The Torani Story

For over 80 years, familiar Torani labels in bold shades of red, gold and blue have been visible in coffeehouses, restaurants and consumer kitchens. Torani, the premier brand of R. Torre & Company, is the most recognized flavored specialty syrup brand in North America and its products have spanned generations and inspired creativity.

How It All Began…
The year was 1925. America was witnessing the dawn of the Jazz Age with hooch, speakeasies and flappers with bobbed hair. The tone was set for a new, modern world where leisure time was suddenly socially acceptable—not for just F. Scott Fitzgerald's wealthy swells, but for the masses. Meanwhile, in cosmopolitan San Francisco, husband and wife Rinaldo and Ezilda Torre began blending Italian syrups from original heirloom syrup recipes that Rinaldo had brought to America from his home in Lucca, Italy.

The pair soon perfected their first five flavors — Anisette, Grenadine, Lemon, Orgeat (almond) and Tamarindo and shared them with their neighbors throughout North Beach, San Francisco's flourishing Italian community. Mixed with soda water, the syrups were instantly a local favorite, and thus the flavors of Italy were recreated in America in the form of the Italian Soda. This is how R. Torre & Company was born and a line of authentic Italian syrups emerged, under the brand name "Torani."

Creating the Modern Classic: the Flavored Latte
Over the next 60 years, Torani grew into a nationally-recognized brand. Then, in the 1980s, Torani associate and coffee industry veteran "Brandy" Brandenburger added a shot of Torani to an espresso drink. He hoped the flavor might lend a new appeal to the traditional beverage. What a discovery! Brandenburger took his flavored latte to the streets of the Pacific Northwest and introduced this novel concept one café at a time until flavored coffee devotees dominated the region. Soon coffee lovers everywhere were requesting Torani-flavored espresso drinks and a new American classic was born.

Still Family-Owned
Much has changed in the last 84 years but Torani is still family-owned and -operated in South San Francisco, not far from its North Beach origins. In 1956, Harry Lucheta assumed operation of R. Torre & Co. from his mother-in-law, Ezilda Torre. Having spent many summer vacations honing their skills in the Torani business, Rinaldo and Ezilda's grandchildren, Paul and Lisa, maintain active roles in the company. All family members have carried on the passion for food and flavor that launched the company so many years ago.

Torani Today
Torani now exports over 80 syrup flavors across the country and around the world.  Torani is the most recognized flavored syrup brand and continues to offer new ways to add flavor and originality to beverages.  Torani also offers a wide-variety of other flavorful products, including indulgent sauces and premium smoothie bases for cafés and restaurants to set their menus apart and entice their customers. For more information, visit www.torani.com or call 800-775-1925.

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