Capsules, pods, beans, soluble: the 100% Arabica French range
Capsules, pods, granules, soluble Carte Noire
Intense Espresso, Delicate Espresso, Lungo. Recyclable aluminum, 100% Arabica, box of 10 capsules. Compatible with Nespresso Original machines (not Vertuo).
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soft pods Carte Noire compatible with Senseo. 100% Arabica, biodegradable bag, family-size box. Ideal for household soft pod coffee makers.
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whole bean coffee Carte Noire 100% Arabica, roasted in Lavérune (Hérault, France). 1 kg bag for automatic machines with grinders. Round and aromatic notes.
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Selection of instant coffee including Carte Noire instant coffees : instant, quick-release, ideal for the office or occasional use. Global multi-brand category — filter by " Carte Noire " on the page.
View the range →Carte Noire was founded in 1978 in France , when René Monnier —already the founder of Grand'Mère coffee in 1954—decided to launch a premium brand on the French market, then dominated by three players: Maison du Café , Grand'Mère , and Jacques Vabre . The gamble: a 100% Arabica coffee sold at a 15% premium price than the competition, in a flexible pack with a revolutionary freshness valve , and featuring a sleek and refined graphic identity.
The gamble paid off. Associated with the world of cinema and feminine sensuality, the brand established its iconic slogan "A coffee named desire" and quickly became one of France's heritage brands. However, its ownership history has been turbulent: in 1982, Carte Noire was acquired by the Swiss company Jacobs Suchard, then passed into the hands of Philip Morris/Kraft Foods, before joining Mondelez International in 2012 during the Kraft split.
In February 2016, the Italian company Lavazza —still a Turin-based family group—acquired Carte Noire for approximately €800 million, committing to preserve thehistoric factory in Lavérune (Hérault, the brand's historical stronghold) and its French expertise. Today, Carte Noire remains the number one brand in France with around 20% market share, distributes a full range of products (Nespresso Original capsules, Senseo soft pods, beans, ground, and instant coffee), and benefits from the international expansion of its Italian parent company.
What has defined Carte Noire since 1978: 4 pillars of expertise that explain its status as a French heritage brand of premium coffee.
historical positioning Carte Noire since 1978: 100% Arabica only (never Robusta), sourced from high-altitude terroirs (Latin America, Ethiopia). Medium roast that preserves delicate aromas and controlled acidity. Round body, chocolate and fruity notes.
Roasting in Lavérune (Hérault, former Languedoc-Roussillon) — a historic stronghold of the brand, preserved after the acquisition by Lavazza. Preserved French know-how, a method mastered since the brand's beginnings, a short supply chain from producer to cup.
Complete home ecosystem: Nespresso Original compatible aluminum capsules, Senseo compatible soft pods, 1kg bags of whole bean coffee, ground coffee , and instant soluble coffee. The French brand that covers the widest range of brewing formats.
Carte Noire is one of France's recognized heritage brands (identity, slogan, packaging). Number 1 in France with approximately20% market share, distributed in over 40 countries via the Lavazza network since 2016.
The 5 most ordered Carte Noire products by our customers, across all ranges (Nespresso capsules, soft pods, beans).
Carte Noire was created in 1978 in France by René Monnier, who had already founded the Grand'Mère in 1954. The idea was to launch a high-end 100% Arabica brand, sold at a price 15% higher than competitors, in a flexible pack with a freshness valve that was innovative for the time.
The brand is celebrating its 45+ years in 2026 and is one of the French heritage brands with its iconic slogan "A coffee named desire".
Carte Noire is a French brand of origin (created in 1978 in France by René Monnier) but its shareholding has changed considerably:
know -how is preserved : Lavazza has committed to maintaining thehistoric factory in Lavérune (Hérault) and the French roasting of the Carte Noire.
Carte Noire is roasted in France, at its historic factory in Lavérune, located in theHérault department (formerly Languedoc-Roussillon). This factory—the brand's historical stronghold—was explicitly retained during the acquisition by Lavazza in 2016.
The green coffee (100% Arabica) is sourced primarily from Latin America (Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras) and Ethiopia , depending on the blend. The medium French roast preserves the delicate aromas and balanced acidity characteristic of premium Arabica.
The two formats are NOT interchangeable — each format works with a different machine system:
Check your machine before buying: a soft pod does not on a Nespresso, and vice versa.
Carte Noire markets several socially conscious products, including:
Consult the product sheet for each item to verify applicable certifications. Organic availability may vary depending on the format (capsules/pods/grains).
The choice depends on your machine and your intended use :
In terms of pure cup quality, freshly ground coffee beans remain superior. In terms of convenience, capsules and pods win.
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