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The coffee tastes better in my view than the coffee from the De Longhi fully automatic office. The I once tested machines Senseo Latte and Latte Petra does not come close to the EN 520. Here, the coffee was good from these machines.
The thickest bonus is low maintenance and the machine speed. There pass about 40 seconds during preheating. Just enough time to pick up the milk tank from the refrigerator and dock. Fix still dropped the capsule and locked. Off you go and a few seconds later the Latte Macchiato or Cappuccino or, or, or finished. Perfect for impatient people like me. How I hated it, to have the 125 ml large milk tank of Senseo constantly refill. With this machine, nor was the fact that the milk tank was incredibly fiddly to open. When Petra bar you can milk can indeed suck in any quantity, but preheating takes forever and after each use it is necessary to clean the facial expressions of the milk processing meticulously, to continue to be able to produce considerable froth.
Back to the milk frothing EN 520: The milk foam is simple vote by the control dial on 400 ml milk tank on their own needs. He is spoonable and of a quality that you would not expect it in a machine in this price range. After each use, the nozzle is ready ratzfatz by the integrated cleaning function for the next use. The quality of the milk foam is even after many operations still as good.
If you are looking for the fly in the ointment, one might say that the Senseo Latte Cappuccino in the optically better image provided by the three layers consisting of milk, coffee and milk foam. This advantage, however, is invisible at Cappu cups already obsolete and no serious criticism.
Summary:
The De Longhi EN 520 is the ideal solution for people who drink a few cups a day and no time (or inclination) have, for several minutes around zune steln on the machine before the coffee flows. The monopoly of Nestle in terms of capsule supplies also appears to be crumbling, but since September 2011 are the first compatible products from Esprimo available. I'm sure other vendors will follow. Until then, I also like to pay 34-39 cents per capsule for an excellent coffee. Pads or beans are less expensive, but also not to be had for free. This will also like to suppress, when it comes to the Nespresso capsule system. Properly dispose of it is also environmentally track.
I am completely satisfied and forgive also: 5 star!
ADDENDUM:
Meanwhile, the starter pack is consumed with 150 caps and we are still very satisfied. So happy that we bought a second in "Midnight Blue" for the second home. The Blue looks at the product images for my liking from not pretty, in natura however, things are quite different. It is indeed a very dark blue, which the noble appearance of the machine but does not detract.
Addendum 2: Who missed the cocoa specialties of Tassimo & Co., which had recommended the Xocao-powders that there can also be ordered here at Amazon. Thus you get back in the Lattissima a dreamlike Choco-cino or cocoa. Tuned with some caramel or Vanillesirup-> delicious.
We also know now appreciate how quick and convenient to prepare tea leaves. Simply omit the capsule and the tea bag in the cup.
Addendum 3: There is now a new supplier for compatible capsules. I tested out the "Zuiano" program four varieties (there are three more and a decaffeinated variety) and am very disappointed. That you have to pull off a film before you can insert it, is still bearable. That coffee from the then vacant holes crumbles, is already unpleasant, but also find a few crumbs their way into the coffee.
At least one has when locking the capsule not feel to make the machine broken, as was the case with the Esprimo capsules tested by me.
The knock-out criterion is the taste. I gave all my friends some capsules for testing and after I could not get the product down, I took the remaining capsules to the office. Nobody, but nobody has seriously considered, even if the marginal price advantage (Zuiano 28ct / capsule), henceforth to dispense with the original. I would not even use them if they would cost one-third. All tested capsules were taste indistinguishable.
The taste reminded Senseo pads that have been stored for weeks open. Lattissima remains top! Zuiano unfortunately flop.
Addendum 4:
Meanwhile, I have tested a number of compatible capsules. Recommended when it comes to service and taste, are only the Bellarom capsules that there recently at Lidl.
Addendum 5:
A new competitor in the capsule business is "Gourmesso". I tried the following varieties:
Etiopia Blend forte, Messico Blend forte, forte and India Lungo Arabica forte.
Although the manufacturer specifies the strength of the coffee with 8 (India forte) to 10 (Etiopia forte), was able to convince not only the four coffees us. They taste similar weak as the "Zuiano" capsules, which I judged in Addendum 3. I find no other word to describe the taste as "limp". Because there is also no use that the Delonghi Lattissima technically good comes with the capsules cope.
The coffee runs through in a timely manner and it crumbles out no coffee, as was the case with the Zuiano capsules. Annoying at best, that each capsule must escape from a plastic bag separately.
For me the only alternative to the original remains the Bellarom capsule of Lidl and I hope that this will soon be available again. Also, the price advantage is not great at the Gourmesso capsules enough to respond to such a large confession about food. I do not at least. ;-)
Addendum 6:
Meanwhile Zuiano has changed its capsules and also improved. After the catastrophic impact of the first
Edition has this in fairness will also be made known.
The capsules are indeed now also individually wrapped, but can be opened hassle free. The sealing eliminates annoying, as the crumbs out of coffee powder.
The taste they have done also a giant leap forward. I highly recommend to try this alternative quite sometime now. For me personally, the savings is in a capsule price of min. 29.9 ct too low.
Lidl Supplement capsules in October 2013:
Both machines also do after two years still do a good job. The latest Kapselvatiante that we had the chance today, were those of Lidl. After the beginning of the year, the first edition have been arrested for compatibility with other machines on the market, it tries the discounter with a second edition.
The capsules are somewhat delicate, as the first edition and the original Nespresso capsules. You have to take good care that the capsule is properly or that the previous capsule was ejected correctly when locking.
This is not a big expense. Similarly, the effort, the individually packaged capsules expose absolutely against the backdrop of the low price not too bad. Mainly because again Lidl is the only provider that is at the forefront of pricing and taste damn close to the original.
I recommend everyone to put next purchase each a package of three new varieties in the cart.
Our favorite is Ristresso. Mind you, this variety is now available at Lidl.
