The Perfect Brew

dish Editor Sarah Tuck falls in love with the De’Longhi PrimaDonna Soul.

I usually start my day with a giant cup of tea before my obligatory Kath and Kim-style power walk around my neighbourhood, but the moment I get back, I’m ready for the day's first coffee. So, when De’Longhi offered to let me try the new PrimaDonna Soul automatic coffee machine, I was beside myself with anticipation.

The machine fit perfectly into my kitchen, with its sleek design and stylish black-and-chrome finish. But looks were just the start. I soon discovered the PrimaDonna Soul delivered spectacular taste and ease.

The first day I used the machine, I poured in my favourite Arabica coffee beans and considered the menu of 21 drink options. Did I feel like Cappucino or a Long Black, Brew-over-Ice or simple Italian Espresso? I decided on a classic Flat White, put my cup in place and pressed the button.

Boom! Instantly the tantalising aroma of freshly ground coffee filled the kitchen. When you tell the De’Longhi Coffee Link App what kind of beans you’re using, the PrimaDonna Soul machine's Bean Adapt Technology sets specific grinding, brewing and temperature parameters to suit. Then the cup starts filling, finishing with a generous swirl of foam.

About a minute later, I had a café-quality flat white in hand. Gorgeous to look at? Tick. Proper layer of crema on top? Tick. Glorious coffee flavour? I took a sip: double tick. Savouring the rich, robust taste of a coffee I’d prepared almost without effort in the comfort of my home, I sat down to the day’s work and considered never buying a café coffee again.

The next day, I tried out another feature: ordering a coffee from my app. The machine uses wifi connectivity to pair with the app, so you can make a coffee from anywhere – whether you’re out and about or just in bed upstairs, needing a little motivation to get up.

Squinting at my phone (sans glasses) while on my morning walk, I opened up the app and “ordered” my coffee. By the time I got home, it was there waiting for me: steaming, aromatic, perfect.

I quickly became hooked. After a few weeks, I’d tried just about every option on the menu, and played with the customisation tools too – using pre-ground coffee, trying out the twin shot function and even adjusting water hardness. All of them worked like a dream. The Mug-to-Go function, a function for customising a takeaway drink, has become a particular favourite for prepping a coffee for my mid-morning loop around the block. And I’d become a true fan of the LatteCrema System, which not only creates seriously creamy milk foam, but is also self-cleaning.

The De’Longhi PrimaDonna Soul is the ideal machine for anyone who loves their coffee – offering incredibly delicious, convenient coffee without having to leave the house.

Features include:

• Bean Adapt Technology to get the best flavour out of every bean
• LatteCrema System for café-quality foam
• Wifi connectivity to the De’Longhi Coffee Link App, so you can make coffee from any room in the house
• Extensive menu of 21 beverage recipes
• One-touch selection for favourite drinks
• Mug-to-Go function for preparing customised takeaway beverages
• 4.3” full-touch TFT high-res colour display

To enjoy outstanding coffee at home, try the PrimaDonna Soul today. delonghi.com

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