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    • Arabica Selection
    Coffee Preparation

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    Discover all the ways to enjoy the taste of happiness, enclosed in a cup.

    Coffee Recipes

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    Discover new ways to experience coffee.

    • Classico
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    Just one touch to obtain a delicious taste.

    Ground Coffee

    Ground Coffee

    The gesture of a Master Barista for your cup.

    E.S.E. Coffee

    E.S.E. Coffee

    A unique system, an unmistakable experience.

  • illy Art Collection
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    A meeting of two passions: coffee and art.

    illy Art Collection Ai Weiwei

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    A matter of perspective

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    illy Caffè

    illy Caffè

    The authentic Italian coffee.

    Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award

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    Our nine winning coffees, available for tastings

    Store Locator

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    Find the illy bar near you.

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  1. Home
  2. Who we are
  3. Passion becomes research, knowledge and science
Innovazione dal chicco all capsula di caffè Innovazione dal chicco all capsula di caffè

Passion becomes research, knowledge and science

Innovation runs deep at illycaffè, going back to the company’s very beginning. So perhaps not surprisingly, three of the industry’s eight transformational innovations were developed by illy.
Barattolo illy di chicci 100% Arabica

PRESSURIZED PACKAGING

The first, pressurized packaging, came in 1934, just one year after the company’s founding.  By adding inert nitrogen gas under pressure, an oxygen-free environment forms as illycans are sealed, preserving essential aromas and promoting mingling of coffee’s naturally occurring oils.  Result: coffee that not only stays fresher longer than under any other packaging method, but whose flavor is actually enhanced over time by its surroundings.  

Macchina da Caffè vintage - 1934 illy

MODERN ESPRESSO METHOD

The second, came just one year later, in 1935: the Illetta, precursor of the modern espresso machine that, for the first time, separated pressure and heating elements.  Result: espresso that is consistently round, rich and balanced, not bitter or burnt-tasting.

Cialda E.S.E. illy

E.S.E. PODS

1974 saw illy’s third revolutionary invention: pre-tamped, pre-dosed, expertly ground espresso in single serve paper pods.  Result: delightful espresso in reach of anyone, anywhere – at home, at the office, or at a favorite café or restaurant.  The system, called ESE (Easy Serving Espresso) became an industry standard

Prima versione della Capsula Iperepresso - 2006


Iperespresso

illy’s latest major innovation is Iperespresso, an exclusive capsule-based espressopreparation method that extracts coffee in two distinct phases, the first a rapid “hyperinfusion,” the second an emulsification process. Result: authentic espresso with a remarkably rich, velvety and long-lasting crema – at the touch of a button.

scientific_research_on_coffee_molecules_desktop_version scientific_research_on_coffee_molecules_mobile_version

Four labs to explore one universe

We enjoy it every day, so it may seem simple.  But coffee is actually quite complex: a universe unto itself.  The study of coffeedates back to 1500, starting from a rudimentary exploration of its chemical identity.  Today’s coffee research encompasses multiple scientific disciplines including genetics, agronomy, botany, physics, mathematics, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, engineering, physiology and psychology.  

Any wonder illy saw fit to establish four research facilities of its own?

AromaLab

For the study of the chemistry and flavor profile of coffee, and assessment of green and roastedcoffee quality.

SensoryLab

For investigating the relationshipbetween sensory stimuli triggered by coffee, and our cognitive and emotional responses.

TechLab

Where the learning from AromaLab and SensoryLab are applied to new technologies and solutions to continuously improve illy’s signature blend.

BioLab

For the study of the many biologicalaspects coffee’s makeup, the characteristics of the coffee plant and the nature of the plant’s interactions in various climates and environments.

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© 2022 illycaffè S.p.A. | P.IVA 00055180327- Via Flavia 110, 34147 Trieste – Italy  | All rights reserved
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© 2022 illycaffè S.p.A. | P.IVA 00055180327- Via Flavia 110, 34147 Trieste – Italy  | All rights reserved
  • Work with us
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© 2022 illycaffè S.p.A. | P.IVA 00055180327- Via Flavia 110, 34147 Trieste – Italy  | All rights reserved

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