TECHNOLOGY
LAB TEST
Nespresso Maestria Nespresso store Bahrain City Center. Regular: BD280; grand: BD350
After a member of the FACT team was generously flown over to Dubai to attend the launch of this latest product, we thought it was definitely worth a review as one of our Lab Techs. Nespresso excelled itself, proving to be more than just a coffee brand and more of a market leader. The Maestria range combines impressive engineering with function and form, all inspired by that ever-familiar ritual of coffee preparation. Available in retro red or dark grey titanium and made completely of aluminum, this nifty new machine fits, pretty effortlessly might we add, into any and every home, while bringing a professional touch into your kitchen. Its streamlined appearance adds a nod to retro bar style and the ‘hands on’ controls affirm that Nespresso are pulling out the stops to reinvent their definition of delicious coffee. During the launch, Nespresso presented two models of their latest product: the Maestria and the Gran Maestria. The first doesn’t feature the Aeroccino but does integrate a steam wand, allowing you to froth your own milk the way a typical cappuccino machine does. Meanwhile, the glorified Maestria features an integrated Aeroccino for easy automatic milk frothing, with not one but four settings for hot milk, cold milk, stiff froth and velvety froth. The larger model also has the additional function which pre-heats the cups, just in case you or your guests are fussy drinkers. The best thing about both of these machines is that they are tailored to fit into our modern lives. A wraparound cable storage section under the base means that it can be tucked away (not that you would really want to hide a machine such as this); there is a large capacity water tank of 1.4 liters and a capsule container that can hold up to 14 capsules and it even has a light warning
that tells you when they need descaling. It is energy-saving, too, as it powers off after nine minutes of inactivity. Plus, the Maestria can also be set to be compatible with hard, medium and soft water. On top of all this, Nespresso has once more collaborated with design studio Andree Putman to create the perfect tools required for a barista. For the ultimate cup of coffee at home, this is what you need. n PROS
. Nifty, fashionable and functional . Easy-to-use and energy-saving
CONS
. (If we had to be picky) it is a little pricey.
Pleased
“Nespresso has really proved itself to be a market leader.”
Impressed:
“The Maestria range combines impressive engineering with function and form, all inspired by that ever-familiar ritual of coffee preparation.”
Very Impressed:
“For the ultimate cup of coffee, this is the model that should be on the top of your list.”
FACT FACT BAHRAIN QATAR MARCH
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