FAQ

The difference comes down to roasting and the quality of the beans: slow and controlled for artisanal, fast and standardised for mass-market.

Artisanal roasting is all about taking things slowly and staying in control of the process. Our coffees are hand-roasted in small batches, always by the same Italian master roasters. This approach is based on responsiveness and intention: it allows the roaster to work with the coffee, rather than against it.

The aim of an artisanal roaster isn’t simply to roast coffee “correctly”, but to bring out the best in each coffee according to its density, moisture content, processing method and aromatic potential.

The Italian coffee you typically find in supermarkets is produced on a much larger scale, using very fast roasting methods designed to create a standardised, consistent flavour profile, with an emphasis on bitterness and intensity. Mass roasting is built around efficiency, speed and volume.

The difference between the two approaches is anything but subtle. Taste it for yourself!

“Hand-roasted” doesn’t mean the coffee is roasted without machinery or technology. It means the roasting process is guided by human expertise at every stage, rather than being left to a fully automated system.

The master roaster makes precise adjustments throughout the roast, manually controlling key factors such as temperature, timing and airflow to bring out the full aromatic potential of each coffee origin. It’s an approach built on experience, sensory judgement and a constant pursuit of balance in the cup.

Hand-roasting is ultimately about control, consistency and allowing the character of each origin to shine through. Every batch receives close attention — and you can taste a clear difference in the cup.

Typical characteristics of an Italian-style roast include:

• A full, generous body with low acidity;
• Rich notes of chocolate and caramel, complemented by subtle hints of hazelnut and dried fruit;
• A long, lingering finish, reflecting artisanal expertise and a slow, precise roasting process.

Italian-style roasting is often misunderstood and associated with very dark, almost burnt coffee with a bitter, uniform taste. In reality, that’s far from the full picture of Italian coffee. Italian roasting was developed with espresso in mind, but it also works beautifully in automatic coffee machines, traditional coffee makers — and, of course, in cappuccinos.

There is no single Italian roast profile. Instead, it’s about a slow, carefully controlled roasting process that brings out the full complexity of the beans. Depending on their origin and how they are blended, coffees can develop very different profiles: from intense, chocolatey flavours to softer, more balanced, floral or even fruity notes.

Coffee beans don’t come from Italy — coffee isn’t grown there. Instead, they are sourced from renowned origins around the world, including:

• Latin America: Colombia, Brazil, Costa Rica and Mexico — known for balanced, often fruity coffees;
• Africa: Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda — prized for floral, complex and expressive profiles;
• Asia: Indonesia, India and Vietnam — known for bold, distinctive and often fuller-bodied coffees.

The beans used by our roasters are carefully selected from some of the world’s best coffee-producing regions, with the aim of offering distinctive and varied flavour profiles. 

For some of our coffees, our roasters know the producers personally, visit the farms and follow the process closely. This helps ensure that every bean meets their quality standards, is produced with care and, where applicable, carries the relevant organic or other certifications.

You’ are not just buying coffee — you’re getting the full experience.

Our coffees come with precise espresso recipes to help you get a great result from the very first cup. You’ll also have access to our blog dedicated to Italian coffee, with brewing tips, stories about our roasters and insights into Italian coffee culture. You get to discover the people behind your coffee and the regions they come from, making every coffee feel truly unique.

Thanks to our carefully selected group of roasters, we can also guarantee exceptional freshness. Our close relationships with them mean we receive the coffee shortly after it has been roasted in Italy. Our roasters don’t hold large stocks, and we keep our own stock in France to a minimum, helping preserve freshness and aroma.

Buying coffee from Barcino is a little like choosing a great bottle of wine from a small producer: it carries the passion, craftsmanship and personality of the people who made it.

Taste it for yourself — you won’t be disappointed.

Absolutely! Our Italian-style roasted coffees work beautifully in automatic coffee machines thanks to their character, the presence of Robusta, and a roast level that is never too light. We test and taste every coffee in our own automatic machine before offering it to you.

In an automatic machine, our coffees retain all their finesse and aroma, producing a creamy, flavourful cup. In fact, our roasters use automatic machines themselves in their workshops and at events for a quick espresso that still tastes delicious.

One important point: our beans are not oily. Automatic machines don’t respond well to excessively oily beans, so with Barcino you can count on a clean, reliable extraction.

In our shop, you can also easily filter the blends that are especially well suited to automatic coffee machines.

Aromas: these are the notes you taste in the cup, like chocolate, hazelnut, fruit, or more spiced or acidic touches. They describe the coffee's flavour personality.

Profile: this is the coffee's overall character, how aroma, acidity, body and sweetness combine. We talk about a balanced, floral, bold, or soft profile, and so on.

Intensity: this measures the coffee's strength and presence in the mouth, linked to body and roast. The higher the intensity, the bolder and more pronounced the coffee, even if the aromas stay subtle.

      Don't forget to read each coffee's detailed description: it helps you understand whether that coffee matches your preferences.

Absolutely! Our pre-ground coffees are perfect for a moka pot or a French press. Why? Because they're artisan-roasted in Italy, where the moka pot was invented and is still hugely popular! This traditional Italian roast develops rich, smooth, balanced aromas.

Don’t worry!

• Too bitter? Your grind may be too fine, the extraction may be too long, or the temperature may be too high — even with an automatic machine. Try adjusting your grinder or slightly reducing the extraction time, then taste the difference.
• Too acidic? Your grind may be too coarse, causing the water to flow through too quickly, or the temperature may be too low.

You can also check out our Italian coffee blog to learn more about extraction and the different variables involved — or simply get in touch with us!

Italian coffee is perfect to start with if you’re just getting into coffee. Our selection is based on traditional Italian roasting, which is rarely light.

We focus on medium to medium-dark roasts, often blending Arabica and Robusta. These roast profiles are more forgiving than lighter roasts and naturally offer very low acidity, making it easier to get a balanced, enjoyable cup even if you’re still finding your feet as a home barista.

It's about sharing a real Italian moment with the people you love! You introduce them to true Italian espresso — and you get rewarded too:

• €10 credit to your Barcino account for every friend who orders coffee for €49 minimum
• No limit — the more you share, the more you earn.

Share your code today.

Yes — share it with as many people as you like, no limit.

Every new person who orders €49 or more with your code earns you €10 in credit.

Yes, your account gives you access to your code, referrals and rewards.

Available delivery zones are shown directly at checkout, with fees and timelines calculated automatically based on your address.

We deliver to: France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Portugal

A few working days after your order is prepared. A more precise estimate shows up when you choose your carrier at checkout, based on your address.

You'll get a confirmation email the moment your order leaves our workshop. With a Barcino account, track every step in real time. Even without one, you'll stay informed at the key moments.

Yes — just enter your work address as the delivery address at checkout.

A tracking number is sent to you as soon as your order ships, so you can follow it in real time.

Yes, you can contact us by email or phone to make the request.

Yes, simply enter a delivery address different from the billing address.

Contact us by phone or email. We'll send you a return label and check your order together, to get the right items to you quickly.

Let us know as soon as possible. We'll check your order and send the missing item as quickly as possible.

No, once an order has been placed and paid for, it can no longer be cancelled.

The charge is made immediately after your order is confirmed, for clear, secure tracking of your payment.

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Contact us by phone or email, and we'll get back to you as quickly as possible to resolve the issue.