Italian Delonghi needs no introduction. Its history began in 1902 with a small workshop in the small town of Treviso. The first carob Delonghi Bar coffee maker was released in 1990 and immediately gained huge popularity on the market. Today, company is rightfully positioned as one of the innovative leaders in the industry, constantly developing new technologies. For example, Eletta Explore has expanded its functionality with a unique cold frothing milk option, Magnifica Plus offers a new Extra shot program. The Delonghi Rivelia series is no exception, having implemented the idea of replaceable coffee bean hoppers called the Bean Switch system.
Traditionally, the Rivelia line includes several modifications of different colors, the article number of which depends on their functionality. For example, the EXAM 440.35 series with a manual cappuccino maker (pannarello milk frother) is available in three colors:
– white Delonghi EXAM 440.35.W;
– black EXAM 440.35.B;
– beige EXAM 440.35.BG.
Delonghi also offers the EXAM 440.55 version with an automatic cappuccino maker, which comes with a LatteCrema jug.
The company has given this platform the EXAM prefix. Its elegant design with rounded corners includes a water tank with a capacity of ~1.4 l on the right and a bean hopper that rises above the body. The coffee machine is very compact. Its dimensions do not exceed 19.5 x 43 x 30 cm, which is smaller even compared to the compact Delonghi ETAM 29.660. But its installation requires 25 x 43 x 38 cm of free space, which is typical for this class.
The placement of the control panel on the top horizontal panel gives the coffee maker a sophisticated look, but is not always convenient for short people.
Bean Switch system
Of course, the Bean Switch system is the main key feature of Delonghi Rivelia. All models come with two replaceable plastic clear All models come with two replaceable plastic clear bean hoppers with a capacity of 250 grams each.
The coffee grinder has a docking lock for the bean hopper, which is easily and securely fixed by turning it 90°. Plastic curtains at the bottom and a silicone cover at the top ensure its tightness, preventing beans from spilling out even when turned over.
The white and black colors of the hopper lids is convenient for identification. For example, a hopper with a black lid can be used for coffee beans when making black coffee, and with a white one – for milk-based drinks. Of course, universal blends generally suit most people, but the optimal choice requires different beans.
This option will be useful for several users with different individual tastes in terms of acidity and bitterness. In addition, it’s convenient when drinking different types of coffee, including, for example, traditional in the morning, and decaf coffee in the evening. Otherwise, the functionality of the new line is very close to the popular Magnifica Plus series.
In addition, the efficiency of the Bean Switch system is enhanced by support for Bean Adapt technology, which was first implemented in Delonghi PrimaDonna Soul.
Moreover, unlike previous lines, its use does not require a smartphone with an app. As known, this technology helps to select the optimal grind for different types of coffee beans, which is especially important when using two hoppers. In fact, it creates coffee bean profiles that are created, edited and deleted via the control panel.
Bean Switch operation
In fairness, a complete change of coffee blends occurs only during repeated preparation due to the remains of beans between the grinders. However, the coffee machine takes this aspect into account, offering after removing the hopper:
– dumping the remains into the pulp hopper (virtual button “Grind/clean” on the “Change beans” screen);
– preparing a drink from the remains of the beans (button on the ‘Change beans’ screen). For reference, the amount of coffee is ~ 12 grams, which is enough for one serving.
Only after this does the coffee maker prepare coffee from the beans of the second hopper.
Thus, the algorithm for using the new function includes:
– removing the first hopper;
– installing the second hopper without turning until it clicks;
– preparing a drink from the remains of the beans in the coffee grinder;
– activating the second hopper by turning until it clicks;
– making coffee from beans in the second hopper.
Bean Adapt
Each Bean Adapt profile contains one of three available thermoblock temperatures, grind (manually adjusted) and coffee strength (amount of coffee).
The algorithm includes:
– installing the hopper, for example with Tasty Coffee Brazil Mogiana;
– entering the Bean Adapt profile selection menu;
– selecting the appropriate bean profile (each profile can have a name up to 20 characters long);
– the coffee machine sets the temperature, one of five coffee strengths and prompts the location of the grind adjustment lever.
After three espressos with Bean Adapt mode enabled, the coffee machine activates the profile editing option.
Popular feature support
Extra shot
The popular Extra shot function has been implemented in the new Delonghi Magnifica Plus.
In fact, it adds 30 ml of espresso to any recipe, including milk-based drinks. The option is very convenient, for example, for Americano. In this mode, the coffee machine prepares two separate espressos and adds water, which corresponds to the classic recipe. As a result, Americano has a significantly richer taste. Extra shot is activated using the symbol on the settings screen in each recipe.
The new Coffee Routine option is actively used in new Delonghi models with touch screens. It automatically edits the placement of drinks on the screen depending on the usage frequency, providing ‘sorting by popularity’. Moreover, the developers divided them into three subgroups, including:
– 04:00 am – 11:00 am – ‘morning’;
– 11:00 am – 2:00 pm – ‘noon’;
– 02:00 pm – 04:00 am – ‘later’.
Accordingly, for a fan of morning cappuccino, espresso at lunch and evening Americano, the coffee maker will offer these programs first in the list.
The new series supports cold coffee mode. In fact, the coffee machine adds 4-10 ice cubes (Ice or Extra ice setting) in espresso, Americano or coffee programs.
Of course, this function is not an analogue of, for example, Jura Cold Extraction Process or Delonghi Cold Extraction technology, which provide coffee extraction at a relatively low water temperature due to pressure, brewing duration, etc. But for some, it can be convenient, especially on a hot summer day. Unfortunately, the model is supplied without an ice mold.
Key features
Manual panarello milk frother
The cappuccino maker has heat mode and rinsing. It has a switch ring to select frothing or heating milk without foam.
Of course, the foam quality prepared with it depends significantly on the skills. But it allows the user to regulate the temperature and make Raf-coffee of cafe racer. As known, it’s an espresso with the addition of heated cream with a small amount of foam.
In addition, the Internet offers a huge number of Raf recipes, including adding, for example, vanilla sugar (classic recipe), banana, cheese, coconut milk, lavender flowers, etc.
Many people prefer this recipe with the addition of syrup.
After activating the quick rinse, the internal channel of the cappuccino maker is cleaned with steam for a few seconds. In fairness, this option is almost never found in models with panarello.
The series also offers a To Go function for Americano, Cold Americano and Cold Coffee programs. Unfortunately, the maximum cup height is only 14 cm, which significantly limits the use of thermos mugs. In addition, the maximum volume in this mode is limited to 300 ml, which is not very much, especially for a company. The mode is activated by a virtual modifier key to the right of the volume scale with a thermos mug icon.
Rivelia interface is ideal for beginner coffee lovers, offering a huge number of quite useful tips and comments. Rivelia also offers 4 custom profiles.
Platform & programs
Otherwise, the EXAM platform is identical to the traditional ECAM and includes:
8.9 cm (3.5 inch) LCD display.
– 13-stage steel cone grinder.
The grinding degree is regulated within 13 levels using a lever on the external round regulator around the hopper docking gateway.
The compact Jura ENA yses a similar design;
– compact removable CRF brewing unit.
The brewing unit supports 5 coffee strengths, using 6 / 7.5 / 9 / 10.5 / 12 grams per cup. Delonghi models make double espresso in one cycle with an increase in coffee content by 2 grams. In contrast, Rivelia makes two separate grinds and two cycles. But the popular Doppio+ program with 14 grams is not available;
– two interchangeable 250g bean hoppers;
– 19 bar ARS pump with pulsation dampener;
– 1450 W flow-through thermoblock.
Programs
– Espresso (non-adjustable pre-wetting 1 sec) – 40 (default) / 20 – 80 ml (adjustable);
– 2x espresso – two consecutive cycles;
– Espresso Lungo – 120 ml / 90 – 180 ml;
– Coffee (without pre-wetting) – 180 / 100 – 240 ml;
– LONG (imitation of filter coffee/Americano, two grinds with intermittent pump operation 1-1 sec + two cycles) – 160 ml (2 x 80 ml) / 115 – 250 ml;
– Americano (espresso + hot water on top) – 40 ml coffee + 110 ml hot water / (20 – 180 ml) in MY mode + (50 – 300) ml hot water (max – 180 + 300 = 480 ml);
– cold espresso – espresso + (4 – 10) ice cubes depending on the selected Ice or Extra ice (cold versions of espresso, Americano and coffee have a volume setting for To Go mode);
– steam for frothing milk and hot water.
Conclusion
Pros
– Bean Switch system with two hoppers + Bean Adapt support via panel;
– auto steam rinsing the manual panarello milk frother;
– improved interface;
– classic Americano brewing (espresso + water);
– classic double espresso brewing (2 grinds + 2 cycles);
– Extra shot, Gold coffee, Coffee Routine and To Go functions.
Cons
– no Doppio+ program with 14g;
– manual Panarello milk frother in EXAM 440.35;
– the dispenser limits the max cup height to 14 cm.
The company has managed to create another line of excellent automatic coffee machines. DeLonghi Rivelia fully corresponds to the slogan ‘premium functionality at a mid-budget price’. These models offer almost the entire range of the most popular recipes and almost all popular functions, including Extra shot, Gold coffee, Coffee Routine and To Go. At the same time, Rivelia EXAM440.55 with automatic milk frother costs only ~ € 860, and EXAM440.35 with manual Panarello is available for € 670.
5-10 years ago, a price of up to $ 1,000 for a fully automatic model was positioned as dumping. In fairness, today the prices have dropped significantly and automatic coffee machines priced at $ 500 – $ 1,000 are abundant on the market. But the DeLonghi brand additionally offers excellent quality, confirmed by an impeccable reputation for many decades.
The expensive premium coffee machines have long used, for example, two coffee grinders with separate coffee bean hoppers. In fact, Rivelia offers this function in mid-budget models. In general, the superb price-quality ratio promises the series cloudless marketing prospects. It may well take a place among the bestsellers.
The video demonstrates LatteCrema Hot technology in Delonghi EXAM 440.55.