Saeco Automatic Coffee Machines – South Africa’s Brand History and Product Reviews
Saeco is one of the few brands that have successfully evolved and adapted to the changing needs of coffee lovers over time. Locally, Saeco is distributed by the Philips Group, but remains one of the better established Italian Coffee Machines brands available.
With the international footprint the brand already carries, it’s a bit of surprise (or at least it was to me) to find out the brand is still in it’s infancy, in relation to brands such as Lavazza. Saeco was formed in 1981 by two gentlemen – namely Sergio Zappella and Arthur Schmed.
Four years after their partnering and incorporation into the Saeco brand, they created their first Automatic Espresso Machine – the Superautomatica.
For me, the really interesting – and possibly pivotal point for Saeco – was the purchasing of the already established Gaggia Brand; this happened 18 years after the Saeco brand was born.
Fast forward a decade. 2009 saw yet another pivotal evolutionary step for the Saeco brand – where they merged with the Dutch manufacturer, Philips, and we have seen them carry the brand to the level we are familiar with now.
Considering how popular Saeco is, it’s quite refreshing to see that they, too, took many years to successfully build the Italian brand we know and trust.
Saeco Coffee Machines South Africa – Not Quite Seiko Coffee Machines
This is an all-too-common misconception; Seiko, the Japanese manufacturer, is in no way affiliated with Saeco / Philips. You’re already forgiven 🙂
Now that we’ve cleared that up, Saeco South Africa actually has a much further reaching brand and product offering than I’m sure the majority of us are aware of.
Their range is beautifully segmented into appropriate categories – for every type of coffee drinker and almost all environments. We’re going to have an in-depth look at this now.
If you’re not entirely sure which TYPE of coffee machine is going to fulfil your specific needs, have a quick browse through this handy and concise guide, which should really help you to streamline your decision-making process.
1) Saeco Drip Filter Coffee Machines
Filter machines are usually geared towards the home-user who appreciates somewhat of a straight-forward, easy-to-use and high quality coffee. Using pre-ground coffee, this is a great choice for those who want quality without forking out a life-savings account to achieve it.
Saeco Daily Collection Coffee Maker – Black
This compact little machine can offer you between 10-15 cups of pure filter coffee per use – which is primarily what makes it a great fit for a home user – or a small office which appreciates the value of convenience.
Are you a little impatient? You’ll LOVE that pone of the features of this machines is that you can pour yourself a cup, straight from the jug, before the brewing cycle has even finished. This could mean less fights with your significant other in the morning (you’re welcome), when you NEED to get out that door – and he or she is still perfecting their hair for the day.
It’s dishwasher safe and has a water tank capacity par some of the better Bean-to-Cup machine available – coming in at 1.2 litres.
Saeco Daily Collection Coffee Maker – Black and Silver
The bigger brother to the Daily Collection Black – this machine steps up the aesthetic appeal and adds one extra feature all of us late-sleepers would really love; a timer.
With the same functional output as the entry-level filter coffee machine in this range, the extras are really what sets it apart. As mentioned, set your timer, fill up your 1.2 litre water tank and coffee grounds container, and you can literally “wake up and smell your coffee”.
Energy efficiency is incorporated into this little beast; a 30-minute dormancy switch means no worries of forgetting it on overnight.
One last extra is the Aroma Twist feature – a smart nozzle inside the jug which circulates the coffee, flowing in from the drip, to ensure no burnt taste throughout the entire jug.
Saeco Café Gourmet Coffee Maker
The first of the range to use the unique “Boil & Brew” system – allowing us who love our coffee as hot as our South African Summers, to have a “hot enough” cup of coffee.
Some of the extra benefits you can expect from this machine include the dual heating element to maintain coffee temperature from brewing to storage, auto shut-off after 30 minutes of dormancy for energy saving and safety, as well as the swing filter holder for easy filling of coffee.
If functionality and aesthetic are of importance to you – this might be a good fit for your needs.
Saeco Grind & Brew Coffee Maker
So, you will not accept pre-ground coffee, but you’re still a coffee purist. Your ideal solution is something that can grind your coffee beans, at will, and then brew you one amazing pot of file coffee. Look no further!
In fact – there’s more! The bean container is split in two – meaning you can mix and match your favourite coffee bean blends to an aromatic party of coffee grounds for your cuppa! Don’t worry though – you can actually CHOOSE which of the three available coffee’s you want (bean container 1, bean container 2, or a mixture of both).
You can change your grinder settings – allowing you inner Barista to come out and play, by selecting the right grind size for your preferred coffee.
2) Saeco Automatic Coffee Machines
Levelling up from the entry-level type coffee machine range, the Saeco Automatic Coffee Machine range offers Bean-to-Cup quality in a compact size and offers ease of use like you’ve never experienced before.
Saeco Minuto Super Automatic Coffee Machine
Oh, how we love this little beast! Every possible question you’d need answered can be found in either our Saeco Minuto Overview or the Saeco Minuto Review.
However, in summary, the Minuto is a great Bean-to-Cup solution, which comes with a stand-in milk frother jug, perfect for making your favourites, like Cappuccino and Latte’s.
5 grinder settings on your internal ceramic grinder mean optimal grinding -which also means optimal extraction. When you find that PERFECT strength – you can save it. The beauty of modern technology and the convenience it brings!
Small offices looking to impress – or a home user who loves their specialty coffee’s? This might be what you’re looking for.
Saeco Intelia Evo Super Automatic Espresso Machine
Design and functionality come together in a beautiful marriage in this sexy piece of work. What truly makes this different to the Minuto is the user interface and raised bean hopper.
If you want all that the Saeco Minuto has to offer, with just that little bit more of an appeal, this might be “the droid you’re looking for”.
Saeco Royal Gran Crema Super Automatic Espresso Machine
Again, Saeco has taken us to the next level in this machine. When Automatic does not cut it for you any more – and you want the most hands-on, skilled coffee preparation machine, look closely, This beast might only come in at 15kg, but it sure packs one heck of a punch!
As the name suggests, this machine is fully aimed at those who adore a proper, silky, smooth and satisfying froth. While it does not have a milk container as part and parcel of this package – you can rest assured that the frothing mechanism on this machine is one of the best possible, within the range.
The display and aesthetic of this machine way well be a selling point, but functionally, the 2.2litre tank carries you well throughout a coffee lovers ideal day of sipping.
Saeco Exprelia Evo Super Automatic Espresso Machine
So, the jug we “lost” in the previous machine is back – bigger and better this time around. Brand new H2 technology in the milk frother means your best froth – ever!
The looks of this machine can, in my opinion, be likened to the quality we’ve come to know from Jura Coffee machines.
But wait; let this sink in. So, we’ve come to accept that the Crema formed when brewing coffee from an automatic coffee machine happens at the end of the dispensing process (Crema is that light fluffy coffee layer that forms on top of your coffee); but, what if we told you that this machine offers the option to CHOOSE when your Crema is dispensed? Like yours at the bottom of your cup? No problemo!
Saeco Manual Espresso Machines
While we’ve focused this review around Automatic Coffee Machines – if you’re searching high and low for the perfect home-based manual Espresso machine, you can head on over to Saeco’s website and check out their impressive range, right here!
Saeco Coffee Machine Prices
We’re not going to bore you with an endless list of pricing for every machine in the Saeco Coffee Machine Range – but our 2016 Saeco Price list is here, whenever you need it!
Saeco Coffee Vending Machines
If all this talk of Saeco has whet your appetite, and you’re thinking of getting one in your office or restaurant – head on over here to see a comprehensive review on all the Saeco Coffee Vending Machine options Available!
Where Can I Buy A Saeco Coffee Machine in South Africa?
This handy store locator is the only tool you need to find your perfect Saeco Coffee Machine.
“Come on, don’t you ever stop and smell the coffee?”
― Justina Chen, North of Beautiful “
