Another topic that is very close to our hearts is the machines that you, as customers, use in your homes.
You often hear that espresso is only real espresso if it comes from an E61 machine. But what about the other "espresso systems"?
For beginners, we offer small thermoblock machines, most of which use a ring brewing unit. They heat up quickly and you're ready to go.
The difference between a thermoblock and an E61 group head lies in the method used to extract the espresso. And that's precisely where the difference in taste lies.
Faster brewing time, higher pressure... same crema, but a significantly smoother taste. Sometimes perhaps a slightly more pronounced acidity (like a light white wine... ;-)))
Our experience: It's possible to pull a good espresso from any machine. A high-quality grinder and fresh beans remain essential.
...and with the milk foam... the small thermoblocks also help you conjure up a fluffy, soft milk foam... it just takes a little practice and a bit more time than with a boiler machine...