Italian instant chocolate and tea — the Ristora selection
Ristora instant chocolate and tea
Ristora instant chocolate powder for smooth hot drinks. 1 kg tin for vending and Ho.Re.Ca., prepared with hot water or milk depending on the recipe. Italian Signature: thick cream, intense cocoa, indulgent froth.
View the range →
Ristora instant teas for vending machines and Ho.Re.Ca.: mint green tea and lemon tea. 1 kg tin or pack of 6 × 1 kg. Quick preparation, consistent dosing.
View the range →Ristora's story begins in 1966 in Italy, when Luciano Pensante — a vending visionary — founds Prontofoods S.p.A. and launches his first brand: Ristora. At the time, vending is still in its infancy in Italy. Pensante sees the potential of investing in granulated milk powder, which he has discovered imported from the United States in sacks, and develops a complete range of instant drink preparations for vending machines.
The venture pays off: over the following decades, Ristora becomes Italy's vending leader in instant hot drinks — instant chocolate, instant tea, cappuccino, coffee + ginseng. The Prontofoods group then expands through successive acquisitions: Maraviglia, Idrolitina, Frizzina and the historic site in Sant'Olcese (Genoa), followed by the French Prolait milk powder brand, West End (a ginseng coffee specialist), and finally Crastan S.p.A. in 2019 (Italy's leader in instant barley drinks). From 1997 to 2001, Ristora is an official sponsor of Brescia Calcio, during the era of Roberto Baggio, Pep Guardiola and Andrea Pirlo.
Today, Prontofoods S.p.A. is based in Montichiari (Brescia, Lombardy), with two production sites covering 126 000 m², plus one site in Sant'Olcese (Genoa) and two in Pontedera (Pisa) for Crastan — all production remains in Italy. The group employs more than 400 people, exports to ~80 countries, and is Italy's largest packer of tea, camomile, infusions and herbal teas in bags (29 packing lines). Ristora offers its range through 3 channels: Retail (boxes, cans, sticks, capsules), Vending (1 kg, 500 g, 250 g packs), Ho.Re.Ca. (hotels, restaurants, canteens, catering).
What has defined Ristora since 1966: 4 pillars of expertise that explain its position as Italy's leading brand of instant hot drink mixes.
Ristora is Prontofoods' first brand, created specifically to enter the emerging Italian vending market. Luciano Pensante was a pioneer with granulated milk powder, followed by chocolate, instant tea and cappuccino — the foundations of today's hot drinks vending range.
Ristora covers the full range of instant drink mixes: instant chocolate, instant tea (lemon, peach…), instant cappuccino, instant coffee and ginseng coffee, granulated milk powder, and hot chocolate mixes. Available in 1 kg, 500 g, 250 g packs and single-serve sticks.
All Prontofoods production remains in Italy: Montichiari (Brescia), covering 126 000 m² (head office & 2 sites), Sant'Olcese (Genoa), Pontedera (Pisa, Crastan). Italy's largest packer of tea, camomile, infusions and herbal teas in bags: 29 packing lines.
Ristora offers its range through 3 channels: Retail (supermarkets and hypermarkets, boxes/cans/sticks/capsules), Vending (Italian market leader, pack sizes 1 kg → 250 g), Ho.Re.Ca. (hotels/restaurants/canteens/airline & maritime catering). Exports to ~80 countries.
The 4 Ristora products most ordered by our customers — Italian instant chocolate and tea.
The Ristora brand was founded in 1966 in Italy by Luciano Pensante, founder of Prontofoods S.p.A. — official source: ristora.it/en/history. It is the group's first brand, launched specifically to enter Italy's emerging vending market.
As of 2026, the brand has 60 years of history and remains the flagship brand of the Prontofoods group, alongside other long-established brands (Idrolitina, Frizzina, Maraviglia, Ideal, Prolait, Crastan, West End).
Ristora's production is 100% Italian. The Prontofoods S.p.A. group keeps all its production in Italy, across several sites:
The group employs more than 400 people and is Italy's largest packer of tea, camomile, infusions and herbal teas in bags.
At Cafemalin, we stock two complementary Ristora hot drinks ranges:
Both formats are designed for professional use (Ho.Re.Ca., vending, canteens), but also work very well for frequent use at home.
Yes, Ristora is the flagship brand of the Italian group Prontofoods S.p.A., based in Montichiari (Brescia, Lombardy). The group also owns several other long-established brands:
Prontofoods is Italy's largest packer of teas and infusions in bags and one of Europe's leading producers of instant mixes.
Yes, Ristora's range has evolved:
Check each product page for the pack size and applicable certifications.
Ristora instant mixes are designed to be quick and easy to use:
Reseal the packaging tightly after use and store away from moisture to preserve the powder's texture.
Buying guideWhich Delta Q capsule should you choose by intensity? Qharacter 9 / Qharisma 12 / Epiq 14 / UniQ 16.
Limited back-to-school offer 2026: Get 10% off everything at Cafemalin
Covim Granbar or Orocrema: which Lavazza Firma-compatible capsule should you choose?
Lavazza Crema e Aroma Expert vs Crema Classica: which coffee beans should you choose?
