There is no doubt that home espresso machines have evolved recently to accommodate the changing needs of consumers of home coffee. More people than ever are searching for a machine that can simply duplicate beverages of café quality in the modern era of the “home barista”.
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Making beverages of café quality at home
At Gruppo Cimbali, Pietro Mazzoni oversees the coffee equipment department. He claims that consumers of home coffee are more interested than ever in brewing premium coffee drinks. The way that coffee is brewed and what ingredients are in it are important to today’s coffee drinkers. According to a National Coffee Association (NCA) report from 2022, 84% of coffee drinkers now make their coffee at home, up 4% from those who did so before the Covid-19 pandemic. One of the largest trends we noticed during the epidemic was an increase in the number of people trying to make café drinks at home. Coffee shops are closing at an alarming rate all across the world. Instead, many attempted to make their cappuccinos, lattes, and americanos in their homes.
Accessibility, comfort, and usability
According to Filippo, social media has played a significant role in making high-quality coffee beverages more widely available. While barista training is still necessary, anyone can draw a fantastic espresso shot or make a delicious cappuccino with the appropriate tools and enough research. According to Filippo, there is a need on social media for instructional films that show people how to make high-quality coffee. People become more eager to learn more and ask for additional information when these movies are aimed at a general consumer audience, according to research. Many consumers began to realize that making good coffee didn’t have to be a mystery because of the Covid-19 outbreak and that they could imitate it.
Social and environmental responsibility
Consumers are looking for ethically sourced goods now more than ever. Many studies have shown that ethical purchasing practices are becoming more popular, particularly among millennial and Generation Z customers.
In response, coffee companies (including those that make equipment) have begun to examine their sustainability and social responsibility initiatives. While there is, understandably, an emphasis on the usage of fertilizers and the international shipping of coffee, the act of brewing coffee also consumes energy and leaves a carbon footprint. According to a recent study, an infrequently used commercial espresso machine uses more electricity annually than the typical UK family.
Accessibility and quality go side in together
Quality and accessibility shouldn’t be incompatible when it comes to the design of home espresso machines. Modern home espresso machines’ incorporation of technology, including wifi and Bluetooth connectivity, has contributed to the improvement of the usability of the home coffee experience. With more recent models, home users can even regulate brewing parameters with smartphone apps. Maria explains how Faemina accomplished this by enabling home baristas to remotely regulate extraction variables with the Be Faema app. This machine is accessible to everyone because of our study on ergonomics and a user-friendly interface, she says. Thus, the app aids and clarifies the machine’s more complex settings, which were once mostly employed by professionals.
Keeping equipment streamlined and small
Home coffee drinkers frequently don’t have access to a full-sized commercial espresso machine, especially in kitchens where space is at a premium. In response, several home espresso machines are being made smaller and more “counter-friendly” for positioning convenience. According to Filippo, when home baristas choose a more portable machine, they shouldn’t have to give up quality and performance. He explains, “The machine’s dimensions must be sufficient for the space available. When designing [for household espresso machines], “we constantly bear in mind that there are certain limits you have to work with.”
Sustainable materials and products
Positive changes in the design of home espresso machines have been prompted by consumer requests for environmentally friendly products. Throughout the process, there has been a discernible intentional focus on lowering energy consumption and waste. First and foremost, energy-efficient technology has become more prevalent. Examples include the advent of insulated boilers and smaller heating elements. Maria says, “We have methods to control the spread of thermal energy. The insulation of the boiler in the Faemina ensures isolated heating, lowers heat loss, and allows for more effective startup times management based on when the machine is typically in use. “Idling” – the practice of leaving a machine on while it is still using energy – is a major source of energy waste with espresso machines.
Growing versatility
Home baristas now have additional alternatives because to home espresso machines’ increased versatility over time. Super-automatic espresso machines in particular have witnessed progress in this area, with a growing “menu” of options available on many models. Filippo explains to me how the Faemina makes it simple for home baristas to make various espresso drinks and other beverages. You may make a variety of drinks with the Faemina, including high-quality filter coffee and a cappuccino with automatically heated milk. According to Maria, Faemina’s adaptability enables users to brew a variety of non-espresso beverages because it can be altered to accommodate various cup sizes.
