Qualita Oro Dark Roast: ο "σκοτεινός εαυτός" ενός εμβληματικού blend

One of the world's most popular espresso blends, in a new version.

In the world of coffee, there are blends that hide a piece of the history of our favorite beverage. When we talk about Lavazza, it is not difficult to identify such blends – arks of the heritage of Italian espresso. On the occasion of the launch of the new Lavazza Qualita Oro Dark Roast, we attempt a retrospective on the history of the emblematic blend and get to know its “naughty” and “dark” cousin, which will claim its presence in our cups.

Brief history of Qualita Oro

Qualita Oro is one of Lavazza’s most historic blends, having been recognized as a symbol of Italian coffee culture for almost seven decades. It was created in 1956 in Turin by the Lavazza family. It is the company's first "historic" blend that managed to combine high quality with the ability to produce on a large scale, contributing decisively to the spread of Lavazza coffee in every Italian home, making the brand "Italy's favorite coffee", as the well-known slogan goes.

Its recipe is considered a "family secret" that has been passed down from generation to generation, maintaining the same flavor profile unchanged for over 65 years. Moreover, despite the fact that Lavazza is a global espresso giant, it still remains a family business today. Qualita Oro was the flagship that helped, to a large extent, Lavazza to evolve into the brand we all know today.

What makes Qualita Oro stand out?

As its name suggests, Qualita Oro is a “golden” blend, with particular attention to detail and the selection of the best raw materials. It consists of a unique combination of 6 100% Arabica varieties from the best plantations in Central and South America, which gives it a unique flavor profile. Due to its balanced character, it is considered ideal for those looking for an aromatic espresso without a strong sense of bitterness, while it is also extremely popular for home use. Its flavor is delicate, overflowing with floral and fruity notes.

This is a particularly versatile blend, as it “gives” excellent espressos, faithful to Italian tradition and heritage, while it can also be the basis for delicious cappuccinos.

A new era for Qualita Oro: the same, but darker

A blend as popular as Oro, a true legacy for the company that launched it, can, despite its traditional character, become an occasion for experimentation and anniversary editions? If we are talking about Lavazza, of course! In recent years, Lavazza has launched Lavazza Oro Mountain Grown, a blend that, tapping into the legacy of Oro, hid beans from high-altitude plantations within it, emphasizing a more refined and gourmet version of espresso.

Today, the “gold” takes on a “darker” guise. The quality and attention to detail that characterize Qualita Oro have of course remained unchanged, but the beans are roasted more intensely and darker – and that’s how Qualita Oro Dark Roast was born!

The dark roast highlights different aspects of the rich Italian espresso tradition, and endows the blend with notes of cocoa and dried fruit, which make it truly special. The beans still come from the best plantations in Latin America and are, of course, exclusively Arabica, but its character is more provocative, the taste deeper and more intense and the aroma intoxicating.



Qualita Oro Dark Roast is proof that the classic never ceases to pleasantly surprise us – as long as it comes from a company like Lavazza.