Barista-friendly design, traditional semi-automatic brewing control

In an aim to complete the Strada line of models, the Strada EE is characterized by its underlying mechanical and electronic features (semi-automatic technology) built within the design of the Strada.

The initials “EE” refer to a feature whereby brewing is activated by the simple start & stop motion of the paddle on the group head, albeit with electronic pre-infusion. The Strada EE model includes individual brew boilers, proportional steam valves featuring anti-suction valves, a thermal stability system and easy-access for preventative maintenance.

Designed for and by baristas

Over the course of two years La Marzocco worked with thirty of the world’s finest coffee professionals to design a machine. This group was known as the “Street Team”; the Strada, Italian for street, was named in their honor. Street Team input resulted in the most technologically advanced traditional espresso machine featuring traditional hydraulics and a barista-friendly design. This conical valve system assures progressive control of water flow and pressure via an internal orifice, before applying full pressure. The new conical paddle valve controls the pre-infusion while the volumetric pump is working at full pressure, therefore barista may also perform a pre-infusion on one group while the other is extracting coffee. This dynamic system allows the barista to reduce channeling for a more balanced extraction.

The barista’s espresso machine

Featuring iconic Italian design and user-friendly interface; the Strada has always been evolving over time based on barista feedback. Within the Strada family, the Strada AV is the choice for customers who appreciate the familiarity of volumetric controls, and who seek repeatability and consistency in high-volume settings. With the reliability one expects from time-tested La Marzocco equipment, the Strada AV delivers the most stable brewing platform thanks to its thermal stability system and individual coffee boilers. Performance Touch Steam Wands improve the machine’s ergonomics remaining always cool to the touch. Barista-friendly electronics make it easy to change settings, program the machine, update the firmware by USB and provide the user an enjoyable, comfortable and unique experience.

The strada ep incorporates technologies from the aerospace and medical industries: where component failure is not acceptable

La Marzocco set out to design the Strada EP (Electronic Paddle) because of a shift in the market by providing the barista full control over the brewing process as never before. As more coffee roasters began moving toward direct trade and relationship coffees, we realized there was a need for a more stable, reliable and versatile machine that enabled them to showcase the very best of these coffees.

Pressure profiling allows the barista to bring out different flavor components which affect the balance and body of the shot, and produce a rounder, softer espresso that highlights brightness, sweetness and delicate notes. The Strada EP enables the barista to create that perfect expression of a particular single origin coffee as an espresso, and reproduce a flavor profile that may be difficult to attain at a constant 9 bars of pressure.

The Strada EP 1 group is equipped with a self-contained 2 liter water tank that makes plumbing optional.