by Nigel Ong
Lavazza makes some pretty interesting roasts. Some are rough for me, like the Qualita Rosa, but there are nice ones, too, like the Qualita Oro.
What about its more unique roasts, such as the ¡Tierra! Organic For Planet? I picked up a bag to find out.
In this post, I review the ¡Tierra! Organic Planet. I’ll brew it three ways and then sample it before comparing it with other roasts in my stash.
About Lavazza ¡Tierra! Organic Planet
To those who do not know, Lavazza is a rather common brand that comes to mind regarding Euro-style coffee. Founded in Turin in 1895 by Luigi Lavazza, It was initially a small grocery store before growing into the massive multinational it is today.
Aside from selling coffee, Lavazza also operates many espresso bars and cafés. It is also the first Italian business to offer capsule espresso systems. Its more contemporary competitors include brands such as Illy.
Lavazza launched the ¡Tierra! Project to show the company’s commitment to sustainability and improve people’s environment and living conditions in coffee-producing communities.
The ¡Tierra! for Planet blend is a premium selection of organic Arabica coffee beans from Africa and Central South America. These beans are grown organically and use sustainable agricultural techniques.
The Lavazza ¡Tierra! for Planet blend is part of the ¡Tierra! Lineup of coffee roasts. Other roasts in the lineup include ¡Tierra! For Africa and ¡Tierra! For Amazonia.
First Impression
My Lavazza ¡Tierra! For Planet blend comes in a 10.5 oz bag or about 300 grams for those that operate in metric. The packaging looks premium and elaborate, showing Lavazza’s attempt to highlight the exceptional effort spent to produce this coffee roast.
Upon opening the bag, I was greeted by a rich aroma of coffee, with a surprising mixture of fruity and floral notes. In fact, this coffee roast actually reminded me of the fruity and floral coffee I had at Luckin.
I checked the packaging, and yes, those are the words printed on the coffee bag. Intensity-wise, Lavazza gave it a 6 out of 10, signaling it as a medium roast.
I, however, would much appreciate it if Lavazza could add foldable tabs to the coffee bag. Once I opened the bag, there was no way I could seal it properly unless I pulled out a clip.
I cannot examine the beans directly because my coffee comes pre-ground. Still, the grounds are lighter dark brown, consistent with a medium roast.
Enough with the packaging; let’s get brewing.
How Does Lavazza ¡Tierra! Organic Planet Taste?
Moving on to the brewing tests, I plan to explore Lavazza ¡Tierra! for Planet Blend through three distinct methods:
French Press: This technique should yield dense, robust coffee with particles floating about. This should offer a more comprehensive taste experience. I anticipate a bold and full-bodied flavor.
Pour Over with Filter Paper: This method should produce a ‘cleaner’ coffee devoid of excess oils and particles. This should allow the more delicate flavors to shine through.
Espresso: Although typically associated with darker roasts, I find espresso exceptionally effective in intensifying flavors. This should help me to discern the coffee’s intricate flavor notes.
French Press
I prepared my French press coffee using my trusty Bodum Caffettiera, following the brewing guidelines suggested by Illy Coffee.
My method involves using 15 grams of coffee to 180ml of hot water, around 185°F (or about 85°C). After mixing the coffee grounds, I allow the mixture to steep for 4 minutes before pouring.
The coffee’s aroma is enticing, rich, and quite light. It also has hints of fruits and floral fragrances, sometimes making me think of tea.
As I pour the coffee from the French press, the Lavazza ¡Tierra! for Planet blend looks somewhat dark, with a touch of clarity and transparency.
The initial flavor is notably clear upon my first sip, without much smoke or wood. Instead, it has a floral, soft note.
I then let the coffee linger in my mouth by swirling it around. Here, the fruity notes come up more. It has citrusy, fruity notes, but I am unsure.
The coffee leaves a robust impression at the finish, with a soft, sweet, fruity aftertaste on my palate. To me, this is a delightful finish to the sip.
Pour Over With Filter Paper
For my pour-over coffee, I utilize the following equipment:
I adopted the pour-over brewing technique inspired by Starbucks, using 20 grams of ground coffee and gradually introducing 360ml of water into it.
This method produces a notably lighter coffee and a more ‘defined’ taste. The flavor profile is subtly less intense, too. This is probably because of fewer coffee particles present in the beverage.
The coffee now gets to showcase its flavor even better here. I can pick up a stronger dose of fruity and floral notes here, allowing me to appreciate the coffee better.
Pour over brewing is ideal for those who prefer their coffee with a lighter, cleaner profile. This brewing method will work if you would like to sample the Lavazza ¡Tierra! for Planet blend in its most floral, fruity form.
Personally, I find myself liking the richness of the French press method more.
Espresso
I’m pretty sure Lavazza didn’t have espresso in mind when they came up with Lavazza ¡Tierra! for Planet blend. But I was curious to see if I could pack all that flavor into a tiny espresso shot.
So, I whipped out my trusty Wacaco Minipresso GR, a cool little gadget that’s way easier on the wallet than a full-blown espresso machine, and gave it a go.
The result? A shot of rich, thick espresso with beautiful, lush, velvety crema on top. Visually, the crema was a bit lighter, which makes sense since the ¡Tierra! for Planet is more of a medium roast, and the beans aren’t super dark.
Flavor-wise, the espresso is light, with little smoke and wood flavors. Instead, it has these acidic, floral, and fruity notes, making the espresso very easy to sip.
The only thing that bothers me is the slightly acidic note. This is, however, a personal preference. If you like a bit of tang in your coffee, you may just like this.
Lavazza ¡Tierra! Organic Planet vs Popular Medium Roasts
It might sound a bit out there to stack Lavazza ¡Tierra! for Planet blend up against those everyday coffee blends you find at the grocery store, but let me explain the reason here.
Since most of us have had a cup or two of these familiar names, it could give you a better sense of how the ¡Tierra! for Planet tastes.
So, I set up a small coffee-tasting party with these coffee roasts:
From this list, I have to say I enjoyed most of these coffees. However, I have to pick a winner. In this case, I’m sticking with the Dunkin Original Blend.
Why, you ask? Well, it hits the spot with its malty, cozy vibes and doesn’t come at you with sharp flavors. Second comes the McCafe Premium Roast, with the Starbucks and Folgers coming last.
I would place the ¡Tierra! for Planet third on the list. The reason is that it is not strong enough for me. The light, floral coffee just does not give me enough ‘oomph’ to satisfy my palate.
Lavazza ¡Tierra! Organic Planet vs Popular Organic Coffee
I decided to compare the Lavazza ¡Tierra! for Planet blend with several organic coffee roasts I’m quite fond of. They are:
- IKEA Patar Organic Medium Roast
- Allegro Coffee Organic Early Bird Blend
Like my previous coffee trials, I brewed each of these using a French press and then tasted them back-to-back.
While I would place Allegro Coffee as the best of the bunch, the top spot in this lineup, The Lavazza blend, holds its own. It may not be as flavorful as the former, but to me, it is more refined than the IKEA Pater.
The Allegro coffee stands out for its smoothness and the distinct clarity of its flavors, setting it apart from the rest. It also has more smokiness than the ¡Tierra! for Planet, making it more satisfying for me to drink.
If Lavazza ¡Tierra! Organic Planet For You?
After brewing and sampling Lavazza ¡Tierra! for Planet blend, I would say this is not your regular, comfortable, daily go-to coffee.
The floral and fruity notes may be too dominant, making this coffee edgy in flavor; for daily go-to’s, stick with the regular Dunkin, McCafe, Gevalia, or Peet’s blends.
Unless you are ok sipping coffee that may taste a little bit like tea, this coffee is not for you. If you like smokey, woody notes on your coffee, stay away from the ¡Tierra! for Planet.
This coffee may work as some sort of ‘surprise’ to your guests, or as an occasional coffee, you brew when you want something fruity and soft.