Caffe D'arte has its headquarters in Seattle, the epicenter of the American espresso movement. A hidden gem of sorts, not always immediately recognizable to outsiders, Caffe D'arte, nonetheless, has a devoted following. If you haven't heard of this artisan roaster, consider this your official introduction.
Humble Beginnings
Like so many businesses, Caffe D'arte had a humble beginning. When Founder Mauro Cipolla and his family immigrated to Seattle in the 1970s, they found themselves cut off, disconnected from the Italian lifestyle and customs they had taken for granted. In the modern American metropolis, their former lives became a distant memory.
While the Cipolla family took the lost of cornetti (a beloved Italian pastry) in stride, try as they may they could not give up their traditional espresso. They addressed the issue with the help of Italian family members overseas, who generously shipped espresso machines to the States. However, the lack of good domestic coffee soon became a problem. The solution the Cipolla family came up with lead to the creation of Caffe D'arte in 1985.
Classic Italian Espresso in Seattle
Fueled by a relentless devotion to quality coffee and espresso, Caffe D'arte has since become a fixture on the Seattle coffee scene. The company's flagship cafes consistently earn high marks for their noteworthy beverages and highly trained baristas. Caffe D'arte's reputation for impeccable brews was further boosted by the results of the N.W. Coffee Tasting competition, where its blends won 5 out of 12 awards. After the unprecedented results of the blind tasting event, Caffe D'arte's Vice President Mauro Cipolla was asked by promoters to step out of the competition and act as a judge instead. 
What's so special about Caffe D'arte coffee and espresso that has its competitors running scared? For starters, the company's coffees have been carefully selected and roasted to create full-flavored brews. The most unique of Caffe D'arte's offerings are its signature Alderwood Blends, which includes Fabriano as well as Velletri Whole Bean and Velletri Ground coffee. These artisan blends are created using an authentic 1942 Balestra roaster with Northwestern Alder wood; the technique is far different than modern industrial roasting processes and it pays great dividends. Fabriano and Velletri both have a transcendent smoky flavor that is utterly unique to Caffe D'arte's Alderwood Blends. Fabriano is an espresso blend, while Velletri is made for drip coffee, so no matter what your preference, there's an Alderwood Blend waiting to be tasted.
Aside from the Alderwood Blends, Caffe D'arte also specializes in authentic Italian espresso. Four premium espressos, Firenze, Parioli, Capri and Taormina, offer a complete taste of traditional southern, central and northern Italian espresso. For the caffeine sensitive, Caffe D'arte also has a Decaffeinated Whole Bean Espresso. There are even Decaf and Firenze ESE Pods. Also, a fair-trade, certified organic whole bean espresso caters to the socially and environmentally conscious coffee lover.
Caffe D'arte isn't just about fine espresso; the roaster also makes phenomenal drip coffee. The most famous of which are Meaning of Life and Caffe D'arte Gourmet Drip coffees (available in medium and dark roasts as well as ground and whole bean), which took home the "Best Overall Coffee," "Best Morning Coffee," "Best After Dinner Coffee" and "Best Companion for Cognac" at the N.W. Coffee Tasting. Caffe D'arte Organico, a low-acid and earthy blend, is another highlight for the drip coffee line.
If you're new to the Caffe D'arte brand, our Whole Bean Sampler is the best way to familiarize yourself with this artisan roaster. This sampler represents Caffe D'arte's most famous blends to give you a taste of regional Italian espresso. There's much to praise where Caffe D'arte's prestigious blends are concerned, but it's simply one of those things you have to taste to appreciate.
