"A new coffee for reusable capsules
Café Castelo is launching a coffee specially treated for reusable capsules, a more ecological solution than disposable pods. With this new product, available in four varieties, the Quebec roasting house, which is located in Montcalm, promises a beverage that combines taste, quality and the creamy crema sought after by Arabica coffee lovers.
Flavor and quality were not always there for reusable capsule users. The crema, the fat emulsion that forms a creamy, nutty foam on the surface of an espresso, was often missing. It was therefore necessary to offer a coffee that was better adapted to the taste of its followers.
This new processed coffee was born after three years of research and development dedicated to the development of a new technology and the manufacturing of custom-made equipment for Café Castelo.
In addition to encouraging more responsible consumption, specially processed coffee for capsules is an option that is up to 50% less expensive than single-use pods from industry giants.
Flavors and taste
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This specially processed coffee for reusable capsules is available in four flavour and intensity variations: Marcato (tasty and intense), Gustoso (rich and woody), Deca Dolce (fragrant and decaffeinated) and Ampio (creamy and balanced).
It contains no chemicals or preservatives. It contains 100% Arabica beans and "is not inferior to the coffee beans" available at Castelo, Okuka says.
Decaffeinated coffee is decaffeinated with water, using the Swiss method, which results in a healthier product, without additives, whereas "sometimes, some people use solvents to decaffeinate" the beans, says Castelo's business development manager. In the family business, the focus is on the naturalness of the products.
These new Castelo coffees work with any type of reusable capsule, from a famous brand or from a big box.
For example, the success rate for brewing other brands of coffee in reusable capsules compatible with Nespresso's VertuoLine was between 40% and 60%, while with Castelo's processed coffee, it is 100%, Okuka added.
In addition to the four varieties of processed coffee currently available, others could be added, given customer demand and the popularity of these products. Two to three new varieties, inspired by Castelo's most popular beans, could be introduced.
The company is constantly evolving and wants to offer "something better" to its customers, Okuka says. "We always want to offer a quality product," she says.
Future plans
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Café Castelo had many projects before the pandemic put a stop to them. However, the arrival of these coffees for reusable capsules has been a great success. The company is therefore putting a lot of energy into satisfying the needs of its customers, both in store and through online sales.
"We didn't know it was such a long-awaited solution," Okuka says of the new cafes.
The family business will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2021. Anja Okuka and her brother Nicolas are the second generation of entrepreneurs in the company. Their parents Nikolina and Predrag Okuka, freshly arrived from Yugoslavia, founded Café Castelo in 1996.
We plan to celebrate this anniversary in a beautiful way. "Our project is mainly to thank our customers," says Ms. Okuka. Although Café Castelo is a family business, the family also includes "employees, partners and customers," says the young woman.
"We're going to celebrate in style. We're planning something big," concludes Anja Okuka, talking about the 25th.
Availability
These new processed coffees are available online and in the two Café Castelo locations in Quebec City. They retail at $35 for a 500 gram bag, which allows the same capsule to be filled 60 times.
There is a Café Castelo on Cartier Avenue in Montcalm and another location in Sillery. Some products are also available at other retailers. The list is available on the company's website .
