After years of hating our automatic coffee machine, I’ve not got the DeLonghi Specialista Arte. I wasn’t a fan of the automatic bean-to-cup and I hated the automatic milk frother even more. I’m glad I can now take things into my own hands and have a bit more control over my coffee.
Overview of the DeLonghi La Specialista Arte
The DeLonghi La Specialista Arte is a versatile and efficient coffee machine, combining the convenience of automatic features with the control and precision of manual espresso. Its integrated conical burr grinder allows for freshly ground beans every time, while its compact footprint makes it suitable for home use without compromising on quality or performance.
Key Features
La Specialista Arte by De’Longhi comes with an integrated conical burr grinder that lets you choose from various grind settings. This feature ensures your coffee beans are ground to perfection, fitting any type of brew you fancy.
Fancy making a long black or a creamy latte? No problem. The machine’s grind levels can handle both and everything in-between.
With the active temperature control and thermoblock heating system, your espresso extraction will always hit that sweet spot for flavour. Plus, the steam wand allows you to froth milk manually, giving you the power to create barista-level latte art right at home. Whether it’s grinding fresh beans or frothing milk into creamy perfection, this cup coffee machine has got your back.
Who It’s For
This coffee maker is perfect for those at home who want to make barista-level coffee. It suits anyone from beginners to real coffee enthusiasts. If you love playing with milk textures for lattes or crave that perfect shot of espresso every morning, this machine has got your back. It’s even great for those cold brews.
With its adjustable grind settings and manual milk frothing capabilities, it’s ideal for people who like their coffee just right.
People on a tighter budget but still wanting good flavour and quality will find it a better choice than some high-end models out there such as Sage coffee machines or the new Nijna one.
Design and Build Quality
The DeLonghi La Specialista Arte is an elegantly designed espresso machine with a focus on durability and aesthetic appeal. Its compact footprint makes it ideal for home use without compromising on style or functionality. With its sleek stainless steel construction and a range of colour options, it looks great on your kitchen counter!
There’s also a transparent water tank at the top of the machine so you can quickly check water levels. The drip tray and the milk jug are equally premium, aligning with the look while being practical for daily use.
The DeLonghi La Specialista Arte fits well in small kitchens. It doesn’t take up much space. You can place it anywhere, from counters to tables, without worrying about space.
Grinder and Bean Hopper
The DeLonghi La Specialista Arte is equipped with an integrated conical burr grinder that offers adjustable grind settings, ensuring you can achieve the perfect grind for your espresso, so there’s. no need for a separate grinder on your countertop.
The bean hopper has plenty of space for beans and allows for easy refilling without interrupting your coffee-making process.
Adjustable Grind Settings
Getting the grind right is key to a perfect cup of coffee. With adjustable grind settings, the DeLonghi La Specialista Arte lets you control how fine or coarse your coffee grounds are.
This means you can match the grind to your brewing process, whether it’s for a strong espresso or a lighter cup. Choose from several levels to find what works best for your taste. It’s all about experimenting with these settings until you get the best results.
Espresso Extraction Performance
The thermoblock heating system in the DeLonghi La Specialista Arte heats the water quickly, so making espresso at home is quick and easy. You don’t need to wait forever for it to warm up. The temperature settings are easy to manage.
The active temperature control on the DeLonghi La Specialista Arte guarantees that your espresso is brewed at the perfect temperature, enhancing its flavour. The thermoblock heating system quickly heats water to the ideal brewing temperature, resulting in a rich and balanced espresso. You can control the size of the espresso shot by holding the OK button, then releasing once you have the amount you want.
With precise infusion temperatures, you can rely on the fact that each shot is extracted with consistent quality, making it suitable for coffee enthusiasts looking for more than just an average brew.
Milk Frothing and Steam Wand
The DeLonghi La Specialista Arte features a manual milk frothing wand – which is one of the main reasons I wanted a machine like this. I wanted to foam and steam my own milk and create my own velvety microfoam for lattes or cappuccinos.
Our old machine has an automatic one, which was difficult to clean and the milk often tasted off. But with the steam wand, you just use what milk you need and wipe the wand down after use so milk doesn’t build up.
You can also use this machine to create latte art! Position the steam wand slightly off-centre to generate a whirlpool effect while frothing, then tap and swirl to eliminate large bubbles then you are ready to pour. It is much harder than it looks, mixing the milk into the crema and then drawing your art on tip! I am not good at it but will practice!
User Experience and Ease of Use
The De’Longhi La Specialista Arte has everything you need to start making delicious coffee including the barista kit accessories. It has an intuitive interface, making it easy to navigate. With just a few quick taps, you can access various functions such as adjusting grind settings and activating the milk frother. There are helpful indicators such as lights and display prompts that guide you through each step of the brewing process.
Barista Kit Accessories
The De’Longhi La Specialista Arte comes with a range of barista kit accessories:
- Professional Tamper: The machine includes a professional-grade tamper for ensuring consistent and precise tamping of coffee grounds.
- Dosing Funnel: This accessory helps in neatly and accurately transferring the ground coffee into the portafilter, preventing any spills or wastage.
- Tamping Mat: The provided tamping mat offers a stable and clean surface for tamping the coffee, ensuring minimal mess and convenient use.
- Filter Baskets: The La Specialista Arte comes with different filter baskets to accommodate single or double shots, allowing for versatile brewing options.
- Milk Jug: Included is a stainless steel milk jug to assist with frothing milk for lattes and cappuccinos, completing the barista experience at home.
- Cleaning Brush: The machine provides a dedicated cleaning brush to aid in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene of essential parts.
The only thing missing is a knock box for used coffee grounds!
Maintenance and Cleaning
Cleaning the DeLonghi La Specialista Arte is simple and straightforward, ensuring that your machine remains in top condition for delicious coffee every time. Here’s a guide to the cleaning process:
- Regularly wipe down the exterior of the machine with a damp cloth to keep it looking clean and shiny.
- Clean the milk frothing wand after each use by purging it with steam and wiping it down with a damp cloth.
- Detach and wash the water tank and drip tray regularly to prevent the buildup of grime or residue.
- Use a brush to clean the grinder and bean hopper, ensuring no coffee grounds are left behind to affect flavour.
- Run a cleaning cycle through the espresso extraction system using a manufacturer-recommended descaler solution to remove any mineral deposits.
- Descale the machine every 2-3 months using a descaling solution to maintain optimal performance.
Comparison with Competitors
DeLonghi La Specialista Arte vs Breville Barista Express
So, you’re contemplating the DeLonghi La Specialista Arte and how it compares with the Breville Barista Express. Let’s go through the details of these two espresso machines.
| Feature | DeLonghi La Specialista Arte | Breville Barista Express |
|---|---|---|
| Grinder | Integrated Conical Burr Grinder | Integrated Conical Burr Grinder |
| Grind Settings | 8 settings | 18 settings |
| Milk Frothing | Manual Steam Wand | Manual Steam Wand |
| Heating System | Thermoblock | ThermoCoil |
| Temperature Control | Active Temperature Control | Digital Temperature Control (PID) |
| User Interface | Intuitive, minimal buttons | More control dials and buttons |
| Accessories | Barista Kit included | Some tools included, not as comprehensive |
| Design | Compact, modern | Slightly larger, industrial |
DeLonghi La Specialista Arte vs Sage Barista Pro
Let’s see how these two espresso machines compare, making your choice a tad easier.
| Feature | DeLonghi La Specialista Arte | Sage Barista Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | More affordable | Higher price tag |
| Grinder | Integrated conical burr grinder | Integrated conical burr grinder |
| Grind Settings | 8 settings | 30 settings |
| Heating System | Thermoblock | ThermoJet |
| Speed | Starts in a few seconds | Heats up in 3 seconds |
| Milk Frothing | Manual, with enhanced control | Automatic & manual options |
| User Interface | Simple and intuitive | LCD with more feedback |
| Barista Kit | Included | Not included |
| Maintenance | Easier with descaling alert | Requires regular cleaning, slightly complex |
My experience
I am really enjoying using this machine so far, there are more steps than our automatic bean-to-cup machine, but the results of this machine are so much better and I love making creamy lattes with the steam wand! I also have decaf ground coffee which I sometimes use when I want a coffee later in the day.
I’m so glad I got this machine, it looks great on my kitchen side!
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