A superb coffee machine that produces excellent coffee, cold brew and more
As long as you do n’t heed taking manual control over grind , dose and temperature preferences , the De’Longhi La Specialista Opera is equal to of pouring a bright shot of espresso and , by wing , any espresso ground drink . Quality manual milk frothing and the option of cold - brew coffee protract what this burnt umber machine is equal to of , making it a great alternative for those who like control over their coffee .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
A right manual espresso automobile is capable of the best answer , but there ’s always a bit of effort and faff to get the safe snapshot of java . The De’Longhi La Specialista Opera is design to make the job as easy as possible , with some automation to take the hassle out of pouring the perfect crack of espresso .
Capable of pouring excellent coffee bean , and even making cold brewage on rap , this coffee berry machine is pliable , knock-down and well - priced .
Design and Features
Decked out in stainless blade , the De’Longhi La Specialista Opera for certain looks the part . At a specter under £ 800 , it ’s a higher - closing umber automobile than most , but is capable of cede some quality result .
Although a manual coffee machine , this one is design to make biography easier , with some automation .
In the box , the chemical group handle come with four portafilters : two doubles and two 1 , with the divergence that one set is for hot coffee and one for cold umber ( espresso cool , and cold brew ) .
Once clipped into lieu , the handle can be clip into the SmartTamping place , and you may strike the x1 or x2 buttons to travail coffee into the filter . It ’s a pity that the car does n’t automatically observe the filter being used , which theShark Luxe Café Premier Seriesdoes .
There ’s a ground ball on top that will adapt a typical bag of coffee , and a alternative of 15 grind context . It ’s good to start quite low , but if you notice that there ’s not much coffee in the filter after mash , you ’ve probably gone too far , and should go for a coarser nerd .
There ’s also a dose grade telephone dial that runs from Min to 40 , but the quickstart guide does n’t explain what this is ; you have to download the full manual of arms from De’Longhi ’s site to get a better estimate of how the dose story and grind size of it interplay .
Cleverly , the coffee tree machine has a system to prevent overfilling the filter , and it will cut off if you ’re potential to terminate up with too much coffee bean .
Once ground , there ’s a handle on the side for tamping . Two swings forward save a nice , levelled - off set of coffee primer coat , quick for pouring a drink .
The telephone dial at the top lets you select the case of umber type you require ; you take the x1 or x2 button to choose the dose and then hit the OK release to have the automobile pour the good amount of coffee bean ( there are default intensity , which you could override ) .
For espresso - based drinks , there ’s a ready to hand pressure telephone dial on the front : you desire it to move to the Optimal Zone in the midsection , which should result in the coffee tree dripping through like molten dear .
If the atmospheric pressure dial go too high ( or coffee does n’t pour ) , you need to go for a coarser grind and potentially , adjust the dose ; if the pressure is too low-toned , you should go for a fine earth and/or increase the dose .
It ’s also deserving line up the temperature stage setting , based on the coffee you have : high temperatures are better for light roasts ; lower for obscure roasts .
All of this mean that there ’s a fair amount of learning involve , and the Shark Luxe Café ’s Barista Assist makes for a faster journey ; however , the La Specialista Opera is capable of stream a practiced shaft of espresso , as I ’ll discuss later .
stale brew is made using cold water system with no heating , although you should still add glass to the drink . It ’s handy having such a system , as cold brew is otherwise not a beverage you’re able to have on tap , and is something that has to be create day in advance .
Milk frothing is via the steam wand on the side . ferment the dial and the coffee machine heats up to steam stage , and then starts mete out . It ’s worth doing this once before the wand is in the milk , to eject any water , and then spume .
As the wand is big and compromising , it ’s fairly light to get it into the provided jug and foam , although you’re able to switch and use a jug of your choice .
A declamatory 2 - litre water tankful at the rear holds the drop - in descaler bag , which should be replaced every three months . They preclude scale from clogging the machine and give you a advantageously - tasting coffee .
There ’s not too much maintenance on this coffee machine . It should be wipe down with a damp cloth , focussing on the shower question and wedge . And , the drip dray should be washed off every day or so ; if you leave behind it too long , the pop - up augury lets you do it it ’s full .
Coffee Quality
As is true of most manual auto , this coffee simple machine requires some fine - tuning to get the best results . I started with my dark - roast Fairtrade Peruvian chocolate bean , which call for quite a fine pulverisation and a high dose level to get the correct amount of java into the portafilter .
However , the consequence were excellent . A smooth , long - lasting crema on top , with a nice oily - eubstance to it , and the in high spirits acidity and deep tones of the coffee come through . It ’s hard to get much better than this .
I then made an Americano , which the De’Longhi La Specialista Opera pour mechanically : it made the espresso and then top off up with hot water , leaving a skillful crema on top , and a somewhat more mild , mug - full of drink .
dusty brewage is a smashing trick with this chocolate machine . It uses insensate water and a slow - pour method to get the coffee out and into a cup full of ice . Proper frigid brewage is arguably better : the foresighted extraction time and saturated formula give it a bland taste ; however , the De’Longhi La Specialista Opera is n’t far off , and its event is instant .
With a placid , less sulphurous preference to it , the cold brewage here is a nice drink to have on a moth-eaten day , and far considerably than hot coffee poured over ice .
Milk Frothing
Milk frothing can be done using the provided jug , or a jugful of your option . As the dab on the side makes the car heat up before dispensing steam , there ’s a time lag between turning it on and steam dispensing .
I found it adept to point the baton into the drip mold tray , and turn it on to eject water . Once steam came out , I turn the dial off , inserted the wand into the jugful and then started steam .
It ’s pretty easy to get the right angle and bug out circulate the milk , warming and frothing it . Once done , I could swarm tightly - packed milk into espresso to make a monotonic E. B. White .
It ’s deserving purify the steam wand at the end , and then wipe it down to keep milk sticking and clogging the baton . If the sceptre does get jam , De’Longhi provides an unblocking peter with a PIN number on it .
Should you buy it?
Provided you do n’t mind adjust the grind , pane and temperature controls yourself , this chocolate motorcar produces first-class espresso .
With this coffee bean political machine you ’re mostly left to align context manually . If you require a bit more hand holding , then look for an alternative .
Final Thoughts
The closest current competition is theNinja Luxe Café Premier Series , which is easier to use and hit a wider - range of coffees , including filter coffee . If you like motley and need a machine that help you get the right grind that automobile is probably the honest choice .
However , the De’Longhi La Specialista Opera is better at espresso : a smooth taste perception , and better crema particularly stand out .
If you mostly drink espresso ( or espresso base drinks ) , and do n’t mind taking full manual control over grind , dose and milk frothing , then this all - in - one machine is exceptional , otherwise check out my pathfinder to thebest coffee machinesfor choice .
Trusted Score
How we test
We test every coffee machine we review thoroughly over an prolonged period of time . We utilize manufacture - standard tests to liken features properly . We ’ll always secernate you what we line up . We never , ever , take over money to review a product .
Find out more about how we try in ourethics insurance .
FAQs
No , it ’s a manual coffee machine , but it can automatically pour an Americano , adding hot water to espresso , and mechanically make cold-blooded brew . Default volumes are dress , but you may overrule these to mate your cup sizes .
