Lavazza Tablì Decaf Tabs vs Lavazza Tablì Espresso Tabs

A single shot of decaffeinated espresso

A single shot of espresso

• +The same $1.00 a shot as the caffeinated boxes, where decaf often carries a premium.
• +100% Arabica, described by Lavazza as full bodied with nutty and chocolatey notes.
• +Intensity 7 of 13, close enough to the Espresso tab at 8 to be a like-for-like evening swap.
• +No capsule: the tab is pressed coffee with no packaging of its own.

• −Lavazza does not publish the decaffeination method, which is the fact a decaf drinker most wants.
• −No caffeine figure is published either, and decaf is never caffeine free.
• −48 to a box, which is a lot for a coffee most households drink only in the evening.
• −It fits the Tablì machine alone.

• +100% Arabica, which Lavazza describes as bright and floral with a subtle fruity finish.
• +A dollar a shot, in line with Nespresso Original capsules and without their aluminium.
• +No capsule on the coffee: the tab is pressed coffee and the spent puck is just wet grounds.
• +Intensity 8 of 13 is the middle of the Tablì range, so it suits milk as well as a straight shot.

• −48 to a box, so trying it costs $48.00 where a Nespresso sleeve of ten is about $10.
• −It fits the Tablì machine and nothing else, and no third party makes tabs.
• −Lavazza publishes no dose weight, origin or roast level for this blend.
• −The tasting notes are the maker's own; nobody at this site has tasted it.