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Is Caffe Nero Coffee Healthy?
Caffe Nero is a widely popular chain of coffee shops, boasting more than 400 locations throughout the UK. Committed to providing customers with high-quality ingredients and healthy food and drinks, the chain provides low calorie snacks and drinks suitable for following Slimming World plans, Weight Watchers or diets with caloric restrictions; however many customers may be unaware of how many calories are present in certain dishes and drinks at Caffe Nero.
The chain utilizes an exclusive blend called Nero that’s been described as dark and intense. They source their beans from a small, family-run roastery in northern Italy that’s accredited by Italian association Espresso Certificati (CSC), and its profits support community projects through Fairtrade certification.
Nero have recently introduced two delicious new drinks to their menu – cherry and vanilla iced lattes with vibrant pink hues and coconut and caramel lattes that take you on an island adventure! Both options feature reduced amounts of sugar than comparable drinks offered at other coffee chains, making them suitable for vegans as well.
Calorie count of these new beverages revealed that Caffe Nero’s iced latte contained just 19g of sugar compared to 25 teaspoons found in Starbucks CSC White Chocolate Mocha while Costa’s large Chai Latte contained 20 teaspoons.
Caffe Nero baristas are said to place great emphasis on mastering the craft of making great espresso, offering training sessions to all staff. Furthermore, they encourage their employees to develop their own style of brewing so that each shop will have its own distinct personality. Their Gaggia machine must be calibrated and checked daily – something which requires knowledge of machinery as well as understanding on how each drink should be created – thus visual checks become a practical form of quality control for baristas rather than tasting every drink they create!
Which? conducted an expert taste test which named Caffe Nero’s Americano the top choice on high street, beating Costa, M&S Cafe, Pret a Manger and Starbucks. Critics praised its strong fruity flavour while the consumer watchdog noted its reasonable balance with an appealing hint of sweetness – yet Coburg Roasters, who provide beans to Nero have denied being recognized by them as suppliers.