Lollo or Borbone? Choose the Right Blend
Lollo or Borbone? Choose the right coffee system first, then a specific blend. If you are looking for a more delicate, velvety espresso, Lollo Oro is a good starting point based on the manufacturer’s description. For a full, strong character, Lollo Argento is worth considering. Borbone Oro and Rossa respectively offer further options in these flavour directions – they are not identical blends.
I’m Luca from Buon Caffè by Luca, and I sell both brands. This selection guide is retailer advice based on manufacturer information and our range, rather than an independent consumer test. It contains no invented tasting notes or blanket claims of one brand being the winner.
Lollo and Borbone: compare blends as well as brands
Lollo describes several espresso blends with different characters. Borbone also offers a choice of blends. Asking “which brand is better?” is too vague without considering your taste, the exact blend and the brewing system.
For this comparison, we focus on E.S.E. pods with 44 mm. Beans, ground coffee and capsules are separate product forms and are not treated as equivalent to pods. According to the manufacturer, Lollo also offers 38-mm pods, so be sure to check the 44-mm label on your chosen pack.
Get to know Lollo in more detail
Lollo Oro: delicate and velvety
The manufacturer describes Oro as delicate and velvety with a higher Arabica content, without giving a definitive percentage in the source used here. If this is the direction you are looking for, start with Lollo Miscela Oro E.S.E. pods. The manufacturer’s description is a guide, not my personal tasting judgement.
Lollo Argento: full and strong
Lollo describes the Argento blend as having a full, strong and creamy character. This makes Lollo Argento in E.S.E. format a reasonable choice if these are precisely the qualities you prefer.
Other profiles in the manufacturer’s range
Lollo describes Classico as balanced and full-bodied with roast notes, and Nero as strong and creamy. These manufacturer names do not confirm that every similarly named pack in the shop contains the same version. The blend name and format of the specific item remain decisive.
Which Borbone blend could be an alternative?
| Your preference | Lollo as a starting point | Another option from Borbone |
|---|---|---|
| Delicate and velvety, or smooth and creamy | Oro: delicate and velvety according to Lollo | Oro: smooth, creamy and sweet in character according to Borbone |
| Full and intense | Argento: full, strong and creamy according to Lollo | Rossa: intense taste and pronounced aroma according to Borbone |
| Balanced and full-bodied | Classico according to Lollo’s manufacturer range | Blu: rounded and full-bodied, with a balanced aroma according to Borbone |
| Strong with a lasting aroma | Nero: strong and creamy according to Lollo’s manufacturer range | Nera: strong with a lasting aroma according to Borbone |
“Oro”, “Nero” or a pack colour refers to each brand’s own blend. Intensity scales from different manufacturers are not a shared objective measure either. The same name, colour or Arabica percentage does not imply equivalent taste.
Preparation and compatibility
Only use the pods in a machine or insert specified for E.S.E. 44 mm. Follow the machine manual and the instructions on the pack. The correct diameter alone is not a recommendation for every cup length; espresso, lungo and café crème remain different preparation choices.
A different blend may suit your taste without requiring a different machine, provided the specific system matches. The compatibility guide and the E.S.E. pod category help you narrow down your choice.
Price per pod and available packs
Compare the price per pod and the number of pods in the specific pack. A smaller pack costs less overall but may cost more per portion. The product selection below this article shows the current shop details and the price per coffee calculated from the pack size, where valid information is available. The pod price alone does not include additional shipping costs.
We do not set fixed prices here or compare pods with beans by price per kilogram. Stock, price and delivery terms may change; the current product page is authoritative.
Luca’s recommendation for your choice
My suggestion: with Lollo, start with Oro for a more delicate, velvety profile or Argento for a stronger, fuller character. If you already like Borbone, use your familiar blend as a personal reference and compare the specific alternative within the same system. Which one you prefer is for you to decide in your cup.
Discover Lollo Caffè · Discover Borbone · Ask Luca about a suitable blend
Author and sources
Author: Luca, Buon Caffè by Luca · Editorial update: 1 November 2026. The flavour statements above paraphrase the manufacturers’ descriptions.
E.S.E. blends and current packs
150 E.S.E. pods (44 mm). Blend: 70% Arabica, 30% Robusta. Medium roast; mild espresso with a sweet crema.
Rich nutty aroma with notes of bitter chocolate in the finish and a rather short but intense aftertaste.
Creamy, low in acidity and smooth, the espresso from Caffè Borbone E.S.E. Pods offers a rich range of flavours. Caffè Borbone has earned an excellent reputation for premium coffees beyond Italy. The wealth of aromas in its coffees and the exceptionally lavish crema make Caffè Borbone pods an appealing choice for anyone who enjoys strong yet balanced espresso.
Caffè Borbone Miscela Rossa, suitable for all pod machines. Caffè Borbone Rossa E.S.E. Pods create a unique espresso “napoletano” with strong notes: rich, perfectly roasted and highly aromatic. This typical southern Italian lunchtime espresso with sensational crema makes hearts beat faster with excitement. 100% Robusta
Full-bodied espresso with perfect crema Experience authentic Italian coffee enjoyment with Caffè Borbone Miscela Blu. These high-quality E.S.E. Pods deliver a full-bodied, balanced espresso with intense aromas and a particularly creamy texture. The exclusive blend of 60 % Arabica and 40 % Robusta beans creates a rounded flavour and a harmonious mouthfeel. Thanks to the gentle roasting process, the espresso impresses with low bitterness and no burnt roast flavours. Instead, delicate notes of toasted bread and caramel develop, making this coffee especially smooth and aromatic. The dense, velvety …
Are you ready for an espresso made from 100% Robusta coffee beans and finished with a dark roast? Can it taste good? A very clear YES. Of course, this coffee packs a punch and contains plenty of caffeine, but it also offers captivating aromas of unusual intensity. Tobacco, smoke and dark chocolate fill the palate. Toasted bread rounds off the aroma. Long and intense on the finish.