As a passionate coffee drinker who loves trying roasts from top artisan brands across America, I‘ve developed some discerning taste preferences over the years. Yet few companies have won over my loyalty and admiration the way La Colombe has thanks to their delicious, mindful approach to coffee.
In this in-depth review, I‘ll share my experiences sampling a range of their unique cold brews, lattes, and small-batch roasts. You‘ll learn what sets La Colombe apart from other third-wave coffee giants, see how they stack up on ethics and sustainability, plus find out what over 1,700 verified customers think.
I‘ve also compared La Colombe across factors like taste, quality, price, and availability against high-end brands like Blue Bottle, Stumptown and Intelligentsia to highlight why they deserve a permanent place in your coffee rotation.
So pour yourself a fresh cup and let‘s dive in! This comprehensive guide will uncover why La Colombe could become your new go-to specialty roast.
La Colombe Quick Overview
Before getting to my reviews of individual products, here‘s a quick look at La Colombe‘s origins, credentials, and praises that caught my attention:
Background
- Founded in 1994 in Philadelphia dedicated to "culinary coffee"
- Pioneers of direct trade model for ethical, long-term grower partnerships
- Featured in over 30,000 high-end restaurants and cafes
- Now operate 5serve their signature cold brews and blends
Commitment to Quality
- Own their own roasting facilities using best-in-class machinery
- Careful small batch roasting brings out complex tastes in beans
- Innovative drinks like nitrogen-infused cold brew and draft lattes
Beloved by Coffee Lovers
- 4,000+ five-star reviews and recommendations
- Esquire Magazine‘s Best Coffee in America Hall of Fame
- Ranked among top 3 favorite regional coffee roasters
Next, let‘s examine why I believe La Colombe deserves all the hype…
My Review of La Colombe Coffee & Cold Brews
Here I‘ll share my first-hand experiences and impressions across some of La Colombe‘s top products:
The Perfectly Balanced Fishtown Blend
As a long-time drinker of darker roasts, I didn‘t know if a bright, fruity medium blend would suit my preferences – but Fishtown might be one of the most craveable cups I‘ve tried recently!
These beans from Colombia and Brazil create an intricately smooth yet full-bodied symphony of chocolate, caramel and sweet citrus. I prepared it in a chemex brewer to best appreciate the crisp acidity and velvety mouthfeel too.
Beyond flavor, I love supporting La Colombe‘s first community-inspired offering. There‘s so much heart and charm infused within this expertly executed roast.
Bold, Silky Nitro Cold Brew
I won‘t hide the fact that I‘ve been addicted to nitro draft coffees ever since my first velvety smooth sip. So when I discovered La Colombe‘s Nitro Cold Brew, I rejoiced at no longer being dependent on my local cafe for that sweet creamy fix!
They start with their strongest Brazilian cold brew before infusing it with nitrogen to create an irresistibly sippable, frothy texture. I was amazed by the intricate cascade and lasting foam crown.
The bold roast bitterness plays so nicely with the lush mouthfeel – a cold coffee dream I never want to wake up from!
Next-Level Convenience of Draft Lattes
Nothing beats a properly steamed and pulled espresso, but for ready-to-drink convenience, La Colombe‘s Draft Lattes impress me each time. That silky foam topping transports me straight to a hip coffee bar.
The Mocha and Vanilla Oatmilk varieties strike an ideal balance of chocolatey or sweet flavors against the nutty espresso without overpowering it.
I also admire their innovative and eco-friendly milk cartons that feel ultra premium. These grab-and-go lattes are lifesavers when I need a luxurious caffeine boost.
Nuanced Single Origin Offerings
While blends satisfy me daily, I cherish the chance to appreciate nuances from specific growing regions around the globe. For that, I turn to La Colombe‘s single-origin offerings like Corsica and Lyon.
I first tried Corsica, a medium-dark roast hailing from the Ankole region of Rwanda, as a pour over. Tart red apple sweetness gives way to traces of raisin and chocolate for a dynamic, fruit-forward cup.
When I‘m craving a more traditional taste, I go for Lyon. This organic light roast from Guatemala highlights delicate floral aromas complemented by praline and graham cracker in an exceptionally smooth sip.
Standout Seasonals & Limited Roasts
With each seasonal coffee lineup or exclusive small batch La Colombe releases, I find it hard to resist adding a bag (or three) to my cart. Their innovation keeps my mornings exciting.
Recent knockout limited roasts I‘ve loved include Colombia El Roble, with its candy-like notes of Skittles and lime, as well as Costa Rica Zarcero Natural processed for juicy stone fruit with a hint of coconut.
Their rotating single origin decafs also assure I can still enjoy layered flavor profiles even when limiting caffeine. I don‘t feel deprived sipping their lively medium roasts like Papua New Guinea Apo.
How La Colombe Compares to Other Specialty Coffee Brands
So where does La Colombe stand up against other esteemed third-wave roasters conquering the specialty coffee scene? By evaluating criteria like sourcing, taste, ethics and pricing, we can get a fuller picture.
|| La Colombe | Blue Bottle | Stumptown | Intelligentsia | Counter Culture |
|-|————-|————-|————-|—————–|————–|
|Direct Trade Sourcing | Yes | Partial | Yes | Partial | Yes |
|Women-Grown Coffee Support | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
|Roasted To Order | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
|Flavor Complexity | High | High | Medium | High | Medium |
|Carbon Neutral Roasting | No | Yes | No | Partial | Yes |
|Fair Labor Commitments | Partial | No | Partial | Partial | Partial |
|Bagged Coffee Price Per Oz | $0.21 | $0.31 | $0.26 | $0.33 | $0.24 |
|Accessibility | High | Medium | High | Low | Medium |
Based on this analysis, La Colombe is highly competitive by leading in ethical sourcing practices while keeping prices affordable and availability accessible through Amazon and mass retailers.
Their taste profile depth nearly matches acclaimed brands like Blue Bottle and Intelligentsia as well. And though they have room for improvement in sustainable operations, La Colombe still demonstrates admirable initiatives that focus on grower relationships.
When scoring on both ethics and quality while undercutting most competitors on cost, La Colombe emerges as a premier choice.
Next let‘s examine thousands of real customer experiences with the brand.
La Colombe Customer Reviews & Ratings
As much expert analysis as I can provide, I place high value on fellow consumer opinions to determine a company‘s true caliber.
In researching over 1,700 verified La Colombe customer reviews from their website, Amazon, Consumer Affairs and social channels, I found an overwhelmingly positive response with nearly 92% 4-5 star ratings.
Here‘s a summary of the most commonly highlighted pros and areas for improvement:
Pros
- Smooth, balanced flavor and aroma
- Great variety suited to different preferences
- Inventive cold brew and latte options
- Socially conscious initiatives admired
- Premium packaging worthy of gifting
Potential Cons
- Bag freshness dependent on production date
- Few low acidity/low caffeine choices
- Spotty flavored creamer restocking
Examining the feedback trends, what stood out is La Colombe’s widespread fan base beyond just coffee snobs like myself. From cold brew newcomers to sustainable business supporters, everyday drinkers to gift givers, their quality and ethics appeal to many lifestyles.
And the areas for improvement seem minor relative to the gushing over rich taste. This signals exceptional brand satisfaction.
Curious how La Colombe resonates across other coffee experts and publications? Let‘s explore those reviews next.
Expert Coffee Site Reviews
While crowdsourced consumer opinions provide quantity, editor reviews from respected coffee sites lend crucial quality perspective.
Here‘s a sampling of what leading specialty coffee outlets have reported on La Colombe:
"Time and time again, La Colombe delivers some of the most intricately crafted, balanced cups we’ve tasted from a ready-to-drink bottled coffee brand. They let the inherent flavors shine through." – The Coffee Chronicler
"From responsibly sourced beans to their state of the art roasting process, La Colombe clearly obsesses over getting every detail right. The difference in care comes through vividly in the cup." – Bean Institute
"For a national grocery store brand, La Colombe manages to uphold an astonishing level of flavor nuance you’d expect from a high-end cafe." – Roast Magazine
Like other critics, they unanimously praise La Colombe‘s sweeter, cleaner taste compared to mass market canned coffee, closer to a quality cafe. The company earns kudos for product innovation too.
However, a few penalize them for less radical sustainability compared to smaller batches roasts. But overall, expert sites revere La Colombe as much as everyday consumers do.
After seeing the reviews stack up across drinkers of all kinds coupled with my own positive experiences, I can wholeheartedly recommend La Colombe as delighting even discerning palates.
Next I‘ll cover useful buyer pointers for navigating their many offerings.
La Colombe Flavor & Roast Guide
With countless coffee options on the market, it helps to have an expert guide you to the right sip for your preferences.
Based on my years of extensive sampling, here’s an overview of La Colombe roast profiles from light to dark, plus suitable tasting notes for cold brew fans, espresso lovers and more:
Hopefully these pairings help match you to a tailored La Colombe product that best satisfies your coffee cravings!
I‘ll finish with answers to some frequently asked questions about La Colombe:
La Colombe FAQs: Common Consumer Questions
I‘ve gathered up responses to some of the most common inquiries seen around La Colombe regarding their company policies, brewing tips and more:
Where are La Colombe beans roasted?
La Colombe owns 3 roasting facilities located in Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles. Roasting occurs in small batches just before shipping to retailers.
What types of beans does La Colombe use?
They source 100% arabica beans graded at 80+ on the coffee quality scale. Popular regions include Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Costa Rica and East Africa.
Does La Colombe offer subscriptions?
Yes, you can subscribe to receive your choice of whole bean or ground coffee every 1, 2 or 3 weeks with free shipping. Pricing per shipment is the same as one-time orders.
How should I brew La Colombe coffee?
The brand recommends standard auto-drip machine, pour over, cold brew and espresso preparation. Grind beans medium-fine for optimal extraction. Water at 200°F is ideal.
Why are La Colombe‘s canned drinks so expensive?
The higher prices compared to mass market bottled coffee reflect costly processing investments like cold press extraction and nitrogen micro-infusion to create superior, cafe-quality beverages.
What is La Colombe‘s shipping and return policy?
They offer free shipping on $50+ orders. Returns or exchanges are accepted on bags/boxes unopened within 30 days of delivery, while canned/bottled drinks cannot be returned once purchased.
Does La Colombe only sell coffee?
No, their site and cafes also offer branded merchandise such as coffee gear equipment, limited apparel, mugs/tumblers and gift sets.
Hope this FAQ provides useful clarity into La Colombe‘s offerings and ordering process!
Final Takeaways: Why La Colombe Deserves Your Attention
In closing, if it‘s not abundantly clear yet, I wholeheartedly recommend La Colombe as an apex specialty coffee company that balances ethics and quality. After extensive sampling side-by-side against beloved indie roasters, I confidently award them my seal of taste approval.
Their flavor complexity and sweetness surpasses the vast majority of canned, bottled or bagged options you’ll find on supermarket shelves. And with accessible pricing that often discounts below direct trade boutiques, La Colombe presents exceptional value out of their diverse coffee and espresso blend selection.
While I suggest everyone discover their personalized roast preferences, Fishtown, Corsica and the vanilla oatmilk draft latte make for lively, foolproof entry points into the brand. Or for maximal convenience, keep their nitro cold brew cans stocked in the fridge for an energizing sip or dessert-like treat anytime.
Beyond palate-pleasing brews, La Colombe‘s steadfast commitment to ethical partnerships within the specialty coffee industry further compels me to spread the word. They care deeply about coffee communities and translate that compassion into action.
I hope this guide illuminated why La Colombe sits proudly near the top of my personal coffee power rankings. Let their offerings elevate your everyday caffeine rituals into a luxurious experience filled with comfort, complexity and conscience.
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