The Best Italian Coffee Brands

Italians are no stranger to a perfect cup of coffee. Espresso (caffè in Italian), macchiato, cappuccino, the list continues…wherever you are in Italy, you’ll find that like most things consumed, Italians take their passion to uncommon heights for the sake of their caffè. It’s certainly one of the things Italians are known for.

There are few things as synonymous around the world as coffee. Coffee beans, roasted to perfection, and percolated for an amazing aroma that starts your day. It’s a universal understanding that says so much about the human condition. It’s one thing that connects most, if not all, the world. Italians are no stranger to a perfect cup of coffee, as they have some of the best coffee brands. Espresso (caffè in Italian), macchiato, cappuccino, the list continues…wherever you are in Italy, you’ll find that like most things consumed, Italians take their passion to uncommon heights for the sake of their caffè. It’s certainly one of the things Italians are known for.  

Ingrained in Italian Culture

My own memories of caffè start in the kitchen of my grandparents. When we would stay over, we would awaken with the aromas of the coffee beans drifting through the hallways to say “buongiorno”. As we’d make our way to the table, there was Nonna filling our small cups with mostly milk, a dash of sugar, and then, the coffee, with a few biscotti waiting for us. It was our introduction to a morning routine that has stood the test of time. Yes, coffee for Italians is an important connection to the past, the memories of loved ones, and it is ingrained in Italian culture.

One of the true Italian experiences is heading to a bar in the morning to have a caffè. Try this in Rome, Milan, or Napoli, to feel the electric buzz and bustle of Italians starting their workdays in the big cities. Or, find yourself lost in a small town, enjoying the perfectly crafted espresso as the you watch the world go by, No matter where you are, For the Italian, caffè is as important as the air we breathe.

Excellent Italian Coffee

After reminiscing about our love of coffee, we’re listing the best Italian coffee brands – because Italians say that life is too short to be taken seriously, but coffee, that’s another matter.

Illy

Founded in 1933 by Francesco Illy, the Trieste company is one of the most well-known coffee brands globally. With its distinctive red logo, Illy provides numerous coffee options, with a quality coffee bean roasted with generations of experience.  Aside from coffee, Illy also has a coffee university, and is a large contributor to the arts; as we all know, the creation of a great coffee, is an art.

Lavazza

A traditional powerhouse, Luigi Lavazza founded the eponymous coffee brand in 1895, in Turin. The company was innovative in its packaging, creating ways for its coffee to retain which allowed them to sell larger quantities to whole families. In the 1950s, Lavazza became Italy’s largest coffee company, and has been serving the world since.   

Carraro

The Carraro coffee brand was founded in 1927, by Gaetano Carraro, in Vicenza. With almost 95 years of coffee making experience, the Carraro brand uses select arabica and robusta beans, spends extensive time with their coffee bean partners, and its selection of premium coffee beans, with each origin expressing its own distinctive features, is as impressive as its commitment to making excellent coffee.  

Caffè Vergnano

One of the oldest Italian coffee brands, Caffè Vergnano was established in 1882, when Domenico Vergnano opened a small workshop in Chieri. The company has worked tirelessly since, expanding to have over 178 coffee shops in 27 countries, and amazingly, still run by the Vergnano family today.

Kimbo

Some suggest that the coffee capital of Italy is not in the North, but rather in Napoli. If one is searching for Neapolitan coffee, look no further than Kimbo. A relative newcomer, Kimbo was founded in 1963 by the Rubino brothers, Elio, Francesco, and Gerardo. The brothers turned Kimbo into one of the most recognized coffee brands in Italy. Now, Kimbo has partnerships with De Longhi and Autogrill, further establishing its coffee as a leader in Europe.

Of course, there many excellent Italian coffee brands, but we hope to have highlighted some of the leaders in Italian coffee. Their tradition, family values, and desire to create a lasting impression have led to their success for decades. As caffè is of such importance to an Italian, we encourage you to delve into the world of Italian coffee, and savour what it means to have a beautiful caffè – it is one of life’s simplest pleasures.