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

What Grade of Coffee Is illy?

illy was founded in 1933 and is an Italian food and beverage company. It was also the world's first company to sell pre-ground coffee powder.

Its founder, Francesco Illy, invented the world's first fully automatic espresso machine in 1935. The illy brand subsequently became a national treasure in Italy, and in terms of global brand recognition it ranks higher than Nestlé. Within its product line, pre-ground coffee sits above instant coffee in quality, preserving far more of the original flavor of the beans.

How Do You Drink illy Coffee Powder?

illy coffee powder is made from 100% Arabica beans that are roasted and then ground. Unlike instant coffee — which is brewed coffee that has been concentrated and dried — illy powder does not dissolve in water. As FrontStreet Coffee likes to remind people, the grounds must be filtered out with a brewing tool before you drink it.

Can illy Coffee Powder Be Used for Pour-Over?

illy's pre-ground powder was originally designed for fully automatic espresso machines: it lets businesses skip the grinding step while enjoying the convenience of automated espresso extraction, and its grind size was calibrated for espresso machines.

To make sure espresso comes out rich and full-bodied, illy typically roasts its beans quite dark and grinds them very fine, so that pressurized, rapid extraction produces a fuller taste.

FrontStreet Coffee has noticed that as more and more brewing devices have appeared, ultra-fine pre-ground coffee doesn't suit every method, so the grind has been adjusted to a medium-fine level.

As a result, it can be used for pour-over, French press, and drip coffee machines. However, if you want to pull espresso shots, choose the powder specifically made for espresso machines, which is labeled "Espresso."

Pour-Over Coffee

You'll need a dripper, filter paper, and a gooseneck kettle. For each brew, add 10-15g of coffee powder and pour 88°C water in slow, circular motions, taking care not to agitate the grounds too much. Use roughly 150-225g of hot water in total, and lift the dripper off only after all the water has drained through. That gives you a perfectly pleasant cup of pour-over.

Drip Coffee Machine

Follow the recommended dose and operating instructions for your drip machine: add the right amount of coffee powder, press the switch, and let the machine do the rest.

French Press

Pull out the plunger, add 15g of coffee powder, then pour in 88°C hot water. Insert the plunger (but don't press down yet). After steeping for 3 minutes, press it down slowly, and the coffee is ready to pour and enjoy.

How to Store illy Coffee Powder

illy coffee powder usually comes in a metal can. After opening, just close the lid tightly and keep it in a cool, dry place — no refrigeration needed!

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

If pre-ground convenience is what draws you to illy, freshly roasted whole beans will open up another level of flavor entirely — and for pour-over, FrontStreet Coffee's Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Guodingding is the classic starting point. It offers bright citrus and lemon acidity, jasmine florals, and a green-tea-like sweetness, with a soft, fruit-like acidity that never turns harsh. For best results, brew 15g of coffee with 225g of water (1:15) at 90-91°C in a V60, starting with a 30-second bloom.

Prefer something bolder with less acidity? FrontStreet Coffee's PWN Golden Mandheling, roasted medium-dark, delivers a thick, long-lasting body with herbal, dark chocolate, and a whisper of earthy notes — ideal for drinkers who love a heavy cup without the sourness, and it works equally well as pour-over or espresso.