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BLENDING

AROMAS FROM EVERY ORIGIN: THE BLEND

Blending is the skillful combination of different coffees to perfectly balance the aromatic notes and appropriately compensate for any changes in the coffee plant caused by its sensitivity to the climate and the seasons, to always guarantee the taste and broad spectrum of aromas, compared to individual ingredients.

A single-origin offering exists when it is produced only with beans from a specific area, not excluding different varieties of coffee, or as single-variety when it is produced from a specific and single type of coffee belonging to a particular species of plant.

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 types of Arabica based on their respective characteristics of taste, aromatic intensity, and body. For us, it is essential that the final taste balance of our blend is always the same, which is why quantities of the different Arabica beans present in the illy blend are constantly adjusted.

PERSONAL BLENDER

We have created an innovative concept dedicated to a group of Michelin-starred chefs who are partners of illy. We invite them to create a personalized blend to produce new combinations that match their culinary creativity. Through a dedicated app, the personal blender helps formulate 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

The aromatic notes

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 nearly 90 years. Tasting an illy coffee is a complex operation that involves all senses.