When an espresso machine prices over $1,500, it may be trickier to check than cheaper fashions. It’s kind of like testing a high-end digital camera. At the very least, it ought to shoot good images, perhaps even nice images. The remainder of the analysis is much less on its efficiency of fundamental features than how properly it performs these features over time, how properly it responds to you as a photographer, and the way good it seems. I spent about 90 days with the Diletta Bello, and through that point I’d should say it nailed three out of three.

Any espresso machine on this worth vary ought to pull near-perfect photographs proper out of the field, and the Bello didn’t disappoint on that entrance. Within an hour of unboxing it, working water via it, and discovering a great place on my counter for it, I used to be watching golden-brown espresso pour right into a demitasse cup. The crema constructed up in a easy, swirly layer and earlier than I even introduced it to my lips, I knew the Bello and I might get alongside throughout our time collectively.

Crème de la Crema

I’m a sucker for a bottomless portafilter, and machines just like the Bello are the rationale why. As quickly as you flip the hefty, mechanical-feeling lever to start pulling the shot, the machine begins to provide a wealthy, aerated, amber and earth-colored shot that builds up beneath a layer of crema. With a shot glass, you’ll be able to actually see it construct up; it seems like somebody pouring a Guinness. Tiny bubbles roiling beneath the floor, solely to rise and develop into part of the foamy cloud financial institution resting on prime of a dense, bittersweet elixir.

I really acquired fortunate with these first photographs, as a result of in case your grind is off by even a bit the Bello will misfire. If your grind is simply too wonderful, it’ll whirr and wrestle to push out a trickle of too-bitter espresso into your cup. If your grind is simply too coarse, water will shoot via the portafilter prefer it didn’t contact the espresso in any respect, filling your cup with an undrinkably weak coffee-adjacent water product that tastes like somebody poured the drip tray into your cup.

To be honest, this isn’t a wholly unusual consequence while you’re utilizing a high-end espresso machine. They might be finicky. The Bello even has an analog stress gauge, which is tremendous useful for diagnosing points along with your photographs: Low stress and a quick pour means your espresso is simply too coarse; excessive stress however a gradual pour means your espresso is simply too wonderful or packed too tight.

But the Bello’s favorite grind size was straightforward sufficient to search out as a result of it is so persnickety. If your grind is fallacious, it’ll let you know. I wish to err on the facet of too wonderful, with a agency tamp, after which step up the coarseness over the course of a pair rounds of photographs to get it dialed in excellent. For me, I discovered that the machine does properly with a grind that’s a little bit finer than the consistency of granulated white sugar, and a agency (however not heavy) tamp. We’re not attempting to crush this factor underneath a hydraulic press, simply press it down gradual until it looks like there’s not any give left.

Knobs and Levers

This is an espresso machine for tinkerers, and it seems the half. The entrance panel incorporates a stable steel off-on change that clicks with a satisfying chunk sound. There are additionally two articulated steel wands, one for steam and one for decent water. Their vary of movement by no means felt restrictive, they usually’re straightforward to maneuver into place or out of the best way, relying on what you’re doing. The steam wand’s maneuverability makes it straightforward to get it into simply the suitable place to swirl your milk right into a creamy microfoam.