Ernesto Illy
Encyclopedia
Ernesto Illy was an Italian
food chemist and businessman, known as the chairman of the Illycaffè S.p.A
coffee manufacturer. He was deeply and widely respected, considered "an absolute giant" in the world of coffee and espresso, spearheading Illy's research into coffee and espresso quality, as summarized in his son Andrea's book Espresso: The Chemistry of Quality, written with Ernesto's assistance.
, he was the son of the Hungarian-Italian chocolate maker, Francesco Illy
, also a World War I
officer, who had established the espresso making company (1933). Ernesto studied chemistry
at University of Bologna
(1947) and immediately joined Illy, and later took over the company from his father (1956). Ernesto created a high-tech manufacturing process, specializing in the making of espresso
coffee, for which he also was an evangelist
. He was chairman of Illy 1963-2004 and then honorary chairman. Ernesto Illy took part in the establishment of Association Scientifique Internationale pour le Café
(chairman, 1991-).
He was married to Anna Rossi. The Illy company is run by their son Andrea Illy
(born 1964), and among the board members are the daughter Anna Illy and son Riccardo Illy
(born 1955), who has also been mayor of Trieste
and President of Friuli-Venezia Giulia
region. The third son, Francesco is also involved.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
food chemist and businessman, known as the chairman of the Illycaffè S.p.A
Illy
illycaffè is a brand of coffee produced in Trieste, Italy.illy produces only one blend in three roast variations: normal, dark roast, and decaffeinated. The blend is packaged as whole beans, pre-ground coffee, E.S.E. pods, or iperEspresso Capsules....
coffee manufacturer. He was deeply and widely respected, considered "an absolute giant" in the world of coffee and espresso, spearheading Illy's research into coffee and espresso quality, as summarized in his son Andrea's book Espresso: The Chemistry of Quality, written with Ernesto's assistance.
Biography
Born in TriesteTrieste
Trieste is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is situated towards the end of a narrow strip of land lying between the Adriatic Sea and Italy's border with Slovenia, which lies almost immediately south and east of the city...
, he was the son of the Hungarian-Italian chocolate maker, Francesco Illy
Francesco Illy
Francesco Illy – 1956, Trieste, Italy) was a Hungarian financial accountant, bookkeeper and inventor ofcoffee machinery.Illy was brought up in Temesvár where he studied economics...
, also a World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
officer, who had established the espresso making company (1933). Ernesto studied chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
at University of Bologna
University of Bologna
The Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna is the oldest continually operating university in the world, the word 'universitas' being first used by this institution at its foundation. The true date of its founding is uncertain, but believed by most accounts to have been 1088...
(1947) and immediately joined Illy, and later took over the company from his father (1956). Ernesto created a high-tech manufacturing process, specializing in the making of espresso
Espresso
Espresso is a concentrated beverage brewed by forcing a small amount of nearly boiling water under pressure through finely ground coffee. Espresso is widely known throughout the world....
coffee, for which he also was an evangelist
Evangelism
Evangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity....
. He was chairman of Illy 1963-2004 and then honorary chairman. Ernesto Illy took part in the establishment of Association Scientifique Internationale pour le Café
Association Scientifique Internationale pour le Café
Association Scientifique Internationale pour le Café was initiated by Institut Français du Café et du Cacao, to "establish an inventory of scientific and applied knowledge and to encourage, carry out and coordinate research likely to contribute to a better use of coffee and its derivatives and to...
(chairman, 1991-).
He was married to Anna Rossi. The Illy company is run by their son Andrea Illy
Andrea Illy
Andrea Illy is an Italian businessman. He is the chairman and CEO of illycaffè S.p.A., a family coffee business founded in Trieste in 1933.-Life and education:...
(born 1964), and among the board members are the daughter Anna Illy and son Riccardo Illy
Riccardo Illy
-Biography:Riccardo Illy was born in Trieste, Friuli-Venezia Giulia. His name shows Hungarian origins.As a young man he worked as a skiing instructor at Piancavallo and a sailing instructor at Monfalcone. He married Rossana Bettini, food and wine journalist, when he was very young...
(born 1955), who has also been mayor of Trieste
Trieste
Trieste is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is situated towards the end of a narrow strip of land lying between the Adriatic Sea and Italy's border with Slovenia, which lies almost immediately south and east of the city...
and President of Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Friuli–Venezia Giulia is one of the twenty regions of Italy, and one of five autonomous regions with special statute. The capital is Trieste. It has an area of 7,858 km² and about 1.2 million inhabitants. A natural opening to the sea for many Central European countries, the region is...
region. The third son, Francesco is also involved.
Awards
- Cavaliere del Lavoro of Italy (Knight of Industry, 1994)
- honorary doctorates and masters degrees (such as University of UdineUniversity of UdineThe University of Udine is a university in the city of Udine . It was founded in 1978 as part of the reconstruction plan of Friuli after the earthquake in 1976...
, 2005) - Centromarca brand organization (president, 1996-)
- Specialty Coffee Association of AmericaSpecialty Coffee Association of AmericaThe Specialty Coffee Association of America is a civilian trade organization for the specialty coffees industry, founded in 1982. The SCAA seeks to set standards for growing, roasting, and brewing premium coffees. Members of the SCAA include coffee retailers, roasters, producers, exporters and...
(S.C.A.A.). "Lifetime Achievement Award" (1997) - Monte Carmelo (Brazil) county (honorary citizenship, 2002)
- International Coffee OrganizationInternational Coffee OrganizationInternational Coffee Organization was initiated in collaboration with UN to enhance cooperation between nations that consume, distribute and produce coffee....
, London (chairman of the promotion committee, 2002-) - AnacafèAnacafèAsociación Nacional del Café is the Guatemalan National Coffee Association, representing all coffee producers in the country....
member of the order, Flor del Cafè (Guatemala, 2004).