Coffee chain Caffè Nero is to roll out an espresso-infused savoury and sweet food menu, including a coffee-cured bacon sandwich.

The sandwich combines a ciabatta roll filled with coffee-cured bacon, which is cured for over 20 hours using Caffè Nero’s signature blend of coffee, to combine the “chocolate and nutty notes of coffee with the sweet and salty caramel of crispy bacon”.

A soft-centred dark chocolate espresso brownie and cappuccino cake with fluffy sponge and sweet coffee frosting also features on the menu, which is available from 17 April.

“We’ve introduced some delicious new options to the menu, with the aim of putting our coffee craft into our food, to give it a premium appeal,” said Hannah McKay, UK head of food, Caffè Nero.

The full menu consists of:

  • Bacon Ciabatta Roll, £3.25
  • Brie and Bacon Panini, £4.40
  • Bacon, Sausage and Egg Ciabatta Roll, £3.65
  • Bacon, Sausage and Scrambled Egg Breakfast Pot, £3.75
  • Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Sandwich, £3.35
  • Bacon and Chutney Flatbread, £4.25
  • Cappuccino Cake, £3.25
  • Chocolate and Caffè Nero Espresso Brownie, £2.00

Coffee as a flavour in bakery isn’t new – think classic coffee & walnut cake. However, its use as an ingredient in sweet treats is increasing as coffee shops seek to utilise their signature products and other bakers look to tap the flavoured coffee trend.

Pret A Manger, for example, released a Mocha Pot as part of its spring range, which featured a coconut yoghurt, mixed with dark chocolate & hazelnut sauce with a drizzle of espresso.

Traybake specialist Cakesmiths was showcasing Espresso Caramel Brownies at last month’s IFE show, while both Morrisons and Waitrose embraced the trend as part of their Christmas ranges with Espresso Martini Cheesecakes and a Gingerbread Latte Cake, respectively.