The exterior of the machine is mainly made of plastic materials while the front control plate and the cup warmer are made of stainless steel. I say “pro steam wand”, really it's just a slightly elongated steam pipe, with a rounded end so it doubles as a single hole steam tip, but it works just like any other pro steam wand. This Carezza Deluxe machine is an up date version of my first two Gaggia’s and produced a stunning coffee from the first try. For those who are seeking more of a barista-style espresso making experience, you’ll definitely get it with the Gaggia Carezza, but with the help of its efficient operation, you’ll no doubt churn out some exquisitely flavourful coffee. Everything that’s prone to wear in the Gaggia Carezza Deluxe is made of strong enough stuff, but the largely plastic construction means it’s relatively light.

Review: Gaggia Carezza Deluxe Espresso Machine - Latte Art Review: Gaggia Carezza Deluxe Espresso Machine - Latte Art

Gaggia Carezza is equipped with a pre-infusion function aimed at moistening the ground coffee for a couple of seconds in the moments before the drink is dispensed.Well, overall the Gran and the Viva will produce just about the same espresso quality if you were to use them with the same portafilter and the same grinder, but I prefer the build quality of the Carezza, and for me, it's worth it just for the steam wand. As soon as you turn the machine on, it will perform a rinse cycle to prepare the machine for brewing, which means that you’ll have to wait a bit before you can load up the portafilter. An elegant and functional tamper to bring your espresso experience with Gaggia Classic to the next level. The perfect shape for the best tasting experience, designed by the International Institute of Coffee Tasters.

Gaggia Carezza Style - Gaggia United Kingdom Gaggia Carezza Style - Gaggia United Kingdom

The Gaggia Carezza Deluxe offers no control over water temperature, and there are no markings to tell you what level it’s actually at – aside from ‘pretty hot’. Additionally, this coffee maker includes a steam wand, enabling users to froth milk for lattes and cappuccinos. Thanks to the pannarello, you can also prepare creamy cappuccinos and experiment the “latte art” easily, as well as dispense water for teas and infusions. Themoblocks can sometimes produce lacklustre steam power, this doesn't at all, it's a good and consistent jet of steam.

It heats up quickly, which means that you won’t have to wait forever before you can begin brewing your coffee. This also applies to the other very similar-looking espresso machines that look just like this but sell under a different brand, including the “ Cook Works Professional“, I've seen what appears to be this same model selling in various countries under various different brand names. I prefer a manual machine as I think it leaves you in control of what you are making and allows you to tailor a cup of coffee exactly to your liking. While the machine is heating fill a steaming pitcher with 2 to 3 ounces of cold milk for a cappuccino or 3 to 6 ounces for a latte.