Coffee-lovers will already consider Italy and Tuscany, in particular, to be essential destinations for enjoying excellent coffee while on holiday and/or as key destinations in the globe to tick off if you are out to properly explore and experience all of the most important coffees and coffee cultures of the world. However, if you’re really serious about your coffee and want to dedicate a whole day to learning more about Italian coffee and coffee culture and tasting some excellent blends and you have found yourself a luxury villa in Florence or a vacation rental in Fiesole then you should definitely pencil in a visit to the Accademia del Caffè Espresso. A truly unique foodie experience for coffee fans, in particular, it is just one more delicious reason to plan a visit to this truly beautiful part of the world.
The Accademia del Caffè Espresso is located on the outskirts of Florence, near the town of Fiesole, and is a, “cultural “hub” focused on espresso coffee,” where, through analyses, research and communications, they build new relationships and insights into espresso coffee culture. Based in what was once the old factory space of La Marzocco, the famous high-end coffee machine company, from 1960 to 2009, the Accademia is now a place for research, innovation and outreach. Basically, it’s an incredible hub for the most dedicated coffee-lovers and nerds out there to unite and learn more about coffee and enjoy some incredible blends!
The Accademia del Caffè Espresso is located on the outskirts of Florence, near the town of Fiesole, and is a, “cultural “hub” focused on espresso coffee,” where, through analyses, research and communications, they build new relationships and insights into espresso coffee culture. Based in what was once the old factory space of La Marzocco, the famous high-end coffee machine company, from 1960 to 2009, the Accademia is now a place for research, innovation and outreach. Basically, it’s an incredible hub for the most dedicated coffee-lovers and nerds out there to unite and learn more about coffee and enjoy some incredible blends!
La Marzocco itself was established back in 1927 and the Pian di San Bartolo facility was opened in 1960 as a workshop in which gifted craftspeople who they employed forged their famous coffee machines with artisanal care. After decades of using this factory, the company decided to move to a brand new and state-of-the-art facility in the small town of Scarperia in 2009, which is where the company is now headquartered. The Pian di San Bartolo facility was not abandoned or sold off, however, but, rather, set aside for a whole new purpose and life. The building was carefully preserved through dedicated renovations that allowed the original layout and architecture to remain untouched and which made for a perfect base for the Accademia del Caffè Espresso to allow room for an exhibition space, labs, rooms and areas for experimental workshops and classes, and, even, an indoor coffee plantation! It became an important coffee pilgrimage site in a different way for those who have found a villa in Florence.
Today, on the ground floor of the building, one finds the various exhibition spaces, including both the temporary exhibition and the permanent spaces; these are called Back In Time, Factory of Marvels, La Marzocca evolving DNA, Coffee, the Commodity, and the Greenhouse. In addition to the museum, the ground floor also houses the different labs – the Green Coffee Lab, the Roasting Lab, the Sensory Lab, the Extraction Lab, the Material Lab, the Ceramics Lab, and the Culinary Lab – the training room, the Grand Bar Accademia, La Marzocca Home, the conference room, the library, and the shop. The mezzanine, meanwhile, has offices used by those who work at the facility and the archive. In the basement there is a service centre and the Officine Fratelli Bambi, a workshop space that seeks to bring back traditional techniques and processes and is where handcrafted design of machines still takes place. The lab and museum spaces are, however, usually those that are opened to the public at large and that will likely be visited during your time at the Accademia.
Visits to the Accademia can readily be arranged and there are a few different options of experiences of this extraordinary coffee hub depending on your pre-existing knowledge, your interests, and how much time you have on your hands. You can simply take the guided tour, which brings visitors through the museum and historic building and ends in a tasting of special blends made specifically for the Accademia – this is probably the most common and popular option that visitors go for. However, if you want a more in-depth experience, you can join a more extensive and professional tasting session, learn to do latte art like a pro, learn home barista skills, learn about coffee roasting, or learn other skills by signing up to the special workshops offered at the Accademia. Or, if you’re going to be in the area for some time to come and you are really dedicated to the coffee-making process or work in selling and/making coffee, there are some longer courses offered by the Accademia about topics such as sensory analysis, modern coffee value chains, espresso extraction methods, and coffee processing.
Today, on the ground floor of the building, one finds the various exhibition spaces, including both the temporary exhibition and the permanent spaces; these are called Back In Time, Factory of Marvels, La Marzocca evolving DNA, Coffee, the Commodity, and the Greenhouse. In addition to the museum, the ground floor also houses the different labs – the Green Coffee Lab, the Roasting Lab, the Sensory Lab, the Extraction Lab, the Material Lab, the Ceramics Lab, and the Culinary Lab – the training room, the Grand Bar Accademia, La Marzocca Home, the conference room, the library, and the shop. The mezzanine, meanwhile, has offices used by those who work at the facility and the archive. In the basement there is a service centre and the Officine Fratelli Bambi, a workshop space that seeks to bring back traditional techniques and processes and is where handcrafted design of machines still takes place. The lab and museum spaces are, however, usually those that are opened to the public at large and that will likely be visited during your time at the Accademia.
Visits to the Accademia can readily be arranged and there are a few different options of experiences of this extraordinary coffee hub depending on your pre-existing knowledge, your interests, and how much time you have on your hands. You can simply take the guided tour, which brings visitors through the museum and historic building and ends in a tasting of special blends made specifically for the Accademia – this is probably the most common and popular option that visitors go for. However, if you want a more in-depth experience, you can join a more extensive and professional tasting session, learn to do latte art like a pro, learn home barista skills, learn about coffee roasting, or learn other skills by signing up to the special workshops offered at the Accademia. Or, if you’re going to be in the area for some time to come and you are really dedicated to the coffee-making process or work in selling and/making coffee, there are some longer courses offered by the Accademia about topics such as sensory analysis, modern coffee value chains, espresso extraction methods, and coffee processing.
An absolute key and must-see attraction in the area for coffee-lovers, this is a truly one-of-a-kind coffee facility where you can learn all about the coffee-making process from growing the beans to roasting blends, you can learn how to go about tasting and analysing the flavours and notes of coffee like a pro (as a sommelier might appreciate wine), you can learn how to make an incredible cup of coffee yourself, or you can simply come to enjoy and taste some delicious blends made on-site. If you seriously love your java and you have found a luxury villa in Florence or a holiday rental in Fiesole, then be sure to set aside some time to drop by and indulge in one of the best coffee experiences that Italy has to offer.
Accademia del Caffè Espresso
Via Bolognese, 68, 50014 Pian di San Bartolo-trespiano FI, Italy
+39 055 098 7301
visit@accademiaespresso.com
Opening hours:
Monday – Friday, 10am to 5pm
Saturday & Sunday, closed
Important: visits by reservation only.
Accademia del Caffè Espresso
Via Bolognese, 68, 50014 Pian di San Bartolo-trespiano FI, Italy
+39 055 098 7301
visit@accademiaespresso.com
Opening hours:
Monday – Friday, 10am to 5pm
Saturday & Sunday, closed
Important: visits by reservation only.
