Gambero Rosso's 2026 Guide to Italian Coffee and Roasters: Who Won the Special Awards
Gambero Rosso has presented the 2026 Guida Caffè e Torrefazioni d'Italia, an updated map of the sector that brings together major brands, mid-sized roasters, craft roasteries and specialty labs. What caught my attention most was the evaluation method.
A panel of professional tasters sampled thousands of products in four preparation methods: espresso, moka, filter and single-serve. Every coffee was tasted blind, following standardized protocols. Ratings use a 'grinder' system: one grinder means fully satisfactory quality, two a step above, and three absolute excellence. Each product also gets a detailed card with a sensory map.
The guide also awards 15 Special Award Torrefazione prizes. Caffè Agust was named roastery of the year for the quality of its entire range; Cafezal Specialty Coffee Roasters won as a specialty roastery for its selection and roasting of arabica; Ditta Artigianale is the roastery of excellence, and Caffè Putto was recognized as a craft roastery. Lavazza received the sustainability award for its 100% green single-serve Tablì, and Caffè Pascucci the innovation award, thanks to a compostable capsule that can become fertilizer.
Some of the recognitions I find most charming are the one for Caffè Morettino, for the first real coffee plantation in Italy, and the one for Mokaflor, for its Coffee Academies spread across every continent. Kimbo is the gourmet roastery, Essse Caffè honors tradition with its Masini blend, and Bialetti was rewarded as the alternative coffee.
Personally, I find it useful that a guide puts giants and small artisans on the same list, with clear criteria. I would like to see how the evaluations evolve in future editions.
Source: QuiFinanza
A panel of professional tasters sampled thousands of products in four preparation methods: espresso, moka, filter and single-serve. Every coffee was tasted blind, following standardized protocols. Ratings use a 'grinder' system: one grinder means fully satisfactory quality, two a step above, and three absolute excellence. Each product also gets a detailed card with a sensory map.
The guide also awards 15 Special Award Torrefazione prizes. Caffè Agust was named roastery of the year for the quality of its entire range; Cafezal Specialty Coffee Roasters won as a specialty roastery for its selection and roasting of arabica; Ditta Artigianale is the roastery of excellence, and Caffè Putto was recognized as a craft roastery. Lavazza received the sustainability award for its 100% green single-serve Tablì, and Caffè Pascucci the innovation award, thanks to a compostable capsule that can become fertilizer.
Some of the recognitions I find most charming are the one for Caffè Morettino, for the first real coffee plantation in Italy, and the one for Mokaflor, for its Coffee Academies spread across every continent. Kimbo is the gourmet roastery, Essse Caffè honors tradition with its Masini blend, and Bialetti was rewarded as the alternative coffee.
Personally, I find it useful that a guide puts giants and small artisans on the same list, with clear criteria. I would like to see how the evaluations evolve in future editions.
Source: QuiFinanza
Comments 0
Leave the first comment, in any language.
Log in to comment