The Maestro of Mocha
A Review of the De’Longhi La Specialista
By: James Butler Revised by: Mark Cambell Last updated: Feb 6, 2024
For those who ask, De Longhi espresso maker how to use ? The answer is simple, "effortlessly". De’Longhi has been crafting premium kitchen appliances in Treviso, Italy since 1902, and their passion for coffee and design innovation infuses every detail of the Specialista Arte. Recently, I decided to put the De’Longhi La Specialista to the test. Over countless cups of espresso, cappuccinos and macchiatos, this mechanical maestro performed nothing short of perfection.
With its sleek lines, brushed stainless accents and control panel, the De’Longhi La Specialista is engineered to dazzle. An advanced heat exchange boiler system and De’Longhi’s patented cappuccino frother ensure ideal temperature and froth for your ideal coffee cup. But behind the glamour, the De’Longhi La Specialista is all power and precision. A conical steel burr grinder gives you a professional level of control over the coarseness of the De’Longhi La Specialista’s integrated bean hopper, which holds a half pound of your preferred coffee beans. Powerful boilers and a 15-bar pump unlock the full flavors of the beans, producing a perfect espresso cup.
The pre-infusion cycle of the De’Longhi La Specialista gently soaks the coffee puck before applying full pressure, coaxing out the natural oils and compounds in the beans without imparting bitterness. No matter how many shots I pulled, each tasted as fresh and complex as the first. The rapid steam wand transformed milk into a feather-soft froth in seconds, at a perfect temperature for creating latte art and cappuccinos with silky texture.
After over a dozen sessions crafting drinks with the De’Longhi La Specialista, I can conclusively say that this machine deserves a place of honor on the countertop of any gourmand passionate about the craft of espresso. Combining power, precision and personality, the De’Longhi La Specialista allows you to channel your inner barista artiste. Designed in the country that perfected espresso, this machine last evokes la dolce vita, one perfect cup at a time. Mille grazie, De’Longhi, for this gift of an espresso maker. My quest for coffee bliss has found its creative end!
Pros:
Hybrid Machine: Sits between a semi-automatic and a fully automatic espresso machine, offering more control over the brewing process.
Suitable for Beginners: Designed to make coffee making foolproof, allowing even first-timers to make great espresso.
Integrated Grinder: Comes with a grinder, adding value and convenience.
Dual Thermoblock Boilers: Provides different temperatures for coffee and milk, which is a feature usually found in commercial machines.
Hands-on Guided Tamping: For those who enjoy the process of making espresso, it offers a hands-on experience.
Customization Options: Allows control over bean grind, dosing, tamping pressure, and water temperature.
Easy to Clean and Maintain: Designed with ease of cleaning in mind.
Attractive Design: Aesthetically pleasing and fits well in home environments.
Cons:
Hands-on Tamping Required: May not be ideal for those who prefer a more automated process2.
Height Limitation: Too short to handle tall latte and coffee mugs2.
Frother Design: Could use more clearance from the machine for easier use2.
These points s