Illy Intenso

Tasting notes

About this bean

Illy Intenso is a dark roast from Illy. It is prepared using the washed + natural method. Dark roasts develop more body and roast-driven sweetness through deeper caramelisation. The origin character fades into chocolate, caramel and roast notes. The roaster lists tasting notes of Cacao, Caramel, Dark Chocolate, Roasty and Chocolate. Tasting notes are the roaster's reference, not a guarantee; your cup will be shaped by your grinder, water and recipe. Home baristas on Puck Yeah have logged 11 shots of this bean, with an average community rating of 8.0 out of 10 across 11 ratings.

Average community recipe

Averaged across 11 community shots. A starting point, not a recipe to copy.

Common questions

How do you brew Illy Intenso as espresso?

The Puck Yeah community average for this bean is 18.8g in, 36.9g out (a 1:1.97 ratio), pulled in about 32 seconds. That is a useful starting point, not a recipe to copy. Dial in by taste: pull finer if the shot is sour or runs too fast, coarser if it is bitter or chokes.

What does Illy Intenso taste like?

Illy lists tasting notes of Cacao, Caramel, Dark Chocolate, Roasty and Chocolate. Tasting notes are the roaster's reference for a well-brewed cup; your shot can taste different depending on grind, water, dose and extraction time.

What is washed + natural processing?

Washed + Natural is the post-harvest method used to remove the cherry from the bean and prepare it for drying.

More from Illy

Keep learning

• Coffee bean origins and processing: how they affect espresso→
• How to dial in espresso: a complete guide→
• Espresso brew ratios explained→
• How to taste espresso: a beginner's sensory guide→