So there you are, standing in front of your DeLonghi Magnifica ready to brew. What do you need? A solid espresso starts with basics.
First, fill up that water tank, which happens to be empty. Second, top off the hopper with some fresh coffee beans (fresh beans realy do make a huge difference). Third, switch on machine for its warm-up cycle. It is simple enough; it will take a few seconds to build pressure and grind.
Choosing Single vs Double Shots
It couldn’t be simpler and there’s no need for a barista science degree. Simply pop it in, fill ‘er up, load and go.
Grab your white mug and slide it below the spout. There are various buttons available, such as coffees, lungos, and double espressos. You will only use the first three today because you want a single shot. Press button of your choice. The machine hums into action.
First you hear the grinding, beans get crushed. Sounds like an aggressive process, but it’s very efficient.
Then extraction begins: dark liquid pours into cup, and a single shot pulls out approximately 30 to 40 ml (that’s a standard size). It use one grind cycle. Grinds up only what’s needed; no waste of grounds here.
The coffee come out golden and rich, and you watch as the crema forms on top. This model has a programmable volume, but you don’t mess around with those settings. Just set it to default, and let it do its thing. It does not spurt or sputter, which help.
It is for one person. It is a single shot. It is a perfectly acceptable strength for one. Two sips of coffee, because it requires fewer beans than the double. It is strong but not bitter. It is just bold. This makes it great if you’re looking to get a kick on an early morning.
Curious how that will be different than? You hit the other button, put cup back down underneath the spout, and now you’re pressing the 2x Espresso button.
Your machine grinds out a response for you too, but it grind out twice. Two doses of ground coffee fall into portafilter. And because there’s twice as much going on, it’s double the effort which means double the output; roughly 60 to 80 ml of espresso rather than just 30 to 40.
It’s a double shot, with two distinct portions. So you get to experience the flavor profile change. That makes it stronger, deeper. You just taste it; it’s heavier. It’s boldest. It’s got more caffeine for sure.”
If you want some serious eye-opening coffee, or just like to share this with others, this setting’s your best bet. Again, there are no pressure issues and the machine handles it easily. There’s also more of that thick crema, which sits high atop surface. It’s not subtle; I’m glad it’s not.
All it requires are some beans and water and you’re good to make espresso on this thing. Just press a button or two and there you go… single or double shot, no problem.
Now you like the double best; it tastes better. It’s quick and takes hardly any time to clean up. Rinse out cup and that’s it.