The Italian Delonghi company has been among the industry leaders for many decades, offering a wide range different coffee makers. Modern fully auto coffee machines are mainly produced at the factories of the Swiss company Eugster/Frismag or Saeco. For example, Eugster/Frismag is an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) supplier for Jura, Bosch, Melitta, Nivona, etc. But Delonghi uses its own production facilities, including three development and production locations in Switzerland, a production facility in Portugal, and stakes in several Chinese joint ventures. For example, the company produces coffee machines at its own plant in China, which until 2001 belonged to the British company Kenwood. The company also uses factory in Romania. Overall, this list includes one production center in Italy, two in China, three in Romania, and a share in a joint venture with the TCL Group in China.
The company’s model range contains several lines based on three platforms, including ESAM for large models with increased reliability and longevity, universal ECAM and compact ETAM.
Today the company offers some popular lines of coffee machines, including Magnifica, Dinamica, PrimaDonna, Eletta, Maestosa and La Specialista.
Of course, the retro design is one of the main key features of La Specialista. Initially, the line included the budget-friendly Arte, mid-budget Prestigio and flagship Maestro.
In the hybrid espresso machine segment, La Specialista mainly competes with Australian Breville models with similar design.
The design in the Steampunk style and great price quality ratio quickly gained popularity among many coffee lovers. Of course, the company’s management responded adequately to the on consumer demand. As a result, today the line has expanded due to the compact La Specialista Arte Evo, Opera and Touch with a touch screen.
Key Features
As the name suggests, the DeLonghi La Specialista Arte Evo is a version of the Specialista Arte with a cold brew function.
The size, design and features are identical. Both models are compact and made in retro-style.
They have the built-in conical burr grinder, sophisticated professional-style manual steam wand and provide adjustable temperature control.
Despite the array of buttons and dials, the user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate. In fact, they provaide settings for single or double shots, dose amount and adjusting brew temperature. In principle, the settings are clear even without the user manual. The massive prominent pressure gauge on the front panel adds style and displays the ‘Optimal Zone’ settings, which is convenient for novice baristas.
In fact, the cold coffee option is the main and only difference. A few years ago, it meant adding ice to coffee.
Swiss Jura developed and first implemented in Z10 the technology of extraction without the hot water with 94-96°C temp. In fact, this technology increases the extraction efficiency by increasing the contact area due to the convex surface of the piston head. The company called this technology 3D Cold Brew.
Of course, Delonghi did not stand aside and also developed its proprietary Cold Extraction Technology in collaboration with the Specialty Coffee Association. It’s based on precise regulation of flow rate and pressure. Simply put, water is pressed through the coffee tablet more slowly. Accordingly, increasing the contact duration increases the extraction degree, compensating for the lower temperature. The coffee machine makes this drink in about 5 minutes. Coffee temperature in the cup is from 30°C to 35°C. Some add ice cubes, which is especially appropriate on a hot day.
Platform
The removable 57.5-ounce (1.7-liter) water tank is traditionally located at the rear. But the developers took into account the possibility of placing the coffee machine under wall kitchen cabinets. In particular, it can be filled with water through the lid without removing the container.
In addition, the model has a dedicated hot water spout. It’s much more convenient compared to a steam wand/hot water dispenser.
The stainless steel conical burr grinder has eight grind settings, which is selected with a dial on the bean hopper. The UV-tinted bean hopper has 8.8 ounce or 250 gram capacity, which is normal for a compact model.
The Arte Evo uses a timed dosing function with dial display. This system may not be precise enough for the perfectionist barista. But for most coffee lovers, pinpoint accuracy is not required.
Arte Evo comes with 51mm portafilter. For lovers of milk-based coffee drinks the model offers professional steam wand. A ball joint and nozzle provide a good range of motion and enough steam pressure. As a result, the model makes a silky microfoam, the quality of which is sufficient even for pretty latte art.
The coffee machine quickly switches between espresso and steaming milk modes, which significantly increases its usability.
The Arte Evo uses a thermoblock instead of a boiler, which is typical for budget-friendly compact models. As known, a compact thermoblock heats up a small amount of water very quickly. In contrast, a boiler heats up a much larger amount of water, but takes longer. In simple terms, a thermal block is a miniature version of a boiler.
Of course, ‘Active Temperature Control‘ is one of the main bonuses, which ensures three temperature settings for brewing. As known, the optimal temperature depends on the type of coffee beans used.
Arte Evo vs Breville Barista Express
The design, specs and functionality of Arte Evo are the closest to Breville Barista Express.
DeLonghi Specialista Arte Evo (EC9255M) vs Breville Barista Express (BES870XL / BES870BSXL)
Both models:
– stainless steel hybrid espresso machine;
– milk frother with steam wand;
– controls – buttons and dials;
– manual tamping;
– one thermal block;
– 15 bar pump pressure;
– steel conical burr grinder;
– pre-infusion, adjustable coffee temperature, 2-cup and hot water functions;
– no app support;
– user profiles – memo function only;
– adjustable milk foam temperature and milk foam only option – no;
Differences:
– price ~$ 630 vs $ 550;
– Silver/Black, Stainless Steel vs Black Sesame, Brushed Stainless Steel;
– portafilter size – 51 mm vs 54 mm;
– water reservoir capacity – 57.5 fl oz / 1.7 l vs 67.6 fl oz / 2.0 l;
– max cup height – 4.7 in / 11.9 cm vs 4.0 in / 10.2 cm;
– 8 vs 16 grind adjustment levels;
– 8.8 oz / 250.0 g vs 8.1 oz / 230.0 g bean hopper capacity;
– 3 vs 2 specialty drinks;
– water filter – no vs yes;
– weight – 21.5 lb / 9.8 kg vs 23.0 lb / 10.4 kg.
In fact, DeLonghi offers a Cold Brew function for an extra $ 80. This is quite adequate for the premium option.
In addition, Arte Evo comes with generous barista kit, including:
– 2 x single wall filter baskets;
– dosing funnel;
– metal espresso tamper;
– tamping mat;
– stainless steel milk pitcher;
– descaling solution;
– espresso cup tray;
– cleaning supplies.
Conclusions
Pros
– compact and easy to use;
– powerful steam wand;
– many accessories included;
– cold brew function;
– superb espresso.
Cons
– not ideal model stability due to its low weight.
A price comparison with its closest competitors, including the Specialista Art ($ 500 / € 480 / £ 450 vs $ 630 / €500 / £500) and Breville Barista Express ($ 550 vs ~$ 630), shows the extra Cold Brew function adds around 15% to the price. This is quite acceptable for cold coffee lovers.
For reference, cold brew coffee was invented by Dutch merchants, which was relevant during the voyage due to problems with hot water. This technology uses coarsely ground beans and their infusion in cold water for up to 12 hours. From Indonesia, the new recipe penetrated into Japan, where it received its first name ‘Kyoto’. In the 1960s, American Todd Simpson invented a coffee maker with this technology, making it popular throughout the world. Finally, Delonghi and Jura implemented it in their coffee machines.
Perhaps, over time, this option will become traditional for coffee machines, but for now it’s implemented mainly in flagship premium models. Therefore, at $ 630, the Art Evo has a superb price-quality ratio, which promises it cloudless marketing prospects. In fairness, it’s unlikely to interest lovers of traditional hot espresso with smoke above the cup.
This video demonstrates the preparation of Cold Brew drinks with La Specialista Arte Evo.