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South China Morning Post
14 hours ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
Meet the Chinese baristas keeping Italian cafe culture alive
At around 9:30 nearly every morning, 81-year-old Claudio Gatta passes the famous Accademia Bridge on the Grand Canal in Venice and steps into Bar Foscarini, ordering an espresso and a tuna sandwich for breakfast. He will have two more espressos there in the afternoon. True to his Italian roots, he has stuck to this coffee routine for as long as he can remember. Equally unmoving, Bar Foscarini has been around for more than 70 years, a quintessential Italian coffee bar, with a long, dark marble counter upon which sits an espresso machine polished to a mirror shine. The menu features what you would expect: coffee and sandwiches for the morning, aperitivo, pasta and pizza for later. Gatta takes a sip of the espresso and teases Sophia, the young barista. 'Hey, you went back to China last month to visit your family. How come you didn't bring back a husband?' Barista Sophia serves coffee on the terrace of Bar Foscarini, which sits beside the Grand Canal in Venice. Photo: Federico Sutera Sophia flushes and continues the banter like old friends, part of the well-worn rapport between local regulars and counter staff. 'Come on! I'm only 20 years old!' she replies in Italian. Born Li Jiayi, Sophia migrated to Italy from Putian, in Fujian province, when she was 11. The other counter staff and the owner of this Venetian establishment are all Chinese, too. Next to Sophia stands Zia, née Weng Qinglan, also from Fujian, prepping ingredients for the day's food service. The 47-year-old chef has worked in the food and beverage industry since she arrived 17 years ago. 'When I first came to Italy, there were hardly any Chinese people running cafes,' says Zia. 'Now there are more and more. Around St Mark's Square , most of the cafes are run by Chinese.'
Gizmodo
15-07-2025
- Business
- Gizmodo
If You Missed Coffee Machine on Prime Day, Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Bundle Just Got Even Cheaper Now
There's something about that first sip of coffee in the morning that can set the tone for your entire day. Really, for a lot of us, grabbing a cup from a local coffee shop feels like second nature, but those daily runs can add up fast. You can spend a lot of cash on doing those things every day and not even realize it until you're spending $50 a week or more on coffee drinks you could make at home. Check out Amazon to get the Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ Coffee and Espresso Machine with Aeroccino Milk Frother for just $132, down from its usual price of $179. That's $47 off and a discount of 26%. See at Amazon This machine makes it super easy to brew some delicious coffee in the blink of an eye. Even if you're not a coffee expert, it can simplify the whole brewing process for you. You pop in a capsule, hit one button, and that's it. The machine reads the barcode on each Nespresso Vertuo pod to automatically adjust brewing time and temperature, which means you don't have to mess with any settings. It brews everything from a quick espresso to a larger, more traditional cup of coffee, and it does it quickly too. You'll go from capsule to cup in under a minute. And that's fast enough to help get you out of bed and out the door with a caffeine fix each day. It's pretty small and compact too, which makes it good for small kitchens, counters, or home offices. Even still, it can help deliver a rich, full-bodied coffee experience that rivals what you'd get from more expensive machines. It's also one of the few models in this size class that offers the same advanced Centrifusion technology found in Nespresso's higher-end machines, so if you ever want to upgrade, you can get a taste of that world early. Plus, because it's part of the Vertuo line, you'll have access to Nespresso's wide range of coffee and espresso pods, including limited editions and seasonal flavors. Right now's great time to make the switch to brewing at home. You get almost 30% off now off its regular cost, which makes it easier to brew up some premium espresso and incorporate it into your daily routine without the premium price tag. If you're tired of long lines, admittedly gross coffee, or the money drain of stopping at Starbucks every single day, you should grab this coffee maker. See at Amazon
Forbes
14-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Coffee: The Essential ‘Perk' Of A Perfect Hotel Or Resort Stay
Lavazza, an Italian manufacturer of coffee products, was founded in Turin in 1895 by Luigi Lavazza. getty When you wake up at the Montauk Yacht Club in the Hamptons, you can smell the rich aroma of the in-room machine brewing your morning cup of coffee. On top of the minibar in every room, guests will find an espresso machine by Lavazza, the venerable, family-owned, Turin-based coffee company. A variety of coffee pods, filtered water, and eye-catching porcelain espresso cups accompany the service. Sipping the coffee on your patio or deck with the sun beaming on the water, you might forget you are on Long Island and harken back to memories of a stay on the Italian Riviera. Many cultures worldwide begin the day with a coffee ritual, whether at home or traveling. A 2025 report by the National Coffee Association (NCA) found that two-thirds of Americans drink at least one cup of coffee each day, with the average American coffee drinker consuming three. Waking up to a disappointing cup of coffee at a luxury hotel or resort can leave a bad taste. Not just literally. It can also negatively affect a guest's overall impression of their stay. The mere thought of enduring a week or more of watery, tasteless, or bitter coffee can be daunting. Negative comments slamming in-room coffee service abound on Reddit threads and Tripadvisor reviews. 'As I sit here in my room at…with my little cup of brown liquid that tastes of regret and despair, I wonder, 'Why do hotels even bother with this?' Hotel coffee sucks 95% of the time,' wrote one Reddit user. The industry publication International Communicaffe found that two-thirds of consumers judge the quality of a hotel or restaurant based on the quality of their coffee. It can also affect rebooking decisions. As coffee lovers become more knowledgeable and discerning about the sourcing, roasting, brewing, sustainability and taste of coffee, this creates pressure on the hospitality industry to meet their expectations. As a result, hoteliers are upping their game when it comes to coffee service. The American Penchant For All Things Italian, Including Coffee Vintage Vespa Scooter getty Italy is renowned for its sophisticated style and taste, which permeate various aspects of its culture, including fashion, food, wine, and automobiles. This "Made in Italy" ethos also extends to its celebrated coffee culture. Coffee in the Bel Paese has been an integral part of Italian life since the early 20th century. "Enjoying an espresso or cappuccino is not just a routine—it is a moment to slow down and savor," says Daniele Foti, Lavazza North American Marketing Vice President. This sentiment, he says, encapsulates Lavazza's "La Dolce Vita" philosophy, which celebrates the beauty of everyday life found in small, intentional pleasures. Looking at trends, the NCA report found that consumption of espresso-based beverages (which include cappuccinos, espressos, lattes, caffe mochas, macchiatos, flat whites and Americanos) increased by a whopping 17% from 2020 to 2025. Foti believes that Americans are drawn to Italian coffee, not just for its quality and flavor, but also for the cultural experience it represents, which includes authenticity, simplicity, and connection. Lavazza: A Case Study of Italian Coffee's Hospitality Expansion Lavazza Cafe at Montauk Yacht Club Lavazza To expand its footprint in the U.S., Lavazza has been developing partnerships with properties and companies whose values resonate with those of the coffee maker. Initial partners include the Four Seasons, Ennismore, Dinex Group, Paris Baguette, Eataly, Princess Cruises and high-profile events like the U.S. Open, Art Basel, Aspen One, and Taste of SLS. Lavazza tailors its offerings to each partner from a menu that can include espresso-based beverages, cold brew, specialty drinks and brewed coffee made with Lavazza premium blends. They may even train baristas. For example, at the Montauk Yacht Club, Lavazza designed a 360° coffee experience. Touchpoints at the resort include a branded cafe/market, in-room coffee kits, a poolside cart, and a custom Lavazza-infused dining and cocktail menu with items such as tiramisu, chilled mousse, and espresso martinis. A Lavazza Tiramisu Martini Lavazza Hotel Clio, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Denver's Cherry Creek section, also selected Lavazza as their preferred coffee source. 'The array of blends and single-origin coffees is among the best in the world in terms of flavor and consistency,' says Christopher Polys, Marketing Manager. He explains that the Luxury Collection has its own Italian heritage, originating from the brand Compagnia Italiana Grandi Alberghi (CIGA). The Clio Hotel offers Lavazza in-room espresso and 24-hour drip in the lobby, using the Lavazza Crema line, which is suitable for classic on-the-go American coffees that use milk and sugar, he says. Waking up at the Hotel Clio Denver Hotel Clio The hotel's in-house restaurant, Toro by Chef Richard Sandoval, uses the Top Class line for desserts, like Toro's Mexican Affogato, and highlights the coffee with a complementary chocolate pairing at the hotel's 'Tuesday Epicurean Moments'. A Winning Marketing Strategy Coffee at home getty Hospitality partnerships like these upgrade the consumer coffee experience and, by association, simultaneously enhance the prestige of the property/company serving it. 'Guests in the luxury segment today expect excellence in the smallest details,' says Leah Miller, a marketing strategist with Versys Media. 'Coffee is no longer just a wake-up call; it's an aesthetic and sensory extension of the brand.' The Italian ritual of stopping at a favorite bar before work for a quick espresso or cappuccino accompanied by a sweet pastry is still familiar in Italy. However, most coffee consumption in the U.S. and Italy takes place at home. Lavazza's win-win hospitality partnerships also pay off in sales by introducing (or reintroducing) hotel and resort guests to its premium Italian coffee brand, which they can enjoy at home or away.
CNN
14-07-2025
- Business
- CNN
The best budget espresso machines in 2025, tried and tested
The best budget espresso machines I tested Best budget espresso machine: Breville Bambino Best under-$150 espresso machine: Casabrews 3700 Essential Is there such a thing as the best budget espresso machine? If you're an espresso aficionado, you're probably thinking you don't just need good beans; you need quality tools, such as the best espresso machine and the best coffee grinder. And those are hard to make with cheap materials. The answer to if a great budget espresso machine exists isn't so straightforward. It's a contentious subject to be sure, as evidenced by emails I've received from readers demanding why I haven't recommended any high-end machines costing $6,000 to $15,000 in my original espresso machine guide. But I truly believe that while it's true you likely won't find the best of the best in the under-$200 aisle, you also don't have to break the bank to get good espresso. Over the years, I have used and tested my share of budget espresso machines. And although not many of those coffee makers were able to deliver as good an espresso as the pricier models, a handful were more than capable of satiating my discerning caffeine cravings. So, I set off to find the best budget espresso machine on the market. I capped the price at $350 and tested to see which models could deliver crema-topped espresso shots that were rich, robust and almost as good as what you might get out of a much pricier model. Copious amounts of caffeine later, I found two that blew me away. Breville Bambino Espresso Machine It's hard to believe this small but mighty machine from Breville is only $300, considering its fast heat-up, great-quality espresso shots and intuitive user interface. This is hands-down the best machine I tested in this budget range. Casabrews 3700 Essential Espresso Machine You wouldn't believe the gorgeous microfoam and rich espresso shots this budget espresso machine can consistently deliver without much effort from you. This cheap option surprised me in the best way possible. When it comes to budget espresso machines, lines start to blur when talking about quality. It gets harder to tell the difference between the shots you pull from a $250 machine versus the ones you get from a $150 machine. But that's not the case when it came to the Breville Bambino. Try as I might to find a more affordable best budget espresso machine winner, the Breville Bambino proved itself the obvious ace from beginning to end. And that's with the slightly pricier De'Longhi Dedica Maestro coming up not too far behind with its extra frills. There are so many things to love about this Breville machine that it's hard to think of things not to like. I love its portable, small footprint design, which makes it a perfect fit for those with limited counter space. I love its sleek, beautiful and almost-luxurious aesthetic that makes it hard to believe that it's as affordable as it is. And I love its unbelievably quick warm-up of about five seconds and instant steam, thanks to its fancy thermojet heating system. (I hate having to wait for my machine to do its thing before I can have my first jolt of caffeine in the morning.) Those are just to start. One of the main things that makes the Bambino a superior choice over the runner-up Dedica Maestro is its simple, intuitive controls. While the Dedica Maestro has a bit of a steep learning curve, especially with the steam wand, the beginner-friendly Bambino makes things so effortless you don't even need espresso-making experience to get good results. It even has an automatic steam button for automated milk steaming, as well as a dedicated hot water button, so it's not confusing to the uninitiated as to whether steam or hot water is about to come out of the wand. Results-wise, I was able to pull hot, rich, robust and well-balanced espresso shots with beautiful, thick cream every single time, as well as good microfoam, even with milk alternatives, and in just under one minute too. The most common problem with budget espresso machines is that many don't deliver consistent results, but that is a nonissue with the Bambino. I would have loved a better-quality accessory set and a locking mechanism similar to that of the Breville Oracle Jet to make it easier to insert the portafilter, but those don't take much away from the overall experience. Even with those flaws, the Breville Bambino is still hands-down the best budget espresso machine I've ever tested. Related article The best espresso machines in 2025, tried and tested I cannot tell you that the Casabrews 3700 Essential is a perfect machine, as it has its share of inconveniences. These are mainly its accessories, which are cheap and, therefore, annoying to handle (even the mere act of removing used coffee pucks), and its body doesn't stay put when securing the portafilter, making the machine itself somewhat annoying to use. However, in its defense, these are more like rules rather than exceptions with most budget espresso machines in its price range, because to keep them cheap, manufacturers have to offset the cost somewhere. So, it's hard to fault it for those common issues. What's important is that despite those flaws, the Casabrews 3700 Essential outperformed every machine I tested in its price range and even a couple of the pricier models, too — an impressive feat, especially considering this isn't even one of Casabrew's flagship products. The 3700 Essential heats up faster than the slightly pricier Casabrews 5418 and takes under 20 seconds to pull a double shot, which is a few seconds longer than most of the models in my testing pool. And while its shots are only slightly richer and more balanced than the others, they are consistent in quality and temperature, unlike the much pricier Casabrews Ultra. What I love most about the Casabrews 3700 Essential, however, is its microfoaming prowess. Not only is there no waiting time for the steam wand, but that steam wand also proved formidable in consistently creating beautiful microfoam, even with tricky milk alternatives. Honestly, I didn't have to work hard to get microfoam with oat milk; this legendary steam wand does most of it. Heck, it produced better microfoam than any of the models during testing, even the Breville Bambino above, allowing me to make amazing lattes. If you love crafting your coffee drinks, you really cannot go wrong with this one. Of course, I love its compact design and easy, intuitive controls as well, though do bear in mind that you'll still need to practice using a steam dial if you're better acquainted with the automatic steam button format. All these make the Casabrews 3700 Essential the best under-$150 espresso machine, whether you're on a tight budget or don't have space for anything bigger. It may not have the fancy frills of much pricier machines, but it's worth every single penny. Budget espresso machines generally have fewer features than midrange and high-end espresso machines, so testing them was straightforward. That said, I still tested each machine for a week, using it as my main espresso maker two to three times daily. Since these espresso machines also take up less space, I could test all nine machines at once and perform side-by-side taste tests on top of that. As with my best espresso machines guide, many of my test variables were kept the same: Canyon Coffee Sagebrush and Stumptown Coffee Roasters Hair Bender for my beans, and the Fellow Opus Conical Burr for my grinder. All the machines in the product pool came with a built-in steam wand or milk frother, so I didn't need to use a separate milk frother during testing. To whittle down the long list to the best budget espresso machines, I focused on the following criteria during product review and testing. Quality of coffee extraction: I judged every espresso machine's ability to consistently extract rich espresso with a balanced flavor profile and a lovely layer of crema. Because budget espresso machines can be less reliable when it comes to maintaining the same brewing temperature, I paid attention to that as well. Quality of milk froth: The addition of a steam wand or a milk frother is useful because, even with a cheap machine, it can be easy to make coffee drinks without investing in additional tools. That said, the ability of a budget machine's steam wand or milk frother isn't always guaranteed, especially when it comes to producing microfoam with milk alternatives. I made sure to test that, as well as record the amount of time the steam wand needed to warm up and the amount of time it required to make foam. Heat-up time: Some espresso machines take longer to start up and heat up than others. Now, I love the slow art of making coffee in the morning; that's like my meditation. However, we don't always have the luxury of time, especially in the mornings, so I noted how long it took for each machine to be ready to brew after turning it on. Build quality: Though not always, many budget espresso machines (and their included accessories) tend to be made of cheaper materials to keep the cost down to that sweet below-$350 spot. Still, I assessed each machine, its accessories and its controls to see if they're robust and durable enough to endure repeated use over the years. Water tank capacity: Due to their more compact nature, most budget espresso machines have a smaller water tank. Luckily, these machines do not tend to flush out during startup and shutdown, reducing their water consumption during use. Still, I noted the number of drinks I can make before the machine requires a refill. Ease of use: Some budget espresso machines are easier than others to use, so I jotted down any information of note during setup and testing. Ease of cleanup and maintenance: When speaking to Casey Wojtalewicz, co-owner of Canyon Coffee and a coffee connoisseur, for this guide, he insisted that you shouldn't 'sleep on cleaning,' so I made sure to check whether or not each machine is easy to clean by doing so according to the manufacturer's instructions. Price: One thing I learned from testing nine espresso machines under $350 is this: A budget espresso machine's price isn't indicative of its quality or ability to make good espresso. The under-$150 Casabrews 3700 Essential is just as impressive as the pricier Breville Bambino, even if it stands out for different things. I considered each machine's price tag and compared it to its design, performance and features to see if it's a quality purchase. Warranty: Unexpected issues can still arise with budget espresso machines, despite lacking many of the more advanced features like a build-in burr grinder. In other words, you'll still want to know the terms of the manufacturer's warranty, what your coverage is when such problems happen and if there's a customer service number that you can call to help you resolve them. There are several types of espresso machines. If you want more information on the different types of machines, my quick explainer in the best espresso machine guide is a great place to start. However, it's important to note that the budget espresso machines I tested here do not include manual levers (as those are in a separate guide), and you'll be hard-pressed to find a superautomatic espresso machine that's within an under-$350 price range. So, when it comes to budget espresso machines, you're likely getting a semiautomatic or automatic design, which makes your entry into the world of espresso machines an easy one. Still, you have to decide which machine is best for your caffeine consumption and needs, and a good place to start is your budget. Remember, you can get a good machine for $150 if you know where to look (try the top of this guide!); however, getting a $300 one may have its perks. My overall pick, the Breville Bambino, for example, heats up in the blink of an eye, which means it may be worth getting if you have a bigger budget. Also, think about what's important to you in terms of how you take your caffeine. If you prefer shots or an Americano, you likely won't need a machine with a stellar steam wand or milk frother. But if you like your lattes or cappuccinos, that feature — and whether it has a steam dial or an automatic steam button — should be a priority. Beyond that, sticking with the criteria I used for testing is the perfect starting point for choosing the best budget espresso machine for you. De'Longhi Dedica Maestro Espresso Machine With Manual Frother Fast and capable, the De'Longhi Dedica Maestro consistently extracts great-quality shots with thick crema and boasts nice little extras. However, there's a learning curve here, and the steam button is a little finicky. I had high hopes for the De'Longhi Dedica Maestro, given it's one of the more expensive machines in this guide. After all, the De'Longhi La Specialista Opera with Cold Brew currently tops our best espresso machines guide, and the Dedica Maestro is one of the better-known machines out there. That isn't to say, of course, that this isn't a capable machine. Its fast 16-second heat-up (14 seconds for the steam wand) is handy during the morning rush, while its accessories are robust and made of high-quality materials. When it comes to the quality of espresso shots, it's also very consistent, delivering hot, rich and well-balanced espresso with a beautiful thick crema. There's also a nice extra here: a small storage space to keep most (though, sadly, not all) of those accessories. However, I would have preferred for De'Longhi to scrimp on the accessories and skip the frill, and focus more on the machine itself. The learning curve is steep on the De'Longhi Dedica Maestro. Getting that beautiful microfoam, especially with milk alternatives, takes a lot of practice, and the steam button only gives you a few seconds to use the steam dial. If you don't, it reverts to hot water mode, so you can imagine how much milk I've wasted because the machine ended up pouring hot water into my cup instead. It's a great product if you have the patience as well as the experience, but since the Breville Bambino is a superior pick for less, it's still hard to justify getting the De'Longhi Dedica Maestro instead. Hamilton Beach Slide and Lock Espresso Machine I love that this espresso machine has a design that lets you simply slide in the portafilter and lock it in place with a lever, and its extractions are consistently hot with thick crema. The quality of its shots could be better, though. I like the idea of the Hamilton Beach Slide and Lock Espresso Machine, with emphasis on the slide and lock part. One of the most frustrating things about budget espresso machines is that you have to hold them down to secure the portafilter because they're simply not hefty enough and will move if you don't. Some of them try to stay still with the use of suction feet, but even those don't typically work. This Hamilton Beach machine takes a different approach with its slide and lock mechanism. Instead of twisting the portafilter into the group head, you slide it in, then use a lever on the side to lock it down, which eliminates that whole wrestling process you must go through with the others. It's fast too, taking only 12 seconds to heat up, 23 seconds to pull a double shot and less than a minute to froth. And it comes with a milk jug, a plus for those who prefer not to froth their own milk, as well as a big water tank. However, while the espresso shots it extracts are hot and come with unbelievably thick crema, they're nothing special and ever so slightly watered down. Meanwhile, its milk frother doesn't produce proper microfoam, which isn't a surprise. Considering this machine costs $240, I hesitate to recommend it — unless you really want most of that work done for you. Wirsh Home Barista Plus Espresso Machine This budget machine, a rival to the Casabrews 3700 Essential, comes with better-quality accessories and a quick heat-up. Ultimately, though, its good and consistent extractions were no match for that of the Casabrews. One of the cheapest contenders in this guide, the Wirsh Home Barista Plus proved a solid rival to the similarly-priced Casabrews 3700 Essential. It boasts a slightly faster heat-up and a steam wand that only takes a few seconds to be ready. Plus, its better-quality accessories would have made it worth the $20 more it has over the 3700 Essential. Sadly, it doesn't quite live up to its rival in delivery. I consistently extracted robust, piping-hot coffee, which is something, but the shots were always a little watered down, and the crema was just OK. What's more, getting microfoam from milk alternatives is an impossible feat, and the steam dial isn't the most user-friendly. I really wanted to like this machine, especially because, despite its compact frame, it seems sturdy, especially when securing the portafilter. But ultimately, the Casabrews 3700 Essential proved to be the better value choice. Gourmia All-in-One Espresso Maker Want a De'Longhi Rivelia or De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo but can't afford one? This machine from Gourmia might be a good budget alternative if you aren't too discerning about your coffee. You still have to grind your own beans, however. Another budget espresso machine to consider, this one from Gourmia can easily make your daily espresso shots or favorite classic coffee drinks like a latte or cappuccino. It's easy to set up and use, making it a good option for espresso novices. If your kitchen and breakfast nook spaces call for a system with a small footprint and you're a newbie in the world of espresso machines, then a budget all-in-one option may be the way to go. A 15-bar automatic espresso machine that's just a little over $100, the Gourmia All-in-One Espresso Maker looks great and takes up less space than most machines we tested. It also delivers decent brews to satisfy coffee drinkers who aren't quite so discerning. The espresso this machine delivers is good and strong, as long as you're using the ideal beans. But I found its automatic milk frother, which is designed to conveniently prepare both hot and cold milk froth, too generous when dispensing milk for a latte or a cappuccino, diluting the drink and practically masking the coffee's flavor. And as it doesn't offer any customizations, that flaw almost renders the other modes useless — unless, of course, you prefer a very milky drink. As with most budget espresso machines, the Gourmia is mostly made of plastic. It feels like durable plastic, to be fair, but it also means the machine is lightweight and doesn't have the heft to stay stable when twisting the portafilter into the brew head. The manual specifically instructs users to 'keep one hand atop the appliance to keep it steady' when doing so. I found that a little annoying. It's also worth pointing out that, when it's not on sale, the Gourmia All-in-One Espresso Maker costs about as much as the Casabrews 3700 Essentials, making it an even less compelling pick. Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine This beautiful Casabrews budget espresso machine looks like a small, maybe less fancy version of pricier Brevilles. It's beginner-friendly with its automatic steam wand button and bigger workspace. If only it were more consistent with its extractions ... The Casabrews Ultra's semi-pro aesthetic almost makes it look like it could hold its own against pricier machines like the De'Longhi La Specialista Opera with Cold Brew and the Breville Oracle Jet. If it weren't for the more-expensive Casabrews 5700 Pro's built-in grinder, you'd be hard-pressed to tell it apart from the Ultra. So, naturally, I also expected great things from it, and it almost delivered. This beautiful budget espresso machine has many of the makings of a great one. It has a decently fast heat-up, only taking about 17 seconds to extract a single shot, and was quicker in getting its steam wand ready for frothing than the 5700 Pro, which I tested for our best espresso machines guide. And while the Ultra's microfoam performance is not as great, it still managed to make some decent milk-alternative froth for my morning lattes. Sadly, the machine seemed to have some trouble producing consistent results with its espresso shots. They were decently rich and balanced, yes; however, their temperatures varied from hot enough to almost lukewarm. To be fair, I may have had a faulty unit, but its quality isn't that great to begin with, so you'd probably want to skip it anyway. It's too bad because I've been loving what Casabrews has been doing so far. Casabrews 5418 Espresso Machine An ever so slightly higher-end version of the 3700 Essential, the pressure-gauge-flaunting Casabrews 5418 is a good choice if you're a novice looking to expand your espresso-making skills. Why did Casabrews make two budget espresso machines that are so closely priced? Well, while the Casabrews 3700 Essential is made for beginners, the Casabrews 5418 is geared toward more discerning espresso lovers who want a little more control over their shots, with its built-in pressure gauge providing valuable feedback on the quality of every extraction. For the less trained users, this is also a quality choice, with its relatively quick heat-up time and easy, intuitive controls. However, there's a bit of a learning curve here. Its steam wand, for some odd reason, takes some practice to get good results, even though it looks a lot like the one on the 3700 Essential. And since its hot, rich extractions are similar to those of the 3700 Essential — well balanced with a lovely thick layer of crema — most people would want to stick to the slightly cheaper model, especially if the pressure gauge isn't something they'll find particularly useful. De'Longhi Linea Classic Espresso Machine With a pressure gauge and a larger water tank, the De'Longhi Linea Classic also makes espresso making easy for beginner users. I just wish the quality of its extractions were a little better. For a hot minute, I truly thought the De'Longhi Linea Classic was going to be among the top contenders. After all, for an under-$250 budget espresso machine, it looks great, comes with a pressure gauge and manages to stay compact while flaunting a larger water tank. But then you take a closer look and it doesn't seem like De'Longhi has thought it through. The similarly priced Casabrews Ultra is superior in design and build, even though both machines' accessory sets are nothing to write home about. That wouldn't have mattered, however, if the Linea Classic delivered in performance. Unfortunately, it's also slower to heat up and extract than other machines in our testing, and while its shots are piping hot and topped with thick crema, they tasted a little weak. What's more, that steam wand isn't the best at creating microfoam. If you ask me, I'd shell out a little more for the Breville Bambino instead. Can you make good espresso with a cheap machine? Can you make good espresso with a cheap machine? Yes, you absolutely can. It depends on the machine, of course, but you're not automatically guaranteed great espresso by paying more for your machine, as there are many factors to pulling espresso shots. For this article, we consulted the following expert to gain his professional insights. Casey Wojtalewicz, coffee aficionado and co-owner of Canyon Coffee CNN Underscored thoroughly tests the products in our testing guides and provides full transparency about how we test them. We have a skilled team of writers and editors who have many years of testing experience and ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. Testing writer Michelle Rae Uy has extensively tested and reviewed kitchen appliances for years, covering home and kitchen products for a variety of publications before joining CNN Underscored. She wrote many of our top-performing appliance guides, such as the best portable heaters, best space heaters and the best humidifiers.
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Travel + Leisure
14-07-2025
- Business
- Travel + Leisure
How a New Wave of Roasters Is Revitalizing Melbourne's Iconic Coffee Scene
In the late 1950s, my great-uncle Alex took a woman named Roslyn on a date to Pellegrini's, a cafe that had opened a few years earlier on Bourke Street in Melbourne. It was touting the latest thing: real Italian coffee made by real Italians. Leo and Vildo Pellegrini had arrived in Australia after the war to find what was, in their eyes, a coffee desert. They imported one of the country's first true espresso machines, a Gaggia—and the city never looked back. In fact, Melbourne had been obsessed with coffee since the 1880s, when the temperance movement led to the construction of 'coffee palaces'—essentially residential hotels that served no alcohol. Some, like the 370-room Federal Coffee Palace, were so fabulous they became tourist attractions. The temperance drive didn't work so well, but the caffeine fixation stuck. On a sunny spring morning in the CBD, or Central Business District, I met Martina Jennings from the tour company This Is Melbourne, who designed for me a bespoke walkabout of coffee shops and cafes. We started at Patricia Coffee Brewers, near the site of the Federal Coffee Palace, which was pulled down, sadly, in the 1970s. This bijou corner space, which opened in 2011 in a former lawyer's chambers, was cool but unintimidating: there were framed newspapers along one wall and delicious-looking pastries on the walnut counter, and the servers wore beautiful leather butcher's aprons. From Left: Morning rush at Patricia Coffee Brewers, Melbourne; Collins Street's Market Lane Coffee. From Left: Ben Clement/Patricia Coffee Brewers; Armelle Habib/Market Lane Coffee The team at Patricia works with niche importers and roasts its beans in-house. The cafe's co-owner, Pip Heath, served me a rich and nutty filter coffee—'you can't hide anything with filter,' he said—made with beans from a small farm in Ecuador. My elegant cream-colored cup, which had an unusually short handle, was made by Sydney-based ceramist Malcolm Greenwood. Persuading him to supply Patricia's wasn't easy. According to Heath, 'He has to stop surfing long enough to make them!' Next came the best iced coffee I've ever tried. It resembled a light, caffeinated Guinness and was served cocktail-style, with a giant ice cube. Jennings and I also visited the Collins Street branch of Market Lane Coffee. In this airy space on the ground floor of a restored Victorian town house, co-owner Fleur Studd recalled falling for great coffee while working in London. She and her business partner Jason Scheltus opened the first Market Lane in one of the city's many farmers' markets in 2009, and began importing green (unroasted) coffee from Africa and South America. Studd values transparency in her supply chain—no simple matter on this side of the globe. Beans from Colombia take four to six weeks to arrive by sea; eight from Rwanda, by a combination of land and sea. Today Market Lane has 10 Melbourne shops, plus a roastery. Studd has remained focused: the shops don't serve food or tea. 'I want customers to connect the farm to the name,' she said firmly. 'If they come in asking for coffee from La Piña, my work is done.' Traveller, a cafe in one of Melbourne's laneways. It was just three minutes' walk to Warkop, a slender cafe founded in 2021 by Barry Susanto and Erwin Chandra, two Indonesians who met 15 years ago, when both had just arrived in Australia. The name is short for Warung Kopi, which means 'coffee stall' in Indonesian, and Susanto and Chandra are aiming to re-create the laid-back feel of the roadside stands of their homeland. 'People can come in wearing their pajamas if they like,' Susanto told me. There is, however, one big difference. The warungs serve instant coffee, but the partners knew that would never work in Melbourne, so they invested in a shiny La Marzocco espresso machine. In a sense, these are the modern Pellegrinis, importing a foreign cafe culture to a receptive city. Some people attribute Melbourne's current coffee fixation to Mark Dundon, a chilled-out guy with a shock of silver hair and a smile as bright as a freshly polished Gaggia. In the early 2000s, he opened his first cafe, St. Ali, where an interest in specialty coffee grew into an obsession with traceable, quality beans, roasted locally. 'Melbourne already had a tradition of demanding good coffee,' he told me, 'but there wasn't a lot of information on provenance back then.' At St. Ali and, later, Brother Baba Budan (both still beloved), he started roasting his own beans; soon, he said, 'everyone was roasting for themselves.' His current company, Seven Seeds, includes a roastery and four cafes. We met at one of them, Traveller, a tiny spot in one of Melbourne's 'laneways,' or narrow pedestrian alleys, around the corner from Parliament House. With only eight seats, it made the others I had visited look like palaces. Dundon co-owns a coffee farm in Honduras. He is still doing his best to serve great coffee, although not at what he sees as the crazy prices that some Melbourne cafes now charge. He is preoccupied with squaring the circle: purveying great, affordable coffee that doesn't stiff the producer. My last stop, just steps from Traveller, was where it all started. That long-ago coffee at Pellegrini's must have been good, because Roslyn became my great-aunt; today, she is 89 and still lives in Melbourne. The high red-vinyl stools at the long bar where she sat with my great-uncle don't work for her any longer. But we found a table outside, drank great coffee, enviously eyed our neighbors' plates of pasta, and soaked in this lively city, still rich with the perfume of great coffees past. A version of this story first appeared in the August 2025 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline 'Rise and Grind .'
