If you use a Lavazza Firma machine and are looking for a compatible capsule from Covim, two products stand out in particular: Granbar and Orocrema. Both combine Arabica and Robusta, but they do not offer exactly the same experience in the cup.
Covim Granbar favours a more balanced profile, with an intensity of 8/10 and notes of honey and cereals. Covim Orocrema, rated 9/10, is more intense and assertive, with a subtle tropical wood aroma in particular.
Covim Granbar
Arabica & Robusta
Notes of honey and cereals
Covim Orocrema
Arabica & Robusta
Notes of tropical wood
You are looking for a balanced, smooth and aromatic espresso, with noticeable but controlled intensity.
You prefer a more full-bodied, creamy espresso with a lingering finish and more character.
Granbar vs Orocrema: the main differences
Both products are designed for the Lavazza Firma system and use a blend of Arabica and Robusta. Their main difference lies in their intensity and aromatic profile.
| Feature | Covim Granbar | Covim Orocrema |
|---|---|---|
| Compatibility | Lavazza Firma | Lavazza Firma |
| Composition | Arabica and Robusta | Arabica and Robusta |
| Intensity | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| User profile | Balanced, mild and mouth-filling | Intense, creamy and bold |
| Flavour notes | Honey and cereals | Tropical wood |
| Character | Harmonious | More powerful |
| Pack format | 100 single-serve capsules | 100 single-serve capsules |
| Best suited if… | You are looking for balance | You enjoy more intense coffees |
Covim Granbar: a balanced, mouth-filling espresso
Covim Granbar is a blend of Arabica and Robusta designed to deliver noticeable intensity without an excessively powerful profile.
Covim gives it an intensity rating of 8/10 and highlights its notes of honey and cereals. The result is a coffee with a mouth-filling character and a relatively balanced profile.
The result is particularly appealing if you are looking for an espresso with enough character to be expressive while retaining a certain smoothness.
What profile can you expect from Granbar?
- An intensity rating of 8/10.
- A blend of Arabica and Robusta.
- Aromatic notes of honey.
- Hints of cereals.
- A balanced, mouth-filling profile.
Key takeaway: Granbar is particularly suitable if you want to retain genuine espresso intensity while favouring a smoother, more versatile coffee for everyday drinking.
Who should choose Covim Granbar?
Granbar is the better choice if you enjoy coffees that are:
- balanced;
- aromatic without being excessively powerful;
- relatively smooth;
- suited to drinking several cups throughout the day.
It is also the more logical choice of the two if you find some very intense espressos a little too overpowering.
Covim Orocrema: greater intensity and character
Covim Orocrema takes the intensity up a notch. Covim gives it an intensity rating of 9/10.
It is also based on a blend of Arabica and Robusta, but has a more assertive profile. Its aromatic character also differs from Granbar, with a subtle tropical wood aroma.
Orocrema is therefore more suited to those who enjoy an espresso with pronounced character and a stronger presence on the palate.
What profile can you expect from Orocrema?
- An intensity rating of 9/10.
- A blend of Arabica and Robusta.
- A more assertive character.
- A subtle aroma of tropical wood.
- A creamier, more powerful profile.
Key takeaway: of the two, Orocrema is the better choice for a more intense, bold espresso with a longer-lasting finish.
Which capsule is more intense?
The answer is simple: Orocrema.
Granbar
Intensity: 8/10
A balanced profile with notes of honey and cereals.
Orocrema
Intensity: 9/10
A bolder, creamier and more pronounced profile.
The one-point difference may seem small, but the aromatic profiles confirm a difference in approach. Granbar focuses more on balance, while Orocrema places greater emphasis on intensity and character.
Which is milder?
Of the two, Granbar is the milder choice.
Bear in mind, however, that with an intensity rating of 8/10, Granbar is not a light coffee. It retains enough character to deliver a genuine espresso experience.
Its main difference from Orocrema lies in its balance: the notes of honey and cereals contribute to a smoother profile, whereas Orocrema focuses more on power.
Which capsule should you choose for everyday coffee?
For regular drinking throughout the day, Granbar is probably the more versatile option.
Its balance allows it to retain intensity while offering a less pronounced profile than Orocrema.
Orocrema is better suited to those who want a powerful espresso every time.
Which capsule should you choose for a full-bodied espresso?
For an espresso with pronounced character, Orocrema has the edge.
Its intensity rating of 9/10 and its creamy, bold profile make it the more suitable of the two for those who enjoy strong espressos.
Granbar or Orocrema with milk?
Both can be used to make coffee to which you add milk, but their different profiles will not produce the same result.
Thanks to its higher intensity, Orocrema will generally be the more suitable choice if you want the coffee's character to remain clearly perceptible after adding milk.
Granbar, on the other hand, will produce a drink with a milder, more balanced profile.
This is a tasting recommendation: Covim does not specifically describe either of these capsules as intended for milk-based drinks.
Do Granbar and Orocrema use the same type of coffee?
Yes. Covim states that both products contain a blend of Arabica and Robusta.
However, the manufacturer does not specify the exact proportions of Arabica and Robusta in these product descriptions. It is therefore not possible to state objectively that one contains more Robusta than the other.
The difference lies instead in the blend's profile: Granbar favours balance, while Orocrema aims for greater intensity.
Are Granbar and Orocrema compatible with Lavazza Firma?
Yes. Both products are designed as capsules compatible with the Lavazza Firma system.
Check compatibility: Lavazza Firma, Lavazza Blue, Lavazza A Modo Mio and Lavazza Espresso Point use different capsule systems. Make sure you check which system your machine uses before ordering.
How are the capsules packaged?
Covim sells both of these Firma products in boxes of 100 single-serve capsules.
The capsules are packed in a controlled atmosphere and individually wrapped to preserve the coffee until use.
This format is suitable both for regular use at home and for offices and professional settings equipped with a Lavazza Firma-compatible machine.
Granbar or Orocrema: which should you choose?
Choose Covim Granbar if:
- you are looking for a balanced espresso;
- you prefer slightly more moderate intensity;
- you enjoy notes of honey and cereals;
- you want a versatile coffee for everyday drinking;
- you prefer a milder, mouth-filling cup.
Choose Covim Orocrema if:
- you are looking for greater intensity;
- you enjoy espressos with pronounced character;
- you enjoy creamy coffees with a lingering finish;
- you want an intensity rating of 9/10;
- you prefer a profile with a tropical wood note.
Verdict: Granbar or Orocrema?
There is no single best capsule: Granbar and Orocrema cater to two different preferences.
Granbar = balance and smoothness.
Orocrema = intensity and character.
Covim Granbar, with its intensity of 8/10 and notes of honey and cereals, is probably the more versatile of the two.
Covim Orocrema, with its intensity of 9/10 and bolder profile, is better suited to those who enjoy full-bodied espressos with a lingering finish.
The choice therefore depends above all on your preference: Granbar for a harmonious, balanced coffee, Orocrema for a more intense, assertive espresso.
Frequently asked questions
Which Covim Firma capsule is the most intense?
Of the two, Orocrema is the more intense, with a rating of 9/10, compared with 8/10 for Granbar.
What does Covim Granbar taste like?
Granbar combines Arabica and Robusta and stands out mainly for its notes of honey and cereals.
What does Covim Orocrema taste like?
Orocrema also combines Arabica and Robusta, with a bolder character and a subtle aroma of tropical wood.
Which capsule should I choose if I prefer a milder coffee?
Of the two, Granbar is the better choice thanks to its more balanced profile and intensity of 8/10.
Do both capsules work with Lavazza Firma?
Yes. Granbar and Orocrema are both designed for machines that use the Lavazza Firma system.
