans from a specialty coffee shop and honestly better results than some of the boutique stuff I've paid double for. Only thing I'd mention is the intensity is rated 7 out of 10, which feels about right. If you like super light, fruity, acidic espresso, this isn't that. It's bold and chocolatey and meant for classic Italian-style espresso drinks. If you have an espresso machine at home and want consistent, high-quality beans that produce great crema and taste good in milk drinks, just get these. I've stopped experimenting with other brands because these do exactly what I need them to do.

This brand has great coffee beans. Level of roast is helpful. Taste is great without bitterness. Good prices

We really enjoy this coffee brand, and this whole bean option did not disappoint. The flavor is smooth and well balanced, rich and full-bodied without being overly bitter. The aroma is pleasant and inviting, especially when freshly ground. The beans look evenly roasted and work well in our coffee machine. The taste is consistent from cup to cup, whether used for espresso or regular brewed coffee. Considering the brand and quality, the price is very good. Overall, a flavorful and reliable whole bean coffee that I would gladly recommend

While the Super Crema is known for its delicacy, the Lavazza Espresso Barista Gran Crema is designed for those who want their home espresso to taste exactly like it was pulled by a pro in a busy Italian café. It’s a step up in intensity, specifically crafted for those who take their morning ritual seriously. Why it’s a standout for espresso lovers: - Professional Crema Performance: True to its name, this blend produces a spectacularly thick and persistent crema. It’s denser and richer than the standard home blends, providing that velvety mouthfeel that defines a high-end espresso shot. - Decisive Flavor Profile: Being a medium roast, it strikes a perfect balance—it’s punchy and full-bodied with notes of honey and roasted cereals. It has a "roundness" to the flavor that feels complete, without any sharp acidic edges. - Forgiving Grind Profile: One of the best things about the Barista line is how well it handles different machines. Whether you're using a high-end semi-automatic or a standard bean-to-cup machine, it seems to extract consistently, making it easier to "dial in" your perfect shot. - Milk-Base Compatibility: Because of its decisive character, it doesn't get lost in milk. It maintains its "coffee soul" even in large lattes or cappuccinos, making it incredibly versatile for all-day drinking.

This coffee was a pleasant discovery for me. After buying a home espresso machine, as a lover of homemade espresso, cappuccino, and latte, I was looking for beans that would produce a thick, stable crema without being too bitter. I tried many different brands. Lavazza Gran Crema is one of the best in its price range. The crema is consistently better than many other roasters I've tried. The taste is predictably good: chocolatey, rich, and without any acidity. If you want to consistently get high-quality and DELICIOUS Italian espresso at home without overpaying, this is your choice.

I purchased this Lavazza Espresso Barista Gran Crema whole bean coffee primarily out of necessity while on vacation after running out of beans from my local roaster. From a value and availability standpoint, the 2.2 lb bag is a generous amount and easy to source, which was helpful for short-term use. Unfortunately, the flavor and freshness fell short of expectations. The beans were very oily and had an over-roasted profile that translated into a bitter, slightly rancid taste once brewed. The bag says medium roast, which is objectively not true. This is an espresso, or extra dark roast. I did not experience the crema or aroma suggested on the packaging, even when dialed in for espresso. The overall cup quality felt more consistent with high-volume commercial roasting rather than freshness or nuance. That said, the beans did technically serve their purpose during the trip. They brewed coffee reliably, and for drinkers who prefer heavy creamers or flavored additives, the roast profile may be more forgiving. Once I returned home and restocked with locally roasted beans, I discarded the remainder of this bag and would not purchase it again. This may work for casual coffee drinkers prioritizing quantity and convenience, but those who value flavor clarity, aroma, and crema will likely be disappointed.