Well sometimes being pathetic works – for example crying and going all puppy dog faced so that the driving test instructor would give you your license. So that’s exactly what we did when we could only afford the cheapest supermarket beans. And that is how we received a tin of Illy’s espresso beans.

At about S$14 – S$20 a tin for 250g (depending which supermarket you’re in), these supermarket imported beans is pretty much on the pricey side. Illy proudly inks on the tin that the blend is 100% Arabica and a caffeine content of 5%. I’ve been hearing from folks that they’ve been enjoying illy beans at cafes. Most comment on the milder, less acidic and less bitter taste which they enjoy.

The beans are packed in a screw top cap and sealed in a tin peel top sealing in the goodness. Feels quite shiok when you’re ‘unboxing’ the tin. ‘Made in Italy’ is printed on the tin which leaves you to wonder how long the shipping process occurred before these arrived on our shelves, even if the ‘Best Before’ date states 03/2009. The chocolate coloured beans look like a medium roast and is surprisingly aromatic.

In the week that we were drinking illy, you realise it is a mild bean. Though Crema was a little thin and weak (we’re told is due to the longer roast-to-distributor-to shelve process), the beans are a very forgiving blend. No matter how fine/coarse or hard/light tamp we made, the shots were never torrid or horribly bitter. I mean you just couldn’t pull a puke worthy shot. Like a priest in church – forgiving till your next confession session.

Bean Score: 3 3/4 out of 5 – At carrefour? Got money? Try it.