Timeline of Modern Italian Coffee

Posted on July 18 2025

At Caffè Ducale, we call what we serve Modern Italian Coffee™, but to understand where we’re going, we have to look at where it began.

Here’s a brief journey through our coffee’s evolution, from its Italian roots to its modern-day revival.

Late 1500s: Coffee Arrives in Italy

Introduced to Europe via Venetian traders, coffee found an eager audience in Italy, where it quickly became more than a drink. It became a daily ritual, a social cue, a reason to gather.

1700s: The Rise of the Italian Coffeehouse

Coffeehouses flourished across Italy, becoming cultural meeting points. Meanwhile, coffee plants arrived in Brazil, laying the groundwork for the country’s dominance in coffee production and cementing the global coffee economy.

1880s: Migration & Cultural Roots

Thousands of Italians migrated to Brazil, many to work on coffee farms, deepening the country’s ties to the bean and strengthening the cultural connection that still exists today.

1950s-60s: Espresso Lands in Melbourne

As Italians settled in Australia post-WWII, they brought espresso culture with them. A new wave of cafes opened in Melbourne, changing the city’s coffee landscape forever.

1990s: Caffè Ducale Launches in Melbourne

Rooted in traditional Italian roasting and flavour, Caffè Ducale began roasting in Melbourne, offering a bolder, darker alternative to the rising third-wave scene.

2000s: Specialty Coffee Rises

Melbourne became a global leader in specialty coffee, driven by sourcing transparency, lighter roasts, and barista-led brewing. In the process, many traditional Italian roasters, including Caffè Ducale, were overlooked.

2025: The Revival of Modern Italian Coffee™

Today, Caffè Ducale is reborn. Our vision blends Italian coffee heritage with contemporary Australian taste. We’re bringing bold, smooth coffee back into the spotlight – the kind you've always loved to drink since your very first cup.