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Tasting notes & flavor profile
Intensity
Aromatic notes
Taste Profile
Lavazza Blue Tales of Roma Espresso is part of the Tales of collection launched by Lavazza in 2020 —an editorial series dedicated to four iconic Italian coffee cities. Roma is celebrated here as the Italian capital with an intense yet refined coffee heritage —the Eternal City boasts an authentic coffee tradition upheld by historic roasters like Sant'Eustachio il Caffè (founded in 1938 in Piazza Sant'Eustachio near the Pantheon, famous for its "creamy" espresso, served sweet by default) and Tazza d'Oro (also near the Pantheon, specializing in full-bodied Robusta blends). The Roman style is a middle ground between balanced Milano and traditional Napoli : intense and full-bodied like a Southern espresso, but with greater finesse and aromatic complexity thanks to the high-altitude Arabica beans that make up a significant portion of the blend. The blend is a full-bodied Arabica-Robusta (exact proportions not specified, estimated at ~50% Arabica / ~50% Robusta based on the observed cup profile), medium-dark roast in the Roman style (less dark than Napoli, more dark than Milano). In the cup: characteristic thick, dark brown crema, powerful and dense body , dominant notes of deep dark chocolate , with intense roasted accents and final touches of sweet spices (white pepper, light cinnamon) that add complexity and length on the palate. The profile is intense yet refined —perfect for lovers of full-bodied coffee that isn't too extreme, or for those who find Tales of Napoli too strong. It's the ideal choice for: a traditional Italian morning espresso (25-30 mL, with or without sugar), a complex, aromatic ristretto (15-20 mL), or a balanced, full-bodied cappuccino (the body holds its own against the milk without completely overpowering it). Format 100 capsules standard office/CHR volume, premium positioning editorial series.
Machine compatibility
Box of 100 capsules · Plastic
Compatible machines:
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Lavazza “Tales of” collection?
Launched by Lavazza in 2020, the Tales of offers 4 blends dedicated to iconic Italian coffee cities :
- Tales of Milano — balanced urban, intensity 7/10.
- Tales of Napoli — traditional full-bodied, intensity 9/10.
- Tales of Roma (this product) — intense balanced, intensity 8/10.
- Tales of Venezia Espresso and Lungo — fine and elegant, intensity 7 and 6/10.
Each blend is calibrated to evoke the local coffee culture — a true tasteful editorial series.
Difference between Roma vs Napoli vs Milano — which full-bodied Blue to choose?
Three full-bodied/balanced Tales of blends with progressive positioning:
- Tales of Milano (7/10) — balanced, modern urban. Medium roast. Notes of milk chocolate/hazelnut/cereal. Positioned as "office consensus".
- Tales of Roma (this product, 8/10) — intense yet refined. Medium-dark roast. Notes of dark chocolate/toast/sweet spices. Positioned as "full-bodied yet balanced, aromatically complex." A perfect compromise for lovers of full-bodied coffee, but not extreme.
- Tales of Napoli (9/10) — Maximum traditional full-bodied . Deep, dark roast. Notes of intense dark chocolate, warm spices, and deep toast. Positioned as an uncompromising "tribute to Neapolitan caffè."
Roma is the ideal intermediate choice for enthusiasts seekingauthentic Italian intensity with finesse, without going as far as the raw power of Napoli.
Does Roma have a true coffee tradition?
Yes — Rome has an authentic and historical coffee tradition, often less known than that of Naples, but just as deeply rooted:
- Sant'Eustachio il Caffè — a coffee roastery founded in 1938 in Piazza Sant'Eustachio near the Pantheon. Famous for its espresso with a golden crema, served sweet by default unless otherwise requested. A world-renowned Roman institution.
- Tazza d'Oro — another historic Roman roaster near the Pantheon, specializing in full-bodied Robusta blends. Another coffee pilgrimage site in Rome.
- Antico Caffè Greco — historic cafe on Via dei Condotti, founded in 1760, one of the oldest cafes in Italy still in operation (frequented by Casanova, Stendhal, Goethe, Byron).
The traditional Roman style is intense yet refined, with more aromatic complexity than the more robust Neapolitan style. It is this "elegant intensity" that Tales of Roma seeks to evoke.
Composition – Arabica/Robusta proportion?
A balanced Arabica-Robusta blend . Lavazza does not disclose the exact proportions for the Blue B2B range and the Tales of collection, but the profile observed in the cup (powerful body but with aromatic complexity) indicates:
- Arabica ~50% — brings the fine notes of deep dark chocolate, sweet spices and aromatic complexity typical of high-altitude Latin American/African Arabicas.
- Robusta ~50% — brings the powerful body, long-lasting crema and intensity characteristic of a full-bodied Italian espresso.
The medium-dark roast in the Roman style (less intense than in Naples) preserves the aromatic finesse while developing the intensity — a perfect balance for an "intense yet elegant".
Compatible with systems other than Lavazza Blue ?
No capsule Blue is a proprietary format launched in 1998 by Lavazza for the B2B/HoReCa segment. It requires a Lavazza Blue (LB300 → LB4700, Classy Mini/Plus). Not compatible with Nespresso, Dolce Gusto, Delta Q, Lavazza A Modo Mio , or Illy Iperespresso.
Blue Intenso classic vs Tales of Roma — which intense Blue game should you choose?
Two full-bodied Blue blends with different positioning:
- Blue Intenso — a classic blend from the Blue, intensity 9/10, with cocoa/spice notes. Positioned as a "full-bodied Italian espresso," ideal for the office. Generally more affordable (classic range).
- Tales of Roma (this product) — Tales of, intensity 8/10 , slightly less extreme, notes of dark chocolate/toast/sweet spices, narratively positioned as a "tribute to Roman coffee" with greater aromatic finesse. Generally priced premium (editorial series).
Tales of Roma brings a stronger editorial and cultural dimension , while Intenso is the robust, universal office game . They can perfectly coexist to offer variety.
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