A round white can with a red square on which the brand name is written in white careless brush strokes is familiar to all lovers of the aromatic drink. The popularity of Illy is explained not by a trail of myths and exotic stories, like Kopi Luwak, and not by belonging to the mass market, like Jacobs or Nescafé. Coffee lovers prefer this brand because of its quality characteristics: the famous “Mono Arabica” and the unique blend of nine varieties of Arabica “Illi” are called standards even by coffee-spoiled Italians.
The quality can be explained by careful selection: hand-picked Arabica beans are delivered directly from the plantations, the coffee beans undergo visual inspection, then laser and spectral analysis. This way, all grains that do not meet the standard are rejected. And one more nuance - unique technologies invented by the brand owners are used for roasting and packaging coffee.
The history of the brand began in the 20s of the last century, when a former soldier of the Austro-Hungarian army, Francesco Illi, came to Italy. Before serving, he graduated from the university’s Faculty of Economics, but always dreamed of living by the sea, so he chose a port city - Trieste is located on the Adriatic Sea. Military bearing, good upbringing and the habit of discipline developed by the army served him well: despite not knowing the Italian language, he was hired to work in a local restaurant. He was a waiter, then a bartender, and then he met “the woman of his life” - Elena, got married and began to think about his own business.
Brand founder Francesco Illi
With the support of his wife and her father, Francesco, who was still considered a foreigner, managed to open a small enterprise - a coffee shop with a bean roasting workshop. He himself stood at the counter, brewed coffee, communicated with visitors, memorized tastes, and studied demand. And in the evenings he sat over the drawings - creating a coffee machine, which he presented in 1935.
But then World War II began, Mussolini banned the import of coffee, and supplies were barely enough for the few visitors. The coffee shop was not closed, but there was almost no income and there was no talk of developing the enterprise. And when the war ended, Francesco’s son, Ernesto, who became an adult, continued his father’s work and opened a coffee laboratory in which he conducted research.
Illy's global expansion began in 1965, when the first Illy coffee entered the market. And then Ernesto, who inherited his father’s inventive spirit, created another personalized coffee machine. The ESE espresso machine became a global standard, and Ernesto formed his own distribution network and began selling coffee first in Europe and then around the world.
In 1988, the Illy laboratory developed a system for studying coffee beans at the molecular level in order to achieve the highest quality drink. And to this day, Illy remains the only company in the world that has this kind of patents and research results.
From the very beginning, Illy was a family company, so the transfer of management into the hands of Francesco’s grandson, Andrea Illy, became natural. This happened in 1994. Under the leadership of Andrea, who turned out to be an excellent advertiser, the company acquired a visual identity - a branded espresso cup with an absolutely round ring handle and a logo familiar to everyone today.
The grandson of the brand founder also became the author of a coffee machine - the X1 home coffee machine.
The company began the 21st century with the opening of the first branded cafe, then released revolutionary coffee capsules for iperEspresso systems. And in 2020, Andrea and his brother Ricardo and sister Anna, who take part in the management of the company, announced the establishment of the International Prize in honor of their father Ernesto Illi. The award will be awarded annually to the best coffee producers - owners of coffee plantations.
Illy: brand history
The Illy brand dates back to the 30s of the 20th century. The founder of the world-famous brand was the Hungarian Francesco Illi, whose surname became the proper name for the product.
Illy was a soldier who returned from fighting in World War I and decided to start producing quality coffee. The first point of sale appeared in the Italian city of Trieste, where Francesco had previously worked as a bartender and became very interested in the recipes for the aromatic drink. Soon he organized a family business called IlliCafe. The activity was roasting green coffee beans and selling them.
In addition to preparing the drink, she started producing a new coffee machine, which only fueled interest in the company’s products. Things were going so well for Francesco that he seriously thought about how to preserve the taste of roasted coffee for a long time, because, as you know, this quality of beans is lost very quickly.
The problem was solved by filling a can of coffee beans with an inert gas. It not only prolonged the taste and aroma, but also improved the quality of the product.
The family business was continued by son Francesco Illi, who became the head of the company immediately after World War II. He also contributed to the development of the family business: he improved the mechanism of the coffee machine, developed a metal can and a brand logo, which remain relevant to this day.
Now Illy is a world-famous brand with offices in more than 100 countries. But there are only 200 coffee shops around the world where the traditional drink is prepared.
Illy owns not only coffee factories, but also its own laboratories. In addition, the brand owners invested part of their income in the opening and development of educational institutions for the study of coffee.
Company today
Illy was, is and remains a family business, maintaining the traditional succession from father to son. Nowadays, the head of the corporation is the grandson of the founder, Andre Illy. Massimiliano Pogliani CEO. Anna Rossi Illy (Andre's mother) is the honorary chairman of the company.
The company is known on all five continents and sells its products in more than 140 countries around the world. Illy companies are located in countries such as North America, France, Italy, Germany, Spain and Benelux.
Coffee is the favorite drink of millions of people
The company supplies products to Brazil, Colombia, India, African countries, and Central America. There is the Illi Coffee University, where workers are taught how to grow coffee for free. The course lasts nine months, lectures are taught for a total of one week per month.
Together with the Coca-Cola Company brand, Illy produces a caffeine-based energy drink without added sugar.
Taste characteristics
Ground Illy coffee, brewed in a Turk or a special machine, has an original taste that a true lover of this drink can appreciate.
The aroma is rich, attractive, without bitterness. The taste is moderately strong. Depending on the roasting, the drink has some taste characteristics: there may be bitterness or, on the contrary, a pleasant sweetish aftertaste. It all depends on the roasting method, which shapes the taste.
Coffee lovers in reviews of Illy recommend drinking a freshly brewed drink without saving it for later. In general, the product of this brand cannot be called exceptional. It is tasty and aromatic, but has no striking differences from others.
Types of packaging
“Illi” is varied in packaging methods. The manufacturer mainly focused its activities on creating raw materials for preparing the drink in a Turk and a coffee machine. It will not be possible to find an instant drink, since the company does not produce such a product.
So, you can find Illy coffee on sale:
- ground;
- in capsules;
- in grains;
- in pods.
All types of packaging are suitable for preparing the drink in different devices. Illy ground coffee, which has only positive reviews, is available in different degrees of grinding. To preserve the original aroma and taste for a long time, a special preservation system is used. All this contributes to the fact that the powder can be used in espresso, filters, coffee machines, geyser machines and French presses.
Illy coffee beans are the most popular in sales, since in this packaging the drink better retains its taste and aroma.
Pods are measured portions packaged in bags. Used in espresso machines.
iperEspresso capsules are suitable for coffee machines and Gaggia. Mono Arabica is sealed in such capsules.
Range
illy coffee is presented in a fairly small assortment, but at the same time in a variety of formats, so that you can get the classic illy taste wherever you are and however you prepare the drink. There is ground, grain, in capsules, in filter tablets. We will talk about different blends and series, since in most cases the same blend is sold in all formats.
Classic illy coffee
The same blend made from 9 types of Arabica, collected from the best varieties in the world, with traditional taste and quality. The blend is based on the Brazilian variety Santos; beans from Kenya, Ethiopia, Jamaica, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Brazil are also used.
Available in three variants:
- Classic – (red stripe) – if you like a drink with a harmonious taste, the perfect balance between acid and bitterness, sweet and slightly floral notes. You can feel caramel and chocolate tones, shades of toasted bread.
- Intense – (burgundy shade) – if you prefer an intense taste; slight bitterness with notes of chocolate and toasted bread.
- Strong - black label - if you are looking for a rich and very strong taste, the darkest signature roast, a long aftertaste of dark chocolate.
Decaf is a classic blend, only decaffeinated, so it is suitable even for those who are hypersensitive to caffeine or want to give it up for various reasons. According to the evaluators, the taste and aroma characteristics of the beans were not affected by decaffeination.
There is grinding for espresso machines, preparation in a classic Italian geyser coffee maker, filters, French presses, grains, capsules, etc. are also available.
Mono-varietal, mono-arabica illy
These are four varieties, although some others may be added in the near future. Essentially, plantation coffee from certain regions, which grows in certain conditions, receives its own aroma and taste, characteristic of a particular area. Somewhere there is more rain, somewhere there are flowering trees growing nearby, or a tree takes a long time to gain strength from the volcanic soil. In general, coffee lovers should try drinks from different regions.
- Ethiopia - delicate taste, delicate aroma with floral notes of jasmine. Special roasting reveals all the shades of this amazingly noble variety.
- Colombia – harmonious taste with a rich and multifaceted aroma. In Colombia, in the Andean Cordillera, there are ideal conditions for growing high-quality Arabica coffee, which is valued throughout the world.
- Brazil - intense aroma with clear caramel notes. Grown in the highlands of Southeastern Brazil.
- Guatemala – rich, bright taste with a complex aroma, clearly noticeable tones of chocolate, caramel and honey.
Sold in grains, crushed, and also in capsules.
Americano
This is a separate series of classic blends, compiled specifically for coffee lovers in large cups. It is a little more saturated, so that even when adding a large volume of water for Americano, the flavor tones are not lost, and the drink still turns out aromatic, intense, and invigorating.
Capsules
The filling is typical - it’s the same classic blend in different degrees of roasting or single-origin, only the standard differs. You can choose the one that is compatible with your coffee machine:
- Iperespresso capsules;
- UNO system capsules
- ESE pods
Specialist roasters have developed the proportions so that with any brewing method, if done correctly, you will get the very taste you are looking for.
Coffee Illy. Roast types
At Illi production, 3 methods of roasting coffee beans are used, each of which has its own effect on the taste of the brewed drink.
- Dark roast. This roasting method can be distinguished by the light and pleasant aroma of caramel and chocolate. This drink contains a high caffeine content, which makes it invigorating, energizing, and tonic.
- The medium roast type is characterized by a delicate taste with notes of cocoa, caramel and flowers. The strength of the drink is practically absent; it can be called feminine - it is just as sensual and soft.
- Decaffeinated. This drink has the softest and most delicate taste, since the caffeine in it is reduced to an acceptable minimum. The aroma of chocolate and caramel is also typical for this type of roasting, although in slightly less concentration.
A variety of roasting methods will allow every coffee lover to choose a favorite and acceptable taste.
Illy products
Coffee Illy products are divided according to the degree of roasting - medium roasted grain, dark roasted grain. The company also produces a caffeine-free drink, ground and in capsules.
Blend bean coffee medium roast
Illy Blend is suitable for all preparation methods.
Sold in 200, 1500 and 3000 gram jars. A unique combination of selected Arabica beans from nine countries, which have undergone strict selection before reaching your table. The perfect balance between taste and aroma. Grinding is suitable for brewing in geyser-type coffee machines, filters, and Turks.
Ground Moka
The beans are ground for coffee machines.
Caffeine content is no more than 1.5%. Sold in a metal jar. Medium roast. Grinding allows you to prepare a drink in filter coffee machines and geyser-type coffee machines.
Ground decaffeinated
Very low caffeine coffee
Low caffeine content (0.5%) does not increase blood pressure or affect your well-being. Even those for whom caffeine is strictly contraindicated can drink this coffee. Medium roast, grind for a classic coffee machine.
Dark roast
Has a bitter aftertaste
For those who like it stronger. The slightly bitter taste of the grains will add piquant notes to the drink, perfectly invigorating in the morning. Grinding for classic espresso machines.
Deep roast
Coffee with a rich taste and bitterness
The rich, bitter taste of coffee will appeal to even the most avid coffee lover. The perfect combination of selected grains will make you fall in love with this drink forever. The grind is suitable for brewing in a classic espresso machine.
In filter capsules
Capsules are intended for coffee machines.
A special line produced for capsule-type coffee machines. Has all the same characteristics as ground beans. The same taste and attractive aroma are preserved.
Coffee Illy Monoarabica Brazi
Taste sensations of caramel and chocolate
Fruits collected from the best plantations of warm Brazil. Exquisite invigorating taste with notes of caramel and chocolate are the real highlight of this type of coffee drink.
Monoarabica Ethiopia
With a slight taste of jasmine,
coffee from Ethiopia is considered one of the best in the whole world. Monarabeca Ethiopia is hand-picked from Ethiopian plantations, medium roast. The taste is full of pleasant jasmine notes.
Guatemala
Monoarabica Guatemala with notes of honey and citrus
One of the most famous varieties. Guatemala's volcanic soils and warm climate have a beneficial effect on coffee plantations. Because of this, the harvest is always of high quality. The drink brewed from Guatemala Monarabeca has a unique taste with notes of honey, chocolate and caramel and a soft citrus aftertaste.
An interesting fact is that Illy is the only holder of a double quality certificate in the world. This is further proof that Illy products meet all international standards and are leaders in the coffee production market.
Illy coffee reviews
The world-famous brand “Illy” has also gained popularity among Russian buyers. Moreover, the vast majority of those who tried this drink did not identify any bad qualities in it. None, except the cost. This is perhaps the only negative. This is still an expensive pleasure for the Russian wallet.
You can find more reviews about Illy ground coffee on the Internet, since at home many people brew the drink in a Turkish coffee pot rather than in a coffee machine. And as these reviews say, “Illy” attracts with its aroma, which fills the entire apartment. The aroma is incredible, rich, with chocolate and caramel shades, the color is rich, the drink has an appetizing foam that forms on the surface.
Reviews of Illy coffee beans indicate that in this state the product retains its original taste longer.
And no matter what roasting method is chosen, the taste will not deteriorate. As many people note, even a low-caffeine drink invigorates you in the morning.
Types of Illy coffee
The brand’s drinks can be classified by type of packaging and type of roasting; they are produced under two names: “Mono Arabica” (Guatemala, Ethiopia, Colombia or Brazil) - coffee from one country, or simply Illy indicating the degree of roasting and grinding level - a blend of nine Arabica varieties.
Illy coffee by roast type
Dark. A strong drink with a bright caramel aroma and chocolate-caramel taste with a noticeable piquant bitterness.
Average. Soft coffee with a barely noticeable hint of caramel in the aroma and a pleasant chocolate taste.
Medium decaf. A soft and light drink with chocolate notes in the aroma and a caramel aftertaste.
Cooking tips
Illy espresso coffee is excellent both as espresso and as a latte and cappuccino. You can brew it in various devices: a Turk, a drip or espresso machine, a French press or in a regular coffee pot.
The French press is the most popular device for brewing ground coffee. In order for the “Illi” in it to turn out worthy, you should choose a medium grind powder. The particle size of this grind is ideal for the press: they are not too large to clog the filter holes, and not too small to slip through it.
To prepare it in a Turk, you can take any version of “Illi”, the main thing is to be able to brew the drink correctly in such a device, beloved by many. Many people recommend brewing coffee like this: pour a couple of tablespoons of ground “Illi” into a well-heated pot and fry it a little. Then add 2 pieces of sugar and, stirring the contents of the container, melt it a little to enhance the caramel flavor. Afterwards, you need to pour cold water up to the narrow neck of the device and heat the drink until a dense foam forms. Don't boil! This is a must. The heated drink is removed from the stove, the foam is removed and the Turk is knocked on the outer bottom so that all the coffee particles settle. The drink can be heated twice.
Cost of goods
As it was, it falls into the category of expensive coffee. The cost varies depending on the point of sale where it can be purchased, as well as on the type of packaging. And you can buy it in online markets from official representatives or from suppliers.
As for retail grocery stores, you can’t buy Illy everywhere. For example, it can be found in large supermarkets and specialized shops. In Moscow and St. Petersburg there are Illy stores and coffee shops from this manufacturer.
So, still the price. A minimum price of 650 rubles has been set for a 250-gram jar of ground coffee. You can't find it cheaper, but more expensive - yes. If you drink coffee regularly, Illy will turn out to be a very uneconomical drink.
