Illy "Espresso"

[Adam2670]

Is it really? I'm a bit confused about the brand itself I guess. I see espresso on all of their blends but I wasn't aware that espresso came in other varieties, someone please educate me. Also, I've heard a ton of great things about them, right now I'm still using Starbucks brand espresso beans and would love to try something better...

thanks much!
-Adam

 

[Adam2670]

Nobody drinks it? No opinions?

 

[shadow745]

Illy is quite the giant in the coffee world and for good reason. That family has taken espresso/coffee seriously for a very long time. I watched a short documentary on them and was rather impressed. They do coffee right by pre-selecting huge lots of only the best coffees, then put those beans through approximately 200 quality control steps along the way. The end result is a coffee as fine as any in the world. HOWEVER, once that coffee takes 1 month or more to make it to the states it's stale. Regardless of nitrogen flushing, etc. coffee has a short shelf life. I'd say fresh off the line Illy coffee would be as good as any out there, but a long journey does it no favors.

Also, Illy is far from cheap. Surely you can find some killer coffees in your city by visiting a few coffeeshops, roasting operations, etc. Lots of online offerings as well, but I like to support local operations when possible.

 

[shadow745]

I like to think any coffee can be good provided it's roasted properly, is FRESH and prepared in a decent manner. BUT I've yet to drink anything from Starbucks that was actually worth paying for. Have tried their whole bean coffee, but found the taste almost unbearable as well as being 1-2 shades darker than any espresso level roast I've tried.

 

[Adam2670]

Thanks so much for all of the information. Could you recommend a good online or domestic product then for a killer espresso?

 

[shadow745]

A really good one to start with is Redline from Metropolis Coffee. There are lots of good-great espressos available, just depends on what flavor profile you're shooting for.

 

[Adam2670]

Ordered a pound, thanks!

 

[crowhue]

Whats the verdict on Illy? Ive just opened an account with them in the UK with a view to selling their products.

Ordered a pound, thanks!

 

[Adam2670]

Well I'm FAR from a coffee expert but I got the medium roast and I really don't care for it. It's got a fine initial taste but a very strong bitter kick to it which I find a bit odd, I tried it a few times, cleaned the machine between uses and still that kick. I also ordered a pound of the redline espresso and should have it tomorrow, looking forward to trying that out as well.