Cuvée Noire opened about five months ago on boulevard Saint-Michel. My partner and I went by just recently to taste their espresso and to purchase a quantity of roasted coffee beans.
The shop’s counter is a massive block of cream-colored marbled stone, and the walls and wall benches are sea-green. Stools made of dark wood and covered with sea-green velour mirror the shape of the dark wood tables on which customers can place their coffees, teas, and cakes.
The only espresso being served that day was Noir Velvet, so I purchased a cup.
I found the coffee to be well-balanced with a frothy crema, but I could not immediately identify the strawberry or dark chocolate flavors that the barista claimed I would experience.
I also purchased and shared a slice of Praline Noisette cake with my partner. Measuring about 1″ thick, it was moist and crumbly and had a lovely hazelnut filling.
We both enjoyed it.
While we consumed our food and beverage, rap played over the sound system.
Zoé, the barista on duty, was friendly and helpful.
Because I enjoyed the coffee, I purchased a box of whole-bean Noir Velvet to take home.
Information on the package indicates that the coffee is a blend of beans from Colombia and Brazil, that it was roasted in France, that the date of expiration is May 22, 2026, and that the contents weigh 250 grams.
No information was presented about the precise regions of those countries, the varietal(s) used in the blend, or the date of roasting.
I sent a message to the company requesting information about the precise location of its roasting facility. The reply that I received only indicated that the coffee is roasted in France.
Brewing 18 grams of ground coffee using the pour-over method, I identified the following flavors and aromas:
Flavors: fruity, hint of chocolate
Aromas: Smoked bacon, maple syrup, caramel, hint of chocolate
For me, the coffee has a smooth, pleasant taste. From time to time, I thought that I tasted hints of strawberry.
Cuvée Noire
22, boulevard Saint-Michel
75006 Paris
