If you’re a coffee fanatic like me and want to explore the occasionally confusing world of the best coffee machines, then a model like the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch should definitely be on your shortlist. It’s a bean-to-cup machine but, unlike some other models on the market – such as the Sunbeam Origins Sense I recently reviewed – it takes virtually all of the guesswork out of the coffee-making process, leaving you with a delicious brew every single time.
I’ve personally been eyeing it up since it came to market and now it’s received a 22% discount at the De’Longhi eBay store, it’s more attractive than ever.
Why have I been eyeing up this particular De’Longhi coffee machine, I hear you ask? Firstly, I just love the way it looks. Some bean-to-cup machines can be quite cumbersome, integrating way too many buttons and being so large it’s hard to find space on a kitchen counter. The La Specialista Touch doesn’t conform to those same standards and it’s our current-favourite compact machine for a reason. It takes up very little space on a bench top, and with a single centrally mounted touchscreen display for control, it’s sleek and minimal.
Secondly, based on our De’Longhi La Specialista Touch review carried out by our in-house coffee expert and trained barista, Cat Ellis, it delivers “results that are reliably excellent”. It’s a semi-automated machine, meaning it will take care of the majority of the steps in the coffee-making process. Key to this is a smart bean system that will automatically apply specific brew settings depending on the beans you put into the container, and a smart dosing and tamping system that ensures a “well-measured, even puck without any channelling or cracking, which can lead to poor extraction”, according to Cat.
I’ve dabbled with a couple of manual coffee machines before: the aforementioned Sunbeam Origins Sense and the similar Sunbeam Origins Classic. I was able to extract an excellent shot of coffee with both, but it became apparent my tamping skills weren’t always up to scratch. The fact this De’Longhi machine will take care of all of that for me makes it all the more desirable.
I regularly drink oat milk with my coffee too, and the La Specialista Touch features a steam wand with an integrated temperature probe that will automatically shut off when the correct temperature is reached. The Sunbeam Origins Sense has a similar feature and I found that to also be invaluable.
All-in-all, I feel it’d be a terrific addition to my kitchen, especially at this discounted price. Do note that De’Longhi itself lists the original price as AU$1,099, so it’s already received a discount to AU$898. Then, for eBay Plus weekend, eBay Plus members can score 22% off, bringing the price down to AU$700.44. If you’re not currently a member (and have already made use of the free 30-day eBay Plus trial) , don’t fret, as you can still save 15%, bringing the price down to AU$763.30.
That’s a fantastic price for a feature-packed espresso machine, and one I’m certainly considering… just as soon as I can convince my partner to part ways with our beloved Nespresso Vertuo Pop.
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