Last month, Italian espresso firm Lavazza launched its newest espresso machine, the Lavazza Assoluta. It’s a sexy bean-to-cup machine with an attention-grabbing promoting level: Instead of tweaking brew settings your self, merely scan the barcode in your bag of Lavazza espresso beans into an app, and Assoluta will robotically regulate your settings for optimum extraction and taste.
It’s a really attention-grabbing concept, which ought to (at the very least in principle) eradicate the trial and error course of of constructing constantly good espresso, and make it simple for even inexperienced persons to get excellent outcomes each time.
The Assoluta is definitely engaging, with a burnished bronze-colored case, completed with shiny black and chrome steel accents. It’s additionally giant and weighs round 22lbs/10kg, it is one of many heaviest machines I’ve examined up to now.
My evaluation unit got here with half a kilo of Lavazza Barista Gran Crema Espresso espresso, a light-weight roast mix of Arabica and Robusta beans. I typically choose mild or medium roasted Arabica with chocolate notes that pair properly with milk, however I’m additionally not averse to a heartier, historically Italian model, so it is a affordable place to begin.
I put in the Piacere Lavazza app on my cellphone, created an account, paired the app with Assoluta through Bluetooth, after which linked the machine to my Wi-Fi community. Once this was finished, it was time to scan the barcode on the espresso bundle and permit the app to ship the suitable temperature and brew time to the machine.
The backside menu solely lights up when the machine’s milk frothing cup is in place
The Assoluta solely has two grind settings (coarse and high-quality), which is stunning; It’s common for espresso machines to supply 20 grind sizes so you may make sure the water infuses the espresso at precisely the suitable charge.
If you grind the espresso too high-quality, the water will transfer too slowly, providing you with a bitter, over-extracted espresso. Grind it too coarsely and the water will run out in a number of seconds, giving it a bitter style and an unpleasantly skinny mouthfeel.
Having solely two choices appears dangerous, however I trusted Lavazza and went with the movement.
The machine cannot regulate them itself, however it would let you know which one to decide on for optimum outcomes. However, you do have management over the “energy” of your espresso, which you’ll regulate by rotating the highest of the bean hopper. When you do, a blue mild will present the present setting: excessive, medium, or low. I assume this modifications the dosage (the quantity of espresso the machine makes use of to make a shot), however I’m not solely certain.
Turning a big dial on the highest of the Assoluta’s bean hopper adjusts the “depth” setting
Brewing for inexperienced persons
Once Assoluta is on and has flushed its circuits, the highest drinks menu will mild up, providing you a number of milk-free espresso drinks. You can place a big cup on the primary drip tray or use a smaller folding tray to carry a cup of espresso and stop splashes.
The machine’s grinder and pump appear pretty quiet (I’ll measure the precise quantity utilizing a decibel meter earlier than writing my full evaluation), and after urgent the espresso button, I quickly had a full-bodied, rich-flavored double shot, with loads of crema. Not typical, however positively tasty.
I’m trying ahead to making an attempt Assoluta with a few of Lavazza’s different coffees, notably the Espresso Italiano Classica, which is 100% Arabica and may have a really completely different taste profile.
Of course, nothing stops you from utilizing beans apart from Lavazza’s personal, however be warned that the outcomes will not be optimum. After all, you solely have two grind sizes to select from and the app’s customization choices are fairly slim. You can select the dimensions of your drink, whether or not you need it sizzling or additional sizzling and whether or not the “aroma” needs to be mild, normal or robust.
It is really useful to make use of Lavazza’s personal beans, and the machine adapts its settings relying on the bundle chosen.
Foam, candy foam
So far, what surprises me essentially the most is Assoluta’s milk texturing system. Most espresso machines I’ve examined (together with these from Smeg, Jura, Philips, and Siemens) pump milk from a jug or tank, steam and aerate it, then dispense it into the cup. It’s a confirmed method that works properly, however Lavazza designers have taken a unique tack.
The Assoluta comes with a big glass tumbler, which has a lid that incorporates a steam wand and whisk. When you crave a cappuccino or latte, you fill the cup with milk to the suitable stage marked on the aspect, push the lid into place, after which slide your complete meeting between the drip tray and the dispenser. It’s an ideal match, so do not be afraid to offer it a superb push.
When positioned appropriately, the milk beverage buttons will illuminate on the Assoluta management panel. Make your choice and the machine will start pumping steam into the milk whereas a magnet simply in entrance of the espresso dispenser drives the whisk. The general impact resembles the swirl created when utilizing a handheld steam wand with a milk jug, however sadly the outcomes are not nearly as good.
When you are finished, the machine will brew a shot of espresso, pour it via a gap within the cup’s lid, and beep to let you realize it is able to drink.
I made an XL cappuccino (what can I say, it was Friday afternoon and I used to be feeling weak), and though the flavour was good, the milk was extremely popular and the froth was thinner than I anticipated. I solely had oat and semi-skimmed milk obtainable on the time, so I’m hoping full-fat dairy will produce higher outcomes. However, I anticipated somewhat extra from a machine with an inventory value of £699.95 (round $930 / AU$1,400), though that value is halved while you join Lavazza’s espresso supply service.
Assoluta at the moment seems to be obtainable solely in Europe, however I requested Lavazza if it is prone to launch elsewhere, when, and the way a lot it would value. For now, I’m persevering with my testing and can convey you a full evaluation very quickly so you may see the way it compares to the most effective bean-to-cup espresso machines obtainable in the present day.
