The Gaggia Classic Coffee Machine
Espresso is an Italian invention so it is no surprise that the Italian company Gaggia produced the first steam pressured espresso machine - way back in 1948 - Achille Gaggia improved on an earlier invention of his to produce the pressure required to create a true espresso - short, dark, aromatic, strong and with a perfect crema - all in 15 seconds.
Gaggia machines were the machine of choice in Rome, Milan and London from the 1950's onwards, but it wasn't until 1977 that Gaggia launched a consumer product.
The Gaggia Classic RI8161 coffee machine is a machine that you should consider as an introduction to the production of real espresso in the home. You will be able to reproduce the experience you get in your local Starbucks or Costas. The machine is not just classic by name but look at the classic lines and Italian design - it is simply beautiful to look at. If you are looking for a first ever espresso machine, this is the perfect entry level model - consistent over time, perfect results and a price that will not break the bank. It has a 1.2 litre tank so you do not constantly need to refill it and the essential 15 bars of pressure required for true espresso - don't accept anything less.
The machine comes with coffee filters for one or two cups of ground coffee and additionally with a special filter for easy serve espresso pods - shortened to ESE pods. Like all Gaggia's coffee machines, the Classic has two special 'crema perfetta' filters - these allow you to use either ground coffee or coffee pods.
It is recommended that a fine 'espresso grind' is used, but the crema perfetta filters will correct slight errors in the grind - ensuring the perfect espresso each time. Keep your beans in the fridge in an airtight container and only grind them just before you want to make an espresso.
The Gaggia Classic coffee machine comes with a turbo frother that will create that creamy froth required for cappuccino - froth your milk and add an espresso at the end. The frother is perfect for lovers of full fat milk - however if you are into skinny lattes or soy based milks, you may want to improve the oomph of the frother by purchasing a Rancillio Silvia steam pipe as an optional extra - this will create perfect froth whatever milk you use and works out cheaper than buying a far more expensive coffee machine.
You need to experiment with tamping - like with all machines but once you have the required tamp, you will be brewing espresso like a professional barista. (Tamping is levelling and slightly compressing the coffee grounds in the filter cup before inserting it into the machine).
At this stage experiment with different beans as your starting point - this machine is so proficient that it will maintain the differing flavours of each type of bean - unlike some cheaper alternatives.
Will it last - well Gaggia have been making them for decades and the build quality is outstanding - you can rest assured that it will last.
Gaggia machines were the machine of choice in Rome, Milan and London from the 1950's onwards, but it wasn't until 1977 that Gaggia launched a consumer product.
The Gaggia Classic RI8161 coffee machine is a machine that you should consider as an introduction to the production of real espresso in the home. You will be able to reproduce the experience you get in your local Starbucks or Costas. The machine is not just classic by name but look at the classic lines and Italian design - it is simply beautiful to look at. If you are looking for a first ever espresso machine, this is the perfect entry level model - consistent over time, perfect results and a price that will not break the bank. It has a 1.2 litre tank so you do not constantly need to refill it and the essential 15 bars of pressure required for true espresso - don't accept anything less.
The machine comes with coffee filters for one or two cups of ground coffee and additionally with a special filter for easy serve espresso pods - shortened to ESE pods. Like all Gaggia's coffee machines, the Classic has two special 'crema perfetta' filters - these allow you to use either ground coffee or coffee pods.
It is recommended that a fine 'espresso grind' is used, but the crema perfetta filters will correct slight errors in the grind - ensuring the perfect espresso each time. Keep your beans in the fridge in an airtight container and only grind them just before you want to make an espresso.
The Gaggia Classic coffee machine comes with a turbo frother that will create that creamy froth required for cappuccino - froth your milk and add an espresso at the end. The frother is perfect for lovers of full fat milk - however if you are into skinny lattes or soy based milks, you may want to improve the oomph of the frother by purchasing a Rancillio Silvia steam pipe as an optional extra - this will create perfect froth whatever milk you use and works out cheaper than buying a far more expensive coffee machine.
You need to experiment with tamping - like with all machines but once you have the required tamp, you will be brewing espresso like a professional barista. (Tamping is levelling and slightly compressing the coffee grounds in the filter cup before inserting it into the machine).
At this stage experiment with different beans as your starting point - this machine is so proficient that it will maintain the differing flavours of each type of bean - unlike some cheaper alternatives.
Will it last - well Gaggia have been making them for decades and the build quality is outstanding - you can rest assured that it will last.
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