We have already told you that several years ago we could not imagine a normal start to the day without a cup of instant coffee, and then we abruptly switched to natural coffee and we no longer drink instant coffee. However, having quite extensive experience in this matter, we can safely share our impressions of this or that instant coffee, since we have tried a significant amount of it. And one of those coffees that we used to like is “Carte Noire” or, in Russian, “Carte Noir”, which can be translated as “Black Card”. This drink is somewhat more expensive than other popular brands; it is considered premium, but is included in the average price category. Despite the fact that Carte Noire coffee was created only in 1978, it has already gained popularity in many countries around the world. To make Black Card coffee, 100% Arabica is taken, and its creator was none other than the Frenchman - Rene Monnier. We had a chance to try its classic instant version, which we bought in a glass jar, and even in bags for one-time brewing - we carried these with us in case of a strong desire to drink coffee somewhere away, where it is not found. “Carte Noire” I liked us with its tough strength without excessive sourness and invigorating aroma. By the way, as for single-serve bags, this coffee brand offers this drink in its pure form, without sugar, cream and other additives, that is, the same coffee as in the can, and we especially liked this, since at that time (years 5 ago) was rare. These are our personal impressions, and now let's get acquainted with the assortment offered by Carte Noir, especially since it contains not only instant, but also brewed coffee.
Story
The year of the birth of coffee under the Carte Noire brand can be considered 1978. At that time, a man named Rene Monnier, who already had experience in this matter, invented and launched several new coffee collections. Thanks to the amazing taste, the products of the Carte Noir line have gained the greatest popularity. Interestingly, with minimal advertising. Success was achieved solely because of the gastronomic advantages of the product.
The packaging design that is familiar to us was created by image maker Jacques Segal, who works with the highest-ranking French officials.
These days, the brand's history is quite confusing. The company has been resold many times, and at the moment, the facts are as follows.
- In our country, Jacobs Rus is responsible for the production and sale of Carte Noir brand coffee.
- At home, in France, products are produced under the brand of the same name, and the Lavazza company manages the process.
Packaging Features
The Carte Noir brand produces high-quality instant coffee in two types of packaging: black and green (classic version) and black and blue (decaffeinated). The company mainly uses branded glass containers, although some coffees are produced exclusively in single-serve bags or vacuum-packed.
For beans and ground coffee, special packaging is usually used to preserve the freshness and aroma of the product for a long time.
It is important that the consumer receives a fresh and high-quality product, therefore special attention is paid to the properties of the packaging.
Raw materials and production process
According to the company, selected Arabica varieties collected from plantations in South America, Asia and Africa are used to produce coffee. It is unlikely that you will be able to find out more - even on the company’s official website, very little information is presented.
As a marketing tool, the “Fire and Ice” roasting technology is often mentioned (see which degree of coffee roasting is better). Its essence is as follows: after roasting, a sharp stream of cold air is applied to the grains. This allows you to quickly stop the heating process from the inside.
But, by and large, this is a classic method of processing coffee beans. The point here is to attract interest in the brand’s products through catchy names.
Products are manufactured at the company's own factories located in the Leningrad region.
History of origin
Rene Mounier is a French entrepreneur who launched several brands of coffee on the market. He gained worldwide fame thanks to Carte Noire in 1978.
Consumers were amazed not only by the bright, rich and perfect taste, but also by the unusual vacuum packaging. Everyone was also attracted by its design: noble black color, decorated with a gold ribbon.
Soon the trademark was bought by the largest company producing coffee products - Jacobs. Without the use of advertising, Carte Noir coffee quickly entered the luxury segment. The manufacturer set a high price for the product, which has never fallen since entering the market. Reviews online show that gourmets and professionals agree that a good product should have a good price.
In 1982, the brand was taken over by Kraft General Foods. A few years later, the carte noire trademark was bought by Lavazza.
The most unusual thing is that even after the sale of the Black Card, Kraft Foods still produces the product for Russia at its plant located in the Leningrad region. They were joined by the regional office of Jacobs, which is now the manufacturer of the famous product.
Carte Noir is the first representative of natural coffee, thanks to which a new quality standard was formed, called “Premium Arabica”.
Range
For Russian consumers, the company presents a relatively small number of products. But there are all types - from freeze-dried to grain.
Coffee Carte Noire Original
Characteristics:
- Roast: medium.
- Composition: 100% Arabica.
To make the product, Arabica beans from plantations in Asia and Latin America are used. This variety is available in the form of beans, ground and freeze-dried coffee. The taste is pleasant, without strong sourness or bitterness.
Millicano
Characteristics:
- Roast: medium.
- Composition: 100% Arabica.
Instant coffee. A small amount of ultra-fine grind mixture is added to the final mixture (see what the degree of grinding of coffee affects). The end result is a taste as if you were drinking whole bean coffee.
Coffee Carte Noir Decaf
For those who like the taste of coffee and don't want to consume caffeine.
Attention should be paid to the fact that the decaffeination process takes place using chemicals (see chemical composition of coffee). Which is not particularly good for your health (see decaf coffee).
Tassimo Collection
Especially for capsule coffee machines, the company offers several options for coffee drinks.
- Café Long Delicat. A blend of Colombian Arabica beans. The taste of the drink with notes of fruit.
- Petit-Dejeuner Intense. Capsules for preparing large cups of coffee (see coffee cup capacity). A distinctive feature is the high intensity of taste.
- Noire Espresso Aromatique. Ideal for making espresso. The drink comes with a persistent creamy foam.
- Café Long Intense. This blend will allow you to prepare strong coffee with a pleasant velvety taste.
Consider the fact that this product line is represented by capsules used to prepare different volumes of the drink. Choose the option that suits you.
Types of coffee Carte Noir
All types of Carte Noire coffee are produced by one of the world's largest grocery stores: 28 natural varieties, 9 instant. In recent years, varieties of the product have been created for coffee machines - in capsules and pods.
In beans
Traditionally, France prefers grain Carte Noire: they drink it with milk or cream in the morning, strong black at lunch, and indulge in a cup of their favorite drink at dinner. It is no coincidence that product names have a “local” accent:
- The French temptation was called coffee beans;
- French perfection - ground;
- French style is intended for use in coffee machines;
- for coffee gourmets – an extremely limited edition of French sophistication (“Velours”).
Thanks to well-designed packaging, its contents do not lose their original aroma and fully meet the requirements for premium products.
You can find the rating of the best and most delicious coffee beans here.
Ground
The peculiarity of ground coffees is their exquisite blend. By combining Arabica beans from South America, Africa, and Asia, experts create varieties that are original in flavor:
- Carte Noire Aroma – will appeal to those who prefer soft, delicate, sweet drinks;
- Carte Noir Velor - distinguished by a very fine grind, gives a seductive velvety foam;
- Carte Noir Espresso – used in coffee machines.
We told you how and what ground coffee is best to choose here.
Soluble
In Russia, instant Carte Noire has gained particular popularity. Historically, such drinks in our country have always been treated with respect, because once upon a time there was a terrible shortage of instant coffee. Today, for those who are true to tradition or simply limited in time to tinker with a grain product, the company offers various Carte Noire options to choose from:
- Original – freeze-dried, not inferior in taste to ground coffee, giving a delicate foam;
- Classic Velvety & Rich – with a bright, rich aroma;
- Expresso is one of the strongest types, intended for those who especially appreciate the characteristic bitterness in the drink;
- L'instant - sublimated, created with connoisseurs in mind who sensitively capture the subtlest flavor nuances.
You can purchase the product without caffeine. The choice in its favor is made not only by those who cannot drink a drink with caffeine due to their health, but also by connoisseurs of good taste, for whom it is important that coffee is not enhanced with alkaloids.
Manufacturers call Millicano from Carte Noire a new generation product - 15 percent ground coffee is added to instant coffee.
The packaging of the product is very diverse; coffee is sold in glass jars, in zip-lock bags, and in portioned bags. There are interesting gift options - with candies, cups, mugs, saucers, New Year's balls, Swarovski crystals. Product volumes are also available to choose from: the most popular are 150 and 250 grams, there are also packages of 75, 95, 100, 190 grams.
The rating of the best brands of instant coffee can be found here.
Prices and sales locations
The popularity of the products of this brand is very high. You can find Carte Noir coffee in almost any grocery store. As for the pricing policy, here are the approximate figures:
- Instant CARTE NOIRE, sublimated, 150 g - 740 rubles.
- Instant Carte Noire Original 95 g, glass jar - 610 rubles.
- Millicano instant coffee, 95 g - 315 rubles.
- Coffee beans Carte Noire 800 g - 1250 rubles.
- Decafeine in glass, 95 g – 660 rubles.
- Capsules for the TASSIMO Carte Noire Cafe Long Delicat coffee maker - 449 rubles.
How to distinguish from a fake
For those who drink Carte Noire regularly, it is usually not difficult to distinguish a quality product from a fake. If the product is packaged in glass containers, then it is usually branded. Paper packaging is available in two types: black and green (for regular beans or ground coffee) and black and blue (for decaffeinated coffee).
An inexperienced buyer should look for the inscription on the packaging: “Kraft Foods” (this is -, this product should not have any other (including in Russian) names. If the packaging contains the inscription “Black Card", then this is most likely fake.
Reviews
In fact, the overall picture is not so rosy. According to user ratings on popular review sites, the coffee of this brand receives an average rating. Almost half of consumers find disadvantages that significantly affect their desire to purchase Carte Noir products in the future. Having a negative impact, as you understand. But there are also a lot of positive reviews.
Here are a couple of them:
I decided to try this coffee after the advice of my parents. They really liked him. It is extremely difficult to surprise me with the taste of a drink, and Carte Noir failed to do so. I didn't like the lack of distinct aroma. The drink tasted bad. I can’t even clearly say what I didn’t like more - the sourness, the bitterness. Just not my taste. I give it a low rating.
Olesya, manager.
My husband and I drink this coffee all the time. We have been avid coffee drinkers for many years (see the best gift for a coffee lover) and have tried a variety of options. We settled on Cart Noire Original grain. Nowadays, not a single morning is complete without an aromatic drink. Satisfied with everything - wonderful aroma, viscous taste. Rating 5.
Alice, designer.
Brand history
The Carte Noir line was developed by Rene Mounier, who introduced this brand to the world in the late 80s. Together with the Noir line, a collection of Carte Rouge coffees has been developed. The features of the coffee brand were:
- original packaging method;
- 100% Arabica;
- the product is collected exclusively on elite plantations.
Coffee is processed using special technology
A few years later, Carte Noir was bought by the Jacobs enterprise, on the basis of which the further development of premium coffee took place. Connoisseurs of the drink highlight the features of Carte Noir coffee beans:
- classic taste;
- lack of bitterness;
- saturation;
- aroma;
- feeling of vigor after a few sips.
Recognition for the Carte Noir brand came thanks to the manufacturing stages:
- sorting the best fruits of the coffee tree;
- individual roasting technology;
- blending.
Today the line is not represented by a very wide range of products.
