Philips 5400 EP5447/90 LatteGo

Evaluating the Philips Espresso LatteGo 5400 EP5447/90 and writing a review for it first requires some insight into what an Italian Espersso actually is... and then see if the device offers that. An Espresso is not coffee as we are used to, where hot water simply runs through a layer of ground coffee beans (poured by hand or by using a percolator).

To be allowed to speak of Espresso, a number of established criteria must be met: Espresso is a small cup of strong coffee (only 30ml) that is the result of hot, non-boiling water (92-96°C) being pressed under high pressure (+- 8 bar) for (+- 25 sec) through a small amount of finely ground coffee beans (+- 7 grams). A brown cream layer is formed on top, consisting of oils and sugars from the beans; the thickness of the layer depends on the type of coffee beans and their freshness.

An extra shot of ground coffee beans (can be selected on the display) gives an even stronger aroma due to more grind; the volume in the cup then remains 30 ml

The normal Espresso then forms the basis for various Espresso types, of which only a few are listed below:

• Doppio: simply a double espresso of 60 ml.

• Ristretto: with the same amount of ground coffee beans as a normal espresso, but with less water, only 20 ml. Less water comes into contact with the grind for less time, resulting in more aroma and less bitterness.

• Caffe: What the Italians call their coffee, slightly larger than a double cup of espresso. With a thin cream layer. Smaller than an Americano.

-Americano: : An espresso diluted with hot water 140 ml (similar to our coffee or for those who still knew it, the filters of yesteryear). With almost no cream layer.

• Capucchino: An espresso with one part hot milk and one part milk foam. Less milk than in a Latte. Italians drink espresso mainly in the morning.

• Latte Macchiato: Milk first, then Espresso. More milk than in cappuccino.

More foam at the top than with a Capucchino.

• Latte: steamed milk, Espresso, foam layer. Together 240 ml. The foam layer does not mix with the espresso, even if you stir the espresso with a spoon. Thick, heavy milk froth.

• Flat White: difference compared to latte: the same amount of espresso, but stronger aroma due to a larger proportion of espresso with a smaller total volume, only 160 ml. Thin milk foam layer on top. In the cup three layers and 2nd time Espresso can be clearly seen. Solid taste.

• Café au lait: What we know as a “coffee latte”, but based on espresso and milk.

A BARISTA could undeniably tell you more about it because there are a few more types, but it already gives some insight into the subtle small differences between each type, which the Philips Espresso LatteGo 5400 EP5447/90 should be able to get out of the cupboard. .

The device offers the following types:

• Immediately on the display: Espresso, Caffe, Americano, Capucchino, Latte Machiato, Café au Lait.
• Via “More drinks”: Caffe Crèma, Latte, Frothed milk, Lungo, Ristretto, Flat White, Hot water.

For each of these espressos, with their subtle differences, the correct parameters are pre-set in the appliance and available at the push of a button via the display; i.e. the amount of grind, amount of hot water, amount of milk, amount of milk foam; and they are also processed in the correct order by the appliance (eg milk first and then espresso, or vice versa).

Nevertheless, the user can still adapt each type of espresso to his personal taste by subtly making small changes to the most important parameters: amount of grind, coarser or finer grind, amount of water and milk and even save this in a personal color profile of which four are available and stored in memory; as well as another guest profile (the latter is not stored in memory). Desired adjustments are easily adjustable via the very clear display.

With all settings or choices made via the display (and if you make a mistake), you can always return to the steps already taken.

The finer the coffee beans are ground, the stronger the espresso aroma. The aroma can be adapted to personal taste by setting the grind knob to finer or coarser grinding (the knob may only be moved with 1 click at a time and only while the appliance is grinding; it will also take about three cups before taste difference). The adjustment obviously affects all types of espresso that are brewed afterwards, since the same basic espresso is used for each type.

The appliance also works with pre-ground coffee, which can be poured into a separate compartment with the supplied measuring spoon. In that case, the amount of coffee beans to be ground must be set to zero via the display!

The brew group inside the appliance, which must already make all this happen, can easily be removed from the appliance after removing the water reservoir (right side of the appliance) to occasionally rinse the group under the tap and then simply let it dry . Every two months (or longer depending on use) the brew group should be slightly greased in some places. The brew group is almost the most important part of the espresso machine; should it ever suffer a serious irreparable breakdown, it can be obtained from a parts store with the Philips number 421944093341.

The espresso machine will indicate on the display when the coffee grounds container needs to be emptied.

If a water filter has been installed in the water tank (supplied) and this should be replaced, the device will indicate this well in advance on the display, then you still have time to order one. The water filter ensures that limescale and small impurities are kept out of the appliance. The espresso machine takes into account the local hardness of the drinking water; a test strip is included to determine hardness and set it via the espresso machine display.

At the bottom of the espresso machine and a little protruding in front, there is a drip slide into which the automatic rinsing of the brew group as well as the rinsing of the Espresso pipes and the milk pipe can flow. A red button in the brewing grid (where the cups are) indicates when the drip slide must be emptied; the container with the coffee grounds also slides out of the appliance and can be emptied.

The pipes through which coffee flowed are automatically rinsed briefly by the appliance:

• when switching on the appliance (every time before brewing the first espresso).
• when the appliance is switched off (after making the last espresso). The whiff of flushing water ends up in the drip slide, you don't have to collect flushing water yourself.

After making an espresso with milk or milk foam, it is recommended to rinse the milk pipes briefly; this is done at the simple push of a button via the quick clean menu while the milk cup with its holder (LatteGo) is still clicked onto the device; a small amount of water then rinses the milk cirquit, as well as the milk channel IN the teat cup. The whiff of flushing water ends up in the drip slide, you don't have to collect flushing water yourself. The milk carafe and its holder (LatteGo), which click on the front of the appliance, can be rinsed under the tap.

For espressos without milk (or milk foam), you can choose between one cup centrally under the spout, or two cups at the same time (one cup on the left and one on the right under the spout). Only one cup can be placed with espressos with milk (or milk foam) because the LatteGo cup only allows the milk to flow into one cup and the cup must be centrally located under the outlet for this. The spout above the cups is height-adjustable, thus avoiding splashing next to the cup.

On top of the appliance is an adjustment compartment that is slightly warm, on which two cups can be placed.

On the front of the appliance, where the cups are placed, there are two LEDs that can be set to always light up when the appliance is switched on, or only when making espresso.

By the way, via “Settings” on the display, your own choices can be made, such as the language (also Dutch), the placement of a drinking water filter in the water reservoir, etc.

The Espresso LatteGo 5400 EP5447/90 has a modern design, masters the subtle settings required for the various espresso types and does not require too much maintenance, although a little maintenance is unavoidable.

The Philips maintenance kit CA6707/10 (available separately) contains two drinking water filters, a box with degreasing tablets (for the oil from the coffee beans) and lubricant for the brew group.

A long review, but there was also a lot to tell about this beautiful and easy-to-use device, which offers so many delicious types of espresso!

We installed the appliance in our kitchen and are very satisfied with this appliance. Completely honest: apart from the fact that such a device always requires a bit of maintenance, we think it is very well thought out, a beautiful piece of technology and unbelievable but we could not immediately think of many negatives, except for the connection of the cord at the back the machine runs the wire upwards and grinding coffee always makes some noise.

This coffee maker has conquered all promises, it is the purchase of the year. I've heard bad things about fully automatic machines for years, but this machine is different, well thought out and designed. Super easy to maintain the brew group is easy to remove and maintain, this is really the only thing you need to do for top coffee. Everyone in the house has their own profile set up, so you don't have to adjust it every time. As soon as you put it on, it is ready for use within a minute, then it rinses once and turns itself off. If you have the money to purchase this device, do not doubt it is 100% worth it and this money for most things but especially fully automatic machines: Cheap = Expensive.

As a user I am familiar with the PicoBaristo, an older model from Saeco/Philips. Our experiences with the new machine are by far positive. As a coffee lover, you want to be able to enjoy freshly ground coffee at home - whether that is espresso, coffee or cappuccino. As a user, however, you don't feel like doing a lot of maintenance and cleaning on the machine. The machine facilitates this effortlessly. The machine automatically flushes the nozzle when it is turned on. On the clear display you can choose from your own color profile or that of a roommate. You can save personal settings in the color profile and the machine recognizes them when you choose a type of coffee. Very handy, because you have many options when brewing your favorite cup of coffee - strong? Or just a little less strong? Extra foam with your cappuccino? Or an 'extra shot' as standard? Each has its own color profile and you always have your favorite cup of coffee under the button. The machine is very quiet during the grind. After this you have to be patient for a while before your coffee is ready. When you switch off the machine, it automatically rinses the mouthpiece again. This way, no old coffee residues are left behind. You have been thought of in terms of maintenance. The machine uses an ion water filter. Activate this (follow the steps on the packaging) and then place it in the water bowl. The advantage of the filter is that it keeps the machine free of limescale (up to 5000 cups - according to Philips). After 8 filters, it is only time to clean the machine with an anti-scale agent (the machine keeps track of how often you have placed a new filter). There is also an automatic program for this. By using the filter you keep your machine good for longer and you have minimal work on descaling. In addition to the filter, the coffee brewing group can be manually removed from the machine. You can then rinse it under lukewarm water. Let it dry overnight and put it back in the machine in the morning. This again requires little effort and keeps your machine clean. Finally, the new milk jug is really a relief. Previously, it consisted of several (small) parts and a hose. To keep it clean, you had to rinse the tube every time after brewing your cappuccino. This went on a timer so sometimes I was late. That got annoying. With the new milk jug, this is a thing of the past. It only consists of 2 parts that you click together. You can easily 'hang' it over the hot water nozzle and you can choose your coffee with milk. It does not need to be rinsed after brewing. During the brewing of your chosen coffee with milk, I especially noticed how much quieter it is - a really huge improvement. The only drawback to the jug is that it is not sealed airtight with the lid. This allows you to keep leftover milk less long in the fridge and you end up regularly throwing away a layer of milk from your jug.