Ligre youn – The designer espresso machine
Imagine this: You want perfect espresso. You want perfect milk foam. But you don't want a 30-minute warm-up time, you don't want complicated levers, and you don't want a machine that takes up half your kitchen.
The Ligre youn is the answer. It wasn't developed in Italy, but by the Gronbach Group (Germany/Austria) – a family business with over 60 years of experience in developing premium household appliances. Their goal: to make the complexity of the espresso machine invisible without sacrificing quality.
The result is breathtaking: A design object that heats up in just 4 minutes , with Easy & Nerd Mode, and which has already won gold at the iF Design Award and German Design Award .
Why Ligre youn? Two modes for every type.
The Ligre youn resolves the eternal conflict between "I just want coffee" and "I want to experiment":
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Easy Mode: For a relaxed morning. The machine takes care of the parameters. You press a button, and you get perfection. Even the milk froth is fully automatic (and barista-quality!) – even vegan milk alternatives are perfectly textured.
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Nerd Mode: Perfect for the weekend. You take control. Precisely adjust pre-infusion, temperature, brewing pressure, and extraction time to coax every last bit of aroma out of your specialty coffee.
Between these extremes there are three predefined brewing profiles : "Mellow Morning" (mild), "Vibrant Vigor" (medium) and "Brilliant Bold" (strong) – something for every taste.
Technology in detail – German engineering
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Rapid Conducted Heat System (Patented): Instead of a huge boiler, Ligre uses a 2.1 kg brass heating block with a flow heater and heating cartridges. This saves a significant amount of energy (up to 57% less than classic dual boilers!) and gets the machine ready to use in just 3 minutes and 50 seconds . With 1 kWh, you can prepare up to 220 espressos.
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Dual Circuit System: Separate circuits for espresso (thermoblock) and steam (0.8 liter stainless steel boiler). This means: brewing espresso and frothing milk simultaneously – without waiting.
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Ligre Foamer (Auto-Steam): The steam wand can be used manually or automatically. It perfectly textures the milk to a fine, pored consistency (10 different textures from silky-cold to warm and creamy) while you brew your espresso. Works with cow's milk and all vegan alternatives.
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PID+ control (patented): Sensors monitor and regulate pre-infusion time, pressure, temperature, and flow rate in real time. This guarantees consistent extraction results.
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Design Award Winner: iF Gold Award & German Design Award Gold (2023). Anodized aluminum surfaces (Silver-Beige or Black-Matt), no visible screws, pure aesthetics. Designed by Relvãokellermann (Ana Relvão & Gerhardt Kellermann).
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Made in DACH: Engineering expertise from Germany and Austria – short transport routes, high quality controls, sustainable manufacturing.
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Quiet Sound Design: The entire preparation process is accompanied by a quiet, pleasant sound – perfect for early morning hours.
The Coffee Coaching Club tip: Applied aroma chemistry
Our
Wild Peach practically explodes with fruity and floral notes (peach, jasmine, apricot) because the temperature is electronically controlled with pinpoint accuracy (PID+ control). At the same time, in "Nerd Mode" you have enough pressure power and control to unlock the full body and creamy texture of our
Nutty Delight .
Pre-infusion makes the difference: The youn measures pre-infusion time, pressure, and flow rate in real time. For light roasts (Wild Peach), you can use a longer pre-infusion time (6-8 seconds) → better puck penetration → even extraction → no channeling → maximum sweetness.
For darker roasts (Cozy Chocolate), a shorter pre-infusion (3-4 seconds) works better → faster pressure build-up → more body → less over-extraction → velvety texture.
Technical specifications – Precision meets design
What you will receive – Scope of delivery
- Ligre youn Espresso Machine (Silver-Beige or Black-Matt)
- Double spout portafilter (58mm, wooden handle available in 4 variations)
- Metal tamper (wooden handle optional)
- Two sieves: 1 (single) and 2 (double)
- Blind filter (for cleaning program)
- User manual (multilingual)
- Power cable (Swiss plug, 220-240V)
- 2-year warranty + support from the official Ligre partner
Who is the Ligre youn right for?
You don't need the Youn if you love classic aesthetics (chrome, brass, levers). Then a La Marzocco Linea Mini or Arkel Coast would be better for you.
But treat yourself to the Ligre youn if:
- You prioritize design . If you want a machine that looks like a work of art – minimalist, monolithic, modern – the youn fits perfectly into design-oriented kitchens (Scandinavian, minimalist, modern).
- You want speed . If you don't want to wait 30 minutes in the morning for the machine to heat up. The Youn is ready to go in under 4 minutes – that's fast.
- You appreciate Easy Mode . For those times when you just want to press a button and get perfect espresso and milk foam – without having to think about it. The Auto-Steam function is brilliant.
- You love nerd mode . If you want to experiment on the weekend – pre-infusion time, brewing pressure, temperature, flow rate. The youn gives you full control.
- You take sustainability seriously. If you want a machine for life – robust, durable, energy-efficient (up to 57% less power consumption), made in Germany, Austria, Switzerland (DACH) with short transport routes.
- You need to think space-savingly . The youn is compact in depth (304mm), but wide (450mm). Perfect for narrow worktops – but you need space in width.
- You are ready to invest in quality . This is high-end – but you get award-winning design + German engineering + Gronbach quality.
The truth: The Ligre youn is elegant . It's the fastest . It's the most intuitive . If you're ready to invest in design and comfort—if you want a machine that makes complexity invisible—then the youn is the right choice.
Perfect combination: youn + siji mill
Ligre offers the perfect grinder: the Ligre Siji (55mm flat burrs, grind-by-weight down to 0.1g, stepless adjustment, exceptionally quiet). The Siji is factory-tuned to the Youn – minimalist design, silent operation, precise dosing.
Alternatively, we recommend:
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Mahlkönig E64 WS : Grind-by-Weight (precision down to 0.1g), 64mm burrs, Grind-by-Sync – for maximum consistency
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Varia VS4 : Single dosing, less than 0.1g retention – for different beans daily
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Weber EG-1 : 80mm Flat Burrs, maximum clarity – for the highest demands
Frequently asked questions about Ligre youn
How quickly does the young thing really get hot?
3 minutes 50 seconds until fully ready for use. This is industry-leading – significantly faster than any classic dual boiler machine (e.g., Linea Mini: ~15-20 min, Arkel Coast: ~10 min).
How does Easy Mode work?
You select a brewing profile ("Mellow Morning", "Vibrant Vigor" or "Brilliant Bold"), press a button, and the machine takes care of all the parameters (pre-infusion time, pressure, temperature, water volume). For milk frothing: attach the steam wand, press the button, wait – done. Perfect microfoam, every time.
What settings can I adjust in Nerd Mode?
Everything: pre-infusion time, brewing pressure, temperature, extraction time, water volume. You have full control over every aspect of the extraction. The display shows you all values in real time.
Does Auto-Steam work with vegan milk alternatives?
Yes! The Ligre Foamer works with all types of milk: cow's milk, oat milk, almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk. You can choose from 10 different textures (from silky-cool to warm and creamy).
How loud is the youn?
Very quiet. Ligre has invested a lot of work in the sound design. The Youn is significantly quieter than classic espresso machines – perfect for early mornings or offices.
Can I connect the Youn to a water pipe?
No. The youn only works with a water tank (1.6 liters). However, thanks to its efficient heating system, you need less water than with traditional boiler machines. 1.6 liters is enough for approximately 8-10 double espressos.
Which coffee goes best with youn?
All of them. But the Youn really shines with light, fruity roasts, where precise temperature control is most noticeable. Wild Peach is perfect for the Youn. But even classic blends like Nutty Delight get a creamy texture you'd otherwise only find in professional cafés.
Is the Youn difficult to use?
No. Easy Mode is as simple as a Nespresso machine (press a button, espresso comes out). Nerd Mode requires some initial setup – but the display guides you through all the settings.
Can I use perfect water?
Absolutely. Combine the youn with our Apax Lab Box Set (water mineralization for maximum taste). The youn delivers precise extraction – the Apax Lab Set delivers perfect water. Together: Unbeatable.
Coffee recommendations for the Ligre youn
The Youn shines with all roasts – but especially with light, fruity coffees + precise temperature control makes all the difference:
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Wild Peach : Light roast, peach and jasmine notes. Here the magic of the youn coffee machine shines: Fresh (oxygen-rich) water + PID+ control (constant 93°C) + pre-infusion (6-8 seconds) = an explosion of fruitiness. Sweet, fruity, velvety – without any bitter or sour notes.
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Nutty Delight : Classic blend, hazelnut caramel chocolate. The Youn brewer brings out a creamy texture you'd normally only find in professional cafés. 93°C, pre-infusion 4 seconds, 25-28 seconds total brewing time.
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Cozy Chocolate : Natural Brazil, chocolatey, creamy, full-bodied. The Youn delivers maximum body – like liquid milk chocolate. 94°C, pre-infusion 3 seconds, 30 seconds total time.
Conclusion – The future is now
The Ligre youn is not a machine for nostalgics. It is for modernists. It fits perfectly into design-oriented kitchens and offices where quality is expected, but complexity is avoided.
This isn't a machine you buy because you have to. This is a machine you buy because you want to – because you love design, because you value speed, because you want Easy Mode + Nerd Mode in one device.
This is German engineering that competes with Italian market leaders – but without the Italian nostalgia. This is the future of the espresso machine – minimalist, intelligent, sustainable.
Experience the design marvel in Bern or Zurich
We have the Ligre youn ready for demonstration in Bern and Zurich. Come by, try out the Auto-Steam and be amazed at how good "simple" can taste.
📦 Available immediately | 🏆 Design Award Winner (iF Gold & German Design Award Gold) | 🇨🇭 Includes barista training
