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Next up in the Daily Shot Of Coffee kitchen is the Philips Saeco Syntia, Focus Automatic Espresso Machine (Black, model HD8833/47). Late last week, I took it out of the box and set it up to begin the testing process.
I’m a manual brew kind of guy, I love my French Press and can’t live without my Chemex. However, there is a part of me that loves espresso and espresso based milk drinks. It would be great to have an espresso machine at home and not have to run to a coffee shop every time I’m craving a good shot.
Background
Don’t let its size, sleek design and clean lines fool you—this espresso machine packs quite a punch. Its high-end features (think Rapid Steam) and one-touch functionality consistently produce café quality beverages quickly and easily. The efficient ceramic disc grinder is supremely quiet, the airtight anti-UV bean hopper holds a full 8 oz. If you prefer pre-ground coffee, simply use the integrated bypass doser so you can control the temperature and strength. Front access for adding beans is a welcomed design detail. The LED display of color-coded icons makes using this machine a breeze.
- An airtight lid with anti-UV coating keeps beans fresh until you’re ready to grind them.
- The built-in ceramic disc grinder operates safely and quietly for a fresh grind time after time.
- Select the coarseness of the grind you prefer with easy-to-use controls.
- An adjustable doser allows you to regulate the amount of ground coffee so you can control the coffee’s strength.
- An adjustable dispensing head can be raised and lowered to fit a variety of cup sizes.
- An adjustable brewing temperature with 3 settings.
- Saeco’s easy-clean system allows for simple, chemical-free cleaning.
- The large drip tray can be removed for cleaning.
- The large capacity 40-oz. water tank is removable.
- The tank includes an Intenza water filter to improve your coffee’s taste and protect your machine from limescale.
- A programmable pre-brewing cycle injects hot water into the ground coffee for optimal flavor extraction.
- Powerful 15-bar pump for maximum extraction of flavor.
- Energy-saving after one hour.
- Incredibly compact design allows front access to all features, freeing up valuable counter space.
(Official description courtesy of Williams-Sonoma.)
What I’m Looking At
The Philips Saeco Syntia Focus is not the first espresso machine that’s visited the Daily Shot Of Coffee kitchen for review. Last year, I reviewed it’s sister product, the Syntia Semi-Automatic Cappuccino Machine. I’m going to see how the Syntia Focus compares to that machine, as well as to other machines I’ve used or been around.
Plus, I’ll investigate the quality of the machine, how easy it is to operate (and clean) and determine if it’s worth it’s price tag. Most importantly, I’ll be looking at just how good is espresso, cappuccino and coffee it brews.
Review process should be complete in about two weeks. Is there anything you would like me to investigate as I test this machine?
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Fine Print.
Hi, Mike,
this is a really nice espresso machine. I like the fact that it does have all that you could possible need to make espresso based drinks, but it still not too big. Just perfect for home.
the reason i ask is that the machines website shows or states the unit can make espresso and LONG coffee.
just very intrigued.
that the h is long coffee?
is that the tall travel mug size/
i’ve heard hot cold good bad and all variations of coffee but not LONG as a term applied.
The more technical name for Long coffee is Lungo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lungo). It’s an espresso shot stretched out with water to the size of a cup of coffee. It’s sort of like an Americano I suppose.
omg English-Italian brain teasers.
i’ve had a lot of Americanos
and even Americanos with shots
of Espresso… so i’d suppose
this puppy can shoot the
coffee and the espresso and
there you have it!
what an interesting product.
if it’s not too much trouble (cleanup and
pre coffee/espresso prep time i guess
i really mean) this IS very cool.
and better than a keurig?
that sounds very interesting.
so a question for Mike the supreme tester;
how realistic is it that an Average Joe
can tolerate setup and all the added
work associated with a genuine coffee
bistro in his kitchen?
a lot of people i know just need
quick good coffee and then they’re
out the door in the morning.
maybe at other hours, after work
or days off where the rush hasn’t
factored in, it might work even with
the added time required.
also, and this is more a coffee
lovers road bump… is the
price of this tolerable or
desireable?
Amazon shows $ 999 with
the discount and they’re
out of stock today.
i guess that has to be considered.
Once it’s setup, it’s quicker than making French Press coffee in the morning – just a couple of buttons.
For me the biggest consideration I have is the price. I love the ease of it, however is that ease worth the expense?
i do have a very general question on the machine Mike.
is it really possible to simply use an espresso machine to make a very good cup of coffee?
i’d prefer not to have too many gadgets in the home so something that has this ability might be a sell for me.
thanks!
howard, this is how I look at it. Will it replace my Chemex or French Press? Not likely. Is it better than a Keurig? By a hundred miles. It’s main market I think is an average Joe that wants a coffee shop experience without leaving home.