My dad has started his morning with coffee for as long as I can remember. I can always be assured of finding him trying a new blend or new French press, coffee machine, or coffee shop.
Of course, he will always drink any coffee I make him… but I know he much prefers his perfect blend or the brew from his favorite coffee shop. So when I got my hands on the De’Longhi Dedica Duo, I wanted to try and make him the perfect cup of coffee myself. Now, I’m no barista, but the machine is so easy to use that I had no issues pulling the perfect espresso shots or foaming the milk for a latte.
It’s good looking
Firstly, I need to talk about the stunning design of this coffee machine. If something is going to be taking up a permanent residence on the kitchen counter, I want it to look good — and the Dedica Duo delivers.
The Italian-inspired design and all the different colors available make it feel a little like a Smeg machine. But I love this look. The machine comes in metal, white, pink, or green. I used the metal machine, but we have the green colorway photographed here, which I absolutely adore.
The machine is also pretty compact, with a body that is just 5.9 inches wide. It perfectly slotted in on my kitchen counter. And despite its slim look, it still performs extremely well.
The top of the machine has a touch screen where you select the extraction method. You can choose from a single espresso, a double espresso, or a cold brew. Being able to prepare a cold brew in under 5 minutes is no mean feat, since this is a process that can take hours or even overnight to get your desired taste.
There is also a touch button on the top to activate the steam wand and a knob on the right side of the machine to control the steam. The wand also folds back into the machine to keep that slim design as compact as possible.
How I used the machine
The De’Longhi La Specialista Touch takes the number one spot on our best espresso machines buying guide, so it will come as no surprise that De’Longhi has knocked it out of the park again with this one. It also helps that the dedica Duo is incredibly simple to use.
As someone who doesn’t use many coffee machines, I was a little apprehensive going into this, especially since I was making coffee for my dad, who is, to put it lightly, a coffee addict. I knew I had to get my method right.
I used ground coffee and tamped it down in the portafilter. The machine comes with a filter for a double shot or a single shot. I was able to get better results with the larger portafilter basket, but I prefer a double shot anyway.
The machine’s pump produces 15 bar pressure, which is perfect for extracting espresso. All of that 15 bar isn’t hitting the coffee though, as once it has moved through the machine, the brewing pressure will work out at around 9 bar. This is the perfect amount of pressure for pulling a creamy espresso shot.
I clicked the double espresso setting on top of the machine and let it work its magic. It really is simple to use and
I was able to get satisfying, thick, and bubbly crema on top of the shot every single time. I knew it was going well as my dad gave nods of agreement to the side as his first cup of coffee came together.
He said the coffee was just right, and not at all bitter, and I have to say I agree. He even noted that it tasted like the coffee he gets from his favorite cafe, so I will take that as a huge compliment.
But I can’t take all the credit; the machine did all the work.
Coffee shop satisfaction
So yes, the espresso tastes like coffee shop coffee, but what about the steam wand to make the ultimate latte?
I filled up the stainless steel jug that comes with the machine with milk, clicked the steam button, and watched the magic happen. I went in circular motions to heat the milk and then focused on the top to get a good foam.
The milk steamed with ease, and it meant I was able to achieve a coffee shop result at home. While some may find the whirring of the steam wand annoying, it’s a welcome sound in our house because it means a hot, relaxing beverage is on the way.
I’m no barista by any means, but I was able to achieve awesome microfoam. And while I don’t have the skillset to create perfect latte art on top of the drink, my dad told me the foam texture is exactly what he would expect from the coffee shop.
So for us, the De’Longhi Dedica Duo is a real winner for an easy-to-use and compact option for freshly brewed coffee at home every single morning.
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