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La Colombe coffee is exceptional. This article will explore the brand’s history and signature blends. Discover with us the Secret of Why La Colombe Coffee Stands Out.
If you’re a coffee lover in the United States, chances are you’ve come across La Colombe’s cafes in major cities like New York, Chicago, and DC. But beyond their trendy locations and sleek branding, what is it that makes their coffee stand out? But how does their coffee really stack up? Let’s look at what makes La Colombe a standout in the crowded coffee landscape.
A Look at La Colombe Coffee History
La Colombe Coffee was founded in 1994 by Todd Carmichael and Jean Philippe Iberti, two coffee enthusiasts who shared a passion for sourcing and roasting the world’s best coffee beans. The company started as a single café in Philadelphia and has since expanded to major cities across the United States, gaining a reputation for its high-quality, sustainably sourced coffee. La Colombe is known for its commitment to ethical sourcing, direct trade relationships with coffee farmers, and innovative brewing techniques. The company has also been recognized for its environmental initiatives, including its use of compostable coffee packaging and its dedication to reducing waste.
As of 2021, La Colombe Coffee is still owned and operated by its co-founders, Todd Carmichael and Jean Philippe Iberti. The company has not been sold to major corporations and remains independently owned. Despite its expansion over the years, La Colombe has remained committed to its core values of sustainability, ethical sourcing, and high-quality coffee. The company has also continued to innovate, introducing new brewing techniques and coffee blends and expanding its product line to include canned coffee, draft lattes, and other coffee-based beverages. With its continued success and loyal following, La Colombe Coffee is poised to remain a significant player in the specialty coffee industry for years.
Realize the Perfectly Balanced Cup with La Colombe’s Signature Blend: Rouge
Espresso
Beautiful creamy texture; it is a joy to see it flowing. When you open the bag, it looks darker than a medium roast. Not quite to the level of an actual dark roast, but more like a medium dark. It smells like a dark roast.
At the first sip, I taste a roasty smoky sweetness, immediately followed by a delicate acidity that balances it completely, with some hints of sour cherries. There is a delicious, luscious dark chocolate flavor that teases me. Everything is in balance; none of the flavors overwhelm the other. They are very present and distinct, but they integrate beautifully. The texture is creamy and wonderful. It is a great espresso to sip. After drinking it, I am left with a lovely aftertaste of sweet, delicious coffee with a hint of bitterness. That aftertaste begs me to make another cup. I genuinely enjoy it.
It is a perfect blend for an espresso; it delivers this classic Italian espresso feel but with a nice added complexity due to the sour red fruits. I had Rouge in the past, but it is better than I remember. It has all the flavors I love in coffee and none I don’t enjoy.
You might like to read this fantastic article: How to Make Your First Espresso Shots?
French Press
Brewed with my trusty French press, I got a smooth coffee, a slight smokiness typical of a dark roast present at the beginning. As I go through my cup, I notice that it disappears and tastes more like a medium roast would taste. The delicious sweetness reminds me of dark chocolate. The acidity is faint but present. However, I didn’t detect the sour cherries flavors I had with the espresso. There is almost no bitterness; it drinks very effortlessly. It is very balanced.
After drinking it, I am left with the same delicious coffee notes I had with the espresso: only good coffee flavors, none of the unpleasant notes.
I like this coffee, and I recommend it as a daily sipper to anyone: a beginner looking for something smooth and easy to drink and a coffee connoisseur looking for complexity alike.
You might like to read this fantastic article: How to Make Your Coffee Look Sophisticated? Get a French Press!
V60
Smooth and sweet. The first sip reveals a delicate, smooth dark chocolate sweetness immediately complimented by a delicate acidity. As expected with this brewing method, the acidity is more present than in the French press, but it is very controlled, making the cup more exciting and complex. A little more bitterness here remains on the tongue after sipping my coffee. I preferred the lovely aftertaste of the French press: there was something more unique and chocolaty about it. However, It is lovely and invites you to keep sipping on your cup. The filter adds complexity, a refreshing bitterness that works well for hot summer days.
You might like to read this fantastic article: Hario V60 – The most capable coffee brewer costs less than $15
In conclusion
In conclusion, Rouge is a versatile coffee blend that delivers a delightful experience across different brewing methods. It has a perfect balance of flavors, with a roasty smoky sweetness, delicate acidity, and hints of sour cherries and dark chocolate. Whether you prefer a smooth French press coffee or a more complex V60 brew, Rouge covers you. It is an excellent choice for both beginners and coffee enthusiasts looking for a daily sipper with complexity and balance.
Discover the Perfect Blend of Beans with Nizza Coffee
Nizza is a medium roast coffee that features a blend of beans from three different countries: Brazil, Colombia, and Guatemala. Nizza is a versatile coffee that can be brewed using various methods. According to La Colombe: “it has a sweet and fruity taste with notes of dark chocolate and a mild acidity that gives the coffee a well-balanced taste. Nizza is a great option for those who prefer a medium roast with a subtle sweetness and a smooth finish.”
Espresso
It is surprisingly less thick than Rouge. It has a very smooth texture and a lovely sweetness that reminds me of a mix of caramel and honey. I also detect a flavor that reminds me of slightly sweet crackers or cereal, similar to the crust of a cheesecake. A hint of acidity nicely complements the smooth sweetness. While it has a little more bitterness than I would prefer, it’s not overly present. However, I’m not a big fan of the aftertaste as the bitterness takes over my tongue. I will enjoy it in the moment, but it won’t leave me brooding about the cup I just had. Overall, I still prefer Rouge as I find it more interesting.
You might like to read this fantastic article: How to Make Your First Espresso Shots?
French Press
Brewed with the French press, Nizza is a sweet and smooth coffee.
The first thing I taste is a delicious nutty sweetness complemented by notes of honey. The sweetness is the defining characteristic of this coffee, with almost no acidity or bitterness. The sweetness lingers on the tongue long after drinking. I would confidently serve this coffee to someone new to it to demonstrate how easy it is to enjoy a freshly ground cup. There are no off-putting notes or bitterness, just a delicious sweetness.
You might like to read this fantastic article: How to Make Your Coffee Look Sophisticated? Get a French Press!
V60
Surprisingly bright! From my experience with the espresso and the French press, I was expecting a nutty, sweet cup, but I am actually getting a surprising amount of brightness that compliments the initial sweetness. The sweetness has a nutty characteristic with a little bit of milk chocolate. But the controlled citrus acidity surprises me here since it came out of nowhere. It balances the cup, making it more “refreshing” for summer coffee. The bitterness is very faint, almost nonexistent. There is, however, some bitterness in the aftertaste, and it somehow masks the sweetness.
I do not find the lovely aftertaste I experienced with Rouge. You will have to enjoy this one immediately, not long after you had your last sip.
You might like to read this fantastic article: Hario V60 – The most capable coffee brewer costs less than $15
In conclusion
I am surprised how different this coffee tastes using the V60 method (and likely any method with a filter) compared to espresso and French press. It lets you decide how you want to have it, bright or smooth; pick the method that goes with it.
To Sum Up
La Colombe is a coffee brand that offers excellent coffee blends suitable for different brewing methods. Both options are versatile and allow the coffee to express different delicious flavors, whether you prefer it sweet or bright. Personally, I prefer the Rouge blend to Nizza because it has bolder flavors and more of the delicious characteristics I love in coffee. Additionally, it has an incredible aftertaste that lingers in your mouth after finishing your cup.
