Coffee shop owners and baristas know that a unique and exceptional coffee experience is central to success. La Marzocco is a brand that understands just that. With 92 years and counting of excellence under its belt, La Marzocco has been innovating on the humble shot of espresso for centuries, building truly impressive espresso machines that coffee shops around the world have lauded for their quality and consistency. Below is an overview of the brand and how it came to be the household name it is today, as well as our recommendations on which La Marzocco GB5 variation is best for your workflow:
La Marzocco: Celebrating Nearly a Century of Espresso Excellence
La Marzocco, aptly, was born in the land of the Italian renaissance.
Founded in 1927 by brothers Giuseppe and Bruno Bambi, the brand’s humble beginnings can be traced back to Florence, Italy–home to visionaries such as Galileo Galilei, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Dante Alighieri.
At the time, attempts at building machines to create espresso were being carried out all over the country by highly skilled craftsmen and manufacturers. Giuseppe Bambi was among this small group of pioneers, first producing a few models dubbed the “Fiorenza” for a client with his brother. After that, they went on to establish Officina Fratelli Bambi, where they began to independently design and build espresso machines.
In addition to designing their own machines, the brothers also produced each part and assembled them on their own. It was during this period that Giuseppe adopted the symbol of the “Marzocco”, the triumphant heraldic lion of Florence, naming his company “La Marzocco”.
La Marzocco’s first revolutionary breakthrough came in 1939 with the patenting of an espresso machine that featured a horizontal boiler. The brothers’ invention was the first of its kind, equipped with group heads that were also arranged horizontally. It made it possible to add more group heads while also simplifying how the machine could be operated.
It wasn’t always sunshine and roses for the brand, though. They have had to face difficult challenges and near-insurmountable odds throughout their long and illustrious history: World War II halted production, and a flood swept through their home base of Florence in 1966. Nonetheless, La Marzocco continued not only to persevere but also to innovate, producing espresso machines that introduced new features allowed by the technology of their time.
Today, the name La Marzocco only commands respect in the industry. Most recently, the brand was the official espresso machine sponsor of the World Barista Championship for a whopping 8 years in a row, from 2000 to 2008.
The La Marzocco GB5: A Tribute to True and Lasting Love
The La Marzocco GB5 was introduced to the public in 2005. Named in honor of Piero Bambi’s wife, Giovanna Bambi, the GB5 is the world standard for elegance and refinement in an espresso machine, engineered mindfully and offering superior temperature control and stability.
Some of the standout features of the La Marzocco GB5 include:
- Dual boiler system
The dual boiler system of the La Marzocco GB5 allows for simultaneous brewing and steaming. This means that you can make multiple drinks at once without having to wait for the machine to heat up or cool down. The dual boiler system also ensures that the water temperature is consistent, which is crucial for achieving optimal espresso extraction.
- PID temperature control
The La Marzocco GB5 features a PID temperature controller that allows you to adjust the temperature of the water with precision. This is important because different types of coffee require different temperatures for optimal extraction. With the GB5, you can customize the temperature to suit your specific coffee blend and roast.
- Saturated group heads
The La Marzocco GB5 also features saturated group heads that ensure that the water is distributed evenly over the coffee grounds. This results in a more consistent extraction and a better-tasting espresso.
Purchase a La Marzocco GB5 from Visions Espresso Today
Here at Visions Espresso, we have a couple of variations of the La Marzocco GB5 available for purchase:
The refurbished 2011 La Marzocco GB5 in our catalog promises exceptional performance and reliability. After replacing the gaskets and the screens, we subjected the machine to rigorous bench testing in order to ensure that it is in excellent working order. This 2011 model is true to the spirit of the La Marzocco GB5 that was released in 2005, featuring all the things that coffee shop owners and baristas loved about the original. In addition to saturated group heads, the dual boiler system, and dual PID temperature control, this refurbished 2011 La Marzocco GB5 is equipped with insulated boilers, ruby flow restrictors, and a pre-heating system that can help boost productivity.
Alternatively, you may want to consider the La Marzocco GB5 S. This machine is a modern interpretation of the original, retaining its graceful lines and premium feel while improving upon the front panel design for better group visibility. Like the original GB5, the La Marzocco GB5 S features dual PID temperature control, dual boilers, and ruby flow restrictors. It is also equipped with Piero group caps, auto backflush, and performance touch steam wands.