The Origins of Italian Espresso: How illy Redefined Coffee

Ever wonder why your espresso at a proper Italian café always tastes so consistent, rich, and balanced—even across continents? That reliability isn’t accidental. It comes from decades of scientific precision, strict blending standards, and an unwavering dedication to quality. And it all started in the port city of Trieste.

The key number? Nine. In 1933, Francesco Illy founded illycaffè in Trieste, Italy, creating a single-origin-defying espresso made from a proprietary blend of nine carefully selected Arabica beans sourced from South America, Central America, Asia, and Africa. This blend—unchanged in recipe—is what delivers the uniform taste illy is known for worldwide.

The Birth of a Global Espresso Standard

Founded in 1933 in Trieste, a major northeastern Italian port city, illycaffè introduced a groundbreaking concept: a standardized espresso blend made from nine premium Arabica beans. These beans are sourced from South America, Central America, India, and Africa. By blending beans from multiple regions, illy created a formula that ensures consistent flavor, body, and crema in every shot, no matter where you are. That signature blend became the foundation of illy’s international reputation for quality espresso.

A Family Legacy: Three Generations of Quality

Over three generations, the Illy family has maintained an obsessive focus on coffee excellence. Their approach transformed illy from a local Trieste startup into a globally recognized coffee brand present in over 140 countries. Today, more than 50,000 cafés and hotels across five continents serve illy coffee, making it a staple in the HORECA (hotels, restaurants, and cafés) sector.

Bringing Italian Coffee Culture Worldwide

illy didn’t just sell beans—they built a coffee experience. In 2003, the company launched espressamente illy (translated as “especially for you, an illy espresso”), a network of boutique coffee shops now operating in over 230 locations across 30+ countries. These cafés serve as cultural hubs where customers experience authentic Italian espresso preparation. Each shop emphasizes quality service, craftsmanship, and the illy blend’s distinct crema and balance.

Expanding Professional Reach Through ARTISTI DEL GUSTO

In 2007, illy launched the ARTISTI DEL GUSTO (Taste Artists) program—a strategic initiative targeting top-tier HORECA venues. Over 1,000 cafés and restaurants globally have joined this network. illy provides these partners with training, technical support, and high-quality coffee equipment. The result is a growing community of professionals serving consistently excellent espresso, aligned with illy’s standards. The program ensures long-term quality and helps cafés grow alongside the illy brand.

Innovations for Office and On-the-Go Coffee

Understanding that quality coffee should be accessible everywhere, illy partnered with Mitaca Srl in 2008 to develop a specialized coffee capsule system for office espresso machines. These fully sealed, patented capsules preserve freshness and flavor, bringing café-quality espresso to workplace environments. Additionally, in collaboration with Coca-Cola, illy launched illyissimo—an ready-to-drink canned coffee available in over 20 countries. This cold, ready-to-serve coffee targets young, mobile consumers who want a reliable caffeine boost while traveling, studying, or working.

Visual Legacy of Italian Coffee

Frequently Asked Questions

What year was illycaffe founded and where?

illycaffe was founded in 1933 in Trieste, a port city in northeastern Italy, by Francesco Illy.

How many coffee beans are in the illy espresso blend?

The illy espresso blend is made from a proprietary mix of nine carefully selected Arabica coffee beans.

Where do the beans in the illy blend come from?

The nine beans are sourced from South America, Central America, India, and Africa to create a balanced and consistent flavor profile.

What is espressamente illy?

espressamente illy (meaning “especially for you, an illy espresso”) is illy’s network of boutique coffee shops that started in 2003 and now operates in over 230 locations across 30+ countries, promoting authentic Italian espresso culture.

What is the ARTISTI DEL GUSTO program?

Launched in 2007, ARTISTI DEL GUSTO is illy’s initiative to partner with top HORECA venues worldwide, providing training and support to serve high-quality espresso consistently.

Does illy offer coffee for offices or on-the-go?

Yes, illy offers sealed coffee capsules for office espresso machines and a ready-to-drink canned coffee called illyissimo, available in over 20 countries.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Italian-Style Espresso

For an authentic Italian espresso experience at home or in a café, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend. This blend is crafted specifically for espresso and milk drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, producing a rich crema and balanced flavor even with non-professional machines. For a more affordable yet full-bodied option, the Black Cocoa Blend offers strong crema and deep notes at a lower cost—ideal for high-volume settings. Both blends deliver the texture and body associated with traditional Italian espresso. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.