Espresso machines

Espresso coffee machines are designed to give you a very small volume of extremely intense flavoured coffee.

Nowadays, espresso machines are quite commonplace. However, as espresso coffee has traditionally been enjoyed in Italy, Spain and Portugal, only manufacturers from these countries are truly expert in the production of the very best machines.

Gaggia, the originators of espresso / cappuccino coffee machines and La Pavoni, both Italian, have in recent years been joined by Jura, Swiss – Italian sector, each offering a wide range of equipment.

Based on years of experience we have come to regard each one of these manufacturers to be outstanding in their field.

As to the advantages machines have over stovetop pots, well, the former offers a better and more even pressure to obtain the best crème, the thick creamy looking head of froth on the top of your espresso.

Remember that only a maximum of two cups can be made from each loading of the coffee basket. This makes these machines ideal for personal use or for entertaining a few guests at an intimate gathering, but perhaps a little fiddly for large dinner parties.

Finally, although one should not really be so materialistic, it is also a great status symbol to show off in your kitchen.

Advice on "using espresso machines" can be found via the link in the yellow column, on the left hand side of this page.

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Gaggia

Gaggia's model range is very diverse; ranging from the less expensive compact, low wattage pump operated machines with aluminium coffee holders to fully automatic bean to cup units offering precise, computer controled, coffee delivery.

In our opinion Gaggia’s expertise is best displayed in the mid to upper-mid price range of pump operated machines with the following models being shining examples …

• Cubika
• Espresso and Espresso Deluxe
• Evolution
• Coffee and Coffee Deluxe
• Baby, Baby Dose, Baby Class, Baby Class Dose and Baby Class Twin

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La Pavoni

Since the 1980s, La Pavoni have ventured into pump-operated machines; but it is their original and exquisitely finished lever operated machines that we praise and prize most.

Once again in our opinion, the following models are unsurpassed for their simplicity of design and hence the years of faithful service they can and do offer …

• Europiccola
• Professional

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Jura Impressa

What can one say, other than these are Swiss manufactured machines.

Naturally, be it cuckoo clocks, trains or banking services, all Swiss products work superbly offering years of unfaltering service with fantastic ease of use, crisp, accurate and smooth operation.

These espresso machines are no exception to the rule.

We cannot fault any single model and can therefore recommend the entire range …

• C5
• F50 Aluminium
• F70 Aluminium
• F9 Chrome
• F90 Aluminium
• J5
• S70 Avantgarde
• S9 Avantgarde
• Z5

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