The National Coffee Association of U.S.A, Inc. is celebrating a century of service to the industry in 2011, and will kick off its Centennial year by setting aside Thursday, January 20, 2011 as a day for a National Coffee Break Day!

Home and Living couldn't find a better time to share an interview with Giorgio Milos, Master Barista for illycaffè on Product and Profile. Can you smell the coffee?

Q.: Giorgio, thanks for visiting. Tell us something about what you do at illy please.

G.: I have a great job. Officially I am illycaffe’s Master Barista, and on faculty at our company’s University of Coffee. Education is among illy’s top values and missions. We provide training in every aspect of specialty coffee to everyone from farmers to the world’s most influential chefs, restaurant owners and hoteliers. We explore everything from coffee biology and chemistry, to hands-on preparation of espresso and complex beverages.

Q.: Do you have some information about the company’s background to share?

G.: Well, our founder invented the modern espresso machine in the 1930’s—the one that today’s traditional machines are still based on. We are quality obsessed, and purchase coffee only directly from farmers, at a substantial, guaranteed profit to them. Our coffee comes in pressurized cans, a process that we invented that guarantees freshness like no other method can.  Innovation is in illy’s DNA.

"... our founder invented the modern espresso machine in the 1930’s ..."

Q.: Today we are going to talk about the Francis Francis Y1 iperEspresso system, will you tell us something about this product’s features?

G.: This is a beautiful machine, blending tempered glass and brushed aluminum. It looks like nothing else out there, and is compact enough to fit on any counter. Most important, it makes phenomenal espresso, at one touch of a button.

Q.: This machine uses an iperEspresso capsule system, can you explain what that is?

G.: iperEspresso lets you make café-quality espresso at home in just seconds. Simple, but very complex, with an entirely new, two-phase, capsule-based extraction method that makes incredible crema, that light-brown layer on top, rich body and wonderful floral notes.

Q.: The Y1 also makes cappuccino; can you talk to us about how that works?

G.: Y1 makes fantastic espresso, which of course is cappuccino’s key ingredient. For the warm, foamed milk on top, you’ll need a standalone milk steamer. Capresso makes an excellent one. 

Q.: What is the best way for customers to explore the various machines and what do they need to know to choose the best one for them?

G.: Start by weighing what’s most important to you, factors like speed, aesthetics and confidence in the kitchen. If you like making things from scratch, a traditional machine may be for you. But if you prize convenience, you’ll want a capsule-based system like iperEspresso, which produces café-quality results.

Q.: Do the espresso machines only work using only your coffee capsules or can users apply other brands?

G.: ipeEspresso systems use only specially-designed and patented illy coffee capsules.

Q.: The Francis Francis Y1 sports an extraordinary modern design, can you speak to that?

G.: Yes, very contemporary, with elegant tempered glass and brushed aluminum. But a close look reveals its design inspiration—a classic drinking fountain. The short tower that holds the capsules represents the spigot. 

Q.: Why should coffee aficionados choose illy over other specialty machines?

G.: For quality, innovation, heritage and beauty. Like I mentioned before, our founder invented the modern espresso machine. I think that says a lot.

Q.: Do you have an environmental mission?

G.: Sustainability is built into every aspect of our business, and has been for decades. We start by training farmers on low-impact techniques that yield higher-quality beans, and carry it through the supply chain, which will soon gain the industry’s first independently awarded sustainability certification. Our roasting plant in Italy emits one-twentieth the amount of legally permissible smoke.

Q.: Where are customers going to find the products and do you have a website for more information? Is there also a blog?

G.: You can find complete information and purchase any of our products at illyusa.com.  I also contribute frequently about coffee for theatlantic.com:

http://www.theatlantic.com/giorgio-milos/

Q.: Is there anything else you would like to tell Home and Living Readers?

G.: Remember, coffee is a simple pleasure. Enjoy, don’t overthink!