Overview

The Bezzera Strega Lever Espresso Machine Stainless is a tribute to the roots of espresso, honoring the very first espresso machine invented by Bezzera’s founder, Luigi Bezzera, in 1901. However, this machine is far from stuck in the past. Bezzera, ever the innovator, has masterfully integrated both a hydraulic spring and a vibration pump. This unique combination ensures even pressure and provides the barista with exceptional control over pre-infusion, delivering a truly nuanced and engaging espresso experience.

Features and Performance

While the Strega might initially seem intimidating to some, and it certainly requires practice to master, the adventurous will find it as enjoyable as it is capable. As a heat exchange machine, it excels at brewing and steaming simultaneously once you’ve honed your shot-pulling technique. For ultimate convenience, it can even be plumbed directly into a water line, ensuring a continuous water supply for high-volume use.

Innovative Group Head Heating

Bezzera’s specially designed group head is electronically heated, a critical feature that prevents brew water from being shocked by a cold component. This ensures optimal temperature stability for every shot. While it may require a quick flush between uses to manage the group’s heat, this attention to thermal detail is a hallmark of the Strega’s design. The Strega truly allows you to step back in time and experience the tactile, rewarding process of pulling a shot.

Dynamic Pressure and Temperature Control

Using the Strega requires a bit of a learning curve initially, but the rewards are immense. One of the key benefits of brewing with the Strega is its unique approach to controlling both temperature and pressure. The high temperature of the copper boiler effectively pre-heats the coffee puck for full extraction. Simultaneously, the stored heat within the lever group allows for slightly lower finishing temperatures, which cleverly helps to prevent over-extraction and maintain a balanced flavor profile.

Similarly, the pressure delivered by the machine also trails off dynamically. The vibration pump provides an initial burst of around 11 bar, followed by the lever spring, which starts at approximately 9.5 bar and gradually tapers down to about 5.5 bar by the end of the shot. This declining pressure profile is a significant advantage for flavor extraction. Remember to gently guide the lever up, as it will snap back quickly (and from experience, it can be quite forceful!).

Powerful Steaming Capabilities

For milk-based drinks, the Strega boasts impressive steam power, capable of producing roughly 45 seconds of continuous steam time before needing to recover. The steam wand features a commercial-style 4-hole tip, which significantly speeds up milk frothing. While this might require a bit of a learning curve for those unaccustomed to such rapid steaming, it allows for the creation of cafe-quality microfoam.

Why You Should Buy It

A well-crafted, traditional lever-style espresso machine offers one of the most enjoyable and rewarding ways to pull a shot, and the Bezzera Strega Lever Espresso Machine Stainless is an exceptional example. Its copper boiler greatly assists with temperature stability, ensuring consistent brewing conditions. The manual pressure profiling, facilitated by the unique pump-and-spring system, empowers you to experiment with your shots and achieve truly unique and personalized results. If you’re passionate about the art of espresso and desire a machine that combines historical charm with modern precision, the Strega is an outstanding investment.

FAQ for this product

Q: Is the Bezzera Strega Lever Espresso Machine Stainless difficult to use for beginners?
A: The Bezzera Strega is a lever-style machine that requires practice to master the process, but many users find the learning curve rewarding due to the control it offers.

Q: Can the Bezzera Strega be connected directly to a water line?
A: Yes, the Bezzera Strega can be plumbed directly into a water line for a continuous water supply, in addition to its internal reservoir.

Q: How does the Strega control brewing pressure?
A: The Bezzera Strega uses a unique combination of an initial burst from a vibration pump (11 bar) followed by a hydraulic lever spring (starting at 9.5 bar and tapering to 5.5 bar) to provide dynamic pressure profiling.

Q: Can I steam milk and brew espresso at the same time with the Strega?
A: Yes, as a heat exchange machine, the Bezzera Strega is capable of brewing espresso and steaming milk simultaneously.

Q: What type of steam wand does the Bezzera Strega have?
A: The Bezzera Strega is equipped with a commercial-style 4-hole steam tip on its steam wand, which provides powerful and rapid milk frothing.