A Complete Guide to the New De’Longhi La Specialista Coffee Machine
There are many factors to consider when selecting your very first espresso coffee machine. Some of the most important ones include: the type of coffee you want to make, the type of steam wand, and the size of the machine. And, with so many different coffee machines out there, it can be difficult to decide on one – especially when your goal is to produce the perfect cup of coffee.
Any De’longhi coffee machine can brew an indulgent cup of great coffee. But, if you want two solid choices, you can consider both the De’longhi La Specialista Arte and the De’longhi La Specialista Prestigio. Despite coming from the same series, each machine carries its own set of unique quirks and features.
In this article, we break down the differences between the two so that you have a better idea of which machine can best meet your caffeine needs.
1. Type of Coffee
Before getting an espresso coffee machine for your kitchen, you need to know what kind of coffee you’re looking for. Hence, despite the wide variety of coffee machine options available, it's a good idea to start looking for one that produces the type of coffee you love.
Whether it is a classic espresso or the working person’s favourite Americano, the De’Longhi La Specialista Arte is a great coffee machine choice for both beverages. It comes with a knob selector that allows you to switch through multiple presets, from Espresso to Americano. It also comes with a hot water setting that makes rinsing a breeze. Designed to give you the most out of every brew, it can be programmed to do double shots, saving you the extra time needed to extract for another cup.
The La Specialista Prestigio does everything the La Specialista Arte can do, but better. For freedom of choice, this coffee machine lets you choose between three preset recipes — espresso, coffee, or Americano. Each recipe comprises different dosages and tastes for an aromatic brew that is sure to delight your tastebuds and awaken your senses.
2. Grinding & Dosing
Like La Specialista Prestigio, the all-new De’longhi La Specialista Arte has its own in-built grinding system, saving you the trouble of having to pull out your old hand-crank coffee grinder.
All you need is a helping of fresh coffee beans for your hopper, and you can choose the grind size you require. Manually push the portafilter to start the grinder as this helps you get a more even distribution of your coffee grounds. Both machines also have up to eight grind settings ranging from coarse to fine. This level of fineness allows you to experiment with extraction methods since different bean types grind differently, despite having the same roast appearance. For instance, an arabica bean grinds differently from a robusta bean. In general, the bigger the original coffee bean, the less dense its structure.
While the in-built grinders work great on both machines, the De’Longhi La Specialista Prestigio has a little lead with its Sensor Grinding Technology. The technology allows the coffee machine to adapt to the type of beans you use, achieving a more consistent dosage and, ultimately, a better tasting shot.
3. Tamping
Any barista will tell you that good coffee comes from even tamping. An uneven tamp can cause channelling, where the water escapes through a narrow path through the coffee puck. You can tell channelling has occurred when only a portion of the exhausted coffee puck is wet. When this happens, it means that only some of the grounds are extracted properly, resulting in a cup of espresso without any clear flavour profile.
When it comes to tamping, both De’Longhi La Specialista models have their own unique workarounds. The La Specialista Arte comes with a barista kit which gives you the advantage you need to get an even tamp. The tamping mat helps stabilise your portafilter as you tamp, while the dosing funnel reduces any spillage that might occur. The final result is an even tamp without any waste and dents in the coffee puck.
You can expect a little more flair with the La Specialista Prestigio in the tamping department. The Smart Tamping Station allows you to tamp directly on the grinder. All you have to do is to simply pull down the lever while removing the portafilter. This will give you an even tamp with zero waste, and an improved extraction without the need for a traditional tamper.
4. Heating
You won’t be able to have your iced lattes if your espresso has not been put through intense heat and pressure. The ideal shot is obtained with a temperature ranging from 92° to 96° C. The challenge is maintaining that temperature even when the hot water comes into contact with the beans.
When it comes to hot coffee, both La Specialista Arte and La Specialista Prestigio shine in their own regard. In both De’Longhi coffee machines, the water in the thermoblock is controlled to ensure the temperature is constant throughout the entire brewing process.
Did you know that flavour is not the only thing that sets roast profiles apart? Another important factor is the water temperature. For instance, darker roasts tend to be more soluble, and as such, you may want to lower the temperature of the water to avoid over-extraction to prevent the bitter flavours from becoming too overpowering. On the other hand, if you are using a lighter roast than usual, a higher temperature water may help to speed up the extraction process.
To give you the best out of every shot you pull, both coffee machines come with 3 infusion temperatures ranging from 92° to 96° C. This allows you to optimise the temperature depending on the type of bean and roast.
But of course, the La Specialista Prestigio is a little better at keeping hot water hot. The Dynamic Pre-Infusion feature adjusts the pre-infusion time according to the coffee dosage, ensuring the water is evenly distributed regardless of the dosage. Coupled with the added assistance of the Active Temperature Control, pushing out delicious piping hot coffee is now made easier for the barista.
5. Steam Wand
If you love beautiful latte art, a versatile steam wand is key to getting velvety smooth milk froth. With both the La Specialista Arte and the La Specialista Prestigio, that’s exactly what you’re getting. Both espresso coffee machines come with the same professional steam wand you would find in most industry-level machines, but with a De'Longhi twist.
The My LatteArt steam wand is built with latte artists in mind, and not only is it durable, but it is also flexible enough to manoeuvre through small spaces, making it an essential tool for both beginner and expert baristas. With a professional steam wand, you can have complete control over the level of froth. The La Specialista Prestigio comes with a three-holed nozzle that is powerful enough to get you a cappuccino, however it requires more skills to perfect the microfoam texture. The La Specialista Arte, on the other hand, comes with a one-holed nozzle that makes it easier for you to froth a velvety smooth texture, perfect if you love a cup of flat white.
The steam wand is also made with an internal plastic tube covered by a metal outer one, before it is connected via a valve to the heating system. All you have to do to activate the steam is to open the internal valve via a dedicated knob. Thanks to the internal plastic tube, the LatteArt steam wand is cool to the touch, thereby minimising the risk of you scalding yourself during the frothing process.
With De’Longhi’s La Specialista espresso coffee machines, you can now learn and hone your frothing skills to create the perfect consistency for amazing latte art creations.
6. Design
Despite its industrial-standard features, the La Specialista coffee machine looks as good as the coffee it brews. Its sleek design pays homage to the coffee machines used during the early days of the coffee industry. Out of the two, the La Specialista Arte is the smaller, with a very portable 14.37" x 15.87" x 11.22" weighing around 9.8kg (21.5 lbs). The La Specialista Prestigio is just a touch larger, coming in at 15" x 14.48" x 17.5" with a weight of 13.5 kg (29.76 lbs).
Because of its compact size, the De’Longhi La Specialista Arte is probably what you’re looking for in a portable, industry-standard espresso coffee machine. Made to fit into your lifestyle, it comes in a metallic colour to match your kitchen or cafe’s interior design.
If you already have a fully-stocked kitchen, you can probably squeeze in the La Specialista Arte without any issues. But if you have a dedicated space just for making coffee, the La Specialista Prestigio is a worthwhile investment – especially since it comes with a wealth of additional features.
But what really ties the room together is the stainless steel finish on both De'Longhi machines. Not only is stainless steel a versatile colour loved by interior designers throughout the world, its resilient nature means you can expect your machine to keep its shine for decades to come.
The Lowdown
In conclusion, choosing the right De’Longhi coffee machine depends on what you expect from your coffee. For instance, a pump espresso coffee machine requires a little more work than an automatic drip coffee machine. But, if you like the idea of having velvety espresso every day or you just want to dive into the wonderful world of coffee, getting the right pump espresso can be a worthwhile investment.
Each coffee machine in the La Specialista series will get you professional-grade espresso. But if you’re craving premium tasting coffee without any of the work associated with it, we recommend you get a De’longhi La Specialista Prestigio. From the Sensor-Grinding Technology to the Active Temperature Control, the La Specialista Prestigio turns every part of the coffee-making process into complete ecstasy for baristas of every skill level.
Another wonderful choice is the De’longhi La Specialista Arte which is suited more towards the intermediate barista who loves getting hands-on with their coffee. Having first-hand experience with tamping and extracting gives you a great opportunity to practise your fundamentals, in turn, setting you on the path to becoming a better barista.
Don’t forget to check out De’Longhi Malaysia’s 7.7 promotions and Hari Raya Haji sale for attractive deals on espresso coffee machines and more! Reach out to us or visit any De’Longhi store in Malaysia and let us help you get started on your journey towards the perfect cuppa.
