Two years ago, we got a sneak peek at one of Keurig’s most exciting innovations in years: a coffee pod made entirely of coffee byproducts, with not a spec of plastic. While we waited patiently for the release, Italian coffee giant Lavazza was brewing up a sustainable coffee pod and appears to have beaten Keurig to the punch.
Lavazza introduced Tablì to the United States market on Monday — a solid coffee tab that the 130-year-old coffee company calls its most ambitious product innovation ever. The US launch follows a successful debut in Italy and marks the first time the format has been available outside that market.
Unlike K-Cups and other traditional single-serve formats, Tablì pods — or “tabs” — contain no capsule, no individual wrapping and no coating. Just pure compressed coffee — dosed, ground and tamped into a solid form that’s ready to brew.
The technology behind the tab is the result of five years of research and development and more than 15 patents. A concave shape allows the coffee to expand during brewing, producing what Lavazza calls “Crema Plus” — the velvety, persistent foam layer associated with properly pulled espresso. The machine used to brew these all-natural pods, designed in Italy, requires no setup, grinding or measuring from the user.
The launch is the centerpiece of Lavazza’s accelerated North American growth.
“The US is one of the most dynamic markets in the world,” said Daniele Foti, Lavazza North America’s VP of marketing, in a press release sent to CNET. “This is our biggest bet on this market yet, and we intend to shape what comes next.”
The Tablì machine itself sports a sculpted silhouette and slider designed for one-touch operation. Accessories include a milk frother and a dedicated tab storage holder.
The Tablì is available for pre-order at tablicoffee.us for $260. Individual tabs range from $ 0.70 to $1.15 per tab. A launch bundle includes the Tablì machine, a milk frother and a 60-count variety tab collection.
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