Canned coffee was never a thing until the late 1960s when a Japanese man, Tadao Ueshima, thought there had to be a better and more convenient way to drink coffee.
The story is that the inventor, Tadao Ueshima, was at the train station one day waiting for the train while drinking a cup of coffee. Then, the train suddenly signaled his departure earlier than expected, causing him to spill most of his coffee. Then, he got the idea of canned coffee which is convenient to handle, portable, and can be stored at room temperature.
Unlike before, when you always had to brew your coffee or get it dispensed from the tap, you now have different brands of prepared and canned coffee beverages that you can choose from.
One of the most popular brands in America is La Colombe Draft Latte which many coffee lovers believe is one of the best coffee brands around. However, one look at a can of La Colombe coffee will have you wondering how it can be opened.
The metal can looks similar to the soda cans we see, but unlike soda cans, La Colombe coffee cans have a plastic lid with a lip guard- this is where many get confused. But it’s pretty easy to open La Colombe coffee can. So please read on, and let me show you how.
How to open La Colombe Coffee
La Colombe coffee cans have a different appearance when compared with other coffee drink cans, but they are similar in structure and opening mechanism. The only difference is the plastic lid and mouth guard that La Colombe coffee can has. So, just like other canned beverages, you can open a La Colombe coffee can by simply placing your forefinger under the metal tab on top of the can and pulling it upward. Tada! Your can of La Colombe coffee is open, and you can now enjoy your drink.
You are probably wondering if it’s this easy to open the La Colombe coffee can, given that the top lid looks so complicated, confusing, and different from the other cans.
The truth is La Colombe coffee can is just like the typical soda can and can be opened similarly, with nothing extra. So don’t allow the plastic lid on top to confuse you. As you read further, you will learn why La Colombe coffee has a plastic lid.
Note: An important thing to note before you open the La Colombe coffee can is not to shake the can. People often miss the caution on the label that says not to shake the can and end up spilling the frothy beverage all over their outfits, table, or floor.
Do you take the top off the La Colombe coffee?
You do not have to take the lid off before you open the La Colombe coffee can. However, some people take the lid off before opening the can because they do not like drinking from the can with the plastic lid on. Fortunately, the plastic lid can be removed if you don’t want it; it depends on your preference.
Read also: How to Open A Pillsbury Can
Why does La Colombe coffee have a Plastic lid?
The plastic lid on top of the La Colombe coffee can has an aesthetic appeal. Still, apart from improving the can’s appearance, the manufacturers of La Colombe coffee have reasons for putting that lid there. Their main objective was to create a canned coffee product or beverage that is both portable and does not require the consumer to place their lips directly on the metal lid of the can while drinking.
The plastic lip guard has a dual function:
- It prevents direct contact between the consumer’s lips and the metal.
- It protects the lips against the metallic taste which may occur as a result of drinking a beverage directly from its can.
With the lip guard on the La Colombe coffee can, your mouth feels more comfortable, and you can enjoy your coffee’s smooth texture and foaminess.
Where is La Colombe coffee from?
La Colombe coffee is produced by a company called La Colombe Coffee Roasters, founded by Todd Carmichael and J.P. Iberti.
La Colombe Coffee Roasters was formerly known as La Colombe Torrefaction, one of the pioneers of direct trade coffee sourcing. La Colombe coffee roasters are based in the United States of America, with its headquarters in Philadelphia. They have cafés in other parts of the United States, including Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Washington D. C., and Boston.
Initially, when its first location in Philadelphia was opened in 1994, La Colombe Coffee Roasters offered cold-pressed espresso and frothed milk latte from the tap. Fast forward to 2016, they began to produce and distribute their draft latte in cans.
Since then, La Colombe latte began to gain more popularity nationwide, especially as they have a unique plastic lid on top of their cans, making the brand look different from other canned coffee drinks in the market.
What does La Colombe taste like?
The taste of La Colombe coffee varies depending on the flavor you buy, although all the flavors have that uniquely smooth, creamy taste and frothy (foamy) texture, which people love. The foaminess, smoothness, and creaminess of La Colombe coffee are largely influenced by the nitrous oxide infused in the coffee during the manufacturing process.
Nitrous oxide is commonly referred to as “laughing gas” or “happy gas” because, when inhaled, it can make people giggle and feel floaty. Manufacturers of coffee drinks and other canned beverages usually add this gas to their drinks because it makes beverages foamier and gives them a smooth and creamy texture that tantalizes the tongue.
Of all the various flavors of La Colombe’s draft latte, four flavors are consumers’ favorites — mocha, double, triple, and vanilla. Seeing that these four are the most loved flavors, the manufacturers created a variety pack containing all of those four flavors.
The vanilla flavor is sweet and so creamy that it is the most loved flavor, but people who like their coffee strong consider it too light and will rather go for the double or triple latte.
Do you need to refrigerate La Colombe coffee?
No, you do not need to refrigerate La Colombe coffee. Canned coffee drinks are usually vacuum-sealed so that they will be shelf-stable. This vacuum sealing allows you to store your canned coffee at room temperature for up to three months without deterioration.
Therefore, one of the perks of La Colombe canned coffee drink is that you can enjoy it straight out of the can even without refrigeration, although it tastes better when chilled. Alternatively, you can pour your coffee into a mug and add ice. You can add more milk or water if it is too strong for you.
Although you must not refrigerate La Colombe coffee, it is recommended that you refrigerate it once the seal is broken, that is, once you open the can. Also, it would be best if you took note of the expiry date of your canned coffee so that you can consume it before it expires.
Yes, La Colombe coffee is gluten-free. All the canned products manufactured by La Colombe are gluten-free and suitable for individuals with lactose intolerance. In addition, the La Colombe draft latte does not have any alcohol, according to the nutritional composition of the coffee printed on the label.
La Colombe coffee products contain between 114-240mg of caffeine depending on the flavor and strength of the coffee. The higher the caffeine content, the higher the coffee strength. For instance, the La Colombe vanilla latte contains 115mg and has a much milder taste and strength than the triple latte, which contains 175mg of caffeine.
Read also: What Oat Milk Does Dunkin Use?
So you see, you do not need special skills or equipment to open La Colombe coffee. Ensure that you don’t shake the can before opening it; you don’t want to waste half of your coffee and make a mess all over the place. Have you been thinking of buying La Colombe coffee or not? Well, give it a try one of these days. Try out different flavors to find the one you like best.
