10 Reasons Why I Love the De'Longhi Dedica

These days, it seems that every self-respecting adult in my peer group has a coffee machine. 

From the standard Nespresso to a fancy Italian espresso machine with all the bells and whistles, they could easily serve a decent cup of coffee if any of their guests wanted one. 

In fact, I can sheepishly say that Dada and I were probably one of maybe three couples amongst our friends who still served 3-in-1 coffee to our guests. Ahihihi. 

At first, I was owning it you know. 

"Oh we're not really coffee drinkers", I'd say graciously, almost apologetically to visitors. Then offer a wide array of tea from my shagreen tea storage box, as if I could dissuade a caffeine addict from my selection of flavored tea bags.

But I knew in my core that good hosts should be able to serve good coffee to their guests. Besides, who doesn't enjoy a good cup of cappuccino or latte every now and then? 

Or maybe that was my excuse when I saw the De'Longhi Dedica machine at the De'Longhi event I attended a few months back. It was love at first sight, that I decided we needed one in our home, stat. So I went to the De'Longhi concept store, D&K Kitchen Essentials at Shangrila-Mall to get our own machine.

While there were fancier, more awe-inducing machines, I knew in my heart the Dedica was for me.  

1) For one, it uses ground coffee, and not those disposable coffee pods that just add litter to the growing piles of garbage we get rid of on a daily basis. No carbon footprint guilt here.

2) Its the perfect size given the limited counter space at our buffet table, being the slimmest machine in the market at only 15 cm wide. 

3) Yes it's very compact, and yet so powerful. It can pull excellent shots of espresso that tastes just as good as the ones from your favorite coffee shop. 

4) It's so easy to use once you get the hang of using the professional filter holders like a true barista (thank God for my Starbucks marketing stint = required barista training, that sure came in handy!). Just press a button and voila! Well, while I still will not be able to do latte art, I'd like to think I can offer a latte or a foamy cappuccino sprinkled with cinnamon, or chocolate powder. Flavor wise, still quite an enjoyable cup.

5) Speaking of cappuccino, yes it can steam milk and can make seriously frothy foam to top your espresso with. 

I need more practice obvs, because this is how it looked during the demo....

6) The steam wand can also dispense hot water for tea, if you have guests who prefer a cup of chamomile or matcha over a handcrafted coffee beverage. 

7) It's quite easy to clean, with detachable parts that only require rinsing.

8) The top part can be used as a cup warmer, and the Dedica's Thermoblock heating system only heats enough water for your coffee serving, so you get the right water temperature crucial for brewing the ideal coffee. This reduces warm-up time, so that your coffee machine is ready for use in seconds, and is more energy efficient.

9) Did I mention they come in the most attractive color ways?

10) And so affordably priced at just about Php16,500 thereabouts?

It was hard to choose a color between red, silver and black, but I decided the silver went best with the vintage inspired De'Longhi Icona toaster and electric kettle I brought home with me. Oh yes, I was so kilig imagining these on our buffet table/breakfast nook.

Three months later, I still get kilig to this day, when I offer to make coffee to our guests. Heehee. I feel like the consummate hostess now. No, 3-in-1 coffee for visitors now, promise!

For more about the De'Longhi Dedica, read up here. For more information about the distributor, Concept Specialist Inc., Like and Follow De'Longhi Philippines on Facebook and @delonghiph on Instagram.

You may also check out their showroom at 72 Sct. Dr. Lascano, Brgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City. and concept store at D&ampKitchen Essentials at L/G East Wing, Shangri-La Mall, Mandaluyong City.

My De’Longhi Wishlist + Espresso Yourself with the PrimaDonna Elite

It's rare that I go out and attend events these days, but I was in the market for a dehumidifier and because De'Longhi makes dehumidifiers, I thought I'd go to their event, watch some demos, make my decision and call it a day.

Of course, it's typical of me to go inside a store wanting one thing, and ending up with something completely different, if not a few other stuff as well. But still within the bounds of Konmari, of course. Uhm, subject to my interpretation. Haha.

Suffice it to say, I went to said De'Longhi event and ended up wanting (and I mean needing!) a Dedica espresso machine, and the Icona Vintage toaster and kettle. Look, I'm so happy with my choices, I can literally feel like my heart is doing cartwheels inside. To say that I'm kilig, is an understatement!

See what I mean? If that's not love at first sight, I don't know what is.

Okay wait. To clarify, I actually ended up getting a barely used dehumidifier from a friend in our online garage sale group days after confirming I'd go to the event, so while I was still open to buying a second dehumidifier, I was keeping my options open for opportunities. Here are some of my other interesting finds.

This multi-cooker can fry, bake, broil, and cook. It's a great machine for small condo units with limited counter space.

This gelato by the Il Gelataio of De'Longhi was pretty legit.

My open mindedness yielded fantastic results obviously. Where else can you find a compact espresso machine that makes cafe quality Italian espresso like this Dedica? How often do you find a kettle and toaster that calls out to you, and haunts you in your sleep, in a good way? 

I was already imagining how fantastic these would look on our buffet table as I host family or friends for brunch at home. It was that level of fantasizing. And kinikilig ako. Before De'Longhi, I never imagined I'd feel this way about kitchen appliances. 

As it turns out, the star of the event was something so impressive, it's in a league of it's own. 

Before the unveiling

De’Longhi International Commercial Director for Asia Pacific and Americas, Paul Accornero, together with Concept Specialist Inc.’s President, Joseph Hung, General Manager, Joenie Hung and wife, Vivian Hung

De’Longhi International Commercial Director for Asia Pacific and Americas, Paul Accornero, together with Concept Specialist Inc.'s Joenie & Vivian Hung, Anj Imperial and guests Tessa Prieto-Valdes and Patty Laurel-Filart

Tadaaa! The prima donna of coffee machines, the PrimaDonna Elite by De’Longhi fuses design, technology, and ease of use, allowing you to craft your own beverage with barista level skill with just one touch.  

The tablet beside the machine is no mistake, by the way.  Download the Coffee Link App on your mobile or tablet, and you can set-up your own personal drink profile as well as that of your family members and favorite people by memorizing their favorite drink down to the temperature and quantity of coffee and milk. Oh, and even if they like non-coffee based drinks like hot chocolate or tea (which you can make with this machine), that works too.

Set-up your own personal drink profile with the Coffee Link App

Of course, the most practical use for the app is that you can have your coffee ready in the kitchen before you step out of your room. With just one tap at your tablet, your machine will start crafting your drink, no yaya required!

 Ok, maybe you need yaya to replace the cups once each drink is done!

What turned out to be a research expedition on dehumidifiers, easily turned into a kitchen showcase shopping trip, pretty much like with just a touch of a button. 

I actually just picked up my Dedica espresso machine, Icona Vintage toaster and kettle today, and I can't wait to share with you my new joy sparkers. Based on my research, the Amazon ratings are pretty impressive but will do a review from my own experience, of course. Watch out for it!

In the Philippines, De’Longhi is exclusively distributed by Concept Specialist Inc., the official distributor of other global brands such as Sanremo Coffee Machines, Thermoplan and Fetco. Concept Specialist Inc. is the first in Asia to launch De’Longhi’s PrimaDonna Elite.

For more information about Concept Specialist Inc. Like and Follow De'Longhi Philippines on Facebook and @delonghiph on Instagram.

You may also check out their showroom at 72 Sct. Dr. Lascano, Brgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City. and concept store at D&K Kitchen Essentials at L/G East Wing, Shangri-La Mall, Mandaluyong City.