Black handle espresso coffee maker by Alessi. The water tank is spherical, narrowing towards the top to create a compartment where the air is pressurised before the water begins to boil. It then passes through the filter without changing the molecular structure of the coffee itself, producing a purer and more intense flavour.

Pulcina is the result of a long search: illycaffè and Alessi wanted to find out how the shape of the coffeepot could be enhanced in order to improve and emphasise the organoleptic properties of espresso. Therefore, they analysed what goes on inside a coffeepot. As a result, Illy was able to determine the ideal shape of the boiler - the lower part of the pot, which holds the boiling water - for perfect espresso.