- FrancisFrancis
FrancisFrancis! is an
espresso machine manufacturer owned by illy.Founded in 1994 by Francesco Illy, FrancisFrancis has produced espresso machines of high quality materials and design, dedicated to the home market. FrancisFrancis! was the first to propose a bold and unconventional household appliance thanks to the affinity between metal and color: the X1 model is the most photographed espresso machine in the world. Italian architect Luca Trazzi was responsible for the aesthetics, delivering a truly unconventional look, but one that at the same time appealed to the masses.
In 2004 the company was purchased by illy, since then, FrancisFrancis! became the espresso machines of choice for illy, always associated with the coffee brand. The Francis Francis! espresso makers were one of the first to feature the option for the E.S.E. pods. Currently, all new FF! models are only suitable for the E.S.E. pods, a filter for pre-ground coffee is optional.
Although renowned for their beauty, the FrancisFrancis! machines were often criticized for their average, or even poor espresso-making performance by espresso fanatics. Still, the machines are a big success, further promoting illy coffee and their E.S.E. system. Since the acquisition of FF! by illy, the models have been rigorously improved, resulting in more and more positive votes from the connoisseur community.
In the UK (as of late 2007) the newest version of the X1 is known as the X1 Ground - it is only suitable for ground coffee and is not compatible with the ESE pods system. The premier supplier in the UK is www.ilovecoffee.co.uk , the site for Bolton based company Craystone Investments Ltd.
Interesting Facts
*The red version of the X1 was inspired by the racing cars of Ferrari.
*The new "Trio" line of X1, X3, X6 only support E.S.E. pods.
*The X1 was used in an episode of Sex and the City involving Carrie Bradshaw getting a red X1 as a gift from Aleksandr Petrovsky.Links
* [http://www.FrancisFrancis.com Official FF! Website]
* [http://www.illy.com/illy2006/USA/ Official illy USA Website]
* [http://www.coffeegeek.com/proreviews/firstlook/francisfrancisx1 CoffeeGeek First Look of X1]
* [http://www.coffeegeek.com/proreviews/detailed/francisfrancisx3 CoffeeGeek Review of X3]
* [http://www.ilovecoffee.co.uk I Love Coffee - UK supplier of FrancisFrancis]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
