You’ll need to take care and follow the steps in order to brew a good espresso on the De’Longhi Magnifica. You’re dealing with a concentrated, rich shot of espresso here; it’s more than just pushing a button.
First, you need to set up the machine correctly.
Choosing Your Shot Size
While simple in process, it require a bit of care compared to those other long-cooking coffees.
The ritual begins with the essentials: beans and water, neither of which can be brewed without the other. This may seem obvious; but in your rush to get a cup of coffee each morning, you might miss this step.
First thing’s first: Check the water reservoir, as an empty one won’t allow the machine to do its job at its best. Use cold, fresh water only so that the temperature changes within the boiler are appropriate for extracting the coffee.
Taste is impacted by fresh water
From there, focus moves to the hopper, this is where the entire bean coffee is held prior to grinding. Put some nice fresh beans into the top chamber; it’s best if the machine has a continuous supply for on-demand grinding.
The hopper must never be left empty otherwise you’ll end up with a flat (and therefore dissapointing) beverage. Top up the hopper as necessary to ensure a smooth experience without having to stop what you’re doing.
Switch the machine on once the supplies are loaded, because the De’Longhi Magnifica need a moment to warm up and pressurize.
When you’ve got your beans in and everything’s good to go, turn that machine on… The De’Longhi Magnifica will take a second or two to heat up and build pressure. Let it do its thing. This initial warming process is key to getting the coffee oils out of the grounds.
As it heats, put a white ceramic cup underneath the brew outlet. Center it directly below the spout so it’s ready to catch the flow.
After that, select your desired shot size on the control panel. There are two different buttons on the control panel for espresso shots: the single shot button and the double shot button.
For a comparison, start with the Espresso button. This will release a single shot of coffee. That means a single dose of ground coffee and one grind cycle. You can program the volume, but by default it’s typically set at about 30 to 40 milliliters, which is perfect for a quick, strong hit of caffeine.
Once you hit that button, it starts extracting right away, with a steady stream of thick, dark coffee flowing into your cup. You can tell by the crema that the pressure was spot-on.
Pay attention to how much flows through, as well, this makes a single shot that’s perfect for someone looking for a typical strength espresso. This means less waste if you’re only having one drink (less beans!) but still packs in the punch with an intense and bold flavor.
The 2×Espresso button will give you two shots of espresso, the machine goes through two distinct grind cycles, as well as two doses of ground coffee. And it comes out at about 60 to 80 milliliters, much bigger then that single-shot. If you really want some caffeine, try that button instead.
The 2×Espresso button delivers two shots of coffee.
It does not seem to mind the extra load either. The machine work just fine.
Grind on 2× (double dose), let it go through its grind cycles. You’ll notice that the machine uses greater effort; it pulls more grounds. And, of course, it takes a little longer to extract… After all, there is a larger volume.
Same cup as before, but this time the coffee flows steadily into the cup. Does it taste any different with the added amount? You bet. A lot of body in the double shot.
It is a stronger, richer brew. The machine’s interface has some text saying the 2x setting is best for those who like their coffee a bit bolder or want to shares. You can definitely taste the difference. It has a stronger aroma and more concentrated coffee. That means more coffee beans, so of course there will be a stronger taste. But it isn’t simply about quantity; it’s about strength.
Lift the cup to look at what you’ve got. There’s some golden crema atop a slightly settled espresso. There’s a double shot here, so you can enjoy a bit more in your mug. This is a welcome size if you’re trying to savor this over time.
There’s no sense of rushing things. It stays on the taste longer then a single shot. It generally feels more like an actual cup of coffee instead of just a way to get caffeine.
There’s no fussiness with the Magnifica; it’s a case of find the button that suits your preference and brew away. For the instant hit, there’s the single shot… Fast and effective… Or if you’re in an indulgent mood, there’s the double shot (powerful and rich).
Essentially the same set up applies for both options; turn on the machine, add beans and water, wait … and let the machine do most of the work. You simply sit back and enjoy the results once you’ve mastered it.
