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BLENDING

THE AROMA OF THE ORIGINS: THE BLEND

Blending is the result of a skillful combination of different coffees able to perfectly balance the aromatic notes and appropriately compensate the changes of the coffee plant, related to its sensitivity to the climate and the seasons, so as to always ensure taste and a broad spectrum of aroma compared to individual ingredients. The blend is defined as single-origin when it is produced only with beans from a specific area, not excluding different varieties of coffee, or single-variety when it is produced from a specific and single type of coffee belonging to a particular species.

ILLY'S SECRET RECIPE

To create the unique illy blend, green coffee is always blended before being roasted. Blending is one of the most delicate phases of the entire production process: it consists of the combination of 9 qualities of Arabica based on their respective characteristics of taste, aromatic intensity and body. For us it is essential that the final balance of our blend is always the same, which is why the quantities of the different Arabica beans present in the illy blend are always remodeled.

Combination of the
9 finest qualities of Arabica

Personal blender

We have created an innovative concept dedicated to a group of starred chefs who are partners of illy. We wanted them to create a personalized blend and study new combinations to match their creations. Through a dedicated app, the personal blender modulates their own recipes using the 9 single origins of the illy blend, thus obtaining different results in terms of taste intensity and aromatic notes.

DESIRABLE AROMATIC PROPERTIES

CARAMEL

The caramel aroma evokes the scent produced by caramelised sugar beforeit reaches the point where it is burnt.

CHOCOLATE

The classic aroma of cocoa, often accompanied by the scent of vanilla.

FLORAL

This aroma is reminiscent of the delicate fragrance of various types of flowers (e.g. jasmine).

FRUITY

A fruity aroma recreates the sweet notes of ripe fruit.

WALNUT

This aroma recalls that of fresh walnuts.

TOASTED BREAD

This is an intricate sensation that arises from the molecules formed during the roasting process.

SPICY

Typically refers to spices with a sweet scent, such as cloves and cinnamon.

CEREALS

This description includes the aroma characteristics of grain and toasted malt.

TOBACCO

This aroma recalls the scent and taste of tobacco.

THE TASTING

For us, quality and creativity come first. For this reason, the illy blend has been continuously perfected by a panel of coffee tasters for almost 90 years. Tasting an illy coffee is a complex operation that involves all the senses.