The Nespresso Maestria D500 Espresso Maker, Crema is a well-built machine that stands apart from the bulk of the other espresso makers in same category. It is very well designed with a body of that is fabricated totally out of aluminum. This gives the machine a very solid and expensive appearance. Looks are not the only thing that this little espresso maker has going for it, it also delivers a great cup of coffee due to its precision controls.
Features
The quality and quantity of water that goes into making an espresso is important and this machine does a great job of controlling the amount of water it dispenses very precisely. This ensures that the espresso will taste the same time after time. Furthermore, the Maestria is equipped with water hardness settings which certify that the water used to make your cup of espresso is of the best quality. Buildup of scale on the heating element not only impacts the taste of the coffee but damages the heating system as well. The descaling alarm safeguards against excessive accumulation of scale in the machine.
The “quality seal” technology ensures that the pressure is maintained at 19 bars. The consistent pressure throughout extraction makes a huge difference in the final taste of the brew. Cheap espresso machines deliver the full promised pressure at the start of the extraction, but with the progress of extraction the pressures decreases. This leads to uneven extraction which impacts the taste negatively.
The water tank on the Maestria D500 has a larger capacity than most competitors, the 1.4 capacity means fill it just once and forget about it. Additionally the placement of the tank is such that it is easily accessible and slips out without a hitch for refilling. The waste capsule container is larger with a capacity to hold 14 used capsules. Typical espresso makers have waste containers that hold only 10 used capsules.
The steam wand is another bright spot of this espresso maker. The high pressure in the wand produces a strong jet of steam which allows you to produce finely textured foam that is thick. This quality of foam is long lasting. A number of different steam textures may be selected form the machine’s menu suitable for making drinks like cappuccino, macchiato, and latte.
The programmable feature of the Maestria means you can set the machine to begin brewing before you even leave your bed and have your cup of coffee ready by the time you reach the machine. The safety shut-off feature turns the unit off nine minutes after completing the brewing process. You never have to worry about if you forgot to turn the machine off or not. The Maestria D500 is equipped with a flip tray which folds back for full size mugs and click it into position and the small sized espresso cups fit snuggly under the brew head.
Conclusion
The Maestria D500 is a quality product from Nespresso. It is loaded with features like programmability, high pressure pump, controls for water hardness and a powerful steam wand with adjustable height that makes frothing very easy. All these features work collectively to deliver a great cup of coffee consistently. However, for all its great qualities, there is also a negative aspect. The lack of an on/off switch makes it very difficult to recognize if the machine is on and indeed very hot. Another beneficial safety feature missing is a polarized plug, which is great for keeping inquisitive young children at bay.
