Coffee Break: From Mario Batali & La Colombe, a taste of Italy

Something new: If you've been looking for an excuse to add something new to your home coffee rotation, La Colombe has an idea. The java giant just introduced three Italian-style blends as part of a collaboration with celebrity chef Mario Batali.

The idea for the new blends: It all began with an appearance that Batali made on "Dangerous Grounds," the coffee-centric Travel Channel show hosted by La Colombe co-founder Todd Carmichael. Batali challenged Carmichael to craft something that captured the Italian coffee experience, according to La Colombe.

Carmichael, of course, is not one to turn down a challenge.

The result: Caffe Italiano blends, sold under Batali's name. "Caffe Italiano embraces all that is beautiful about Italian coffee," Carmichael has said.

The beans: The Abruzzo blend offers a dark-roasted, nutty flavor with beans from Haiti, Brazil and Ethiopia. Roma, the medium roast with hints of milk chocolate, has beans from Haiti, Brazil and Colombia. Amalfi - it's decaf, if that's your thing - is a blend of Brazilian and Sumatran beans.

Sun up, make a cup: Jonathan Amos, who handles training and education for La Colombe, recommended the Abruzzo while brewing up some of the Caffe Italiano blends at La Colombe's flagship shop, in Fishtown, last week.

"It's an excellent morning coffee," Amos said. "The aftertaste lasts with you all morning long."

I want, I want: Find these blends at Target - a first for La Colombe - on Target.com and LaColombe.com, for $13 a 10-ounce can, whole bean or ground.