As Serena Nobili, co-owner of Dini Caffè, said to our class during a recent visit, our lives revolve around a cup of coffee. It’s there at first dates, business deals, reunions, and even quick study breaks with classmates in a new city. Coffee isn’t just a drink- it’s a practice of connection. This passion, so evident in Serena’s words, runs deep in her family’s history.
Dini Caffè’s story begins with Serena’s grandfather, Alberto Dini, whose love for coffee turned into something much larger than himself. His passion became a mission that forged a lasting relationship with the city of Florence. Looking around their roasting space, I couldn’t help but think how proud Alberto would be to see the way his granddaughters Serena and Benedetta have carried on his vision, blending tradition with innovation and heart.
What impressed me most was how much care goes into every step of their process. Serena and Benedetta have traveled across the Coffee Belt- Honduras, India, Brazil, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Ethiopia- to connect with growers and understand coffee at its roots. They’re also founding members of the Certified Specialty Coffee association (CSC), which enforces strict standards for quality and authenticity. Their roasting process shows that extra thought: fresh roasting, single-plantation sourcing, and an air-cooling phase that protects aroma and taste.
One of the most memorable parts of our visit was when Serena invited us to explore their aromas. Together with classmates, we tried to pick up the subtle notes in different blends- floral, fruity, earthy. It was more difficult than it sounds, but it gave us a new appreciation for how complex coffee really is. In that moment, we felt like we were welcomed into their family tradition.
Dini Caffè is also a company grounded in values that look forward. Sustainability is woven into their processes: their pods and capsules are 100% compostable, waste coffee grounds are donated to Funghi Espresso to be reused as fertilizer, and their packaging uses ecological water-based inks.
Equally inspiring is their focus on women empowerment. One of their most meaningful projects, Doña Lucero, supports 80 Guatemalan women producers. Born through the collaboration of Dini Caffè, CSC, and the nonprofit Amka, the initiative offers women both economic opportunity and personal independence through coffee production. Purchasing Doña Lucero coffee means directly supporting female entrepreneurship- a theme close to Serena and Benedetta’s hearts. As a woman-owned business themselves, they understand how powerful representation and opportunity can be.
Walking away from Dini Caffè, what stayed with me was the theme of care. Care from Alberto, who started it all, from his granddaughters, who continue to innovate and give back, and care that is passed on to each of us when we sip their coffee here in Florence. For students like us, experiences like this are more than just outings- they’re ways of immersing ourselves in the culture that makes Florence unique, and reminders that even a cup of coffee can carry generations of history.
Written by: Ella Comparato and Sophie Galaburda