La Marzocco: An iconic brand in the world of espresso
By Yalcin Akpinar · Food chemist, over 15 years in the flavour industry
La Marzocco's story is closely intertwined with the history of espresso itself. In 1939, La Marzocco revolutionised the coffee industry by introducing the first espresso machine with a horizontal boiler. This innovation made it possible to prepare several cups of coffee at once and changed the way cafés operated worldwide.
La Marzocco hasn't stopped innovating since. In 1970, the company launched the GS model, an espresso machine with a dual boiler – a groundbreaking technology that enables precise temperature control and so improves the taste and quality of the espresso.
But what really stands out when you see a La Marzocco machine is the craftsmanship. Every La Marzocco machine is made by hand in the workshop in Scarperia, in Tuscany. Every machine is built with care and precision, which shows in the machines' exceptional quality and durability. It's this dedication to craftsmanship that has led La Marzocco machines to often be called the "Rolls-Royce" of espresso machines.
Besides their quality and reliability, La Marzocco machines are also known for their stunning design. From the compact yet powerful Linea Mini to the impressive and versatile Strada, every machine is a design masterpiece that enriches any space with elegance and style.
But in the end, what really sets La Marzocco apart is the experience it offers. With a La Marzocco machine, you can feel part of a long tradition devoted to refining the art of espresso. You can taste the difference that decades of experience and innovation make in every sip of your coffee.
Whether you're a professional barista in a busy café or simply a coffee lover who wants to make the perfect espresso at home, La Marzocco gives you the tools you need to make an exceptional cup of coffee every day.
La Marzocco is more than just a brand. It's a mark of quality, a symbol of innovation and an ambassador of Italian coffee culture. With a La Marzocco machine, you own not just a piece of engineering, but a piece of coffee history. And that's something you can taste in every sip.
Frequently Asked Questions About La Marzocco
How long has La Marzocco existed?
Since 1927. Giuseppe and Bruno Bambi founded the workshop in Florence as 'Officine Fratelli Bambi'. Since 1961 the factory has stood in the hills north of the city, today in Scarperia e San Piero.
Where does the name come from?
From the Marzocco, the heraldic lion of Florence. The heraldic animal is still part of the logo today.
Did La Marzocco invent the dual boiler?
Not quite that broadly. The manufacturer states it more narrowly: in 1970, a patent for the first machine with a dual boiler and saturated group heads was reportedly filed with the GS model. La Marzocco itself also points to the Poker from 1964 as an earlier multi-boiler attempt. We haven't found a patent number for the dual boiler.
Which La-Marzocco patent is documented?
Patent 372525 from 25 February 1939 for the first espresso machine with a horizontal boiler. That's the consequential innovation: it made possible the flat build that stands behind almost every counter today.
What are saturated group heads?
Group heads directly connected to the coffee boiler – the group is thermally part of the boiler rather than a separate piece of metal that first has to heat up. Hence the steady temperature behaviour the machines are known for.
What home models are there?
Linea Mini, Linea Mini R, Linea Micra, and the GS3 in the AV and MP variants. We've compared the Micra and the Mini R, as well as the GS3, in dedicated articles.
What does La Marzocco do for sustainability?
According to the company, a photovoltaic system covers the factory's electricity needs – up to 233 kW –, boiler insulation increases energy efficiency by 20 percent, plus certified green electricity, a net-zero target for 2050, and B Corp certification in 2026. The manufacturer doesn't publish device-specific consumption figures for home models.
Sources: Founding, factory, patent 372525, the 1970 dual-boiler claim and sustainability figures according to lamarzocco.com. All sustainability figures are manufacturer statements without independent verification.
Yalcin Akpinar
Co-founder, equipment and sensory
Graduate food chemist from the University of Hamburg, over 15 years in the international flavour industry, patents in flavour technology. With us he is responsible for roast profiles, bean selection and the choice of machines and grinders.
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