The new Faema E61 Cult machine. All images courtesy of Faema.
Italian espresso equipment brand Faema just launched the E61 Cult, a home-focused version of its iconic E61 Legend commercial espresso machine.
Designed for high-end home use in Europe, the E61 Cult is selling overseas for £6,015 (US$7,746.87 as of this writing), including installation services and a water connection kit. There are no current plans to release the Cult in the United States.
Nearly identical to the professional version that has turned heads in cafes for generations, the E61 Cult is built to run on single-phase domestic power sources, although it still requires direct plumbing.
The E61 Cult is also differentiated by its side trims, and by the wooden portafilter handles and steam knobs.
The E61 Cult maintains the Legend’s 6-liter single-boiler heat-exchanger platform, including Faema’s patented adjustable thermal balancing system and, of course, the iconic E61 group head introduced by Faema in 1961.
The new Faema machine joins the smaller Faemina, which was relaunched in 2021, within the Cimbali Group-owned brand’s Home line of espresso machine.
“There has been a noticeable increase in the adoption of semi-professional espresso machines in private homes, not only in the UK but also across regions like Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the Benelux countries,” Faema Brand Manager Alessio Buccheri recently told Daily Coffee News. “The public is investing in sophisticated home espresso machines to replicate that [cafe] experience.”
Buccheri attributed the trend to a broader shift in consumer habits — particularly in European markets that have historically subsisted on conventional coffees for espresso — as people seek higher-end specialty coffees and sophisticated preparation methods.
“The motivation for drinking coffee, particularly espresso, has moved from functional needs, such as a caffeine boost, to a desire for a rich sensory experience,” Buccheri said. “Consumers have become more discerning. The higher quality of coffee available at specialty coffee shops has raised expectations for home-brewed coffee. Consequently, there is a growing demand for high-quality coffee beans and advanced coffee-making equipment.”
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Howard Bryman
Howard Bryman is the associate editor of Daily Coffee News by Roast Magazine. He is based in Portland, Oregon.
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