Table of Contents
I’m a big fan of both illy Classico and Intenso. They’re each great coffees in their own right, with subtle differences in flavor and aroma.
For me, it’s all about the mood I’m in when I decide which one I want to drink: If I want something darker and bolder but less acidic than my usual choice (illy Classico), then Intenso is my go-to; if I want something that has a lot of subtle complexity with a little bit of sweetness, then Classico is the way to go!
|
|
|
Dark
|
Medium
|
|
Intense, robust and full flavored with notes of deep cocoa
|
Delicate notes of caramel, orange blossom and jasmine
|
|
100% Arabica
|
100% Arabica
|
|
Ground coffee, Moka, whole beans, capsules for illy machines, and K-Cups
|
Ground coffee, Moka, whole beans, capsules for illy machines, and K-Cups
|
|
$9.45 ($1.07 / Ounce)
|
$14.99 ($1.70 / Ounce)
|
illy Classico is a medium roast while the Intenso is a dark roast.
It’s nice to see a coffee company keeping things simple. The illy Classic is almost exactly the same as the Intenso, except for one major point, the roasting time. They’re both made from nine different single-origin coffee beans, all 100% Arabica. You can choose from ground coffee, Moka coffee, whole beans, and the 2 different types of coffee capsules. The only difference is that Classico is a medium roast, meaning that it is roasted for a shorter period of time. Rather than the deep robustness of the Intenso, you have more notes of caramel and chocolate.
The bottom line: if you’re looking for an intense espresso experience as well as a boost to your energy levels, go with Intenso!
illy Classico and Intenso have the same caffeine levels.
The caffeine content of your coffee depends on the size of the serving. There is 1.5% or 79 milligrams of caffeine per cup in both of these coffees. illy has slightly less caffeine than many other commercial brands because they are 100% arabica beans, which are naturally less caffeinated.
Which roast is more oily?
Since they are the same variety of beans, both coffees start out with the same oil content. Through the roasting process, the darker roast naturally loses more of its oils. If you’re concerned because you have a Jura or De’Longhi, you might start with the darker roaster, but illy works to ensure that all of their roasts work in popular machines.
In many ways, coffee oils have gotten a bad rap in recent years. Yes, they can sometimes make the automatic grinding expresso and coffee machines a bit harder to clean, but the oils are where a lot of the more subtle coffee flavors and aromas come from.
A little about illy brand’s history and what makes it special.
Just in case you would like to go further in-depth, let’s take a look at illy coffee as a whole. The coffee company illy has a long history of innovation and quality in the industry. Like many other coffee brands, illy has explored various coffee types and flavors, and it has had great success with coffee energy drinks. How did this Italian coffee company gain international fame?
Francesco Illy was born in the Austria-Hungary Empire. As an officer in the Army, he moved to Italy during World War I. After the war, in 1933, Illy set up a cocoa and coffee business as both were hugely popular in Italy at the time. In 1935, Illy invented the first automatic coffee machine. He also invented the packaging system that makes illy so popular. Their signature cans are filled with coffee and pressurized with nitrogen, so the oils and aromas are better preserved. This is what makes the quality of illy stand out above so many competitors.
The ethics and sustainability of illy.
As consumers get more conscientious, we get more and more questions about ethical and environmental concerns. The coffee trade is sadly not always the most transparent in these regards. For people who care, you will be relieved to know that illy has been named World’s Most Ethical Coffee by Ethisphere’s list for seven consecutive years. They obviously take these considerations seriously.
Both illy Classico and Intenso are best served at 180 F for Espresso and 175 F for Lungo.
If you’re familiar with the optimal temperatures for brewing different types of coffee, you probably know that espresso needs to be brewed at a higher temperature (200 F) than regular drip coffee (195-205 F). Since illy Intenso is an espresso blend and Classico is not, it’s important to remember that its ideal brewing temperature is 180 F for Espresso and 175 F for Lungo.
If you prefer lungo drinks (which are longer than espressos and contain more milk), then turn down the temperature of your cup by 10 degrees or so and make a similar drink with slightly fewer coffee grounds. If your tap water has high alkaline levels (which would affect how much acidity there is in both coffees), then using a lower temperature might have a positive effect on your cup’s flavor profile.
Conclusion
We hope this article has been helpful in helping you choose between these two coffees. It’s impossible to say whether the illy Intenso or the illy Classico is better. This really does come down to your taste buds. If you prefer a stronger coffee, the illy Intenso is for you, but the illy Classico is best for those who like their coffee slightly sweeter and more subtle. Either way, you won’t go wrong with illy coffee. Remember that they are both delicious, but they have different tastes and flavors, so it’s best to try them both before making your final decision. Happy drinking!
- Medium Roast
- Delicate notes of caramel, orange blossom and jasmine
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
- Dark Roast
- Intense, robust and full flavored with notes of deep cocoa
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.