Drinking Espresso Differently with Café William

Before pulling an espresso, let’s get acquainted with dear William. This Quebec-based company specializes in producing organic and fair-trade coffees and offers a varied range—from smooth blends to espresso, including medium-roast options—each carrying the Aliments préparés au Québec certification. In short, there’s something for every taste. As one of the biggest players in Canada’s retail coffee market, Café William offers highly affordable prices. And we love that!

American Espresso vs. Italian Espresso

Now that you’ve fallen under William’s charm, we can take a closer look at the red label—their espresso collection. First of all, you should know that there are two types of espresso: Italian and American. The real difference lies in the color and, of course, the taste.

American espresso is known for being darker and more heavily roasted, which means less caffeine. Made with 100% Arabica beans, this espresso produces a less dense crema than its Italian cousin. As for Italian espresso, it is known for being a lighter roast, less roasted overall, giving it a higher caffeine level. On tough mornings, the choice is pretty obvious. Still, for the indecisive, it’s possible to create your own blend. Yes, you read that right. The best of both worlds when you want a bolder espresso with less surface oil. Mix the organic and fair-trade Barista Espresso available at Costco with the best-seller, the Italian Espresso—also organic and fair-trade—and you’re all set!

Our Favorite Recipe

Even though nothing beats a good cup of espresso, sometimes you just want to switch things up and treat yourself to a dessert that combines Italian finesse with Quebec creaminess. Here is our summer favorite recipe, which highlights William’s Italian Espresso in a different way:

Quebec-Style Affogato

The recipe: A shot of espresso over a scoop of Coaticook vanilla ice cream. For bonus points, add a drizzle of maple syrup or Coureur des bois cream liqueur for the adventurous.

Taste Italy without a passport? Yes, it’s possible with a Quebec-style affogato. You don’t even need to pronounce the name correctly to enjoy it. 

Now that we’ve created a new craving for you, head over to Café William’s online shop to add the full range of William Espresso to your cart! You’ll thank us later. Arrivederci!