Hi, Mark here, and today I'm looking at the Flavia coffee machine. I learned espresso in Lisbon, a few streets from the Santa Justa Lift.
The Flavia coffee machine is a single-serve brewer that makes coffee, tea, lattes and hot chocolate from sealed foil packs called Freshpacks. Lavazza North America owns the brand. The line runs from the small Aroma to the large Creation 600, and most models serve offices.
Flavia brews by pouring hot water through the pack, so no part of the machine touches the drink. The Aroma suits homes and small offices, while the Creation 600 suits large ones. The brewers make more than 20 drinks, and iced options use an over-ice button or a Chill module. Owners like the speed and the low mess.
Freshpacks cost about $0.76 to $1.00 per drink, and only Flavia packs fit. Taste reviews are mixed, and true espresso needs the Barista. Below are pack-to-cup brewing, model sizes and pack costs, all written without brand approval.
What Is the Flavia Coffee Machine?
The Flavia coffee machine is a single-serve brewer that makes coffee, tea, lattes and hot chocolate from sealed foil packs called Freshpacks. The maker calls its brewers multi-beverage systems. Each model offers hot, frothed and, with an add-on module, cold drinks.
Flavia is a pack-based system, not a K-Cup pod machine. The Freshpack, a trademarked name, is the whole brewing chamber.
The line is built for workplaces. The maker sells small, mid-size and large brewers for offices. The newest Aroma model also targets home offices and kitchen counters.
The brewers accept only Flavia Freshpacks. K-Cups, Nespresso capsules and loose grounds do not fit. Most drinks finish in about one minute.
Who Makes the Flavia Coffee Machine?
Lavazza North America makes and sells the Flavia coffee machine today. Lavazza bought Flavia with the coffee businesses of Mars. The deal was announced on October 1, 2018 and finished on December 27, 2018.
The purchase covered Flavia and Klix, a vending brand, in the Office Coffee Service and vending segments. It spanned North America, Germany, the UK, France, Canada and Japan.
Mars Drinks, a division of Mars, Incorporated, owned the brand before that. The first Filterpack came out of Basingstoke, UK in 1982. The first brewer launched in 1984.
Flavia reached the US in 1996. The Fusion home system followed in 2005. The Creation 400 arrived in the US and UK in 2007.
Freshpacks carry the names Lavazza, Starbucks, Peet's Coffee, Bright Tea Co. and Dove. Lavazza sells the brewers through flavia.com and its own site.
How Does the Flavia Coffee Machine Work?
The Flavia coffee machine works by pouring hot water through a sealed Freshpack that acts as its own brewing chamber. The pack holds ground coffee or tea and a cloth filter mesh. Its bottom is sealed with food-grade vegetable oil.
Hot water enters the top of the pack through a plastic spigot. Heat and pressure then break the oil seal at the bottom. The drink pours from the pack straight into the cup.
Because the drink stays inside the pack, no part of the machine touches it. The design leaves no funnel to rinse between cups. The user inserts a pack, closes the door and picks a size, and the drink is ready in under a minute.
Each pack is used once, so used packs must go somewhere. Larger models such as the C500 and C600 eject them into an internal bin. The bin holds about 25 packs. Smaller models need the pack thrown away by hand.
The Creation 600 reads a barcode on each Freshpack with a barcode scanner. The scan tells the brewer which drink to make. If packs stop scanning, the scanner needs a wipe with a lint-free cloth.
Which Flavia Coffee Machine Models Exist?
The current Flavia coffee machine lineup has three US models: the Aroma, the Creation 300 and the Creation 600. The Aroma serves small spaces. The Creation 300 serves mid-size offices. The Creation 600 serves large offices.
Office size is the main way the maker separates the models. It rates the Aroma for offices under 30 people. The Creation 300 suits 30 or more. The Creation 600 suits 35 or more.
Flavia Models Compared:
| Model | Best For | Water | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aroma | Under 30 people | Removable tank, 84.5 oz (2.5 L) | 11.8 lb (5.4 kg) |
| Creation 300 | 30 or more people | Water line or 137.3 oz tank | 13.9 lb (6.3 kg) |
| Creation 600 | 35 or more people | Water line or Flavia Refill, 219 oz (6.5 L) | 32.0 lb (14.5 kg) |
The Creation 300 and 600 connect to a water line, which gives them an unlimited supply. The Aroma runs on a removable tank only, so someone must refill it. Older models include the Creation 150, 200, 400 and 500, the Fusion and the Barista.
The Barista is the only Flavia brewer that makes espresso. Every other model brews coffee, tea and hot chocolate but not true espresso. Price varies widely across the brewers, and one retailer lists Flavia brewers from $250 to $2,825.
Which Flavia Coffee Machine Suits a Home or Small Office?
The Flavia Aroma suits a home or small office best among the Flavia coffee machine models. It measures 14.3 by 10.5 by 11.6 inches (36 by 27 by 29 cm). It weighs 11.8 pounds (5.4 kg). It draws 1440 watts on 120 volts.
The removable tank holds 2.5 liters (84.5 ounces). The Aroma brews 7, 9 and 12 ounce drinks (207, 266 and 355 ml). The 12 ounce size needs Lavazza Momento Freshpacks.
The cup stand adjusts and comes off. This lets the brewer fit travel mugs up to 7 inches (18 cm) tall. The brewer switches to energy saving mode after 120 minutes idle. Heating again takes about a minute, so the wait is short after a quiet spell.
The Aroma has limits that a buyer should know. It cannot use Milk Froth or Cold Drink Freshpacks. It has no strength setting and no LCD screen. Its warranty is limited and non-transferable, so only the original buyer is covered. The older Creation 150 served 1 to 15 people and shut off its heater after two idle hours.
Which Flavia Coffee Machine Suits a Large Office?
The Flavia Creation 600 suits a large office best among the Flavia coffee machine models. The maker rates it for 35 or more people. It measures 17.1 by 12.1 by 20.1 inches (43 by 31 by 51 cm) and weighs 32.0 pounds (14.5 kg).
The Creation 600 makes 14 hot and cold drink types. It has a 7 inch (18 cm) touchscreen, in-cup milk frothing and automatic pack eject. The cup stand adjusts to the mug. Lidded mugs are not allowed.
The C600 is the short name for the Creation 600. The maker asks for a 3 inch (76 mm) gap behind the C600 for plumbing and power. The brewer plumbs into a water line.
Some offices have no water line nearby. In that case, a Flavia Refill module holds 219 ounces (6.5 liters) of water. Flavia IQ is the system that sends alerts for stocking, cleaning and faults. It also tracks what staff drink.
The Creation 300, also called the C300, fills the middle. It serves 30 or more people. It weighs 13.9 pounds (6.3 kg). It offers 5, 7 and 9 ounce sizes (148, 207 and 266 ml) and a strong brew option.
What Drinks Does the Flavia Coffee Machine Make?
The Flavia coffee machine makes coffee, tea, cappuccino, latte, mocha and hot chocolate. The maker counts more than 20 drink options on the Aroma. Packs come from Lavazza, Starbucks, Peet's Coffee, Bright Tea Co. and Dove.
Freshpack Brands:
- Lavazza coffee, lattes and Momento 12 ounce blends
- Starbucks coffee
- Peet's Coffee French Roast and Café Domingo
- Bright Tea Co. black, green and chai teas
- Dove and Cocoa Bliss hot chocolate
Lattes use a milk pack and a coffee pack. The Creation 300 and 600 froth milk in the cup. They use a Milk Froth Freshpack or any dairy or non-dairy milk.
The Aroma makes a latte from one Lavazza Latte Freshpack. The user picks the specialty option and keeps the cup close to the brew chamber. Hot chocolate works the same way with a Cocoa Bliss pack.
Maker bundles list Cocoa Bliss Hot Cocoa, Chai Latte, Green Tea with Jasmine and English Breakfast Tea. They also list Peet's Coffee French Roast and Café Domingo, plus Lavazza Caramel, Vanilla Latte and Mocha Latte. Lavazza Decaf also exists.
Lavazza Opera Intenso is a dark roast, an Arabica and Robusta blend, rated 4 out of 5 for intensity. Each pack brews a 3, 5, 7 or 9 ounce cup (89, 148, 207 or 266 ml), depending on the brewer.
True espresso is the limit. Only the Barista brewer makes it. Other models brew short, strong cups of coffee.
Can the Flavia Coffee Machine Brew Iced Drinks?
Yes. The Flavia coffee machine brews iced drinks through an over-ice button on the Aroma or a Chill module on larger models. The user fills a cup with ice on the Aroma. The brewer then pours a concentrated 3 ounce (89 ml) shot.
This over-ice cycle works only for coffee and tea. Cold Drink and Milk Froth Freshpacks do not fit the Aroma.
Larger models skip the ice step. Two pairings brew cold drinks without ice:
- Creation 300: This model pairs with the Chill Refresh.
- Creation 600: This model pairs with the Chill module.
The Chill module is sold separately. A technician may need to install it.
Is the Flavia Coffee Machine Good?
Yes. The Flavia coffee machine is good for shared spaces that want fast, clean and varied drinks. Offices use the brewers because one button gives a finished cup in about a minute.
A Flavia Aroma bundle holds 4.89 out of 5 stars from 51 ratings on one retailer page.
Taste is the weaker side, and reviews of it are mixed. A 2005 review scored a Flavia Colombia pack at 81 when brewed in a Fusion. The reviewer found excellent body but flat flavor.
What Do Owners Like About the Flavia Coffee Machine?
Owners like the Flavia coffee machine for one-button brewing and a drink in about a minute. No training is needed. A new user inserts a pack and presses a button.
Sealed packs leave no grounds to spill and no funnel to wash. Cleanup is short.
Main Benefits:
- One-button brewing in about a minute
- No grounds to spill and no funnel to wash
- Coffee, tea, lattes and hot chocolate from one machine
- Low noise from the Aroma
Owners also like the range. One machine makes coffee, tea, lattes and hot chocolate from several brand names.
The maker calls the Aroma quiet. The pack does the brewing, so no grinder or frother runs.
What Problems Does the Flavia Coffee Machine Have?
The Flavia coffee machine has a lock-in problem: only Flavia Freshpacks work. The buyer cannot switch to cheaper pods or fresh beans. Pack prices stay fixed by one maker.
Some Aroma buyers describe weak or lukewarm coffee. Others describe drinks as lacking flavor depth. Fast brewing can splatter, and a quick wipe fixes it.
The older Creation 400 had a mechanism that sometimes failed to open the pack. Water then sprayed around the machine. Older Creation 400 and 500 units also show error codes such as 321 and 328.
Main Problems:
- Only Flavia Freshpacks fit
- Weak or lukewarm coffee reports on the Aroma
- Splatter during fast brewing
- Spray and error codes on older Creation 400 and 500 units
- Freshpack recycling through one program only
Freshpacks are recyclable only through the paid TerraCycle Recycle-Your-Freshpack program. Most used packs go in the trash.
Is the Flavia Coffee Machine Better Than Keurig?
No. The Flavia coffee machine is not better than Keurig for most home buyers, but it brews cleaner in shared offices. Keurig sells widely to homes and offers a far larger pod range.
Flavia vs Keurig:
| Factor | Flavia | Keurig |
|---|---|---|
| Pods | Flavia Freshpacks only | K-Cups from many brands |
| Brewing path | Pack to cup, no needle contact | Needle pierces the K-Cup |
| Main buyers | Businesses, plus the Aroma for homes | Homes and offices |
Keurig accepts K-Cups from many brands. Flavia accepts only Flavia Freshpacks. The choice at home favors Keurig.
Keurig Dr Pepper makes Keurig brewers and K-Cup pods. Flavia Freshpacks come from Lavazza, Starbucks, Peet's Coffee, Bright Tea Co. and Dove.
Flavia sells brewers to businesses and a few home models. A vendor says the Aroma tank gives up to 3 more cups between refills than the Keurig OfficePro K145.
Does the Flavia Coffee Machine Avoid Flavor Transfer?
Yes. The Flavia coffee machine avoids flavor transfer because water passes only through the sealed pack and into the cup. No funnel or needle touches the grounds.
Because the water never meets anything but the pack, a tea brewed after a latte tastes only of tea. Maker material says this pack-to-cup brewing also prevents transfer of allergens and contaminants between drinks.
Other machines work differently. Keurig and Nespresso machines use needles or funnels that touch each pod. A Keurig needle can collect residue if the owner skips cleaning.
How Much Does the Flavia Coffee Machine Cost?
The Flavia coffee machine costs from $99.99 for the Aroma on sale to $1,999.90 for the Creation 600. The Aroma lists at $169.99 on the maker's site. A bundle with 84 Freshpacks and a merchandiser, a display stand for packs, costs $129.99.
Flavia Prices:
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Aroma, sale | $99.99 |
| Aroma, list | $169.99 |
| Aroma bundle with 84 Freshpacks | $129.99 |
| Creation 600 | $1,999.90 |
The Chill module costs extra on the larger models. A technician may need to install it.
One retailer lists Flavia brewers from $250 to $2,825 with free shipping.
How Much Do Flavia Coffee Machine Freshpacks Cost?
Flavia coffee machine Freshpacks cost about $0.76 per coffee drink and about $1.00 per latte. The Lavazza Opera Intenso 19-pack costs $14.35 on the maker's site. That works out to $0.76 per pack.
A subscription lowers that price to $0.72 per pack, a 5% saving. The same coffee comes in a 38-pack box.
Lavazza lists latte Freshpacks at $12.00 for 12 packs, or $1.00 each.
The Aroma bundle holds 84 Freshpacks across 12 drink types.
How Do You Clean the Flavia Coffee Machine?
The Flavia coffee machine needs light cleaning because the machine never touches the drink. No funnel or basket needs washing. Most work involves the bin and the drip tray.
The daily task on the Creation 600 is emptying the drip tray and the used pack bin. The screen prompts when the bin is full. Washing the bin in warm soapy water follows each emptying.
The weekly task is wiping the outside with a damp cloth. Strong detergents and abrasive pads damage the finish. The Freshpack door and air duct come out for a wash in warm soapy water, never in a dishwasher.
A non-chlorine anti-bacterial wipe sanitizes the surfaces afterward. One cup of hot water then rinses the system. Spills need cleaning at once to stop taste and allergen transfer.
Splatter during quick brewing calls for a wipe of the drip tray between uses.
Creation 600 Care Tasks:
- Daily: empty the drip tray and the pack bin
- Weekly: wipe the outside with a damp cloth
- Weekly: wash the Freshpack door and air duct
- Weekly: sanitize and run one rinse cup of hot water
How Often Does the Flavia Coffee Machine Need Descaling?
The Flavia coffee machine needs no descaling on the plumbed Creation 600, because the maker says the brewer should not be descaled. A required in-line water filter fights scale instead. A particle filter inside the brewer is changed by the distributor.
Both filters follow the filter maker's change schedule. The water supply needs a pressure between 15 and 100 psi (1 and 6.8 bar).
A flush clears the internal workings after the brewer sits off for 5 days or more. After a flush the brewer needs 2 minutes to heat. The Aroma maker points owners to the warranty document and manual for care steps.
Is the Flavia Coffee Machine Worth It?
Yes. The Flavia coffee machine is worth it for shared spaces that want fast, clean and varied drinks.
Two models mark the range. The Aroma costs $99.99 to $169.99 and suits small offices and home offices. The Creation 600 costs $1,999.90 and suits large offices. It adds milk drinks, cold drinks and remote monitoring.
Taste is the main weakness. Reviews are mixed, and the drinks lack the depth of fresh-ground coffee. A buyer who values that depth will miss it on either model.
The cost of supplies adds to that tradeoff. Only Flavia Freshpacks fit. Pack prices of about $0.76 to $1.00 per drink stay with the buyer for the life of the machine.
Who Should Skip the Flavia Coffee Machine?
Coffee enthusiasts should skip the Flavia coffee machine if they want fresh-ground beans, espresso or pour-over control. Only the Barista makes espresso.
Freshpacks are the only option, so buyers who want cheap generic pods should skip the machine too.
Price is the last reason to pass. At $1,999.90, the Creation 600 costs far more than home brewers. Budget buyers should skip it.
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