AEG A Modo Mio Favola

The AEG A Modo Mio Favola is a collaboration between German appliance veterans AEG and Italian coffee producers Lavazza. Running on the latter’s’ A Modo Mio capsules, the Favola is a coffee machine aimed at those with a sense for quirky design.

While the coffee may be provided by Lavazza, the design and functionality of the Favola is distinctly AEG. The regular version of the Favola (there’s also a Plus model) comes in either green, red, purple or brown, with a white plastic frame holding the whole thing together.

The look is on the colourful, funky side of things (the coffee machine was launched at a London Fashion Week event, after all), but doesn’t veer off into the cheesy or cheap – the authoritative milk steam arm is the only control that sticks outwards, and there are no distracting blinking lights or buttons.

The coffee made by capsule machines can only be as good as the capsules you use, and Lavazza have got that area covered – up to eight different varieties can be used with the AEG A Modo Mio, and all will produce sumptious, well-rounded espresso drinks. The espresso lungo in particular is a treat, guaranteed to boost even the most drained office drone. However, the Favola is probably better suited to a household where quality coffee is favoured over a variety of options.

There is an adjustable drip tray (so that you can use your favourite coffee mug) but no cup warmer, which is disappointing but slightly offset by the thermoblock technology which should ensure piping hot coffee anyway. Due to the AEG A Modo Mio Favola being a very compact machine, the used capsule container can only store 12 capsules – so you will have to empty it out pretty often.