- Lavazza Tabli capsules are made entirely from compressed ground coffee
- A Tabli coffee maker is now available in the US for the first time
- Packaging is minimal, though there is a thin layer of plastic film on the box
Capsule coffee makers from brands like Nespresso and Keurig are a great time-saver, letting you brew fresh espresso in one minute flat without the hassle of weighing and grinding anything yourself.
When you're done, everything is neatly contained within a pod and there are no messy grounds to worry about. The disadvantage is the pods, which can be a hassle to recycle, requiring dedicated facilities to separate the materials and process them properly. Now Italian brand Lavazza has a solution: capsules made entirely from compressed ground coffee, which work just like conventional pods but without individual packaging.
Lavazza Tabli capsules launched in Europe last year, but now they're available in the US for the first time, along with a new Tabli coffee maker. Each compressed tablet of coffee has a concave shape, and expands on contact with hot water inside the machine. Used tabs are deposited in a bin after brewing.
The Tabli format is protected by 15 patents, so you won't be able to buy your coffee tabs from any other brands, though this is the case with most coffee pods. Lavazza is offering five blends at launch, which gives you a reasonable amount of choice (Super Crema, Espresso, Double Espresso, Lungo, and Decaf). Hopefully more options will be available before long.
Tidier brewing
Less packaging has other benefits too; it means each Tabli tab should weigh less than its foil or plastic-wrapped counterpart, and therefore less energy is required to transport them. Without the need to manufacture a package for each one, the tabs should also be more energy-efficient to produce.
However, it's worth bearing in mind that the Tabli system isn't quite plastic-free. Although each coffee tab is unwrapped, they are sold in a box made from card with a layer of plastic film. The same is true of all coffee capsules I've used, and it's particularly necessary for otherwise unwrapped pods (ground coffee oxidizes quickly, which breaks down the flavor compounds). but it's something to be aware of nonetheless.
If you want coffee without any plastic, your best option is a refill shop that sells locally-roasted coffee beans that you can purchase in your own container. That won't be an option for many people though, and if you can't buy totally unpackaged beans, Tabli could be the next best thing.
The Tabli bundle (which includes the coffee maker, a milk frother, a selection of 60 tabs, and a pair of tweezers for handling the pods so you don't handle them directly if you're brewing for a guest) will soon be available to pre-order for $99.99 direct from Lavazza, and will begin shipping in August.
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