illy and Lavazza are Italy’s two most exported espresso brands. Both have been around for decades. Both are widely available on Amazon. And both work fine in most home espresso machines.
The problem is people expect them to taste similar because of where they come from. They don’t. The roast philosophy, bean composition, and flavor profiles are completely different - and one of them is clearly a better fit for automatic machines than the other.
illy Classico
100% Arabica, precisely calibrated
Medium roast, smooth, low acidity. Best for espresso purists and occasional use.
Check Price →Lavazza Super Crema
Arabica + Robusta blend, best value
Medium-dark, rich crema, excellent for daily use and milk drinks.
Check Price →The Quick Verdict
Buy illy if: you drink straight espresso, you prioritize smoothness and precision over body, and price per cup is not your main concern.
Buy Lavazza Super Crema if: you drink milk drinks (cappuccino, latte, flat white), you want the best value for daily use, or you have an automatic machine with a built-in grinder.
For most home setups, Lavazza Super Crema is the better everyday choice. illy is the better occasion bean.
The Brands
illy was founded in Trieste in 1933. The company roasts a single blend globally - every market gets the same product. The Classico is their signature: 9 Arabica origins, pressure-roasted, and packed in pressurized cans to preserve freshness. There is no robusta in any illy product.
Lavazza was founded in Turin in 1895 and has a much wider product range - dozens of blends at different price points and roast levels. Super Crema is their most popular worldwide product: a mix of Arabica (60%) and Robusta (40%), medium-dark roasted. The robusta adds body and crema stability that pure Arabica blends lack.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| illy Classico | Lavazza Super Crema | |
|---|---|---|
| Roast level | Medium | Medium-dark |
| Bean composition | 100% Arabica (9 origins) | 60% Arabica, 40% Robusta |
| Flavor profile | Caramel, chocolate, smooth | Hazelnut, honey, light chocolate |
| Acidity | Low | Low-medium |
| Crema quality | Light to moderate | Thick, stable |
| Works in milk drinks | Loses character under milk | Holds up well |
| Price per oz | $2.50-3.00 | $0.50-0.65 |
| Cost per shot (9g) | $0.80-1.00 | $0.18-0.22 |
| Surface oil | Dry | Dry |
Which Tastes Better?
That depends entirely on what you are looking for.
illy is smoother, more refined, and more predictable. The flavor is consistent across every can because they roast the same blend globally to tight specifications. If you drink a single espresso after a meal and want something that tastes precise and elegant, illy delivers that better than Lavazza.
Lavazza Super Crema is richer, heavier, and produces more crema. The robusta content gives it a body and bitterness that illy lacks. If you want a shot that feels substantial, or if you are making cappuccinos and lattes where the espresso needs to cut through steamed milk, Lavazza performs better.
Neither is objectively better. They are optimized for different cups.
Which Works Better in Automatic Machines?
Both work safely in automatic machines with built-in grinders - neither has oily beans that could damage the burrs.
For automatic machines specifically, Lavazza Super Crema has an edge for two reasons:
- The robusta content produces more crema, which is what most people expect from an automatic machine shot
- The value - illy costs roughly 4-5x as much per ounce, which adds up fast if you are pulling multiple shots daily from a full bean hopper
If you own a Jura specifically, see how all three major brands - Lavazza, illy, and Peet’s - compare in a Jura E8 for results from actual in-machine testing.
The Price Gap in Practice
This is the most practical consideration for daily use. At current Amazon prices:
- illy Classico 8.8oz can: $22-28 (~$2.50-3.00/oz)
- Lavazza Super Crema 2.2lb bag: $18-22 (~$0.50-0.65/oz)
A $0.20 shot with Lavazza vs a $0.90 shot with illy. For one espresso a day, that difference is around $250 per year. For a household pulling 3-4 shots daily, it is significantly more.
illy is worth the price if espresso quality is the priority and volume is low. Lavazza is the practical choice for high-volume or budget-conscious households.
Other Options from Each Brand
From Lavazza:
- Lavazza Gran Selezione - darker, bolder, more bitter than Super Crema. Better for people who want strong Italian dark roast character.
- Lavazza Rossa - their entry-level blend, slightly cheaper than Super Crema and thinner in the cup. Good for very high-volume use.
From illy:
- illy Intenso - their darkest roast. More body and bitterness than Classico, still 100% Arabica.
- illy Medium Roast - very similar to Classico, marketed toward filter coffee but works for espresso.
