De’Longhi La Specialista Maestro Premium Manual Espresso Machine

The design brief was to create a premium at-home coffee machine that harmoniously blended technology excellence with the distinctive Italian design and craftsmanship of the De'Longhi La Specialista family of products. The functionality of the machine needed to guarantee ergonomics and ease of use in all aspects of operation and function. The design and finish needed to portray durability and professionalism of the product, together with the use of quality materials to reinforce the premium nature of the product.

La Specialista Maestro has a grand presence in any home kitchen setting, with instant recognition of the premium quality and durability through the prominent use of brushed and polished stainless steel and black glass. The technology and innovation is instantly identifiable through the smart tamping lever, combination of digital LED display dials and Lattecrema automated milk carafe. These same features simplify the coffee making process to introduce simplicity and automation to a traditionally manual process. The family design is distinguishable through the shape, finishes, dials and engraved family name - 'La Specialista' - engraved on the front of the machine.

The design of La Specialista Maestro brings to De'Longhi a premium, innovative product in the manual espresso coffee category, opening up a new market opportunity to De'Longhi that was previously unavailable. The R&D investment in new technology platforms will be leveraged across future NPD roadmaps to maximise the return. The primary impact of the launch of La Specialista Maestro will be visible across the effect it will have on brand positioning and consumer sentiment, not just the significant share increase forecast within the positioned price band.

Four key innovative technologies ensure the coffee making process is streamlined and personalised. At the same time, La Specialista is a hands-on experience, giving coffee lovers the satisfaction of crafting their own authentic Italian espresso. Smart Tamping Station; this patented innovation consistently tamps at the right pressure to achieve perfect results in cup, allowing novice users to accomplish professional results. It also ensures mess-free operation, as grinding and tamping are done within the Smart Tamping Station. Sensor Grinding Technology; ensures the delivery of a consistent and optimal coffee dose for a rich and flavoursome espresso. The internal grinding sensor identifies the grind setting, calibrates and adjusts the grinding process to deliver the right dose. Active Temperature Control; an independent Thermoblock heating system maintains a precise and stable water temperature during the brewing process to guarantee a well-balanced espresso extraction. Dual Milk Systems; providing both manual and automated milk texturing solutions to satisfy different users preferences, for simplicity and convenience. The My Latte Art steam wand was developed with coffee scientists to deliver the right level of pressure for milk texturing, or the Lattecrema automatic milk system delivers hot textured milk directly into the cup at the press of a button.