First-class quality from the crop to the cup

Caffè Vergnano 1882 is committed to sustainability. The coffee capsules are 100 percent compostable and all blends are made from carefully selected raw materials. Roasting is also based on a time-consuming, traditional process. The result: an authentic Italian espresso experience.

Not only does a fresh coffee aroma smell unique, it also makes us more efficient - at least that's the conclusion of an international study. But even without an additional performance booster, the aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans is one thing above all: irresistible.

Near Turin, Caffè Vergnano has been processing fresh coffee beans since 1882. This makes Caffè Vergnano 1882 Italy's oldest coffee roasting company. Today, the company is run by Carolina Vergnano as CEO, who is joined in the business by further family members of the third and fourth generation of the family.

A lot of manual work still goes into every cup of coffee. The raw materials are carefully selected and all the beans are slowly roasted in a traditional process to extract the perfect aroma.

“We monitor every single step and ensure that the quality of the coffee remains consistently high, from the countries of origin all the way to our facilities,” explains Carolina Vergnano. “We personally test the raw coffee before we buy it.” This means that every Caffè Vergnano 1882 blend is guaranteed to have an authentic Italian taste – cup after cup.

The demand for sustainably produced coffee is growing

Around 8 kilograms of raw coffee are consumed per capita in Switzerland every year, which equates to around three cups a day. At 12 kilograms per capita per year, Finland consumes the most coffee, followed by Norway with just under 10 kilograms. According to Bio-Suisse, the proportion of organic coffee consumed has also risen in recent years. The market share in the Swiss retail trade was just under 5% in 2019 and already 6.7% in 2021. The share of coffee in accordance with the “Fairtrade” guidelines is even higher.

Caffè Vergnano 1882 is also positioning itself in the segment of sustainably produced coffee. The coffee capsules are 100% compostable. A step that was not so easy to implement, as Carolina Vergnano explains: “Compostable materials are more sensitive to external factors such as moisture and oxygen. We had to invest a lot in research and development to ensure that the new material offers the same level of protection and is also fully biodegradable.”

The “Women in Coffee” program is a great success

Furthermore, the company is also socially committed. The program “Women in Coffee” supports productions led by women worldwide. “In 2019, we launched the first fundraising campaign to build a micro-roastery for 20 female farmers in the Dominican Republic,” says Carolina Vergnano. This was followed by the construction of a library in Honduras as well as a café and a local academy for training. Further local academies will follow this year. The aim is to make the women economically independent.

In order to strengthen Caffè Vergnano 1882's presence abroad and accelerate its international growth strategy, a strategic partnership with Coca-Cola HBC has been in place since 2022. The Coca-Cola Company already has its own coffee brand, Costa Coffee. Are there any overlaps? No, says Alain Mettler, Head of Coffee Business Unit at Coca-Cola HBC Switzerland. The two coffee brands are complementary: “The vibrant, youthful energy of Costa Coffee appeals to an audience looking for convenience without compromising on quality. Caffè Vergnano 1882, on the other hand, with its rich tradition and commitment to premium quality and innovation, is perfectly suited to more upscale tastes.”

2024 is set to be a record year for Caffè Vergnano 1882 in Switzerland. In Switzerland, various top cafés and hotels offer Caffè Vergnano 1882. “We are seeing good growth and increasing demand in the Swiss gastronomy scene. We are confident that 2024 will be a record year for Caffè Vergnano 1882,” says Alain Mettler.

The brand is also available in selected retail channels. It is also delivered directly to over 80,000 households in Switzerland via Valser Service. And, of course, Caffè Vergnano 1882 can also be ordered online.

Another promising Swiss cooperation is the partnership with the renowned EHL Hospitality Business School. It is the world's leading business school in the hospitality industry. All EHL outlets offer a range of Vergnano coffee concepts and roasts as well as the “Women in Coffee” concept. “A milestone will be the opening of Academia Vergnano in spring 2025. It will be the first Vergnano academy outside Italy and we aim to make it a leading training center for future hospitality professionals,” explains Alain Mettler. Through constant innovation, the company wants to continue to set new standards and help shape the future of the sustainable coffee industry. The fifth generation has recently joined the family business. The signs are therefore good for further growth - regardless of whether the smell of fresh coffee really does improve performance or simply smells irresistibly good.

“I have been immersed in the world of coffee from an early age”

How many cups of coffee or espresso do you drink a day?

Carolina Vergnano: Every morning I make two cups of moka just for myself and enjoy them in peace while I organize my thoughts before the rest of my family wakes up. I then drink ten more cups over the course of the day.
 

Was it always clear to you that you would join the family business?

I have been immersed in the world of coffee from an early age. Even as a child, the incomparable aroma of freshly roasted beans was omnipresent and it became part of my identity. I always felt closely connected to the family business. Seeing how my family works with passion and dedication has inspired me to continue this legacy. I not only want to preserve what the generations before me have built, but also bring my own vision and contribute to the growth of the company.
 

Caffè Vergnano stands for authentic Italian espresso. What should such an espresso taste like?

Authentic Italian espresso tells a story of rituals and traditions that are passed down from generation to generation. It's not just about the taste, it's about the experience. A true Italian espresso should be rich and full-bodied, with a perfect balance of acidity, bitterness and sweetness. Finally, it should have a long-lasting, smooth finish. But beyond the sensory experience, Italian espresso symbolizes something deeper: it embodies people's need to come together, to pause in the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy precious moments.
 

With the “Women in Coffee” program, you support productions run by women. Why is this a project close to your heart?

“Women in Coffee” is my big dream, because the program stands for personal strength, equality and respect. When we launched “Women in Coffee” in 2018, we wanted to support small communities of female coffee farmers. Over time, the project has developed into a platform for sustainable change - not just in the coffee industry, but for women worldwide. This project builds bridges and fosters community. This is how we can bring about lasting change. I am very proud of that.