Summer’s here and with it a rare chance to get discounts off Gaggia coffee machines, accessories and even our coffee.

We don’t tend to do sales in winter and usually steer well clear of Black Friday in November and all those over-hyped shenanigans.

No, here we’re rather more relaxed and in holiday mode so we thought we’d share that summery feeling with you all, especially as our newest machines now come with an over-ice feature too.

We’ve a few discount codes that have just become available, ranging from reducing prices on specific machines to money off if you spend over a certain amount.

Here’s a snapshot of what we have on special offer.
* Get £75 off the Gaggia Anima Black and Anima Barista Plus by using the code NS25AN75. Both those machines are already greatly reduced to £499 from £719 so you’ll make a huge saving using our discount code.
* Get £10 off orders over £100 with the code NS22AU10
* Get 10% off coffee and Gaggia accessories with the code SUM25AC
* Get £30 per subscriber off orders over £400 with the code NS25J30
* Save 5% on orders over £600 with the code NS25J5P

Don’t forget, when you buy a coffee machine direct from Gaggia UK you’ll also automatically get our 5 year warranty on parts that includes parts and labour for the first 2 years and our forever customer support which lasts, well, forever.
Any questions or problems in the future then contact us directly by phone or zoom and you’ll be straight through to a person who can help – none of that automated phone and muzak malarkey.

All the full discount details are on the Gaggia UK website at Subscriber Promotions New - GAGGIA UNITED KINGDOM

How ice can make your coffee and mocktails extra nice … and here are 3 great Gaggia recipes

Heatwaves and long sunny days don’t trouble the UK that often so let’s make the most of them by mixing coffee with ice.

An iced coffee is actually great in summer, autumn, winter and spring and here we share three great recipes for luxury coffee mocktails with you.

To help you on your way, we can update the software on your Magenta Prestige and the Cadorna Prestige, which will give you that over ice function. All our new machines of these two models have it and if you want it on yours, simply contact us. 
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Any machine that comes in for a service or maintenance will be automatically upgraded.

Gaggia UK managing director Raj Beadle says: “We all love a hot coffee but iced coffee is certainly becoming increasingly popular, never more so than when we’re lucky enough to get a spell of hot weather.

“Many people who have never tried an iced coffee before are amazed by the taste and just want to explore what else they can do with coffee and ice so we thought we’d share these three great recipes with you.”

The recipes for these non-alcoholic mocktails have been devised especially for Gaggia by Christian Tirro and Vanessa Ferrini from the Italian Barista Academy.

The three are a Virgin Expresso Colada, a Ginger Coffee Spritz and a Chilled Banana Shake.

Virgin Espresso Colada
Ingredients
20ml coconut syrup
100ml pineapple juice
100ml coconut drink
The juice of half a lemon
6 ice cubes
Soda
1 double espresso 

This is so easy to make in a blender. Pour in the coconut syrup, pineapple juice, coconut milk, the juice of half a lemon and 6 ice cubes. Mix everything until you get a creamy smoothie.

Then pour it into your cocktail glass, add a few extra ice cubes, drop in a splash of soda to make the drink fizzy and finally add the cooled down espresso on top. This will make the drink more intense.

If you fancy garnishing it then decorate the glass with a pineapple leaf and a slice of dried pineapple on top.
 
Ginger Coffee Spritz
Ingredients
1 espresso
2cl ginger syrup
Lime juice
Soda
Ice
A slice of dried lemon
Candied ginger
 
1. Brew a double espresso with your Gaggia machine and pour it into the glass.

2. Add the ginger syrup in the glass, over the espresso, then stir so the aromas can mix.

3. Squeeze a lime into the soda and then pour the lime-flavored soda into the glass.

4. Add a handful of crushed ice into the glass and top with an extra splash of lime soda.

You can garnish your Ginger Coffee Spritz with a dried slice of lemon and candied ginger.
 
Chilled Banana Shake Mocktail
Ingredients  (for 1 drink)

1 espresso shot
1 over-ice coffee (prepared with Gaggia Cadorna or Magenta Prestige)
1 banana
4cl of coconut syrup
150ml of coconut milk
1cl of liquid sugar
Ice cubes

Instructions (you can probably skip decorating the glass if you want)
1 Prepare the banana milkshake: Combine a banana, coconut syrup, coconut milk and liquid sugar in a blender and blend until you obtain a thick, smooth mixture. This will be the creamy base for your drink.

2  Prepare the Coffee Cream: Using an electric milk frother or whisk whip together the espresso, water and liquid sugar until you get a firm, velvety foam.

3  Decorate the Glass: Use a kitchen brush to coat one side of the glass with liquid sugar. Dip that side into the shredded coconut to garnish.

4  Assemble the Mocktail: Fill the glass with ice cubes and brew over them the over-ice coffee with your Gaggia machine. Then pour the banana milkshake into the glass, followed by the whipped coffee cream on top. 
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5  Garnish: Top with banana chips and a sprinkle of shredded coconut or coconut flakes.
If you have your own recipes using Gaggia coffee machines why not share them with us by emailing them to [email protected]
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An inspiring figure in the world of coffee, a cherished friend, and a true gentleman.
We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Rob, lovingly known by many as "Machine Guru Rob". A name that echoed with respect and admiration throughout the coffee world.

Rob’s journey in the industry began with a long and dedicated tenure at Whittard of Chelsea, where he became a trusted and familiar presence. His depth of knowledge, quiet confidence, and unrelenting passion for coffee machines made him a guiding figure to many—customers and colleagues alike.

Never one to rest on his laurels, Rob went on to co-found, with his wife Alison, Rosie and Java in Richmond-upon-Thames—a delightful boutique where his love for fine coffee and tea blossomed into a community hub. There, with his characteristic warmth and sincerity, he built lasting connections with countless visitors who left not only with the perfect brew, but with the sense they’d just had a chat with an old friend.

Even in recent years, as he faced illness with quiet courage and grace, Rob remained as committed as ever to his craft. His trusty Gaggia Classic machine never gathered dust—he used it with the same joy and attention he always had. A true coffee enthusiast to the very end.

But beyond his knowledge and professionalism, it was Rob’s kindness, humility, and deep love for his family that touched us most. He was a man who gave generously of his time, always willing to share a tip, repair a beloved machine, or simply enjoy a moment over a perfectly brewed espresso.

He leaves behind not only a legacy of excellence in coffee and customer service, but also the warmth of every smile he shared and every cup he lovingly crafted.

Rob, your presence will be greatly missed—but your spirit will linger in every steam of a Gaggia, every aroma of a freshly brewed cup, and every person you inspired.

Rest peacefully, Rob. You brewed a beautiful life.
​
PS: One of the photographs displayed at the funeral, among family photographs was a picture of Rob with his beloved Gaggia Classic and grinder - a lobster red model, which happened to match Rob's orange trousers!

Good Food says Gaggia Classic is the best manual expresso machine in 2025
 
Gaggia coffee machines have been very highly rated after being reviewed by three national magazines.

Good Food, Good Housekeeping and Tech Radar all love Gaggias.

Good Food rated the Gaggia Classic espresso machine as the Best Manual Expresso Machine in 2025, rating it 5 out of 5.

They say it’s easy to use with an efficient steam wand, a good tamper and coffee scoop and love its professional grade accessories and specifications.

The review adds: “Designed and made in Italy, the Gaggia Classic is pitched as a state-of-the-art coffee machine for the home – a statement we don’t disagree with.

“Much of this is due to the impressive functionality hidden behind its stainless steel body, such as the solenoid valve which is responsible for controlling water temperature inside the filter holder, but you can also feel it in the parts for manually making coffee.

“The chromed brass group and filter holder are the same size, weight and style of those used with professional commercial machines, designed to control the heat during brewing for optimal extraction.

“There’s space to store and warm five espresso cups on the top. Even with its state-of-the art style, this is still one easy-to-use machine.”

Tech Radar says the Gaggia Magenta Plus is the best bean-to-cup coffee machine in 2025 for budding baristas.

The magazine’s reviewers say it’s simple to use, drinks can be customised, it gives the user control over milk steaming and produces smooth coffee with a thick crema.

The review states: “The Gaggia Magenta Plus is an excellent bean-to-cup coffee machine for those who want more input into the finished drink. It’ll still take care of grinding fresh coffee beans and pouring coffee. This machine delivers four types of coffee in 30 seconds flat.

“We were impressed with the espresso’s robust crema and rich flavour on the test. We also liked that the drinks can be customised regarding strength, aroma, drink size and temperature.

“For milky drinks you’ll need to become familiar with the steam wand and master the correct technique for texturising milk but it’s not too tricky once you get the hang of it.
“This sleek black machine looks great on your counter and it’s more affordable than most bean-to-cup machines.”

Good Housekeeping also highly rates the Gaggia Magenta Plus, saying its review team rigorously reviews each coffee machine, measuring their performance against its detailed protocols so readers can shop with confidence.

They state: “We’ve been testing products at the Good Housekeeping Institute for 100 years so we know quality when we see it.”

The 2025 review of the Gaggia Magenta Plus adds: “With an innovative, professional-style steam wand this machine is a standout if you love milky coffees and want more control than most offer. It reaches a range of temperatures quickly and will help you whip up any style of drink in a jiffy.
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“It’s a thoughtfully designed machine that comes with clear instructions and an intuitive digital interface and controls. It’s compact, efficient and you can also adjust the settings to suit your taste.”

Concert starring some of Huddersfield’s well-known musicians to be broadcast live worldwide thanks to Gaggia UK

A major charity concert featuring some of the top names in Huddersfield music will be livestreamed worldwide and sponsored by Gaggia UK.

The event at Lindley Methodist Church on Saturday, May 17, will by compered by well-known Huddersfield music leader and singer Thom Meredith and feature Marsh Ladies Choir, Gledholt Male Voice Choir, deaf musician Paul Whittaker, OBE and his amazing Musical Hands Singing Choir.

It will be shown live on Zoom so anyone can watch it anywhere in the world.

It’s been organised by church member Raj Beadle, who has been managing director for Gaggia UK and Ireland’s domestic operations for 30 years.

The company has sponsored the concert which it does every year as part of its vital community and charity work.

Lindley Methodist Church has supported an African charity helping young children for many years and all the money raised by the concert will be going to this charity.

It’s the Riziki Children’s Organisation based in Nakuru, Kenya, which supports children, often orphans, from dire poverty and then helps them through their schooling right through to higher education, including universities.

Raj first got the idea for live streaming events during the pandemic when he discovered Zoom.

He said: “People couldn’t come to our showroom any more so we, like so many other people worldwide, suddenly discovered Zoom on the internet which we used to show our coffee machines and now our engineers give advice to customers on Zoom if they ever have a problem with their machines.

“But it also got me thinking and I realised it would be great to use Zoom to take our fundraising to a wider audience and also showcase the great music that comes from Huddersfield to the world at large.”

People will be asked to pay £10 to watch the concert on Zoom with all the money going to the charity.

If people would prefer to help their own charities they can do that too. They can livestream the concert for £20 to two or more people but can also charge anyone else who attends their venue to raise money for their own charity.

The 40-strong Gledholt Male Voice Choir has been singing in Huddersfield for 75 years and has a wide repertoire which includes songs from popular musicals and operas through to traditional Welsh hymns. 

Marsh Ladies Choir also has around 40 singers and has been going for 65 years with a mix of musical styles from classical and folk to swing, jazz and songs from the shows.

Musician Paul Whittaker has been deaf all his life. A pianist and organist, he has a music degree from Wadham College, Oxford, and for 27 years ran a charity helping deaf people access music. He was awarded an OBE for services to music in 2007.

His Musical Hands Signing Choir has deaf and hearing members who both sing and use sign language at the same time.

Thom Meredith, who has a reputation as a fine baritone soloist, will be both the compere and soloist at the concert.

In 2000 Thom formed and conducted the Kirklees Youth Symphony Orchestra which is now called Musica Youth Orchestra.

Thom has been Colne Valley Male Voice Choir’s musical director since 1989, is musical director for the Yorkshire Philharmonic Choir and, as a freelance musician, is now regularly in demand to adjudicate and lead vocal workshops, singing days and choral courses nationwide.

The concert starts at 2.30pm on Saturday, May 17, and to buy tickets go to Gala Concert - GAGGIA UNITED KINGDOM

​The capacity for the church is 200 and tickets are £10.

The new Gaggia Classic GT is here … and coffee experts and coffee lovers are raving about it.

This is the first time Gaggia has included two boilers in its domestic coffee machines, instantly putting it at the top of the prosumer pecking order.

The dual boiler – one is brass and the other stainless steel just for steam and hot water - means you can be making your coffee and frothing your milk or dispensing hot water at the same time with the latest PIDs to control your water temperature to within just 1°C … that’s literally fine-tuning it to the nth degree.

By the way, if you want to know what PID stands for on coffee machines it’s Proportional Integral Derivative (of course) which means the water temperature is constantly monitoring the small adjustments made to keep it at the set temperature. 

The Classic GT also has a fancy programmable digital display screen and even has its own dial to show the brew pressure. The stainless steel wand means you can let your latte art run riot.

This machine heats up really quickly to get you brew-ready in just five minutes, full steam power in seven and it takes just 20 seconds to heat 5oz of milk to 140°F.

It has automatic and manual pre-infusion and there is room on the warming plate for six expresso cups so, well, why not have a select coffee party to celebrate getting one.

The Classic GT even has a hot water dispenser for teas, herbal infusions or American coffees.

The machine has five toggle switches to control the main power, manual pre-infusion, brewing, hot water and steam and the style flows through even to the tamper which comes complete with a black wooden handle complete with the Gaggia logo. 

You can preset the volume dispensed for your expresso so once you’ve perfected it, set the dial and it’ll be exactly the same every time.

It also has a timer so the coffee machine will be all ready for you when you get up in the morning.

Here at Gaggia we can fully demonstrate the machine to you live if you contact us on Zoom at https://www.gaggiadirect.com/meet-us-live.html.

Alternatively, coffee bloggers have been giving the machine thorough test runs, showing you all the Classic’s amazing features.

A great British one is Coffee Kev which you can watch on  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQLgSfOxpjc&t=355s and he’s also written an incredibly in-depth review too at https://coffeeblog.co.uk/gaggia-classic-gt-dual-boiler-review

While from the USA we have Wholelattelove which you can watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eTlnWctCTA&t=10s or read at https://www.wholelattelove.com/products/gaggia-classic-gt

Wholelattelove says: “Despite being one of the easiest-to-use prosumers out there, the Gaggia GT delivers precision, power and features enough to satisfy even hardcore espresso enthusiasts.

“The Gaggia Classic GT offers a unique feature set with the brand’s legendary build quality and a price point that simply can’t be beat. The precise PID-regulated boilers, low-flow pre-infusion, and intuitive display make producing cafe-quality beverages on the GT easier than on just about any other prosumer out there.”

One customer, Mark W from Carlisle, who has already got his machine from Gaggia UK says: “This Gaggia GT machine is everything it claims to be and so much more. You can use this machine to consistently pull espresso after espresso that is rich, full bodied and perfectly extracted. The machine is easy and intuitive to use and easy to clean. The Gaggia GT provides coffee that would tax the abilities of many professional machines.”
So why brand it the Classic GT?

Well, the GT tag on cars is well-known with these vehicles having extra style and power … just like the Gaggia Classic GT. It even has a ‘go faster’ red stripe running along the bottom of the machine.

The GT marque originates from Italy and stands for gran turismo (grand touring) to bridge a sports car with a luxury one so it should have a big engine, a comfortable ride, a luxurious interior and elegant bodywork but be able to handle like a sports car when needed.

So you can see why the technology, design and performance on the new Gaggia Classic GT are all so outstanding, taking the art of coffee-making to the next level of luxury.
The new Gaggia Classic GT delivers exactly what it promises … performance with panache and all for £1,699.

If you want to upgrade your Gaggia Classic or any other model please email us for a quote at [email protected]

​For more information and to order from Gaggia UK go to https://www.gaggiadirect.com
Or simply call us direct on 01422 766972 or check out our virtual assistant.

Gaggia UK first to support national charity’s grand idea for 1,000 people to support it every month

There is strength in numbers and the same goes for fundraising which is why a charity has set up a scheme to sign up 1,000 people and businesses to donate regularly … and Gaggia UK is leading the way by being the first business to make a donation every month.

My Mito Mission has established Project 1000 Strong and its first corporate sign-up has been Gaggia UK which has supported the charity for a few years.

The charity operates nationwide but is based in Elland, West Yorkshire, very near to the headquarters for Gaggia UK. 

My Mito Mission is an all-encompassing charity that provides nationwide awareness and support while promoting research into mitochondrial disease. It fundraises for all these three aims.

Mitochondrial disease is a devastating diagnosis - it’s progressive and life-limiting with no treatments or cure.

Gaggia UK managing director Raj Beadle has a strong track record of helping charities and has supported My Mito Mission in the past by providing free coffee and machines for coffee mornings, making donations and providing coffee machines as raffle prizes.

He says: “When we learned My Mito Mission had set up Project 1000 Strong it was the logical step for us to take that support to another level by making a regular £50 a month donation.

“Times are tough for charities to fundraise or apply for grants so regular giving helps them to budget for the months and years ahead, knowing what’s coming in and what they can then afford to do to help support people with mitochondrial disease or to put into medical research.”

My Mito Mission co-founder and chair of trustees Christine Beal adds: “Regular donations are the most powerful way to support our vital work, allowing us as a small, high-energy charity to plan and build from a strong foundation.

“We need a 1000 strong team of amazing people to donate any amount from just £2 a month. Yes, 1000 is a lot but, one by one, we know we can reach it and strengthen the future of Mito awareness, support and research.

“Gaggia UK’s monthly donation is very generous, especially as this amount covers vital counselling appointments for someone impacted by mitochondrial disease.”

Mitochondrial disease is a complex condition but, essentially, mitochondrial are like little battery packs inside almost every cell in the body converting food and oxygen into energy and if they don’t work properly they can have a major impact anywhere in the body, especially people’s major organs (which need the most energy) and general health.

Medical experts agree that mitochondrial dysfunction is the root causes of many other well-known conditions and these include obesity, hepatitis, dementia, heart disease, cancer, sepsis, autism, epilepsy, stroke, diabetes, motor neurone disease, lupus, migraine, bipolar disorder, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s, fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis.

This is why research into mitochondrial disease is so critical as it can help in the treatment and research for many other conditions.

Christine says: “We now say that mitochondrial research matters to millions. Our slogan is Mito Matters To Me as it really does matter to everyone. How well our mitochondria work dictates our general wellbeing and vitality and how well we age so it really is important to us all which is why need so many people to support Project 1000 Strong.”
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My Mito Mission is a unique charity in that it has a central office but people around the country with mitochondrial disease set up their own Mito Missions, in effect mini charities within the charity, but all the money comes back to My Mito Mission.

Their missions focus on them as individuals, raising awareness in the areas they live about mitochondrial disease and its implications, not only for them but also for the wider population.

To find out more and to sign up go to:
 https://www.mymitomission.uk/project-1000-strong
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To read more about Gaggia UK’s charity work go to https://www.gaggiadirect.com/supporting-charities.html

​Coffee pioneer James Hoffmann is now arguably the best-known expert worldwide when it comes to all things coffee … and it all started at Gaggia UK.

For James’ first role in the coffee industry was selling Gaggia coffee machines at top London Oxford Street store House of Fraser in the early 2000s and it began his lifelong obsession with coffee.

It also turned out to be a thorough grounding for what was to come which ultimately led to James being UK Barista Champion in 2006 and 2007 and World Barista champion in 2007.

One of his early inspirations was Raj Beadle who is still managing director of Gaggia UK and renowned for his support for charities. Raj did several events and workshops with James at Oxford Street stores.

James said: “I had a great working relationship with Raj, how could you not? He’s always been an incredibly kind, generous and very thoughtful person who has been a pleasure to work with and I’m a big fan.

“It was an amazing start. It was a great way into coffee that showed me there were pathways forward in the industry, there were career opportunities.

“I could have my interests fed and stoked and then turned into something useful. It wasn’t just knowledge for knowledge’s sake, I could turn what I was learning back into value for the people I was working with so it was a great place to start. I was fully obsessed.

“Working with Gaggia opened up a whole new world of knowledge for me and I quickly realised there’s so much to learn about coffee that you never stop learning.

“They gave me the ‘help’ emails to answer and that was an incredible education for me as it showed me in 2003 and 2004 what people were thinking, what they were expecting, what frustrated them and all that was very useful for me in my career going forwards.

“I did that for a couple of years and it was a great opportunity to learn. At one point Gaggia was involved with the Prince’s Trust and that was a real trial by fire for me as I was given these kids who were not traditional coffee interested people. I had to teach them and really enjoyed the challenge and seeing how they responded to it.

“That set me down the path of coffee education which has been a weird constant in my varied coffee career over the last 20 years.

“That thirst for knowledge keeps me in coffee. There’s a lifetime of stuff to learn here – you can go into history, culture and coffee production. It’s so global, it’s so intwined in many cultures in many different ways. It’s such a massive industry and all of it contributes in one way or another to this final experience you have when you drink a cup of coffee in the morning.

“Pretty early on I thought coffee was this hidden world that was amazing but no-one really knew about it and certainly people who drank coffee didn’t know about it. I think that was a big impetus for me to do what I do.”

James says the 2020 pandemic saw a massive growth in the number of people buying home coffee machines.

“Home coffee machines had already been growing in a steady line,” he said. “Coffee was getting better and better, there were more and more businesses encouraging your interest in coffee, not just more coffee shops, there were more coffee roasting companies and everyone was trying to get you to drink and enjoy coffee more and it was working.

“But the pandemic super-charged coffee at home. We had got used to nice coffee being part of our lives in nice cafes and we weren’t willing to just let it go. Suddenly we were stuck at home and occasionally just needed to do something else and coffee fitted that niche nicely.

“People thought ‘I’m not going to work and just have some time to myself to make a coffee and indulge in the process of making a coffee. Oh, it’s a bit tricky so maybe I’ll learn something.’ Learning is always satisfying so that was the big sharp uptick which was huge.”

Although he’s been a world champion, James’ tastes when it comes to coffee are very traditional.

“My go to default most days is filter coffee because I’m a slow person and I need a little bit more time,” he said. “I don’t drink milk or milk alternatives so I’m either expresso or black coffee.”

But does it keep him awake?

“I have a 2pm cut-off now for my final cup,” he said. “I feel as if that cut-off is getting earlier and earlier as I get older and older as I do value my sleep quite a lot.”
But would he ever drink a cup of instant coffee?

“I don’t choose it but I do drink it so if I’m at someone’s house and that’s all they have and they offer me a coffee then I’ll drink it,” he said. “Also, if it’s 6am and I’m desperate. I won’t enjoy it, it’s a functional beverage rather than a pleasurable one. It’s a different drink to me but it’s still out there and a part of life.”

James revealed he originally didn’t like coffee but quickly grew to like it during his Gaggia days.

“Acquired tastes are quite literal,” he said. “The science says if you try to like something and you taste it with a positive mindset seven to eight times your brain eventually just accepts that you want to like it and you like it. Most of us go through this with things like beer as adolescents when the first sip of beer is not a good time but you want to like it and so eventually you do.

“And it’s the same with coffee. I really wanted to like it so I kept going back tasting and wanting to like it and I knew it was interesting. I’d already been captured in my head by it. I’d read enough and seen enough and thought this is really interesting. I wish I liked it and then I did and I remember drinking my first expresso, enjoying it and thinking ‘I’ve done it, I like this now.’
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That like quickly turned into his life’s passion.

Based on an interview with James Hoffmann by Andrew Hirst

We decided to put artificial intelligence through its paces by asking our loyal customers and followers to thoroughly test it.

We wanted to make sure the answers our AI gives are accurate and the results certainly surprised us, especially as we’ve been shortlisted for a major customer care award and wanted to add AI to the many ways we help our customers.

And who best to check it out and put AI through its paces but our customers themselves and we’ve had more than 2,000 questions which is absolutely staggering.

Gaggia UK managing director Raj Beadle explains: “We know AI can be a force for good but with the underlying concern that not everything on it is correct. We believe it’s important to embrace AI so customers can ask probing questions at any time of the day or night but we don’t want to leave anything to chance.

“So we set it up and then sent an email to customers on our database inviting them to ask our AI anything about coffee and hundreds responded with a question which shows that the interest in AI is overwhelming.

“They’ve certainly tested it to the extreme, asking everything from how to enhance the crema on top of coffee through to what you’d do if you felt your wife was paying more attention to your Gaggia coffee machine than you.

“People have asked questions I’ve never heard before and thrown up information I didn’t know so AI is a great way to learn and stretch both yourself and your business too.”

Raj has sifted through every answer and corrected anything that was not quite right and the AI seems to update itself so picks up the amended answer next time someone asks the question.

“It’s a phenomenally powerful way to help customers,” adds Raj. “But we see it as an important addition and in no way replaces our preferred way to speak to customers which is on Zoom, over the phone or in person.”

The AI we use is our virtual assistant robot which we’ve initially named VAR. Perhaps we could have used a little more imagination so if anyone has a better idea for a name then please let us know.

Gaggia UK has been shortlisted for the Customer Focus Award in the 2025 Institute of Customer Service awards for its unique ‘forever customer care’ policy and we’ll find out if we’ve won at the awards in London on March 4.

People who contact us for help or advice speak immediately to someone from the business and they can do that either on the phone, instantly by video on Zoom or a live chat.
We can now provide a sign language expert so deaf people can contact us on Zoom for help.

Here are a few of the questions Gaggia’s customers asked of VAR, including the dafter ones!

Question: I think my wife is cheating on me with my coffee maker. How should I respond?
Can I sue Gaggia for alienation of affection?
VAR: If you have any questions about your coffee maker or need assistance with it, feel free to ask. For personal matters, it might be helpful to have an open and honest conversation with your wife. If you have legal concerns, consulting with a legal professional would be the best course of action.

Question: Do you know any coffee related jokes?
VAR: Sure, why did the coffee file a police report? It got mugged! I hope that brought a smile to your face (blush).

Question: How much ground coffee should I use in the basket for each shot?
VAR: The amount of ground coffee you should use can vary depending on your machine and personal preference. Generally, for a single shot of espresso you would use about 7 to 9 grams of coffee. If you prefer a stronger shot, you might use up to 11 grams.
Question: Which grind setting makes a great tasting coffee?
VAR: If you prefer a stronger, more intense flavour you might want to try a finer grind. Conversely, a coarser grind will produce a milder taste. It’s a good idea to make small adjustments and taste the coffee after each change to find the perfect setting for you.

Question: How often should I clean my machine?
VAR: To keep your coffee machine in top condition it’s important to follow a regular cleaning schedule:
1. Descaling: This should be done at least once every two months using the Gaggia descaler. This helps prevent mineral build-up from affecting your machine’s performance.
2. Backflushing: If your machine supports it, backflushing can be done to maintain the cleanliness of the brew group and solenoid valve. Use a backflush detergent specifically designed for espresso machines.
3. Daily cleaning: Wipe down the machine, including the group head, and flush the system with hot water regularly.
4. Steam Wand: Clean the steam wand after each use to remove milk residue.
5. Lubrication: Lubricate the brew group seals and moving parts every six months or after 500 coffees.
To use VAR go to https://www.gaggiadirect.com/gaggia-virtual-assistant.html

This is what the Telegraph said about the Gaggia Magenta Plus being the Best Automatic Bean-To-Cup Coffee Machine, scoring it 9 out of 10 and praising its “consistently good quality results.”

“Adjustable ceramic grinders offer five settings from fine to coarse and allow you to modify the amount of coffee used in each brew. There’s also an option to use coffee grounds – useful if you’re out of beans.

“An LED touch screen offers a choice of four coffee styles - espresso, espresso lungo, coffee and Americano - with options to vary size, temperature and strength and it’s very simple to navigate. The base plate can be raised up and the dispenser can be lowered too so a wide range of cup sizes can easily be accommodated.

“The espresso created was smooth and rounded with an excellent crema.”