Avid coffee lovers are always in search of a new, richer taste of the drink. Each manufacturer of an invigorating drink strives to interest customers with a new, as they claim, rich taste and aroma.
Under the Illy brand, several types of coffee are produced, which are suitable for both home preparation and office coffee machines. It's interesting to see what people say in reviews of Illy coffee.
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.
The history of the Italian brand Illy
The history of Illy dates back to 1918, when Italian Francesco Illy, working as a bartender, became interested in the secrets of preparing the drink. In 1933, Illy founded his own coffee company. Since then, Illy has been synonymous with quality, rich taste and exquisite aroma.
Anna Rossi Illy, Andrea Illy
Illy always keeps up with the times. This company not only fell in love with millions of coffee lovers around the world, but also made its scientific contribution and the development of the coffee business. It was Illy who invented the new preservation system based on inert gas. Thanks to this innovative production technology, it retains its rich taste and wonderful aroma for a long time.
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.
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.
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 properly brew the drink 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.
Prices and where to buy
The cost of illy coffee varies greatly depending on the store, but it definitely cannot be called cheap - the prices are rather average, sometimes slightly above average, on the other hand, there are often promotions. The product is popular, it is well known and purchased without doubting its quality. Here are the approximate prices for the main items in Moscow stores:
- Classic, grain, 250 g – 700-900 rubles;
- Ground in a jar, 250 g – 700-800 rubles;
- Decaf - about 800 rubles;
- Pods, 18 pieces, 7 g each – 750-850 rubles;
- Monosort, 250 g, grain – 750-800 rub.;
- Capsules, 60 pcs – 2500-2900 rubles;
- Grain, iron can, 1.5 kg – 4500 rub.;
- Grains in a jar, 3 kg – 8000 rub.
You can buy illy coffee almost everywhere - it is sold in supermarkets, retail outlets, coffee and tea stores, and chain hypermarkets. In Russia there is an official distributor of the brand, which supplies the entire range of products, including teas, sweets, coffee machines, branded cups, etc. Many online stores work with this brand, so there will be no problems with purchasing - they will deliver to any region.
illy coffee is one of the most famous and recognizable coffee brands in the country.
