FAQ

illy's coffee capsules can be separated into general waste (coffee grounds) and plastic (capsules) using a capsule opener

An unopened can of illy ground coffee will remain fresh for at least two years due to illy's proprietary patented pressurized system that extracts air from the can and replaces it with inert gasses at a higher-than-atmospheric level of pressure. This method guarantees a longer preservation time, maintaining flavor and aroma for over 24 months. At the same time it 'ages' the coffee, improving its aroma over time by causing its volatile aroma compounds to bind with the oils that are contained in the beans. Simple vacuum packing cannot achieve this flavor transformation. The positive pressure exerted by illy's method actually forces these aroma compounds back into the coffee whereas vacuum packing lets them seep out. The effect of illy's aging process is similar in many ways to the development of complex flavors when a fine red wine is aged under proper conditions.

The expiration date is marked on the bottom of each product.

A room-temperature can of illy will remain at optimum freshness for 7 days after opening. After 7 days flavor will begin to deteriorate due to natural oxidation from exposure to air.

If the entire can will be consumed within 7 days, room temperature storage is recommended. If the coffee will not be consumed within 7 days, we recommend refrigerated storage, allowing the coffee to return to room temperature before use. It is important to refrigerate the can immediately after opening in this case to retain optimum flavor.

For espresso, use 7 grams of illy per shot (about 1oz). For auto-drip brewed coffee, start with 7 grams of illy per 8 ounce cup. You may need to adjust to taste as the parameters (water turbulence and temperature) of each coffee maker differ somewhat. You can take the guess-work out of espresso by using E.S.E. pre-measured, pre-tamped servings (pods).

illy uses only the finest Arabica beans available, and Arabica coffee is naturally lower in caffeine than the cheaper and lower quality Robusta variety. An average 1 oz. illy espresso will contain approximately 60 milligrams of caffeine. Brewed illy coffee will contain less than 15 mg caffeine for each gram of coffee used.

illy medium roast coffee is a bit more mild while illy dark roast has a more intense and robust coffee flavor due to a slightly longer roasting time and slightly higher roasting temperature. Some people find the dark roast better for coffee preparations that involve milk, such as cappuccinos and lattes. Both medium and dark roast are suitable for espresso and brewed coffee preparation and the choice is a matter of personal preference.

We use Polypropylene to make the capsules so there is no danger of melting plastic. The capsule withholds temperatures to 320F and since espresso coffee or the water to make the espresso never reaches a temperature above 197 F there is no danger of the capsule melting. Polypropylene is often used for food containers, particularly those that need to be dishwasher safe. Polypropylene doesn't soak up water, making it ideal for uses where it will be constantly subject to moisture. The polypropylene plastic used for the iper capsules is BPA free.

Each E.S.E. serving contains 7 grams of coffee; the exact amount needed for a 1 oz. shot of espresso. Do not re-use pods. 1. Switch on the E.S.E. espresso machine and let it heat. For the best results, we suggest you warm the cups as well. 2. Place the E.S.E. serving in the specially designed filter holder with the writing facing up. It is very important to handle the E.S.E. pod as little as possible and only by its edges, as the oils from your skin can compromise the quality. It is especially important not to touch the coffee area of the pod. Place the filter holder in its housing and switch on. Allow the water to run through it for about 20 seconds. 3. At the end of this step, remove used serving, and reinsert the filter holder.

We do not recommend extracting one capsule more than once, as this will result in loss of the product's original taste and increased caffeine content. In addition, capsule coffee is extracted using a pressure extraction method, and if strong pressure is continuously applied to an already used capsule, this may cause machine malfunction. We recommend that you only extract one capsule per cup