De'Longhi's new PrimaDonna Elite will pretty much put a coffee shop in your kitchen. It can produce hundreds of different styles, lets users save their preferences, and can be controlled via a mobile app. De'Longhi says it is the world's "first smart connected bean-to-cup coffee machine."
The PrimaDonna Elite is serious piece of kit, aimed primarily at allowing coffee lovers to hone their perfect brew. The machine itself measures 26 x 37 x 47 cm (10 x 15 x 19 in) and can hold 400 g (14 oz) of coffee beans.
Users can control the device using its 4.3-in color touchscreen display or via the accompanying Smart Coffee mobile app for Apple or Android, which connects to the machine via Bluetooth. It's possible to order a coffee, customize it, change the machine's settings, and access help via both the touchscreen and the app.
The taste, aroma, temperature and quantity of coffee can be personalized, as can the density, creaminess, temperature and quantity of the milk. New recipes can be created and – when a user has found a recipe that they like – it's possible to save it to a personal profile, of which there can be up to six.
The PrimaDonna Elite has conical metal grinders aimed at delivering a fine and even grind. The grinding level can be adjusted according to what is required, and the machine only grinds the necessary amount in order to ensure freshness. It also keeps a brewing temperature of between 88 and 96 degrees Celsius (190 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit), which De'Longhi says is optimum. There's additionally a chocolate function, for making customizable hot chocolate drinks.
The PrimaDonna Elite has launched in the UK, Germany and Switzerland, priced at £1,500 or €1,500 (around US$1,640). Gizmag understands it is due to be released in the US as well, but is awaiting a launch date and pricing details.
The video below provides an introduction to the De'Longhi PrimaDonna Elite.
Source: De'Longhi
