Coffee is a staple of Italian culture, and it’s no surprise that Italians produce some of the best coffee in the world. Additionally, Italy has long been associated with coffee, and its production and consumption have grown over time.
Finally, here are some of the most popular Italian coffee brands you can find on the market:
1. Lavazza
Lavazza is an Italian coffee brand you can find in almost any supermarket or grocery store. It’s one of the most popular brands worldwide and has won several awards for its blends and flavors.
The company was founded in Turin, Italy, in 1895 when Luigi Lavazza opened a small roasting facility there. Since then, it has expanded across Europe and into Asia as well as North America. Now, the company produces over 10 million kilos of coffee every year.
However, the best one from Lavazza is the Lavazza Espresso Italiano Ground Coffee and Crema E Gusto, which I have mentioned below.
2. Illy
Francesco Illy founded Illy in 1933 as a small business that sold roasted coffee beans to restaurants and cafes in Trieste, Italy.
In 1949, he became the first roaster to sell whole bean roasted coffee in vacuum-packed cans — something that wouldn’t become popular in Europe until decades later. Today, Illy is one of the most well-known brands of coffee worldwide.
3. Caffè Vergnano
Caffè Vergnano was founded in 1868 and is based in Turin, Italy. The company claims to be “the first Italian exporter of ground coffee.” They sell their products worldwide, including in the United States and Canada.
Moreover, their coffee comes in three varieties: Espresso Royale (or Espresso Lungo), Gran Caffè, and Decaffeinato Lungo.
4. Pellini No. 82 Vivace
Pellini is an Italian coffee company founded to spread the culture of Italian espresso around the world. If you want to enjoy an authentic taste of Italy in your kitchen, make sure to use Pellini beans for your espresso machine.
Pellini No. 82 Vivace is a full-bodied Italian blend that will surprise your senses with its complex flavors and aromas.
Moreover, this dark-roasted coffee is made from a blend of 90% Arabica beans and 10% Robusta, which gives it a full-bodied mouthfeel and ensures a rich crema atop your espresso. In addition to that, the flavors are bold and powerful, with a nice balance between sweetness, earthiness, and very low acidity.
5. FORTE by Filicori Zecchini
The FORTE blend from Filicori Zecchini is a fine choice for coffee and espresso lovers, with an exceptionally bold flavor.
Filicori Zecchini offers some of Italy’s tastiest blends, and they do it without breaking the bank—but how? It’s very clever. They reverse the roasting and blending process.
At Filicori Zecchini, each type of bean is roasted separately first. This allows the company to perfectly roast each bean varietal to suit its unique character. Additionally, they source their coffee beans from the same farms year-round, so you can be sure of the quality.
6. Lavazza Crema E Gusto
The Crema e Gusto beans are among the darkest and boldest roasts we offer, making them a great option for pre-ground coffee. Even when they’re not at peak freshness, you’ll still get a tasty brew from this blend.
The 70% Arabica and 30% Robusta blend of the Crema e Gusto coffee beans come from Brazil and India. The robusta beans provide a dense foamy crema and a dark, earthy flavor. On the other hand, the arabica beans add sweetness and subtle notes of chocolate and vanilla.
Therefore, the resulting coffee is syrupy, with a smooth mouthfeel best enjoyed in a Moka pot, French Press, or espresso machine.
7. Caffe Kimbo Espresso Napoletano
Four brothers founded this coffee roaster in 1963 in Naples, Italy—the undisputed capital of espresso. Besides, their signature espresso blend is smooth with a dark roast and a percentage of Robusta that produces a crema.
8. Bialetti
Bialetti is a longtime Italian coffee maker with a history and experience of over 80 years. Alfonso Bialetti—the founder of the brand—invented the first Moka espresso coffee maker.
Moreover, Bialetti has been a leading Italian coffee maker brand for a long time and has completely changed how Italians make and enjoy coffee. As for their coffee, they sell 100% Arabica beans, delivered fresh from their headquarters in Naples and Milan.
9. Ditta Artigianale Mamma Mia
Micro-roasters are becoming more common in Italy, with many roasters getting attention not only because of their quality coffee but also for highlighting aspects like sustainability and biodiversity. Hence, Ditta Artigianale’s success demonstrates that Florentines are receptive to this new trend. In its first year, the shop opened two cafes—which have become the city’s most popular places for coffee and snacks.
Francesco Sanapo, a world barista champion, created Mamma Mia in honor of his mother’s taste because she didn’t like overly acidic or fruity coffees.
Furthermore, Francesco was careful not to over-roast this 100 percent Arabica blend, which comes from Peru, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Ethiopia. They designed the mix to give the best results for both espresso and those who add milk to their coffee.
Conclusion
There are several Italian coffee brands that make up the best espresso coffee in Italy: Lavazza, Segafredo, illy, and more. Additionally, these brands also lead the way in worldwide distribution.
The best coffee houses in Italy all have one thing in common: they produce exceptional quality, artisan coffee. Some of them even go the extra mile to add their distinctive flair to the coffee. Furthermore, by examining a few of the most popular brands of Italian coffee, you can easily start brewing your own delicious, authentic Italian coffee at home.
