MILAN, Italy – In an event hosted by Andrea Aprea’s Michelin two-starred restaurant in the heart of Milan, illycaffè unveiled Illetta, an innovative espresso coffee machine designed by Antonio Citterio, a leading Italian contemporary product designers.
The new machine bears the same name and is an evolution of the first professional high- pressure espresso machine invented by the company’s founder Francesco Illy in 1935.
According to illy, Illetta completely reinvents the espresso experience at the bar thanks to a revolutionary technology that allows exclusive customization, while respecting the highest standards of design and sustainability.
The new Illetta maintains the iconic vertical bridge shape of its progenitor. The unmistakable design, with a strong aesthetic appeal, hides a technological soul under the hood, while encouraging visual contact and interaction between barista and consumer.
Every single material has been chosen to ensure a prolonged durability and emphasize meticulous attention to detail: from the body with aluminium sides, to the revolving cup tray that can also accommodate mugs for filter coffee, up to the unmistakable illy red colour, Illetta was created as a “perfect synthesis between beauty, functionality and innovation.”
Equipped with an innovative and interconnected ecosystem, Illetta is designed to brew coffee of excellent and consistent quality and to expand coffee offerings, by reinterpreting the classic espresso preparations and mocha and filter preparations dispensed on the spot.
The user interface consists of a high resolution full touch TFT display with which it is possible to set the menu as desired with various types of preparations, each with dedicated extraction profiles. This allows to combine the customer’s personal taste with the barista’s creativity, ensuring fast and intuitive interaction with the machine.
The real revolution, however, lies inside: a patented system with instant-heating technology makes Illetta always ready to dispense coffee and steam in a delicate and progressive manner and hot water at different temperatures, eliminating the waiting times linked to heating and ensuring energy savings of up to 50% compared to normal coffee machines with boilers currently on the market.
The machine will showcased at illy’s stand at Sigep – The Dolce World Expo, which takes place from 20 to 24 January 2024 at the Rimini Exhibition Centre.
Illetta is available for now only for the Italian market.
