Fall is a great time to enjoy flavored lattes, warm cappuccinos, and seasonal coffee drinks. While coffee shops offer all sorts of creative options, making those same drinks at home can be just as fun. Of course, recreating that coffeehouse experience takes a little more than a basic coffee maker.
The De’Longhi Dedica Duo Espresso Machine brings several popular coffeehouse features into one compact appliance. It can make espresso, double espresso, and cold brew, plus it has a steam wand for creating lattes and cappuccinos.
I recently had the opportunity to try the Dedica Duo, along with De’Longhi’s Signature Espresso Blend coffee beans. Between the machine’s compact design, impressive brewing performance, and convenient cold brew feature, I absolutely loved it.
I received this product for free, and all opinions are my own.
A compact machine with impressive features
One thing I really liked about the Dedica Duo was its size. At just 5.9 inches wide, it’s considerably smaller than the commercial espresso machines you’d see behind the counter at a coffee shop.
Despite its compact design, the machine includes a 15-bar pump, a digital touch display, and a commercial-style steam wand. It also features a removable drip tray that accommodates different cup sizes.
The Dedica Duo offers three preset brewing options: espresso, double espresso, and cold brew. De’Longhi also includes a portafilter, tamper, measuring scoop, and filter baskets to help you get started.
De’Longhi Dedica Duo Espresso Machine
(Studiorocci.com)My experience with the Dedica Duo
I appreciate kitchen appliances that don’t require a complicated learning process, and the Dedica Duo was refreshingly straightforward. With just a few touch controls and a steam knob, operating the machine is relatively uncomplicated. You can select your preferred brewing option and prepare your coffee without navigating a long list of settings.
I was really curious about the steam wand. Considering the machine’s size, I expected the steam to be considerably weaker than the large commercial machines you see at restaurants and coffee shops.
That wasn’t my experience at all. The steam was hot, powerful, and more than capable of preparing milk for a latte or cappuccino. I was impressed with how much performance De’Longhi packed into such a small machine.
The espresso extraction also exceeded my expectations. The coffee did not slowly drip into the cup. The flow was much closer to what I’ve experienced with professional espresso equipment.
For a compact machine designed for home use, I thought the brewing performance was impressive.
De’Longhi Dedica Duo Espresso Machine
(Studiorocci.com)Cold brew is a convenient bonus
As much as I enjoy a warm coffee, I also love having the option to make something cold, especially on mornings when I’m heading out the door.
The Dedica Duo includes De’Longhi’s Cold Extraction Technology, which allows you to prepare cold brew in less than five minutes. That’s considerably faster than traditional cold brew methods, which typically require hours of steeping.
I absolutely enjoyed this feature because I could start preparing my cold brew while getting ready in the morning. Once it’s finished, I can pour it into a travel cup and head out.
It’s also a great starting point for experimenting with flavored creamers, milk, or other add-ins. During the fall, I can easily see myself using it for an iced caramel latte or a pumpkin-inspired coffee drink.
The Signature Espresso Blend is rich and smooth
Of course, the coffee beans themselves are just as important as the machine. I tried De’Longhi’s Signature Espresso Blend, made with Arabica coffee beans, and it’s become one of my top espresso options.
The flavor was fantastic. It wasn’t overly tart or acidic. Instead, I could actually taste the dark chocolate notes. They reminded me of a piece of 70% dark chocolate, with a rich cocoa flavor. There was also an earthy quality to the blend, but it wasn’t strong in the aftertaste. I added a little sugar and cream, which softened the flavor further without covering up those chocolate notes.
For anyone who enjoys a smoother espresso with noticeable chocolate notes, this is a delicious option.
Is the De’Longhi Dedica Duo worth it?
After using the Dedica Duo, I can understand the appeal of having a compact espresso machine at home.
The controls are simple, the steam wand is more powerful than I anticipated, and the espresso extraction worked really well. I also liked having the flexibility to switch between hot espresso drinks and cold brew, depending on what I’m in the mood for.
The Dedica Duo has been listed for $249.95 on the De’Longhi website, although pricing and promotions may vary.
For someone who enjoys making coffee drinks at home but doesn’t want a large, complicated machine, the Dedica Duo offers an appealing combination of convenience and performance.
