Faema Faemina

Faemina is Faema's dual-boiler home espresso machine: one boiler is dedicated to coffee, the other to auxiliary services, so it can brew and steam at the same time. The group front carries a dedicated pump pressure gauge. Hot water comes from its own spout, separate from the steam nozzle, and the hot-water button doubles as a stand-by switch. The cup support raises and lowers with the Up&Down system, to match cup height: tall for a caffè americano, low for an espresso.

Milk can be frothed two ways: with the manual steam wand, or with the Autosteam version, which heats and froths milk automatically at the touch of a button and stops on its own; this second function is optional, not included as standard. The 2.5-litre water tank is front-removable and houses the water-softener filter inside it; the display warns when the tank needs refilling, and again when the drip tray underneath needs emptying.

The machine heats up in about twelve minutes on every switch-on. Daily care means flushing the groups and wands at the end of the day and cleaning the filter holders with a detergent tablet; the softener filter inside the tank needs periodic replacement. Beyond espresso, the machine also brews filter coffee and tea infusions. It isn't just for the home: it also suits boutiques, hotels and small offices.