Charlie Rose Talks to Illycaffé CEO Andrea Illy

The CEO of Illycaffé discusses the spread of Italian coffee culture, the influence of Starbucks, and the vital importance of roasting.

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By Charlie Peete Rose

November 13, 2015 at 7:43 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

This article is part of the November 16, 2015 issue of businessweek.

You run Illy, but you’re also the ambassador for the company, aren’t you?
Yes, I’ve dedicated my life to this business, starting from my studies. I’m a chemist by background. I decided to study chemistry in order to be able to produce better coffee, as my father did before me. I published my book on it [Espresso Coffee: The Science of Quality]. My family name is the brand name, so I’m the natural testimonial for the brand.

Is it true that your coffee beans come from 20 different countries?
Yes, 20 countries. And Illy has just one blend. This was the dream of my grandfather, offering the greatest coffee. And the best can be only one, so just one blend. We’re the only brand in the world offering only one blend. It’s a blend of nine Arabica beans, exclusively produced for Illy by growers we train.