Lavazza Launches Single-Serve Espresso Tablets in the U.S. to Challenge Keurig

Posted on June 8, 2026 by Qahwa World

Source: CNBC (adapted) |
Author: Qahwa World |
Date: June 8, 2026

Italian Coffee Giant Lavazza Launches Single-Serve Espresso Tablets in the U.S. to Challenge Keurig

Key Takeaways:

Lavazza is launching its new “Tablì” system in the U.S., using 100% coffee tablets with no coating or binder.
The system required five years of development, over 15 patents, and a new production facility in Italy.
Lavazza’s North American revenue jumped 26.9% in 2025.
The CEO says sustainability remains a top priority for coffee drinkers.
Keurig holds about 50% of the U.S. fresh ground coffee pod market; Nespresso has roughly 7%.
A $99.99 bundle including the machine, 60 tabs, and a milk frother is available for pre-order.
Keurig plans to launch plastic- and aluminum-free “K-Rounds” this fall.

Lavazza, the Italian coffee giant, is bringing its new brewing system, Tablì, to the United States. The system uses 100% coffee tablets and aims to challenge Keurig Dr Pepper’s dominance in the single-serve coffee category.

Lavazza unveiled Tablì last year and launched it first in Italy. The tablets are made of compressed ground coffee without any coating, binder, or gelatin. They can only be used with a Tablì coffee machine made by Lavazza. Each tablet is marked with the words “100% coffee.” At launch, the tabs come in five varieties: espresso, double espresso, decaf espresso, super crema, and lungo (brewed with more water).

Tablì System: Five Years of Development, Over 15 Patents

Antonio Baravalle, CEO of Lavazza, told CNBC: “The result that we’ve been able to achieve was through a very complicated industrial process in order to be able to have the coffee tablet very compact, to be able to deliver it without destroying it, to have it able to work in a coffee machine.” Tablì is the result of Lavazza’s acquisition of Italian startup Caffemotive in 2020. The new system took five years of development, more than 15 patents, and a new production facility in Gattinara, Italy, to bring it to market.

Item	Details
System Name	Tablì
Product Type	100% coffee tablets, no coating or binder
Available Varieties	Espresso, double espresso, decaf, super crema, lungo
Promotional Bundle Price	$99.99 (machine + 60 tabs + milk frother)
Official Launch Date	August 2026

US Market: A Strategic Priority for Lavazza

The launch of Tablì in the U.S. comes as the country becomes an increasingly important part of Lavazza’s business. In 2025, the company’s North American revenue jumped 26.9%. Baravalle said, “We are strongly investing in the USA because we think it is an important space for us.” He added that Lavazza aims to eventually have a €1 billion ($1.15 billion) business in the U.S. “The brand is growing, in terms of equity, extremely well. We’ve spent a lot of money, for us, in the last two years, and we’re going to do that for the next five years.”

More than 130 years after its founding, the Lavazza family still privately owns the Italian company. In 2025, it reported net profit of €92 million on net revenues of €3.9 billion. In the U.S., Lavazza generates more than $100 million in annual dollar sales through retailers like Target and Walmart. For context, Keurig reported annual net sales of $3.99 billion for its U.S. coffee segment in 2025.

Fierce Competition in the Single-Serve Coffee Market

Keurig has dominated the single-serve coffee market in the U.S. for more than a decade. According to data from Euromonitor International, Keurig holds about half of the total U.S. market share for fresh ground coffee pods. Nespresso holds roughly a 7% share. Of course, Lavazza already sells K-cup pods in the U.S. through a partnership with Keurig. Baravalle said he does not expect to beat Keurig or Nespresso. “For us, it’s important to find our own space, but we are talking about two giants, and one of them, we have an important contract with that we are very happy with,” he said.

Sustainability: Lavazza’s Winning Card

Lavazza is betting that sustainability remains a top consideration for many coffee drinkers. Baravalle noted that this can differ across countries. For years, Keurig’s pods have been criticized for waste, leaving an opening for a competitor with a more environmentally friendly product. Keurig previously claimed that 100% of its K-cups have been recyclable since the end of 2020. In 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission charged Keurig with making misleading statements over the recyclability of its pods. Keurig agreed to pay $1.5 million in penalties. Its website now reads, “Check locally, not recycled in many communities.” Nespresso’s aluminum pods are more easily recycled through the brand’s free mail-back service.

As Lavazza launches a potential competitor, Keurig has its own plans for plastic- and aluminum-free coffee pods. This fall, Keurig plans to launch “K-Rounds,” which uses a plant-based coating to preserve the ground coffee inside the puck-shaped pod. The innovation comes from a multi-year partnership with Delica Switzerland, maker of the CoffeeB system, which uses plastic-free coffee balls that have gained traction in parts of Europe.

Pricing and Availability: $99.99 Promotional Bundle

Lavazza will officially launch Tablì in the U.S. in August. A $99.99 bundle that includes the machine, a 60-count variety pack of tabs, and a milk frother is available now for pre-order on the company’s website. In May, Baravalle said the company was still determining its pricing strategy as it conducted consumer research to understand how much coffee drinkers were willing to pay. “We are also waiting to see how some big, huge competitors will move in the industry, trying to offer something similar,” Baravalle said. “But, for sure, Lavazza has premium positioning, and we’re not going to do something different from that.”

Frequently Asked Questions About Lavazza’s Tablì Launch in the U.S.

Q: What is Lavazza’s Tablì system?

A: A new brewing system that uses 100% compressed coffee tablets with no coating or binder, compatible only with Lavazza’s Tablì machine.

Q: How much does the promotional bundle cost?

A: $99.99, including the machine, 60 tabs, and a milk frother, available for pre-order.

Q: What is Keurig’s market share in U.S. coffee pods?

A: About 50%. Nespresso holds roughly 7%.

Q: Does Lavazza already sell pods for Keurig machines?

A: Yes, through a partnership with Keurig, Lavazza sells K-cup pods in the U.S.

Q: What is Keurig’s plan to compete on sustainability?

A: Keurig plans to launch “K-Rounds” this fall – plastic- and aluminum-free pods with a plant-based coating.

Lavazza is entering the U.S. single-serve coffee market with its Tablì system, focusing on sustainability and quality. Competition with Keurig and Nespresso intensifies, and with Keurig’s upcoming eco-friendly pods, the next battle in the American coffee market will be won by whoever delivers the best for consumers and the environment alike.

Prepared and edited by: Coffee World – Based on a CNBC report by Amelia Lucas (adapted).

Publication date: June 8, 2026

U.S. Coffee Prices Hit Record Levels Despite Stable Global Markets

Posted on February 22, 2026 by Qahwa World

DUBAI – QAHWA WORLD

By any measure, coffee should be getting cheaper.

International green coffee prices have eased in recent months as production rebounds in major origins. Yet in the United States, retail coffee prices continue to climb — reaching levels not seen in decades.

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics, the average retail price of roasted coffee in the United States hit $9.37 per pound in January, up 33% year over year. That marks the highest level since federal record-keeping began in the 1980s.

At the same time, global benchmark prices for green coffee have fallen to roughly $3.64 per pound, reflecting improved crop expectations and stabilising supply chains.

So why is the world’s largest coffee-consuming economy moving in the opposite direction?

Tariffs and Trade Policy Still Ripple Through the Market

The answer begins with trade policy.

During the previous administration of Donald Trump, tariffs were imposed on key coffee-exporting countries. The United States introduced:

A 46% tariff on imports from Vietnam
A 10% tariff on imports from Brazil and Colombia

Vietnam, Brazil, and Colombia collectively supply more than 60% of U.S. coffee imports. Any disruption involving these origins has immediate consequences for American roasters.

In July, an additional 40% tariff on Brazilian food and beverage imports was proposed. Although that measure was later reversed, the market had already reacted. Coffee is traded months in advance, and importers typically lock in contracts well before shipments arrive. By the time policies shift, pricing structures are already embedded in the supply chain.

In coffee, timing is everything — and costs move slowly in one direction.

The Lag Between Global Prices and Retail Shelves

Green coffee prices are only one component of what consumers pay. Roasting, freight, warehousing, labor, packaging, and retail margins all compound the final number on a supermarket shelf or café menu.

Even when global commodity prices fall, retailers rarely adjust immediately. Contracts must roll over. Inventories must clear. New pricing agreements must be negotiated.

There is also a behavioural element at play. Coffee remains a daily ritual for millions of Americans. Demand has proven remarkably resilient, even in periods of inflation. When consumers continue buying at higher prices, businesses face little urgency to cut them.

Corporate Performance Signals Strong Demand

Publicly traded coffee giants reflect this resilience.

Shares of Starbucks are up roughly 14% year to date in 2026. Meanwhile, Keurig Dr Pepper has gained about 5% over the same period.

Strong performance suggests that consumers are still spending on coffee, whether in cafés or at home. For investors, it’s a sign of pricing power. For consumers, it means relief may not come quickly.

A Market Split: Global Relief, Domestic Pressure

Globally, supply conditions are improving. Brazil’s production outlook has strengthened, and earlier disruptions in key growing regions have begun to ease. That has kept international prices from climbing further.

But the United States operates within its own pricing ecosystem — shaped by trade policy, distribution costs, and consumer behaviour.

The result is a widening gap between falling global bean prices and rising American retail prices.

Will U.S. Coffee Prices Come Down?

They may — but not immediately.

As older contracts expire and lower global prices filter through the system, wholesale costs could soften. However, whether those savings reach consumers depends on competitive pressure, corporate strategy, and demand trends.

Coffee has evolved far beyond a commodity. It is a cultural staple, a daily necessity, and for many households, a non-negotiable expense.

For now, Americans are paying record prices for their morning cup — even as the rest of the world sees relief.

And until supply contracts reset and market forces realign, that disconnect is likely to persist.

Keurig McCafé Decaf Pods Recalled Over Possible Caffeine Presence

Posted on January 27, 2026 by Qahwa World

Dubai – Qahwa World

Keurig Dr Pepper has issued a voluntary recall of certain McCafé Premium Roast Decaf Coffee K-Cup pods after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported that the pods, labeled as decaf, may contain caffeine.

The recall affects products sold in California, Indiana, and Nevada. The FDA classified the recall as Class II, indicating that consumption could cause temporary or reversible health effects.

Details of the Recalled Products

Product: McCafé Premium Roast Decaf Coffee K-Cup pods (84-count cartons)

Best-by Date: 17 NOV 2026

Batch Number: 5101564894

Material Number: 5000358463

Quantity Affected: 960 cartons

Company Statement
Keurig Dr Pepper stated that the recall was initiated in cooperation with the FDA to ensure product safety. Consumers who purchased the affected products were contacted by the retailer and provided instructions for replacement. Remaining stock at retailers has been returned to the company.

Consumers are advised not to use the recalled products and to follow the retailer’s guidance for replacements.