De’Longhi La Specialista

La Specialista

your own barista at home by De’Longhi

hat the espresso is fashionable is well T established. The machines for mak ing it at home multiply and the models range from automatic to manual, passing from those that use coffee beans, ground coffee, pods or capsules.

A separate discussion is then reser ved for the cappuccino obtained with special milk frothers that are integrated into the machine or which come as separate devices.

I n this contex t, one is also over whelmed by so much abundance that one wonders which model to choose to have an excellent espresso and cappuccino to savor in the comfor t of home.

This is why we tried La Specialista, the flagship of De’Longhi manual machines. To begin with, it arrives in a double box that best protec ts the produc t. The considerable weight immediately gives it a feeling of solidit y. I t is, in fac t, in stainless steel and ver y robust, suitable for daily and repeated use. When operating the various components the machine remains solidly in place on the work sur face, so much so that the first operational impression is that of being at the bar - however, on the other side of the counter. Finally, we are the ones who decide how our espresso should be: abundant, reduced, ser ved in a glass, hot, cold, warm, a bit macchiato, ver y macchiato and so on with the many and even craz y phrases now in use.

We are the bartenders with La Specialista! With great creative freedom (which we would not have with an automatic machine). Nevertheless, at the same time, we must admit that one also has to practice. But let me say it is also fun to make mistakes and then work out how to improve the next espresso or cappuccino. The steam wand can be used practically “hands free” or with various movements to froth in a personalized way.

Ok ay, I k now what you’re wondering: but what ’s the coffee like? Good. Creamy and fragrant (as long as you have chosen the best coffee beans). I n shor t, an excellent espresso as well as an excellent cappuccino.

A few critical issues: the temperature, which can be remedied by heating both the cup and the dispensing nozzles beforehand by running hot water first (there is the appropriate button); the container for the beans, which is not ver y large, affords the advantage of preser ving the aroma since coffee must be added with a cer tain frequenc y ; and finally the latte ar t (the designs on the cappuccinos). This is not easy ... but the challenge continues. www.delonghi.com