An espresso doesn't have to be complicated. What matters is whether the bean suits your machine, your taste, and your coffee consumption. The best espresso brands from Italy are therefore not automatically those with the strongest name, but those that bring a dense crema, a harmonious aroma, and reliable results to your cup every day. For many households and offices in Switzerland, Caffè Borbone, Kimbo, Toraldo, and Mastro Lorenzo are included in the shortlist for exactly this reason.
Italian espresso usually stands for darker roasts, plenty of body, and a clear roasting aroma. This is particularly well suited to portafilter machines and superautomatics, but depending on the variety, it also works in capsule machines, pods, or the Moka pot. Someone who drinks it black pays attention to different things than someone who prepares a cappuccino in the morning. That is exactly where the sensible comparison begins.
Best espresso brands from Italy: What matters
A brand alone does not tell the whole story. Within a range, blends can differ significantly: more Arabica often brings a finer acidity, sweeter notes, and more aroma to the cup. A higher Robusta content typically ensures more crema, a stronger body, and the distinctive Italian espresso character. This is particularly relevant with superautomatics, because the machine quickly reaches its limits with very light or acidity-focused beans.
The preparation method also influences the choice. In a portafilter machine, the grind, quantity, and extraction time can be precisely controlled. Beans can be more complex there if you like to experiment. A superautomatic, on the other hand, requires a blend that tastes reliably even with a fixed basic setting. For capsules and pods, the right intensity is what counts above all else, because you can influence the extraction less.
For everyday use, it is also worth taking an honest look at the quantity. A single 250-gram package is ideal for getting to know it. Heavy drinkers, families, and small teams often benefit more from kilogram packages, sets, or a subscription. This way, your favorite coffee remains available without having to plan every order anew.
Caffè Borbone: Strong espresso for every day
Caffè Borbone is one of the best-known brands from Naples and is particularly popular with fans of intense espresso. The style is uncomplicated, full-bodied, and clearly designed for enjoyment with a dense crema. Many blends rely on a noticeable Robusta content. This results in a strong coffee with dark roasting notes, often accompanied by cocoa, spices, and a pleasant bitterness.
For superautomatics, Borbone is a strong choice if you want an espresso without a lot of fine-tuning. It also remains present as a Café Crème and cuts through well in milk drinks. If you drink your coffee with milk, you benefit from this: The roasting aromas do not disappear behind the milk foam.
Borbone is less suitable if you are looking for pronounced fruit notes or a light, acidity-focused specialty coffee style. For that, the brand delivers exactly what many expect from an Italian espresso: punch, crema, and a long, strong aftertaste. In addition to beans, capsules and pods are also interesting if you need to be quick in the morning.
Kimbo: Neapolitan tradition with more nuances
Kimbo also stands for the coffee culture of Naples, but often appears more broadly graded in the range. From very strong, dark blends to more balanced varieties, you will find various profiles here for espresso, lungo, and milk coffee. The brand is a good address if you want Italian character but want to vary within a familiar roasting world.
Strong Kimbo varieties are suitable for anyone who likes a short espresso with an intense aroma and compact texture. More balanced blends can seem a bit softer in the superautomatic and suit the second or third coffee of the day well. This is also practical for visitors or an office: A pleasant, not too acidic coffee usually appeals to many tastes.
In the portafilter machine, Kimbo can be particularly enjoyable if the grinder is set correctly. A grind that is too coarse quickly flattens a strong blend, while a setting that is too fine can increase bitterness. The goal is a short, concentrated extraction with a uniform flow and hazelnut-colored crema.
Toraldo: Plenty of body and classic intensity
Caffè Toraldo is aimed at people who like their espresso classic and bold. The roasts are often full, dark, and aromatic, with a strong base for everyday use. Toraldo is therefore a convincing choice for households where espresso is not just a small moment of enjoyment, but a fixed routine.
This style plays its strength particularly well with milk drinks. A strong blend remains recognizable in the cappuccino or latte macchiato and delivers a clear coffee profile. This is also an advantage in the office: The bean works reliably without every person having to explain their taste first.
The downside of very intense blends is clear: Anyone who prefers fine citrus notes, floral aromas, or a light cup will not necessarily get along with Toraldo. For fans of dense crema, dark chocolate, and a long finish, however, that is exactly the appeal. If in doubt, try a smaller package first or combine several varieties in a set.
Mastro Lorenzo: The flexible choice for household and office
Mastro Lorenzo offers an accessible entry into the world of Italian espresso blends. The coffees are aimed at uncomplicated enjoyment and are particularly suitable for people looking for a reliable solution for a superautomatic, portafilter machine, or the shared coffee needs. The profile often moves within the classic Italian spectrum: balanced, aromatic, and with enough body.
For households with different preferences, this balance can be crucial. One person drinks espresso black, the other a cappuccino, and in the afternoon, a Café Crème should still be possible. Instead of storing several open packages, a versatile blend can make everyday life significantly easier.
With higher consumption, price per cup, package size, and delivery convenience also count alongside taste. Anyone who orders regularly should not only look at the promotional price of a single package. Sets, volume prices, and subscriptions can be better in the long term, especially if coffee is drunk daily in the office or in a larger family.
How to find your suitable Italian espresso brand
Do not start with the question of which brand is objectively the best. Instead, ask yourself how you actually drink coffee. For a short, strong espresso and cappuccino, Caffè Borbone or Toraldo are often obvious. Kimbo is exciting if you want to try different intensities within a traditional Neapolitan brand. Mastro Lorenzo is a good fit if you are looking for a versatile everyday coffee for several preparations.
The machine gives the second direction. In the superautomatic, medium to dark espresso blends with good body are usually more uncomplicated than very light roasts. In the portafilter machine, you have more leeway, but you should be prepared to adjust the grind and extraction time. With capsules or pods, it is worth starting with two intensities: a balanced variety for everyday use and a stronger one for the first coffee in the morning.
Pay attention to storage after opening. Beans are best kept in the well-sealed original package or in an opaque container, cool and dry, but not in the refrigerator. Only grind as much as you need immediately. With capsules and pods, handling is easier, but they should also be protected from heat and direct sunlight.
Easily plan Italian espresso in Switzerland
Once you have found your favorite coffee, a small inventory plan is worth it. Calculate with about 7 to 9 grams per espresso. With two espressos daily, one person consumes roughly half a kilogram of beans per month. In a household with several coffee drinkers or in a small team, the demand increases quickly. This makes it clear whether individual packages, kilogram beans, or a recurring subscription make more sense.
At Baristacoffeeshop, you receive original Italian coffee with shipping from Switzerland. From 70 CHF, delivery is free, and delivery usually takes place within 2 to 3 business days. For larger quantities or if you are wavering between several brands, a personal inquiry via WhatsApp or email helps to find the right solution.
Take two varieties with different characters for the first comparison. Prepare them with the same machine and as similar settings as possible, drink one espresso black and one with milk. After a few cups, you will usually notice very clearly whether you are looking for more intensity, more balance, or simply a crema you can rely on every morning.