Abstract: An apparatus for frothing a quantity of milk for preparing a beverage comprises: a platform (1) for supporting a jug (50) containing the quantity of milk to be frothed and a steam wand (10) configured for emitting steam, wherein either the platform (1) is tiltable around a horizontal axis (X, Y) or the steam wand (10) is tiltable around a horizontal axis and wherein the steam wand (10) and the platform (1) are reciprocally movable by a translational movement in the vertical direction one with respect to the other. A translational vertical motion of the steam wand is preferably provided with respect to the jug and/or of the jug with respect to the steam wand.

Abstract: An espresso coffee machine is described, said machine comprising: a water supply; a boiler for heating the water; a pump; a dispensing group configured to cooperate with a portafilter equipped with a filter basket with a puck of coffee powder, the machine being configured to supply pressurized water to said coffee powder puck for dispensing an espresso coffee, and a water monitoring system for monitoring at least one parameter of the water used for preparation of the espresso coffee. Preferably, the monitoring system comprises a conductivity and temperature probe which provides values, continuously and in real time, of water hardness derived from information on the electrical conductivity and temperature of the water.

Abstract: An espresso coffee machine is described, said machine comprising: a water supply; a boiler for heating the water; a pump; a dispensing group configured to cooperate with a portafilter equipped with a filter basket with a puck of coffee powder, the machine being configured to supply pressurized water to said coffee powder puck for dispensing an espresso coffee, and a water monitoring system for monitoring at least one parameter of the water used for preparation of the espresso coffee. Preferably, the monitoring system comprises a conductivity and temperature probe which provides values, continuously and in real time, of water hardness derived from information on the electrical conductivity and temperature of the water.

Abstract: It is disclosed an apparatus for frothing a quantity of milk for preparing a beverage, the apparatus comprises: a platform (1) for supporting a jug (50) containing the quantity of milk to be frothed and a steam wand (10) configured for emitting steam, wherein either said platform (1) is tiltable around a horizontal axis (X, Y) or the steam wand (10) is tiltable around a horizontal axis and wherein said steam wand (10) and said platform (1) are reciprocally movable by a translational movement in the vertical direction one with respect to the other. Preferably, there is provided a translational vertical motion of the steam wand with respect to the jug and/or of the jug with respect to the steam wand.