Cafe La Llave Espresso Dark Roast Coffee, 16 Ounce (Pack of 3)

Good coffee.

Personally, I've been a fan of Cafe La Llave since I'd originally encountered the brand, in a local store. Albeit, I've moved around since then and now its not as accessible locally.I believe that this packaging available here is quite convenient, and it's also reasonably affordable. For daily coffee, I tend to reuse an earlier Cafe La Liave coffee can, with about one of these coffee bricks per week. This packaging limits the waste while the coffee is still available in some modestly convenient container.For personal taste, I've taken to mixing a couple spoonfulls of dark-roast auto-drip coffee on top of the Cafe La Llave in the coffee machine's coffee basket. I then compact the coffee down with the flat bottom of a seasoning shaker (Adobo, in fact) before adding water to the coffee machine then brewing the coffee.The blending with the auto-drip coffee may certainly be a matter of personal taste. Perhaps it's not all so much like espresso in a traditional sense. I believe that in compacting the mix down before brewing, it helps towards developing a more Espresso-like texture in the coffee, even when brewed in an auto-drop coffee machine.Though I've not had a personal espresso machine for some years, I remember that Cafe La Llave had worked out really well for espresso. This was with a sub-hundred-dollar Espresso machine from a local retail store, nothing really ostentatiousIt's a great blend of coffee, certainly versatile across brewing methods.

I took a chance on this because of other positive reviews. I am a coffee "snob" in the sense that the only worthy commercial coffee place I have visited was the Belgian Chocolate Shop in downtown Philadelphia years ago which served top-end Segafredo espresso.That was the best, but I still enjoy really good Italian espresso. Still. I am willing to try others.First, it was a shock to get a brick of espresso that is a full pound! I haven't seen one in decades.I do like dark roast coffees, and lean toward arabica beans. But Cafe La Llave Espresso made from robusto beans surprised me. The flavor is different, but I enjoy it. It is a more full flavor. Not as smooth as a fine italian espresso, but not harsh or bitter. It has a character I like with flavor notes other coffees I've had lack. It's bold without being unrefined.So, I'm glad to have this as another coffee option in my home. And the quality for price is impressive!

LA LLAVE coffee has converted my new German-American husband into a Cuban style espresso drinker. Hence, our home is always well stocked with LA LLAVE coffee and home filled with its soothing aroma every morning. The tradition and history in LA LLAVE website of a Cuban-American family owned business says it all. My parents also escaped Cuba (in 1962), and I was born and grew up in Miami, so I am as highly particular as my parents when it comes to espresso coffee. LA LLAVE was introduced to me by my mother decades ago and we both dropped all other similar espresso products (that seem to us to be a bit more bitter), while our choice is bold yet smooth. Our homes are never without LA LLAVE, or otherwise it would be a household crisis, LOL. I even take LA LLAVE and brewing tools with me when we travel. : ) Hard Core, huh.

This is hands down, the best value for great-tasting espresso that you can find anywhere! It's sealed great, the grounds are fresh and actually ground to a perfect espresso consistency/grind and the real kicker is that it produces one of the best cups out my espresso machine of any grounds I've tried! The crema is substantial and the aroma and taste off of it compare with anything I've had in my travels around the world. Don't feel that this "has" to be made Cuban style on the stove; Sure there will be purists who swear by going the Cuban method, but honestly, straight-up and pure with no sugar, no cream, the true flavor shines through and this performs exceptionally well through my Chefman machine.

Oftentimes as we age, we can't have caffeine and it's very difficult to give up our beloved coffee. This fabulous decaffeinated coffee coffee is dark, rich and extremely flavorful. Drink it any time of day. Starbucks can't hold a candle to this coffee! Great with espresso machines and French Press.

A good deal at three 16 0z bricks for less than $10. Might be seasonal though as the price is a bit higher now. But still worth it! I've tried numerous espresso coffees over the past several years after venturing away from my long time favorites (and still) Cafe Bustelo espresso and Luzianne Premium coffee with chicory. This is the best that I have tasted so far otherwise for drip, espresso machine or french press making. If you like the Latin espresso coffee taste definitely try CAFE LA LLAVE. Also try CAFE AROMA. I have found that regular scrubbing of my coffee makers with baking soda with a thorough cold water rinse makes a big difference in the quality of the brew. Do not use any kind of soap or dish washing liquid. If your coffee maker is especially grungy you may have to use one of the Urnex brand products for a deeper clean.

Cafe La Llave is the best cheap, dark coffee. It is 100x better than Bustelo (Bustelo is bitter and weak). We have enjoyed this coffee for many years and it is even cheaper to buy the vacuum bricks from Amazon than the cans from the store. Store cans are 10 oz. Bricks are EITHER 10 oz or 16 oz--double check your size and price per oz before ordering. We bought a Tupperware-style container that holds 1 lb of ground coffee, and keep a short scoop in it. You will want a container to store this; because the coffee is so finely ground, you will make a mess each day if you try to serve it from the package.