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Andrea Bacchi: the Leonardo da Vinci of espresso

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Link to "Andrea Bacchi: the Leonardo da Vinci of espresso"by Lvx on Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:23 pm

Hi my friends : please find below one of my last blog post translated. Coming soon will follow a complete test of La Bacchi Espresso.

Sometimes, I find myself walking in my town with the eyes well up, trying to see the buildings through the eyes of tourists.
The city is transformed!
What was obvious is not longer anymore, every little nuance and detail takes a new meaning.

Andrea Bacchi applies this concept with good profit to his work.
Observe with the eyes of a child, without being too influenced by what has been done previously: this is the secret of the inventors. The Real ones.

Just over 40 years, almost a degree in engineering (but a Ferrari Maranello school diploma ...), Andrea manages a technical study of mechanical design and consultancy named BACCHI ENGINEERING for more than 17 years (http://www.bacchidesign.it ).

And of course, he is the inventor and patent owner of La Bacchi Espresso, the result of a year of continuous testing, failures, changes, and finally ... perfection.

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In this photo, which he kindly granted, we can see the prototypes and the development of the machine, which I will speak shortly in detail, having bought it recently.

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Yes, Andrea, you have succeeded, and even embarrassed for my
beloved lever machines, I must admit, you have succeeded "damn good".
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Link to "Andrea Bacchi: the Leonardo da Vinci of espresso"by espressme on Wed Oct 07, 2009 12:09 am

Thanks for the information!
Click Here
There is an operational video at the top right of that page.
Cheers
-Richard
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Link to "Andrea Bacchi: the Leonardo da Vinci of espresso"by Lvx on Wed Oct 07, 2009 6:56 pm

Thank you Richard,
After few days, i'm falling in the deepest love with this unusual machine.
Hold on for the test! 8)
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Link to "Andrea Bacchi: the Leonardo da Vinci of espresso"by Lvx on Wed Oct 14, 2009 12:00 pm

Well, this is not a joke or whatsoever

Last month, I was contacted by a German coffee magazine to release an interview about my insane and extravagant passionate hobby: coffee machines and lever pump machines.


During the several calls with the German journalist, committed to organize the meeting, I was often asked and questioned if I knew a small coffee machine producer or a manufacturing company . On the spurs of the moment, the only one I could recall, was the "Caffemotive", and that was my very first hint and idea coming up my mind.

A few days after the interview , I spoke with the "Caffemotive" sales manager, Mr. Andrej Godina, who thanked me and told he was doping their machine presentation could let the world definitely discover their product: "Bacchi Espresso".
I told him : "what about a home test to verify and elevate the real qualities and characteristics of "Bacchi Espresso" machine ?.
I knew that machine pretty well , i wrote some post on my blog , so i was aware i could test it properly.

Therefore,last week,Massimo Chenda, "Caffemotive" CEO (chief executive officer ) , came to my home, bringing me this marvelous piece of metal alloy. At least "she 's mine ! ", I waited more than one year to purchase it, I thought!
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So, what has this machine got to do with other espresso machines? Same stuff, I'd say..
I know, it's hard to believe that a gas (or electric if you wish) stove "pot" could be compared to a pro bar machine or worst case to the home lever espresso machines.
But you have to, trust me and in the following notes and examples I will show you how this could be done and carried on.

The shipping box is "earthquake" resistant container as it consists of a strong cardboard box surrounding a cylindrical aluminum can which can be also used to carry the machine with you when on holiday.
Image
Inside.. "Tah - dah !".... HRM - her royal majesty - the masterpiece of home espresso machines.

At first sight it has not a real great personality: it looks so stocky, squat, cold, heavy,scary and intimidating but these feelings do only last a few seconds.
You only need to touch "her" to fall suddenly in love with her. It's love at first sight.

Have you ever had a piece of the space shuttle in your hands? That's what i thought when i lifted it and raised it up: a special aluminum cast alloy coupled with Teflon seals, a huge spring, pistons and 3 safety valves - all of them over-sized .

This is not exactly a friendly user machine. This is not a moka Bialetti. I would compare it with the zen bow. When you decide to use it, you must be conscious of yourself; leave all your problems - connecting with the parallel universe of espressolandia -behind!


This evolution of human genius, engineering and creativity is difficult.... to find... to buy ... to use...
That's why it's so attractive, so fashionable , so terrific, so gorgeous, so technological , so stunning, so luxurious, so amazing .. .

Who would need a machine like this?

In my personal and humble opinion, the answer is : everyone who would like to taste a real bar coffee at home,or everywhere he wishes or would like to be , with a camping gas stove and in only 6 minutes without any dimensions problems .

That's it.
Image

The mystery of the perfect alchemy among pressure, heat and water flow has been regularly and continuously studied and searched by engineers and inventors years by years, but it seems that only Mr. Bacchi in the recent past had the will and desire to try, modify, and learn from his failures and also to treasure from his mistakes.
In my collector's experience I've seen several good ideas nullified and defected by stupid and tiny details.

If you are interested, next week, please take a look at the lever forum where I'll compare this machine to the lever machine I have at home.
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Link to "Andrea Bacchi: the Leonardo da Vinci of espresso"by michaelbenis on Wed Oct 14, 2009 12:40 pm

More info: http://www.bacchidesign.it/carioca/coff ... r_eng.html

It appears it isn't actually on sale anywhere. if you click to buy on the Bacchi Design site it states not available. It doesn't appear to be for sale on the Caffemotive site either. Do you know anything about how one can buy one, Lucio?

PS: Nice blog and lovely machines! I liked the tutorial on reconstructing Bakelite handles as well.
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Link to "Andrea Bacchi: the Leonardo da Vinci of espresso"by zin1953 on Thu Oct 15, 2009 6:33 pm

michaelbenis wrote:More info: http://www.bacchidesign.it/carioca/coff ... r_eng.html

It appears it isn't actually on sale anywhere. if you click to buy on the Bacchi Design site it states not available. It doesn't appear to be for sale on the Caffemotive site either.

Well, Michael, did you notice the date of the "Not Available" page?

Price list "end-user" 2006/01/01

So that raises the question: out-of-date webpage? or has it really been unavailable for nearly FOUR YEARS???
A morning without coffee is sleep. -- Anon.
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Link to "Andrea Bacchi: the Leonardo da Vinci of espresso"by Lvx on Fri Oct 16, 2009 4:29 pm

michaelbenis wrote:More info: http://www.bacchidesign.it/carioca/coff ... r_eng.html

It appears it isn't actually on sale anywhere. if you click to buy on the Bacchi Design site it states not available. It doesn't appear to be for sale on the Caffemotive site either. Do you know anything about how one can buy one, Lucio?

PS: Nice blog and lovely machines! I liked the tutorial on reconstructing Bakelite handles as well.


I will give you this information via PM , since my enthusiasm may be confused with an interest in selling this "object" :? , which is nothing else than 1 of over 200 coffee machines i have collected.
...Maybe it's one of the best :mrgreen: .
..But.. this is only my opinion.

Thanks about my blog, i love to resuscitate those old "ladies" 8)
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Link to "Andrea Bacchi: the Leonardo da Vinci of espresso"by Lvx on Fri Oct 16, 2009 4:59 pm

zin1953 wrote:So that raises the question: out-of-date webpage? or has it really been unavailable for nearly FOUR YEARS???

Hi Jason,
the mystery is revealed: for 1-year mr. Bacchi sold his own machine, but now relies on Caffemotive to sell it.
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Link to "Andrea Bacchi: the Leonardo da Vinci of espresso"by Lvx on Fri Oct 16, 2009 7:31 pm

This is over-exctracted, but it tasted good anyhow.
70% arabica , 30% robusta (i don't know the origin).

Image
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Link to "Andrea Bacchi: the Leonardo da Vinci of espresso"by michaelbenis on Tue Oct 20, 2009 12:27 pm

Hi Lucio,

those are some very impressive looking results, aided of course by 30% robusta for the crema, but looking good nonetheless. I'll be interested to read more when you've done more complete testing. Especially since you have experience of so many other machines with which to compare the taste profile.

Sorry to hear you've had swine flu. Hope you get rid of it fast.

The price of the Bacci is very attractive and international shipping very reasonable too. I'm quite tempted to get one, above all for camping, festivals and motorcycle rallies.

How big is compared to say a moka? It certainly looks smaller than an Atomic or Otto and also looks likely to be better for espresso than either of the two, though it obviously can't compete for capuccinos - which don't interest me at all.

Cheers

Mike
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Link to "Andrea Bacchi: the Leonardo da Vinci of espresso"by espressme on Tue Oct 20, 2009 8:18 pm

Hi All,
Second hand but concerning.
I just heard from a friend that a shipping company that was chosen to bring a couple of espresso machines they had purchased from Italy added a surcharge of over $800 to open the boxed machines for anti terror inspection.
That charge was theirs (shipping company,) not the governments. Apparently, the company wasn't making enough on the shipping so they added an inspection un-pack to put money into their pockets. There was no recourse for removing the charge. The actual duty on the machines was under $5.
-Richard
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Link to "Andrea Bacchi: the Leonardo da Vinci of espresso"by michaelbenis on Wed Oct 21, 2009 5:38 am

Couldn't they have pursued the shipping company in the courts because the charges were unreasonable?

That would have been available to them here in the good old UK.

As far as I know no one got hit by anything like that for their Elektra Ninos from Italy.

Back to the Bacchi: I have got some very impressive correspondence from Italian coffee connoisseurs on the coffee it produces.

It's really a bit on the big side for camping, but sounds waaaaay better (and more robust) than the Handpresso....
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Link to "Andrea Bacchi: the Leonardo da Vinci of espresso"by Lvx on Wed Oct 21, 2009 11:05 am

michaelbenis wrote:Hi Lucio,

those are some very impressive looking results, aided of course by 30% robusta for the crema, but looking good nonetheless. I'll be interested to read more when you've done more complete testing. Especially since you have experience of so many other machines with which to compare the taste profile.

Sorry to hear you've had swine flu. Hope you get rid of it fast.

The price of the Bacci is very attractive and international shipping very reasonable too. I'm quite tempted to get one, above all for camping, festivals and motorcycle rallies.

How big is compared to say a moka? It certainly looks smaller than an Atomic or Otto and also looks likely to be better for espresso than either of the two, though it obviously can't compete for capuccinos - which don't interest me at all.

Cheers

Mike


Here we are with the photos! Image

The machine is similar to the Atomic, just a little bit heavier.

Image

Above, from the heaven, the other "saints" watch the newborn.. :D
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Link to "Andrea Bacchi: the Leonardo da Vinci of espresso"by Lvx on Wed Oct 21, 2009 11:15 am

michaelbenis wrote:Couldn't they have pursued the shipping company in the courts because the charges were unreasonable?

That would have been available to them here in the good old UK.

As far as I know no one got hit by anything like that for their Elektra Ninos from Italy.

Back to the Bacchi: I have got some very impressive correspondence from Italian coffee connoisseurs on the coffee it produces.

It's really a bit on the big side for camping, but sounds waaaaay better (and more robust) than the Handpresso....


Today my Mom tasted the Bacchi vs the Pavoni Pro copper-brass: Illy's coffee pregrounded for espresso machines , which is her favourite one (we are from Triest... :wink: ). Her personal opinion was : very good with La Pavoni .... excellent with the Bacchi (xe come el caffè del bar ( it's the same as the bar..)) :mrgreen: .
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Link to "Andrea Bacchi: the Leonardo da Vinci of espresso"by Stuggi on Fri Oct 23, 2009 8:32 am

michaelbenis wrote:As far as I know no one got hit by anything like that for their Elektra Ninos from Italy.


Well, you can't get any of that if you buy stuff from inside the EU, and probably because some shippers are more honest than others. Personally I tend to go with DHL, Schenker and the likes.
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Link to "Andrea Bacchi: the Leonardo da Vinci of espresso"by Lvx on Thu Oct 29, 2009 1:25 pm

Hi, my lever friends.
At least today i've started my personal homemade test to show the difference between my lever machines and the Bacchi espresso, an hydraulic press machine already partially described in this topic.

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The coffee i used this time was a 50% mix of arabica, grounded 2 steps over the regular set for la Pavoni , good enough for both the machines.

Here we have the two contenders :

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First ,la Pavoni Professional, copper & brass ; a 2001 machine provided with a 2 cups basket, light tamp , and 2 pulls.

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This is the result:

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Second ,la Bacchi espresso , a 2009 machine provided with 2 cups basket (which is approx. a 20% wider than la Pavoni's), with one exit hose stopped.

Image

This is the result:

Image

One spoon of sugar in each one cup, and i've done a suddenly blind test to my wife . :twisted:

She preferred the Pavoni's cup, since the Bacchi's was too bitter .
I loved the Bacchi's because the extraction of some hidden tastes cannot be performed by la Pavoni.

In the next days I'll do more tests with other machines.
...stay tuned :wink:
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Link to "Andrea Bacchi: the Leonardo da Vinci of espresso"by michaelbenis on Thu Oct 29, 2009 2:47 pm

Great! Thanks for keeping us in the picture about this. I'm sorely tempted to try the Bacchi though goodness alone know I've got more than enough machines here.

How does it compare in size to a 4-cup Bialetti Moka?

And another question: when you say two steps over do you mean two steps finer? I can't help wondering whether the result was slightly overextracted as a result. Might be interesting to turn the grinder back a notch next time.

And yet another question: does the Bacchi work as well on an electric cooker as on a gas one?

Ciao!

Mike
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Link to "Andrea Bacchi: the Leonardo da Vinci of espresso"by espressme on Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:01 am

Thanks for the comparison! I look forward to seeing what happens with the above idea of grinder setting change. You may find that the two machines need separate grinder settings to bring out the best in the roast!
It would still be a good comparison!
--Richard
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Link to "Andrea Bacchi: the Leonardo da Vinci of espresso"by Lvx on Fri Oct 30, 2009 3:23 pm

Well, this morning i waked up my beloved Caravel 1st model (with Vam marks under the grey paint)

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As suggested i grinded the same coffee i used yesterday in two different ways: 2 steps finer for the Caravel.
The results was these:

Image

Image

The Bacchi was not filled over the normal capacity of its basket as i've done yesterday, so it performed better.

Image

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Today i involved my wife's hairdresser to test the difference.
She rated 9 to the Bacchi and 9 to the Caravel.
In my opinion crema was dense for both, but also in this case, the Bacchi's taste was more "complete".
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Link to "Andrea Bacchi: the Leonardo da Vinci of espresso"by Lvx on Fri Oct 30, 2009 3:34 pm

I was forgetting one thing... :mrgreen:

Image

... ride the waves of coffee seas , my lovely Caravel ...
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