Coffee culture

What Grade is illy Coffee and Is It Good? How to Drink illy Espresso Coffee Powder - Can It Be Brewed with Pour-Over?

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee
Last Updated: 2026/01/27, For professional coffee knowledge and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style). illy is Italy's largest coffee company, a brand known to almost everyone in Italy. When studying at Politecnico di Torino, I found that people there basically drink illy. Always maintaining a high-end position.
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For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style).

For more premium coffee beans, please add FrontStreet Coffee's private WeChat, ID: qjcoffeex

What is the quality level of illy coffee?

illy Coffee was founded in 1933 and is an Italian food and beverage company, known in Chinese as Yili. illy is also the world's first company to sell pre-ground coffee powder.

Its founder, Francesco Illy, created the world's first fully automatic espresso machine in 1935. Subsequently, the illy brand became a national treasure brand in Italy. In terms of global coffee brand awareness, it ranks higher than Nestlé. In terms of product line, it offers pre-ground coffee that is more premium than instant coffee, preserving more of the original flavor of coffee beans.

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How to drink illy coffee powder?

Illy coffee powder is made from 100% Arabica coffee beans that are roasted and then ground. Unlike instant coffee, which is made by concentrating and drying brewed coffee, illy powder cannot dissolve directly in water. FrontStreet Coffee reminds everyone that illy coffee powder needs to be filtered through a filter tool to remove coffee grounds before drinking.

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Can illy coffee powder be used for pour-over coffee?

The invention of Illy coffee powder was originally intended for fully automatic espresso machines. It allows businesses to save the step of grinding coffee beans while enjoying the convenience of fully automatic espresso extraction, and its grind size is also more suitable for espresso machines.

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To ensure espresso can express a rich, full-bodied taste, illy typically roasts coffee beans to a dark roast level and then grinds them extremely finely, ensuring the coffee powder can produce a richer taste under pressurized rapid extraction.

FrontStreet Coffee has noticed that as more and more coffee brewing devices have been invented, extremely finely ground coffee powder is not suitable for all brewing methods, so the grind size has been adjusted to medium-fine.

Therefore, it can be used for pour-over coffee, French press coffee, and American coffee machines. However, if using an espresso machine for extraction, you need to choose coffee powder specifically made for espresso, which will be marked with "Espresso."

Pour-over Coffee

You need to buy a dripper, filter paper, and pouring kettle. For each brew, add 10-15g of coffee powder, use the pouring kettle to pour 88°C hot water in a circular motion. The water should be added slowly to avoid excessive agitation of the coffee grounds. Pour approximately 150-225g of hot water, and remove the dripper only after all water has passed through the coffee grounds. This will give you a delicious cup of pour-over coffee.

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American Coffee Machine

Follow the recommended usage amount and operating instructions for your American coffee machine. Add the appropriate amount of coffee powder and press the switch, and the machine will automatically brew the coffee.

French Press

First, pull out the French press plunger, then add 15g of coffee powder, followed by 88°C hot water. Insert the plunger (but don't press down yet). After steeping for 3 minutes, press the plunger down, and you can pour out the coffee to enjoy.

How to store illy coffee powder

illy coffee powder generally comes in metal can packaging. After opening, simply tighten the lid and store it in a cool, dry place. No need to refrigerate!

FrontStreet Coffee: A roastery in Guangzhou with a small shop but diverse variety of beans, where you can find various famous and lesser-known beans. Online store services are also available: https://shop104210103.taobao.com

Important Notice :

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