Tasting notes & flavour profile
Intensity
Flavour notes
Flavour profile
Carte Noire Espresso N°7 Classique is Carte Noire's Espresso Classique coffee in a Nespresso®-compatible capsule. 100% Arabica from Central and South America, an amber roast and an intensity of 7 out of 13: a smooth and balanced espresso for those who enjoy a straightforward coffee without excessive bitterness.
In the cup (40 mL espresso): rounded body, chocolate notes lifted by a fruity hint of citrus, mellow acidity. This is ‘French-style’ espresso — smoother than an Italian ristretto, more intense than a lungo.
Signature Lavazza since 2016: Carte Noire has belonged to the Lavazza group since the acquisition was completed at the end of February 2016, for around 750 million euros. It remains France's leading supermarket coffee brand, according to the group, and its capsules are produced in France at the historic Lavérune factory near Montpellier.
Machine compatibility
Box of 30 capsules · Aluminium capsules
Compatible machines:
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Frequently asked questions
Which Nespresso® machines are compatible?
All Nespresso® Original machines — old and new generations. Compatible models include: Essenza, Essenza Mini, Pixie, CitiZ, Inissia, U, Prodigio, Lattissima, Lattissima Touch/One, KitchenAid Nespresso, as well as Krups versions (Circolo, Pixie), Magimix versions (M100, M105, U, CitiZ, Pixie) and De'Longhi versions (Lattissima, EN 500, EN 355). Aluminium capsule in the Nespresso® Original format.
⚠️ Not compatible with Nespresso Vertuo — the Vertuo system uses larger proprietary barcoded capsules. For Vertuo, choose official capsules from the brand that owns the system.
How does it differ from Carte Noire Espresso Lungo N°6?
The two Nespresso®-compatible Carte Noire products offer two complementary profiles:
- Espresso N°7 Classique (this product) — smooth and balanced, intensity 7/13, 40 mL espresso. Chocolate and citrus notes. For lovers of French-style espresso.
- Espresso Lungo N°6 Classique — intensity 6/13, 100 to 120 mL lungo. Caramel and floral notes. For lovers of French-style long coffee (café-crème).
Choose according to your preferred cup: short espresso (N°7) or lungo (N°6).
Is Carte Noire really French or Italian today?
Carte Noire is a French brand, owned by the Italian Lavazza group since February 2016. In detail:
- French brand origins — founded in 1978 by René Monnier, it passed to Jacobs Suchard (1982), Kraft and then Mondelēz, which merged its coffee business with Douwe Egberts in 2015.
- Acquired by Lavazza in 2016 — the Italian Lavazza group (Turin, founded in 1895) acquired Carte Noire for around 750 million euros, after the European Commission required the sale as a condition of the merger.
- Production in France — the historic Lavérune factory (Hérault, near Montpellier) produces the brand's ground coffee, pods and capsules. Carte Noire's signature recipes are preserved.
The result: French expertise preserved, with Lavazza's capital and international strategy. Carte Noire is now France's leading supermarket coffee brand, according to the Lavazza group.
Any brewing recommendations?
40 mL espresso programme (short coffee button) on your Nespresso® machine — the capsule's 5,5 g dose is calibrated for this volume. Extraction time 25–30 seconds, machine temperature 90–92 °C, pressure 19 bar (Nespresso® Original standard).
For a ristretto (25 mL) — use a customised short programme on machines that support it (Pixie, Prodigio, Lattissima). The Arabica blend then develops maximum aromatic concentration, ideal after a meal.
For a cappuccino/latte — the blend's intensity of 7 comes through well in milk. With a Lattissima machine or a separate milk frother, pour the espresso first, then the hot frothed milk (ratio 1/3–2/3).
Avoid — using the lungo programme with this N°7 capsule, which is optimised for espresso. For a lungo, choose Carte Noire Espresso Lungo N°6 instead.
How do I recycle aluminium capsules?
The capsules are made of aluminium, a recyclable metal:
- Yellow recycling bin — since 2023, recycling guidelines in France have covered all packaging: put the capsules in with packaging, checking your local council's guidelines.
- Coffee grounds — if you can, empty the capsule: the grounds can go into home compost or food waste.
How much does a cup cost with this capsule?
One capsule makes one cup: a box of 30 capsules makes 30 espressos, and the cost per cup is the box price shown on this page divided by 30. Compare it with the price per capsule of your usual capsules.
In terms of flavour, N°7 Classique (intensity 7 out of 13) sits among smooth, balanced espressos, neither mild nor very full-bodied: for more intensity, try Espresso N°9 Intense.
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