Carte Noire

Carte Noire is a French coffee brand created in 1978 by René Monnier. Mondelēz International sold it to the Lavazza Group in 2016, a deal that took in Carte Noire's roast and ground, pod and capsule business across the European Economic Area. Lavazza credits Carte Noire as the first brand on the French market to offer 100% arabica products, and describes it as the top coffee brand in France by household penetration.

Carte Noire suits the weekday cafetiere, the Sunday filter jug and anyone who takes milk and wants a familiar, uncomplicated cup. It makes a sensible first ground coffee for a household moving up from instant. An espresso drinker after crema and punch will want something built for the machine; for everyone else, serve it with a croissant or a plain butter biscuit.

Key facts