Top 5 coffee machines to invest in
Words: Guy Aubrey Devito
You may well love coffee and you may well drink it every day but many of us still don’t have coffee machines at home. The reason for this is simple: confusion. Do you get a La Pavoni or a De’ Longhi, a pod machine or a bean-to-cup machine? Don’t worry, we’ve sifted through the options and identified the top five coffee machines.
LA PAVONI EUROPICCOLA
The longevity of the La Pavoni Europiccola is simply astonishing – it first went into production in 1950 and is part of Italian design history. The Europiccola is what’s known as a lever machine, whereby you hand pump espresso through the machine, similar to the way a pint of ale is drawn. This system is best for those who want a simple, aesthetically pleasing machine for occasional use.
€553 from Lapavoni
NESPRESSO CITZ AND MILK
There are mixed views on capsule coffee machines – some people love how easy and clean they are, while others see them eroding the traditions of fine Italian coffee. The capsules are more expensive than buying coffee in packets but produce much finer espresso than much of what’s available in supermarkets. Nespresso systems are ideal for those who a fairly regular coffee drinkers who don’t want the mess and hassle that many machines can cause.
£75 from Nespresso
DE’ LONGHI MAGNIFICA
The Magnifica range by De’ Longhi includes some of the most popular bean-to-cup machines available. A bean-to-cup machine has a built-in handle, no portafilter (removable handle) and many also have milk frothers built into them. These machines are suitable for those who drink a lot of coffee but don’t have much time to lovingly make it each morning. In general these machines make a decent enough cup of coffee, though with the ease of use you do sacrifice a degree of coffee quality.
Approx £350 from Delonghi
GAGGIA CAREZZA DELUXE
Gaggia make wonderful mid-range coffee machines and are the option for those who want the quintessential Italian espresso experience without having to break the bank. They are terrifically designed, easy on the eye and incredibly easy to use. These machines are perfect for coffee lovers who will use the machine regularly and, although Gaggias don’t have the longest lifespans, they will work perfectly for two or three years.
£249.95 from Gaggia
SAGE BY HESTON BLUMENTHAL
This bean-to-cup machine, is wonderfully complicated – as you would probably expect with any product carrying Blumenthal’s name. The Sage has been extremely well reviewed and is recommended for those who want to try a new approach to coffee. Its design is significantly different to most kitchen counter coffee machines and should hopefully provide an exciting new take on the traditional Italian beverages.
£549.99 from Sage Appliances
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