14 Best Italian Coffee Brands: Taste Italy’s Finest
Ciao, coffee lovers! Today, we’re taking you on a caffeinated journey to discover the best Italian coffee brands and explore the history, traditions, and flavors that make them truly unique.
If you’re a true fan of Italy’s most cherished beverage, you know nothing quite compares to authentic Italian coffee’s rich aroma and full-bodied taste.
In Italy, coffee is more than just a drink; it’s a way of life, an essential part of the country’s culture and social fabric. So grab your favorite cup, sit back, and dive into the world of Italian coffee brands!
This post contains affiliate links. When you buy something through one of the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you.
The History and Culture of Italian Coffee
The love affair between Italy and coffee commenced in the 16th century when the beverage first arrived from the Middle East.
Over the centuries, Italy has wholeheartedly adopted coffee and integrated it into its lifestyle and culture. The nation even pioneered espresso, a concentrated shot of coffee that has become emblematic of the Italian coffee experience.
In Italy, coffee is more than just a way to kickstart the day – it’s an indispensable social ritual. Friends congregate at local cafes for a morning cappuccino or an afternoon espresso. Countless conversations transpire over a steaming cup of the best coffee.
Italians generally prefer darker roast coffee, as Italian coffee culture centers around espresso.
As we explore the top Italian coffee brands, we’ll also delve into the stories and traditions that have sculpted Italy’s unique coffee culture, with a focus on dark roast, whole beans, and the quintessential Italian coffee experience.
Suggested Read: Explore our curated selection of the top 20 Italian espresso machine brands.
Best Italian Coffee Brands: From Classic to Modern
Italy, celebrated for producing the best Italian coffee beans, offers an array of brands that epitomize the true essence of coffee culture.
Let’s dive into this curated list to discover the best coffee in Italy, where tradition meets innovation in every cup.
1. Caffè Lavazza
Lavazza, a symbol of Italian coffee, has earned its reputation over a century of dedication to coffee excellence.
Established in 1895 by Luigi Lavazza, the brand has continued to enchant coffee connoisseurs with its unique blends and trailblazing methods in coffee production, ensuring that each cup embodies the true essence of Italy.
Some of Lavazza coffee’s highly sought-after products include the timeless Qualità Oro, the rich and robust Lavazza Crema e Gusto, and the harmonious Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee Blend.
In addition to crafting exceptional coffee from the best Italian espresso beans, Lavazza is also deeply committed to sustainability and ethical practices. The brand actively collaborates with coffee farmers across the globe to enhance living standards and safeguard the environment.
2. Caffè Illy
Illycaffè, another legendary Italian coffee brand, has captivated coffee enthusiasts since its inception in 1933.
Founded by Francesco Illy, the company is renowned for its unwavering dedication to quality and consistency, employing a distinctive pressurized canning technique to maintain the freshness and flavor of its coffee.
Illy Coffee offers an array of coffee varieties to cater to diverse palates, from the rich and full-bodied Illy Classico to the gentle and floral Lungo. The brand collaborates with contemporary artists to create limited-edition cups and packaging, making its products visually captivating and delicious.
Illy’s Università del Caffè provides courses and workshops on various topics, including coffee cultivation and brewing techniques, for those seeking to expand their coffee expertise.
Seeking the perfect tribute to Italy? Check out the ultimate gift guide for the best gift ideas for Italy lovers.
3. Caffè Vergnano
Established in 1882 in Chieri, near Turin, by Domenico Vergnano, Caffè Vergnano is Italy’s oldest roasting company.
The Vergnano family has expanded their presence worldwide, boasting over 130 locations. The brand became the coffee of choice for Eataly, featuring eco-friendly products in a chain of stores that embrace eco-design principles.
Caffè Vergnano’s 100% Arabica coffee has captured the hearts of Italians. The brand’s Arabica Blend Pods are among the top-selling blends today, offering convenient single servings for instant coffee preparation.
Made exclusively from Coffea Arabica beans, this medium-intensity coffee features a soft, rounded body with a delicate flavor.
The aroma and sweetness are the most pronounced aspects of its organoleptic profile, making this blend ideal for those who enjoy a gentle, soothing break.
Committed to environmental responsibility, Vergnano’s pods are exclusively biodegradable, ensuring their disposal won’t harm nature.
4. Filicori Zecchini
Founded in Bologna in 1919 by Aldo Filicori and Luigi Zecchini, Filicori Zecchini has been delighting coffee aficionados for over a century. The brand’s unwavering dedication to excellence, passion for tradition, and commitment to innovation have made it a renowned name in Italian coffee.
Filicori Zecchini offers an array of premium blends that cater to various tastes. Its most celebrated products are the full-bodied Gran Crema, the rich and complex Sublimo, and the smooth yet intense Forte.
Each blend is masterfully crafted using carefully selected whole beans and roasted to perfection, ensuring that every cup delivers the ultimate Italian coffee experience.
Not only is Filicori Zecchini one of the best Italian coffee brands but it is also dedicated to sustainability and ethical practices. The brand works closely with coffee producers worldwide, ensuring the supply chain adheres to environmentally friendly and socially responsible standards.
For those seeking to delve deeper into the world of coffee, Filicori Zecchini offers a range of workshops and training courses at its Coffee Academy, where coffee enthusiasts and professionals can expand their knowledge and refine their skills.
With its exceptional coffee, rich history, and commitment to excellence, Filicori Zecchini embodies the very essence of Italian coffee culture.
5. Segafredo Zanetti
Originating as a modest Italian roastery in the 1970s, Segafredo Zanetti has since evolved into an international coffee titan.
The brand’s founder, Massimo Zanetti, drew inspiration from his father’s passion for coffee, embarking on a journey to create exceptional blends that cater to diverse preferences.
Presently, Segafredo Zanetti boasts a wide selection of blends, ranging from the bold and robust Espresso Casa to the smooth and well-balanced Intermezzo.
The brand is also a key member of the Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group, which encompasses an extensive portfolio of coffee brands and actively supports global coffee initiatives, such as the Coffee and Climate project.
6. Caffè Kimbo
With roots in Naples, Kimbo is a coffee brand encapsulating the city’s vibrant coffee culture and Italian heritage. Established in the 1960s by the Rubino brothers, Kimbo is devoted to crafting high-quality coffee that mirrors the Neapolitan enthusiasm for the beverage.
Kimbo’s assortment of blends includes the full-bodied Extra Cream, the silky Aroma Intenso, and the well-rounded Dolce. The brand is also committed to sustainability, partnering closely with the Rainforest Alliance to ensure eco-friendly and ethical coffee production.
For those eager to expand their coffee knowledge, the Kimbo Coffee Lab offers training and educational programs for coffee enthusiasts and professionals.
Further Reading: Another Italian masterpiece that has captivated the world’s taste buds is Italian olive oil. Elevate your culinary experience by learning all about the best Italian olive oil brands.
7. Danesi Caffè
Alfredo Danesi, the founder of Danesi Caffè, was an innovator in Italian coffee. Upon opening his first cafe in Rome in 1905, he swiftly garnered acclaim for his exceptional coffee blends and brewing expertise.
Danesi Caffè continues to celebrate its founder’s legacy by producing exquisite coffee that embodies the brand’s rich history and dedication to the art of coffee making.
Signature blends from Danesi Caffè encompass the intense and harmonious Doppio, the velvety and sweet Oro, and the fruity and aromatic Espresso.
The brand combines contemporary Italian coffee culture and offers single-origin and specialty coffee selections to accommodate modern tastes.
8. Caffè Borbone
At the heart of Italy’s coffee tradition lies the vibrant city of Naples, the birthplace of Caffè Borbone.
The brand’s name pays homage to King Charles III of Bourbon, who, according to legend, fell in love with the coffee during a stop near Naples before the 1734 battle against the Austrians to liberate the city.
Although Caffè Borbone was established in 1997, it has rapidly risen to prominence as a leader in coffee production, creating diverse blends in various formats, heavily advertising, and sponsoring major national events.
Caffè Borbone’s flagship offering is their Respresso Blue Blend in capsules, tailored for those who appreciate a full-bodied, robust coffee with a potent flavor. Comprising 70% Robusta and 30% Arabica, the Blue Blend softens the intense, bitter taste with gentle, sweet undertones.
Boasting a rich creaminess and a relatively high caffeine content due to the majority of Robusta beans, this balanced blend holds a natural sweetness that may entice those keen on exploring the genuine taste of bitter coffee.
9. Caffè Motta
Originating in Salerno in 2001, Caffè Motta is a contemporary coffee producer founded by Nicola Mastromarino. The tale begins with Nicola’s father, Michele, a small merchant who decided to pursue his passion for coffee in 1968 by initially marketing it in Venezuela.
After expanding throughout South America, Michele involved his children in the venture, and together they established the Caffè Motta brand.
In addition to its commitment to quality, innovation, and the Italian spirit, Motta also seeks to deepen its connection to the region through strategic advertising and communication campaigns featuring innovative graphic design.
Motta produces an extensive range of coffees and pods, with their whole bean blends also gaining popularity. The Dolce Gusto capsules are 100% Arabica coffee, offering a delicate and enjoyable flavor.
10. Caffè Pellini
Founded in Verona in 1922 by the Pellini family, Caffè Pellini initially focused on the Veneto region for the first twenty years. However, under Renzo Pellini’s guidance, starting in 1947, the brand began its ascent, culminating in the establishment of the Sao Caffè Consortium in 1980.
The exceptional quality of Caffè Pellini’s coffee is evident from the meticulous bean selection process through subsequent stages of production.
The company utilizes fully automated production methods, with the final quality control conducted by human experts. The resulting coffee is highly valued, thanks to the carefully crafted blend of individual coffees, each processed using a bespoke method.
Pellini No.82 Vivace Roasted Coffee Beans deserves special mention as one of the finest Italian coffee brands, offering a well-balanced flavor and full-bodied texture.
This blend of Arabica and Robusta beans is carefully crafted to balance bitter and acidic notes. The medium roasting process, neither too long nor too hot, allows the aromatic qualities of Arabica and the creaminess of Robusta coffee to reach their full potential.
11. Caffè Toraldo
Founded in Naples in 1960, Caffè Toraldo is a family-run business driven by the founder’s passion and enthusiasm. The desire to innovate and embrace new challenges has evolved into a global vision for the brand in the new millennium.
Today, Toraldo’s activities extend to training schools for coffee production and preparation and consulting for new café openings. Their ambition to export the Neapolitan flavor worldwide and educate palates about refined blends propels Caffè Toraldo toward new export frontiers.
One of Toraldo Caffè’s most exquisite blends is the Neapolitan Espresso, a masterful combination of South and Central America Arabica beans and carefully selected Indian Robusta.
To enhance the unique flavors of each origin, the beans undergo distinct roasting and processing methods, allowing the most authentic tastes to shine through.
The attention to detail extends to the brand’s packaging, with carefully designed tins that preserve the coffee’s freshness while maintaining an appealing aesthetic.
12. Caffè Passalacqua
The journey of the Passalacqua family began in 1948, and since then, they have made significant progress, exporting their coffee worldwide. Their historical point of sale, Bar Mexico, remains in Naples’ Piazza Dante.
The Mexico Gusto Tondo Passalacqua coffee is a moka coffee maker ground coffee made entirely from Arabica beans. The product’s standout feature is its distinctive aftertaste, boasting hints of hazelnut, caramel, and chocolate, perfect for those who enjoy a sweeter drink.
The aromatic nuances almost entirely offset the natural acidity of Arabica, resulting in a delightful coffee. The coffee envelops the palate and gently caresses the tongue.
The Passalacqua family’s commitment to tradition is evident in the processing of their blends, with the not-too-fine grind making Mexico coffee an ideal alternative for those wishing to prepare coffee using a traditional Neapolitan coffee maker.
13. Caffè Corsini
Founded in 1950 in Arezzo, Tuscany, by Corsino Corsini, Caffè Corsini has grown from a small grocery store into one of Italy’s most renowned coffee roasters. Today, the company operates in over 60 countries, offering various blends.
Caffè Corsini is dedicated to reducing its environmental impact, prioritizing sustainability, and developing renewable energy sources.
The brand manages the entire processing chain, personally ensuring the quality of the finished product, from analyzing the green beans to conducting the necessary chemical and microbiological evaluations to verify the blend’s safety.
Among Corsini’s most popular products is the American Caffè blend, specially crafted to create the perfect American coffee. The blend favors 100% Arabica beans, which have a lower density and are roasted for a short duration at low temperatures and coarsely ground.
The result is a coffee with a delicate aroma accentuated by acidic notes. For those seeking excellent American coffee in Italy, this is undoubtedly the best on the market.
14. Caffè Splendid
Established in Turin in 1969, Caffè Splendid has experienced a unique journey compared to other Italian brands.
In 1992, the company came under the management of Procter & Gamble before ultimately being acquired by Mondelēz International, an American multinational, in 2015. This marks Caffè Splendid as the first brand to break away from family-run traditions.
Caffè Splendid offers a range of products, including “Classic,” “Rich,” “Gold 100% Arabica Sustainable Development,” “Espresso,” and “Decaffeinato.” Over the years, the company has specialized in coffee pods, compatible capsules, and soluble cappuccino options.
Their Nespresso-compatible restricted espresso capsules are among the brand’s most popular products, thanks to their robust aroma and intense flavor, which rivals Nespresso pods.
The decision to use aluminum packaging, similar to Nespresso’s technology, has proven successful, producing a creamy and hot coffee reminiscent of the original model.
Exploring Regional Italian Coffee Specialties
Italy’s diverse regions have unique coffee cultures and specialties, making the country a true coffee lover’s paradise.
Naples is famous for its strong, robust coffee, often served with cold water to cleanse the palate before sipping. Try the local Caffè alla Nocciola, a blend of espresso and hazelnut cream, for a genuinely Neapolitan experience.
Northern Italy, particularly Milan and Turin, prefer milder coffee with a more delicate flavor profile. Enjoy a Bicerin in Turin, a layered drink of espresso, chocolate, and whipped cream that perfectly embodies the region’s coffee culture.
The islands of Sicily and Sardinia have their unique coffee traditions. Don’t miss the Caffè d’Uccello, a blend of espresso, almond milk, and crushed ice in Sicily. Indulge in a Pausa Caffè, an espresso topped with a dollop of fresh whipped cream in Sardinia.
Drinking coffee in Italy? Test your knowledge with this caffeine-fueled trivia quiz.
How to Enjoy Italian Coffee Brands at Home
While nothing can replicate the experience of sipping coffee in a picturesque Italian piazza, you can still enjoy authentic Italian coffee at home.
A. Choose the suitable coffee machine for your needs, whether a traditional stovetop Moka pot, a semi-automatic espresso machine, a fully automatic bean-to-cup machine, or even a French press.
B. Store your coffee correctly to preserve its flavor and freshness. Please keep it in an airtight container, away from heat, light, and moisture.
C. Pair your coffee with traditional Italian pastries and desserts, like a buttery cornetto, a crisp cannoli, or a decadent tiramisu, to create an indulgent, Italian-inspired moment.
Final Thoughts
Throughout our exploration, we’ve come to understand that Italian coffee is not merely a beverage – it’s an integral component of the nation’s lifestyle and culture.
From the quintessential roast to the rich flavors of regional specialties, the best Italian roast coffee presents a myriad of tastes and experiences to discover.
Coffee shops in Italy provide a unique atmosphere to enjoy these offerings, showcasing the country’s deep-rooted passion for the coffee industry.
So, whether you’re relishing a classic Lavazza blend or delighting in a Neapolitan Caffè alla Nocciola, immerse yourself in the Italian way of life and savor every delectable sip. Salute!
Further Reading:
