Gaggia Brera Bean to Cup Coffee Machine

Product Information

This is a really cool thing, and it's something that all the Gaggia bean to cup machines have. What this means is that you can simply remove the entire brew unit, in one go, to clean it by simply rinsing it under the tap, and/or for service or repair.

They can look a little intimidating, due to their size, shiny chrome exterior and plethora of variable options, but most are simple to use. The best feature of bean-to-cup machines is that they do almost everything for you (from grinding beans to making more complex coffees) at the touch of a button. On most models, there’s no need for tamping either. How we test coffee machines It's also more advanced where espresso is concerned than most home bean to cup machines. You have 5 dose settings, plus a boost setting which adds another ristretto to any coffee, it'll do a true double shot when you select two cups instead of one (via two consecutive grind & shot cycles), it has a flow restrictor on the front which allows you to choose from three settings (it shows up on the touch screen which one you've selected), you even have control over brew temp (3 settings) and pre-infusion (also 3 settings). The Anima Deluxe has all of the features of the base level semi-auto anima, but with the cappuccinatore to handle the milk for you instead of the steam wand. Don’t let the professional descriptor put you off either; it’s a thoughtfully designed machine that comes with clear instructions and an intuitive digital interface and controls. You can also adjust the settings to suit your taste. This machine is consistent, largely comparable with other mid-high end bean-to-cup machines. it’ll produce rich coffee, with deep flavour and the right bitter hit. Other than altering the aroma strength on the front panel, you can also fiddle with the grinder settings to suit different blends by removing the plastic side panel. And if you fancy using pre-ground coffee instead, it can handle that too, although one brew at a time.Commercial and home barista machines, these contain lots of holes, and the coffee has to be ground much finer than with most other coffee brewing methods, and also much more precisely, with each espresso machine requiring a different grind size with each different coffee bean, this involves a process known as “dialing in”, where we keep altering the grind size until we reach the sweet spot. Some coffee machines can be controlled via an app on your phone. You will need to make sure you're prepared, though, by having enough beans in the container, water in the tank and a mug ready under the spout. If it’s all set, you’ll be able to make a coffee without having to get out of bed – a dreamy way to wake up! This is an interesting looking little bean to cup machine from Gaggia, at first glance it resembles something like an air fryer or deep fat fryer than it does a coffee machine ;-). A coffee machine though it certainly is, and a very inexpensive one, too. Its looks are typical of Gaggia too. There’s lots of silvery metal on the front, while the sides are actually plastic. It has a slightly imposing quality by virtue of its lines and severe symmetry, but after seeing plenty of pictures of the thing, I was pleasantly surprised how easily it fit into my modest-sized kitchen.

There's not a lot I can say against this machine after a week of using it, just a couple of points – and they're both about the grind adjusting. Grind adjustment slightly stiff Gaggia Anima Barista Plus or the Gaggia Anima Deluxe (or possibly the Magenta if there is much more to it than the Anima) Home barista machines aren't coffee machines that the everyday “normal” coffee drinker can just take out of the box and start making great coffee at the touch of a button. You'd need a grinder too, one which is capable of grinding for espresso, which the cheapest grinders usually aren't. More importantly, you'd need home barista skills, and these take time and effort to hone. This machine has a lot more going for it than this single feature, but to have a pro wand on a bean to cup coffee machine is almost unheard of, so this is what makes this machine particularly special. The Gaggia Anima Deluxe seems like a sort-of hybrid machine. It’s a bean-to-cup station with auto-preparation of milk, but doesn’t get you the one-button milky drinks that a lot of bean-to-cup buyers are after at the price. If you’re after that, consider the Prestige version.This probably makes it sound easier than it is. In reality, texturing milk to get it to the right consistency for latte art, is a real skill – takes a lot of work, and pouring latte art is even harder. Really takes some practice, I've been working on it for about three years, and I've had some pro training, and still, while I can do an OK job some of the time, still I fluff it up quite a bit. Great feeling when you get it spot on, though!

If you enjoy a milk-based coffee (such as a cappuccino, latte or macchiato), then you’ll want to look for a bean-to-cup coffee machine with a milk frother. You may see certain Gaggia models selling for a lower price than shown at Coffee-Direct, but it is important to note that these products are often imported from outside of the UK and are sold with no UK warranty. If you're looking for simplicity, then I don't think you can ask for a much easier to use bean to cup machine than the Brera. Making coffee with this machine is very straightforward, as is adjusting the volumes for both coffee buttons, and everything else. Inexpensive Love ultra-milky coffee? Consider whether you want a machine that’ll make a latte with one button press: you can get this at the price, or from the Anima Prestige, which has presets for Latte Macchiato and Cappuccino. If you want more of a manual feel, the bog-standard Anima has a standard steam spout instead of this hybrid auto-frother one. Gaggia Anima Deluxe – What is the coffee like? As with most modelsin its price range, the Brera comes with a manual milk frother for making cappuccino - but doesn't include an integrated frother. This means you'll need to use the steam arm to froth milk manually. While it's still capable of producing excellent cappuccino and latte, it may take a bit of practice to get the milk to your desired consistency.

If you're looking for great coffee from an affordable bean-to-cup machine, Gaggia's Naviglio is the one to beat

This is a very low cost domestic espresso machine from Gaggia, and it's basically what I would expect for this kind of money. There are some excellent Gaggia coffee makerson the market. Models such as the Brera have proven to be a hit amongst buyers due to its range of customisation settings, great espresso and stylish design. That doesn't mean all theirmachines are worth buying though - there are also some models that haven't been rated as highly. The prestige version also has options for an extra large cappuccino and an extra large latte macchiato. To re-set the volumes for espresso or long coffee, you just press and hold the corresponding button, and keep it held until the coffee is ground and you've got the volume you want, when you take your finger off the button you've then set the volume at this level.

The one thing that would possibly lead me to spend a little bit more on the Gaggia if I'm honest, is simply that I know that Gaggia Direct supply and service them, so you can get good old fashioned support on the phone or online if you need it. The Carezza is quite an interesting espresso machine, being quite a bit different from all of the other domestic espresso machines from Gaggia. froth density levels on the Accademia – the only Gaggia coffee machine I'm aware of with adjustable froth density. If you use the cappuccinatore, it'll deliver exactly the same milk texture as the carafe system. If you want better milk texture than is possible via auto frothers, you can just slide the cappuccinatore off and use the pipe underneath as a steam wand.Being a home barista is a hobby, rather than just means to an end, it requires the investment of time, effort & money, and I see being a home barista as a continual process of development, with most of us home baristas continually working on improving their craft. This is the new version of the Accademia, and they've basically given it a design overhaul along with a few upgrades, including a much bigger touch screen display, with the option of controlling it via the dial if you prefer, or a combination of the two.