Here are the top Italian coffee roasters according to De'Longhi and SlowFood.
MILAN – De'Longhi recently launched a guide dedicated to " The Excellence of Italian Coffee Roasters ." The project—led by Gabriella Baiguera, coordinator and trainer of Slow Food Italy 's Masters of Food—has led to the selection of 60 roasters (some of which produce Slow Food Presidium coffee), offering premium beans, carefully selected and roasted using artisanal methods.
Here is an overview of the five Italian roasters considered most interesting for the quality of their products and the originality of their approach .
By Bernardo Caffè – Melfi (Potenza)
A researcher and communicator by nature and passion, Francesco Di Bernardo takes meticulous care in handling the bags of green coffee, storing them in a place protected from sudden changes in heat and humidity. He roasts each individual origin separately, each with the most suitable roasting profile. He then blends the refined coffees, masterfully balancing the flavors.
The most popular blend is composed of Arabica and Robusta, sixty percent Arabica and forty percent Robusta. It contains premium single-origin beans such as Ethiopian, Sidamo, and Costa Rican Arabicas, fermented before drying, a process that yields a rich, aromatic, and persistent cup of coffee. A good percentage of Robusta adds body and hints of cocoa.
Torrefazione Di Bernardo Caffè , in the province of Potenza, offers the 24 Carati blend , a medium-dark roast, very uniform, well-aged beans, good balance, and a very lingering aftertaste. Pairings include sweet tortelli filled with amaretti biscuits and jam, or a walnut charlotte.
Caroma Coffee Roasting – Fiè allo Scillar
Tastings, barista training courses, and long discussions on coffee production methods. These are the offerings of Torrefazione Caroma, located at the foot of the Schilar mountain in Trentino-Alto Adige. In addition to roasting beans, they also open their workshop to the public. Valentin Hofer is the first Italian master roaster to hold the titles of "Qualified Coffee Expert" and "Chief Coffee Sommelier." These are specialized qualifications recognized by the European Chamber of Commerce in Brussels.
The company processes only highland-grown beans of exclusive quality, meeting the specific needs of the roaster and its customers. Special emphasis is placed on the traceability of the raw coffee, and only beans from selected and inspected farms are processed.
Another curiosity that justifies a visit is the Caroma Coffeeseum: coffee lovers are invited to explore its 800 square meters of exhibition space to discover everything there is to know on the subject.
Rinaldi Coffee Roasting Company – Ciampino
Fabrizio Rinaldi's coffees are traceable and of the highest quality. At this company, located just outside Rome's ring road, it's not so much about choosing the best of the available origins, but rather taking a tasting tour of the world, sampling each variety, one by one, almost like a coffee lesson. In addition to the single origins, the roaster offers two exclusive blends, the result of ongoing research and innovation.
The rich aromatic notes and full-bodied flavor of Miscela Unica are surprising. The result of a careful tasting selection, Unica 100% Arabica features Brazilian and Indian coffees, along with a quartet of exceptional beans from El Salvador, Guatemala, Ethiopia, and Tanzania. Best enjoyed unsweetened to fully appreciate its qualities.
For Miscela Classica, Fabrizio has carefully selected the finest single-origin coffees. The resulting coffee blends the sweet, aromatic notes of Arabica beans from Central and South America and Ethiopia with high-quality Robusta beans from India and Africa.
August – Brescia
Agust Coffee Roasting was founded in Brescia in 1956 as a small artisanal coffee shop by Augusto Corsini. In 1981, his son Marco, the current owner, began working alongside his father, and since 2010, he has been supported by his son Giovanni. Embodying a green philosophy, Agust's mission is to spread the culture of good coffee based on guiding values such as fairness, integrity, and environmental sustainability. Among the certifications obtained are Fairtrade, Zero Impact, and EU Organic.
A variety of blends are available, catering to the diverse tastes of coffee lovers. Cremoso, Elegante, Gentile, Equo, Deca: each coffee has a distinct personality, an aroma waiting to be discovered. In particular, Gentile coffee is a blend of 100% Arabica beans sourced from Brazil, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Guatemala. These smooth, almost neutral varieties are combined with high-quality, fragrant mountain coffees. It pairs beautifully with crème brûlé or mini custard-filled doughnuts.
Lady Caffè Coffee Roasting – San Secondo Parmense
Torrefazione Lady Cafè is an artisanal coffee roaster that roasts coffee using the direct flame method, a method that enhances its aromas and essential characteristics. The torch method allows the raw fruit to be roasted directly by the flame, quickly and at a low temperature, enhancing its aromas and essential characteristics.
The washed, single-origin Arabica beans come from the highlands of Guatemala, Mexico, Brazil, India, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Panama, and Haiti.
Massimo Bonini and Nicoletta Montini are two young, competent and passionate people. They recently moved their roasting company to an old farmhouse in the countryside of San Secondo, in the province of Parma. The new location includes a tasting room and sales point, where you can sample coffees made with various extraction methods.
In addition to coffee, the roastery produces coffee-flavored spreads, hazelnuts, and chocolates. It also produces tableware and gift items made from jute sacks, and its latest addition is the VerdeCaffè line, a selection of green coffee-based detox teas and body products.
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