Espresso Pack Breakdown: What's Inside and How to Use

By La Colombe Coffee Workshop - Buy Coffee Online | Published: 2026-10-20

Category: Product Reviews

Explore the Ultimate Espresso Pack from La Colombe: two distinct blends, brewing tips, and step-by-step instructions to pull the perfect shot at home.

Quick answer

The Ultimate Espresso Pack gives you two distinct blends—Bowery (chocolatey, organic) and Nizza (sweet, nutty)—to explore side by side. Follow these steps to brew each one correctly and decide which roast suits your morning routine.

Why two blends?

The pack includes a 12 oz box of Bowery and a 12 oz box of Nizza. Bowery is an organic blend with chocolatey notes, inspired by the energy of New York's Bowery neighborhood. Nizza is the medium roast used in La Colombe cafés, named after the French city of Nice for its sweet, honey-like character. Having both lets you compare a bolder, organic option with a smoother, café-standard roast without committing to a full bag of each.

Grind size matters

Both blends are available in whole bean or pre-ground options. For espresso, a fine grind is essential—too coarse and the water rushes through, producing a weak, sour shot; too fine and the machine chokes, giving you a bitter, over-extracted result. If you choose whole bean, grind just before brewing for the freshest flavor. The pre-ground option is convenient but starts losing aroma immediately after opening.

How to brew the Ultimate Espresso Pack

1. Choose your blend: Decide whether to start with Bowery (organic, chocolatey) or Nizza (sweet, nutty). Both are designed for espresso, but Nizza is the café standard—try it first if you want a familiar baseline. Don't assume one is better; taste both side by side to see which profile you prefer.
2. Set your grind: If using whole beans, grind to a fine, powdery consistency—about the texture of table salt. For pre-ground, simply open the bag and measure. Use 18–20 grams for a double shot, depending on your basket size. A common mistake is grinding too coarse; your shot should take 25–30 seconds to pull. If it finishes faster, grind finer.
3. Dose and tamp evenly: Distribute the grounds evenly in the portafilter, then tamp with steady, level pressure (about 30 lbs). An uneven tamp leads to channeling—water finding a path through the coffee rather than extracting evenly. If you see uneven extraction (dark and light spots on the puck after brewing), your tamp was likely uneven.
4. Pull the shot: Lock the portafilter into your machine and start brewing immediately. Aim for a 1:2 ratio—for 18g of coffee, you want about 36g of liquid espresso in 25–30 seconds. Adjust grind if the timing is off. If your shot runs faster than 25 seconds, grind finer. If it takes longer than 30 seconds, grind coarser.
5. Taste and adjust: Taste each blend separately. Bowery will have a deeper chocolate note; Nizza will be sweeter with nutty undertones. Use the same brew parameters for both so the comparison is fair. Note your preference for future orders. Don't judge a blend on one shot—small variables (water temperature, freshness) can affect flavor. Try each at least twice.

Product facts

Ultimate Espresso Pack: The Ultimate Espresso Pack includes a 12 oz box each of Bowery (chocolatey, organic blend) and Nizza (medium roast with sweet, nutty notes). You get two distinct flavor profiles in one purchase, making it easy to discover your preference without buying separate bags.
Ultimate Espresso Pack