FOOD + DRINK TABLEWARE

Garçon, one red Francis Francis X7 please

francis francis x7 espresso machine by illy

I am French Canadian, not Italian. I used to make a bowl of latte every morning topped with cinnamon. Then, my old espresso machine broke. That was a few years ago and I never sent my espresso machine to the repair shop. The main reason was that it was white, which did not work well with my red and blonde wood kitchen decor.

When I want an espresso at home, I use the basic stovetop moka pot but it is not the same. Looking at the red Francis Francis X7 iperEspresso machine is tempting. It is so cute. The  X7 and X8 iperEspresso machines are part of a new generation of espresso capsules developed by Illy. The two-stage brewing process intensifies the flavor to create an aromatic, full-bodied espresso with rich, velvety crema that lasts and lasts.

francis francis x7 and x8 espresso machines by illy

The appeal of these automated espresso machines is that you do not train to become a good barista. I might had more control on the taste of the espresso with my old machine but it was also harder to operate. Let’s face it, if your 12 guests desire an espresso, an automated machine comes handy. Watch this video to see how it works.

Some Facts You Need to Know Before You Buy It

Notice that the X7 iperEspresso machine makes regular espresso, cappuccino and latte (2 shots of espresso). The X7 iperEspresso machine works exclusively with the Illy ipercapsules. It has an auto-stop feature to control cup volume. It is an important fact because you will not be able to control the taste through the coffee grind or the amount of water. If you wish more flexibility with the red retro-futurist look, go for an espresso machine that supports ground coffee and pods like the more powerful Francis Francis X1 Ground Coffee or the Francis Francis X7 for E.S.E and Ground Espresso Machine Kit.

Another determinant factor for taste is the coffee beans. For the moment, the iperEspresso capsules selection is limited to 100% Arabica dark roast, medium roast and decaffeinated. On that point, the Nespresso wins with a vast selection of coffee. Plus several models of Nespresso will let you make espresso and longo. I prefer the Francis Francis look to the Nespresso machines. Therefore, which machine to get depends of your needs.

Francis Francis X8

I do not like the design of the X8 machine but it is important that you are aware of this limited time offer.  You can purchase the Francis Francis X8 iperEspresso machine for $175 (a $445 value) if you purchase 3 cans of iperEspresso capsules with your machine and subscribe to Illy’s iperEspresso membership program. You can cancel your coffee deliveries any time after your first shipment.

SOURCING:
+ Francis Francis X7 iperEspresso Machine in red or black $399 USD
+ Illy USA

  • Mel
    September 16, 2009 at 15:25

    iperEspresso capsule also come in lungo. from illyusa.com:

    “If you prefer a longer espresso, try new Lungo, a medium roast long espresso (about 2 ounces) to be savored in a larger cup. Please note that Lungo capsules are formulated to produce a long espresso” http://bit.ly/wDAPK

    • At Home with Kim Vallee
      September 16, 2009 at 16:51

      Thanks Mel. I am glad to see that Illy added lungo to their collection.