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Italian espresso equipment company La Marzocco has upgraded its flagship home/light commercial espresso machine, the Linea Mini, with a variety of features and components.
Originally introduced nine years ago, the dual-boiler prosumer machine continues to feature commercial-caliber components with a smaller footprint than its popular professional forebear, the La Marzocco Linea.
The Linea Mini now features a built-in shot timer visible above the group. A new “PEEK” plastic steam wand tip remains cool to prevent scalding of milk and hands while also simplifying cleaning, and an easier-access pump pressure adjustment screw is now located atop the machine.
A quick on/off switch of the group paddle activates a “rinse mode,” providing automatic water delivery through the group based on user settings. An upgraded automatic pre-infusion system features an additional valve dedicated to the soft pre-infusion phase of extractions.
Despite the significance of these and other changes, the updated machine is maintaining its straightforward name within the La Marzocco Home line.
“The Linea Mini, much like the legacy of La Marzocco itself, is iconic in its own right, while also being part of something bigger,” La Marzocco Home Director Dave Bise recently told Daily Coffee News. “Reimagining it while keeping its essence was very important for us… The decision to retain the name is a direct callback to the powerful machine it has been since ever since its launch.”
The machine now comes standard with brew-by-weight scale compatibility, which was developed in collaboration with espresso accessories maker Acaia before debuting with the Linea at the 2023 HOST Milan trade show. The scale is sold separately on the La Marzocco Home website for $400.
La Marzocco has also introduced some new cosmetic and materials options for the Mini, including softer-feeling finishes and distinctive edges.
The cool-touch steam wand and multiple other features of the new Mini — including a convertible portafilter, and sound- and vibration-reducing magnets — were borrowed from the even smaller Linea Micra machine, introduced in 2022.
“The Linea Micra is designed as a truly home machine, while the evolution of the Linea Mini has been influenced by a desire to cater to more light commercial and event settings that are made better by additional functionalities like brew by weight and shot timers,” Bise told DCN. “This cross-pollination of features between models is common at La Marzocco, and underscores our holistic approach to product development, where learning and innovation flow in both directions.”
The reintroduced Linea Mini is available for purchase on the La Marzocco Home website for $5,900.
The re-release of the Linea Mini is the first product-related launch to come from the Italian equipment company since the announcement earlier this year by La Marzocco majority owner De’Longhi Group of a new subsidiary that combines La Marzocco and super-automatic machine specialist Eversys.
“La Marzocco and Eversys will maintain their independence, with each of us continuing to excel within our niches while certainly leveraging synergies and skills, enhancing our leadership in the high-end segment of our respective sectors,” Bise said. “For us at La Marzocco, officially strengthening ties with the De’Longhi SpA group umbrella offers La Marzocco increased resources and even greater opportunities for growth.”
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Howard Bryman Howard Bryman is the associate editor of Daily Coffee News by Roast Magazine. He is based in Portland, Oregon.
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