Sage Barista Express Coffee Machine

We’ve been testing the Barista Express from Sage by Heston Blumenthal in the kitchen at Ape HQ for the last two months; a coffee machine made in partnership with Sage and the legendary chef- and have to say, we are delighted with it. With a conical burr grinder and dose control, the result is great tasting espresso- from bean to cup- in less than a minute. The Barista Express allows you to grind the beans before extraction, has interchangeable filters and a choice of automatic or manual operation for meeting your exacting coffee standards.

In further detail, the Dose-Control Grinding feature and integrated conical burr grinder with dose control delivers the right amount of ‘strength’ on demand, ensuring maximum flavour. Its fully adjustable grind size and dose, let you customise to suit your taste. There is also Precise Espresso Extraction- digital temperature control (PID) which delivers water at precisely the right temperature, ensuring optimal espresso extraction. To the right is a steam wand for micro-foaming milk, which allows you to hand-texture the micro-foam necessary to enhance the flavour of the coffee and create latte art if that’s your bag.

It feels sturdy, as though it will last- made of Stainless Steel. We enjoyed how much control you have over our coffee- meaning each cup was perfect for our tastes. One complaint would be the water butt on the rear, which can be tricky to access if the machine is pushed up against a kitchen wall- but it’s not a deal breaker, and it’s easy enough to pull the machine forward each time you need to refill. On the whole- throughly recommend on product performance, and it’s a welcome addition to any kitchen on the style front too.

Barista Express, £599 from SAGE