Starbucks Italian roast vs. Verona: which one is better?

What happens when you can’t pick between two amazing dark roasts? I always take them head-to-head to see which one is better. In our case, it’s Starbucks Italian vs. Verona. I have come across people who think all dark roasts are similar, which is quite misleading. In this post, I will bring the features of both dark roasts to a comparison. By the end of this read, you will learn which of the two is better, so keep up.

What are the differences between Starbucks Italian Roast vs. Verona?

Features	Italian	Verona
Ingredients	100% Arabica coffee from Latin America and Asia/Pacific regions	100% Arabica coffee from Latin America and Asia/Pacific regions
Taste profile	Intense smokiness and sweet chocolate undertones	Light flavor with dark cocoa undertones
Caffeine/Nutritional Value	130mg for a short serving, 0 calories, 0 fat, 0 carbs	30mg for a short serving, 0 calories, 0 fat, 0 carbs
Accessibility/Availability	Permanently	Permanently
Roast level	Dark	Dark

Starbucks Italian Roast vs. Verona- How they compare

What it’s made of (ingredients)

The Starbucks Italian roast is 100% Arabica coffee, roasted in Italian style. The coffee beans are sourced from Latina America and Asia/Pacific region.

Starbucks Caffe Verona is 100% coffee Arabica from Asia/Pacific and Latin America regions. The blend of coffee from different regions is intentional to bring depth to the flavors.

This is an automatic draw. Both roasts are made with coffee beans from the same region.

Taste Profile

The Italian roast at Starbucks is a low acidity blend with roasty and sweet notes. The roast has sweet chocolate and caramelized sugar undertones. You will also pick up spicy notes as you sip.

Starbucks’ Caffe Verona is a seductive sweet flavor, with deep dark cocoa undertones. It is well-balanced and full-bodied, and you can taste the richness of this roast with every sip. However, the Verona is lighter than other dark roasts.

In this category, the Italian roast takes the lead due to its intensity and rich flavor.

Caffeine/Nutritional Value

The Starbucks Italian roast is low in caffeine. This blend has 130mg per 8 fluid ounces. There are no calories, fat, carbs, or proteins in this blend. The Starbucks Caffe Verona is also a dark roast, meaning its caffeine is 130mg per short serving. Similarly, it has no calories, fat, or carbs in it.

We get another draw in this category as well. There is no nutritional and caffeine difference in both roasts.

Accessibility/ Availability

The Starbucks Italian blend is not a seasonal roast. You can find it at any Starbucks store or your grocery store. You can easily access it on Amazon and Walmart for delivery. The Caffe Verona at Starbucks is also available all year round. It is not designated a specific season, unlike Starbucks’ seasonal roasts. You can also find it at your local grocery store or on Amazon.

In this category, we have a draw. Both roasts are easy to access and are available all year round.

Roast Level

The Italian roast is a full dark roast with an ebony color and an intensively smoky flavor. Some people would say it is burnt. Caffe Verona is a dark roast but has a lighter tone. This lightness can be seen in its color and felt in its taste.

In this category, the Italian roast takes the lead as the darker roast between the two.

Starbucks Italian Roast vs. Verona: A Comparison Review

Starbucks Italian Roast-Overview

The Italian dark roast is strong and intense in flavor. I was met by a smoky flavor on my first sip that went on to become chocolaty and caramel sweet. I loved the low acidity and the moderate caffeine for those days that I didn’t need much caffeine boost. This roast is versatile and blends well with most drinks.

What I liked

• The chocolate and caramel undertones
• The low acidity

What I didn’t like

• The initial smoky and bitter taste

Who it’s best suited for

• This blend is best for those who love the intensity of their coffee

Starbucks Verona-Overview

This is a lighter dark roast that is palatable for most coffee drinkers. It has a lighter flavor with less smokiness than the Italian roast. I liked its sweet dark cocoa undertones that blended well with the earthy coffee taste. I didn’t appreciate the low caffeine, but I enjoyed the mildness of its overall flavor.

What I liked

• The mildness despite it being a dark roast
• The less smoky flavor

What I didn’t like

• The caffeine was low

Who it’s best suited for

• This roast is best suited for those who can’t take the intensity of normal dark roasts.

Final Verdict: So, which is better? Starbucks Italian roast or Verona?

The Italian roast takes a narrow lead on this one as it is a darker roast than the Verona. This makes it more intense, which is the essence of any dark roast.

FAQ SECTION

Is Starbucks Italian roast darker than Verona?

Yes, the Italian roast is darker than the Verona, even if they are both dark roasts.