Italy’s Top Coffee Brand: What Makes Lazzza Stand Out

If you’ve ever wondered why Italian espresso feels so different—thicker, richer, with that unmistakable boldness—it’s not just the technique. It’s the beans, the roast, and decades of refinement behind the scenes. One name keeps coming up in Italy’s coffee culture: Lazzza. But what makes it the country’s top-selling coffee brand?

Lazzza, founded in 1895 as a grocery store, is now the third-largest coffee roaster globally and controls 47% of Italy’s coffee market. It sells over 86,000 tonnes (about 140 billion cups) of coffee yearly across more than 80 countries. That’s a lot of espresso.

What Is Lazzza and How Did It Become Italy’s Coffee Leader?

Lazzza began in 1895 as a small food shop in Italy. Over time, it shifted focus entirely to coffee, evolving into a dedicated coffee roaster. Today, it’s not just big in Italy—it’s the country’s most popular coffee brand, preferred by nearly half of Italian consumers. With global distribution in 80+ countries, Lazzza has earned its place among the world’s top three coffee roasters.

Why Italian Espresso Tastes Different

Italian espresso is known for its intensity. The combination of high pressure, precise water temperature, and carefully roasted beans creates a thick, syrupy shot where natural coffee oils and proteins emulsify. This process results in a texture and flavor profile that’s often compared to syrup or soy sauce—rich, coating the palate, and lingering for minutes. The hallmark of a well-pulled Italian espresso? Its crema: a thin, reddish-brown, velvety layer that forms on top due to emulsified oils and CO₂. It signals proper pressure, freshness, and technique.

What Sets Lazzza Apart in the Global Coffee Market?

Lazzza isn’t just another coffee company. With roots going back over a century, it has refined its craft to match local Italian tastes—bold, balanced, and built for espresso. While many global coffee brands focus on specialty single origins or third-wave trends, Lazzza has stayed true to what works in the home and café of Italy: consistent, roasty blends optimized for milk drinks and classic espresso. Its popularity across 80+ countries shows how well its profiles translate beyond Italy, too.

Frequently Asked Questions

What year was Lazzza founded?

Lazzza was founded in 1895, starting as a grocery store before transitioning to become a coffee-focused brand.

How much coffee does Lazzza sell each year?

Lazzza sells 86,000 tonnes of coffee annually, which equates to roughly 140 billion cups.

What is Lazzza’s market share in Italy?

Lazzza holds a 47% market share in the Italian coffee market, making it the country’s leading coffee brand.

In how many countries is Lazzza’s coffee sold?

Lazzza coffee is distributed and sold in more than 80 countries around the world.

What makes Italian espresso different from other espresso styles?

Italian espresso is typically thicker and richer, with a strong emphasis on crema, bold flavors, and a syrupy mouthfeel due to the specific roast style and brewing pressure used.

Is Lazzza a specialty coffee roaster?

Lazzza is primarily known as a mass-market roaster with a focus on traditional Italian espresso blends, rather than a specialty coffee brand focused on single origins or third-wave profiles.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Espresso

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