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Mar 6, 2025 - 4 min read
We’ve all been there – stirring a teaspoon of instant coffee into a mug and feeling utterly unexcited about it. Yet, a trip to your local cafe could end up costing you $33 a week, according to data analysts Worldmetrics (that’s $1,716 a year!*) But what if one coffee machine could give you that barista-quality coffee at your place, even as a beginner?
Step forward De’Longhi’s La Specialista Touch. Designed to guide you through grinding, tamping, brewing and frothing using an intuitive touchscreen, De’Longhi’s latest manual espresso machine is the go-to benchtop appliance for easy-to-make, cafe-style coffee at home. Wondering just how well it stacks up against your favourite barista-made pick-me-up though?
Let’s look at how De’Longhi’s newest espresso machine turns out perfect coffees at home by letting you skip the guesswork and by solving all your biggest brewing challenges. Plus, we’ve rounded up some espresso wisdom from an expert barista – one half of the It’s Just Coffee podcast hosting team, Rohan Cooke.
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The challenge: Most manual espresso machines can take too long to heat up, leaving you waiting when you're already in a rush.
The fix: The De’Longhi La Specialista Touch features a quick 45-second heat-up time, so you can get out the door faster. Fussy about your pre-work cappuccino? Or did you forget to make cold brew the night before? De’Longhi tech makes it both easy and speedy to enjoy your favourite coffee fix before you head out the door – simply select one of the 6 preset barista-style recipes from the 3.5-inch touchscreen.
“If you want to switch out your morning espresso for a cold brew, this clever machine can deliver one in just five minutes,” says Tracey Ellis, The Good Guys Buyer – Portable Appliances. “Thanks to De’Longhi’s Cold Extraction technology, water is pulled through the coffee grounds at a low temperature, preserving the smooth, rich flavour without the bitterness that typically comes when espresso hits ice.”
The challenge: A good espresso should have a rich, golden crema and a smooth, balanced flavour – but that requires a combination of the right grind setting for the bean and the right extraction temperature.
“A well-extracted espresso is the foundation of any great coffee,” says Rohan Cooke, barista and coffee podcaster. “When you dial in your shot correctly – hitting the right grind size, dose and extraction time – you unlock the full depth and complexity of the beans. Without proper extraction, even the best beans can taste flat, bitter or sour.”
The fix: With an integrated grinder offering 15 grind settings, this De’Longhi espresso machine provides the precision you need. Simply choose your grind setting, or be guided by the steps on the touchscreen to measure out the right amount of coffee grounds for your coffee. Not sure how to tamp your shot? No problem. An advanced tamper with dose level indicators is included to ensure a perfect pull every time.
The challenge: Espressos are temperamental at the best of times. With water temperature, grind settings, bean quality and other factors affecting taste, it’s no wonder each shot tastes different.
“There are so many variables that can impact how your coffee tastes, even if you’re using the same beans,” says Rohan Cooke. “Changes in grind size, water temperature, dose and even humidity can affect extraction. If your shot runs too fast, the coffee can taste weak and sour; too slow, and it becomes overly bitter. Consistency is key.”
The fix: The La Specialista Touch machine uses Bean Adapt Technology to automatically adjust grind size and dose to match your coffee beans. This helps ensure optimal extraction and consistent flavour, whether you choose a light or dark roast, or Columbian or Vietnamese beans.
The challenge: Without barista training, it’s easy to unintentionally turn out cappuccinos that are more like lattes.
The fix: The best home coffee machine is one that does the thinking for you, and this machine will literally guide you through making your brew. Choose from the 6 preset recipes and the touchscreen will step you through the process, measuring out the best grind for your chosen coffee, the espresso pull time, and the amount of milk required. And when it’s time for maintenance, there’s no need to learn how to descale your De’Longhi coffee machine – the touchscreen will take you through that too!
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The challenge: The almond-milk split, un-frothable oat milk or overheated dairy milk are common disappointments for DIY brewers.
The fix: The De’Longhi La Specialista Touch solves this issue with four milk temperature profiles and five texture profiles to choose from, plus an auto latte art system that makes it easy to create cafe-quality Microfoam every time. No more guesswork, just smooth and creamy milk for your perfect flat white.
Whether you’re a seasoned home barista looking to upgrade your manual coffee machine or a first-time buyer, De’Longhi coffee machines are made for all skill levels. See us in-store or online for expert advice on choosing the best appliances for you.
*Coffee statistics:
Source: World Metrics – Australian coffee consumption, June 2024
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