Who We Are
Café Bel Etage is offered in North America by Silver Service Refreshment Systems, based in Centennial, Colorado. Our team works hard to bring an authentic European coffee experience to coffee lovers across the continent.
Founded in 1998 by the late Baker Heard, Silver Service has proudly served coffee drinkers in North America for over 20 years. Following Baker’s passing, the company was acquired by Olaf Blanken, an emigrant from South Africa who shares a passion for quality coffee and service.
Café Bel Etage is roasted in the town of Thalwil, Switzerland, with beans sourced from Colombia, Brazil, and Guatemala, blended according to a secret recipe. Its exceptional quality is enjoyed worldwide by industry professionals and coffee enthusiasts alike.
History
The origins of Café Bel Etage are closely tied to the heritage of Illycafé Switzerland, which points to its Italian roots in Trieste. Illycafé was founded in 1939 by Carlo Seitz from Basel, along with Francesco Illy and Roberto Hausbrandt from Trieste. From the beginning, the majority of the stake has been in Swiss hands.
Carlo Seitz acquired his expertise in Trieste before developing the business in Switzerland, where he established Illycafé as one of the finest names in the Swiss coffee market. He and his team played a key role in spreading espresso culture across Switzerland. Today, Illycafé Thalwil is proud to be independent of Illy in Trieste, Italy, and is regarded as a pioneer of Swiss coffee artistry.
Swiss Quality at Its Best
Illycafé is no ordinary coffee roaster. Using a refined three-phase roasting system, green coffee beans are carefully heated to 220°C, then cooled to lock in aroma. Over 800 volatile aromatic compounds develop during the 10–12 minute roast at 170–220°C, creating the rich, complex flavor for which Swiss coffee is renowned.
Unlike industrial roasters, the final decision on roast completion isn’t left to automation — the expertise of the roast master plays a critical role. Every bean is then individually inspected using the “Sortex” system, ensuring only perfectly roasted beans reach your cup.