Lovers of strong coffee often come across the mysterious term “doppio”, which can be found on the menu of specialized coffee shops or in the instructions for modern equipment. This word comes from the Italian "doppio", which literally means "double". In the context of preparing drinks in automatic coffee machines such as DeLonghi Magnifica or Dinamica, this concept hides not just an increased portion, but a specific extraction mode that allows you to obtain a rich and aromatic result.
Many users mistakenly believe that they just need to press the cook button twice to get doppio, but this is not entirely true. Double espresso requires the simultaneous passage of water through twice the volume of the coffee tablet, which changes the physicochemical processes of brewing. Brand cars DeLonghi are equipped with special brewing blocks that allow you to vary the amount of grain used and the volume of water passed through, creating conditions for ideal flavor development.
Understanding how your device works will help you avoid common mistakes and get a restaurant-quality drink every time. In this article we will analyze in detail the technical nuances, grinding settings and action algorithms that will turn ordinary morning coffee into a gastronomic pleasure. You will learn why volume and strength are different parameters, and how to properly balance them.
What is doppio and how is it different from espresso?
Classic espresso is a serving of about 25-30 milliliters, prepared from 7-9 grams of ground coffee. Doppio it is a double serving, where 14-18 grams of grain are used, and the yield of the finished drink is 50-60 milliliters. The main difference lies not only in volume, but also in the density of the flavor profile: doppio retains the richness of espresso, but provides more liquid for tasting complex notes.
In coffee machines DeLonghi the implementation of this process depends on the model. Some devices have a separate “2 Coffee” or “Doppio” button, which automatically increases the bean dosage. In other cases, the user will need to manually adjust the drink profile by increasing the amount of grain ground and the volume of water. It is important to understand that simply adding water without adding coffee will result in a weak and watery drink lacking the characteristic cream (foam).
Technologically, the process of preparing a double portion requires more careful control of temperature and pressure. If the brewing unit is not warmed up or the grind is too coarse, the water will pass through the tablet too quickly, not having time to pick up the flavoring substances. This is why doppio often requires a finer grind than single espresso to provide the necessary resistance to water flow.
Technical features of DeLonghi double espresso coffee machines
Engineers DeLonghi have developed several types of brewing systems, each of which copes differently with the preparation of large portions. The key element is the brewing unit, which compacts the coffee powder before adding water. In series models Magnifica S and ECAM This process is automated, but requires the correct settings in the menu.
- 🔹 Grain dispenser: regulates the amount of coffee entering the millstones, which directly affects the strength.
- 🔹 Brewing system: provides the 9 bar pressure required to extract oils from a double batch.
- 🔹 Thermoblock: maintains a stable water temperature, which is critical for an even flow.
- 🔹 Panarello: although it is used for milk, in some models it is involved in releasing steam to warm the cup.
Particular attention should be paid to adjusting the millstones. To prepare high-quality doppio, the grinding should be fairly fine, but not dusty. If you notice that the coffee flows out too quickly in streams and not in a dense stream, you need to turn the regulator towards a finer grind (numbers from 1 to 7, where 1 is the finest). This should only be done while the coffee grinder is running, so as not to damage the mechanism.
⚠️ Attention: Never change the burr settings when the grinder is turned off. This can lead to jamming of the mechanism and costly repairs.
Another important aspect is the pressure in the system. Although the user cannot directly adjust the pump at home, he can influence the resistance of the coffee tablet. Correctly selected grinding degree and amount of coffee create ideal conditions for pump operation DeLonghi, providing a stable 9 bar of pressure during the spill.
Step-by-step instructions: how to prepare doppio
The process of preparing double espresso on a coffee machine DeLonghi requires sequential execution of several steps. First, make sure there is enough fresh grain in the hopper and soft, filtered water in the reservoir. It is not recommended to use cold water as it will increase the heating time and may affect the temperature stability in the first seconds of extraction.
☑️ Preparing to prepare doppio
Next, you need to configure the drink parameters. On the display or using the knob, select the two-cup mode or the special “Doppio” mode, if provided by your model. If you use the "2 Coffee" button, the machine will automatically double the amount of beans. For models without this function, you can use the “My Coffee” function or volume programming.
It is important to choose the right cup. Cups with a volume of 80-100 ml with thick walls that retain heat for a long time are optimal for doppio. Thin-walled dishes cool down quickly, which negatively affects the taste of espresso. Before starting preparation, place the cups on the top panel of the coffee machine to preheat.
| Parameter | Espresso (Single) | Doppio (Double) | Lungo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grain volume | 7-9 g | 14-18 g | 7-9 g |
| Water volume | 25-30 ml | 50-60 ml | 100-120 ml |
| Extraction time | 20-25 sec | 25-30 sec | 40-50 sec |
| Fortress | High | Saturated | Medium/Low |
After setting all the parameters, press the start button. The machine will begin the process of grinding, then tamping and finally pouring. Observe the stream of coffee: it should be thick, viscous and hazelnut-colored. If the stream is choppy or too light, the grind may need to be adjusted.
Adjusting Strength and Volume: Finding the Perfect Balance
One of the most common problems when preparing doppio is the incorrect ratio of strength and volume. Many users confuse these concepts, believing that increasing the volume of water automatically makes the coffee stronger. In fact, fortress depends on the amount of dissolved substances, and the volume depends only on the amount of water. To make doppio stronger, you need to increase the dosage of grain, not water.
The secret to setting up the fortress in DeLonghi
To increase the strength without changing the volume, use the strength regulator (bean icon). Switching to the “Max” position increases the operating time of the coffee grinder, saturating the tablet with more coffee. This increases resistance and extraction.
In coffee machines DeLonghi The strength setting is usually carried out through the menu or a special regulator. By increasing the amount of beans, you increase the density of the coffee tablet. This in turn requires a finer grind to maintain balance. If you increase the strength but do not change the grind, the water may pass through the tablet too slowly and the coffee will taste bitter.
The volume of water can also be adjusted. You can program the button so that it stops the flow of water exactly at the moment when the cup is filled to the level you need. For doppio, it is recommended not to exceed the volume of 60 ml, as further spilling begins to wash out the bitterness and tannins from the coffee, spoiling the taste.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to prepare doppio from already ground coffee using the “Iced Coffee” mode or special adapters if your model does not officially support it. This may interfere with the operation of the brewing unit.
Experiment with the settings gradually. Keep a record of changes you make to grind and strength settings. Only a methodical approach will allow you to find the “golden mean” that will ideally suit your taste and the type of grain used.
Grain selection and grind size for double serving
The quality of doppio directly depends on the raw materials used. For double espresso, blends containing Arabica with the addition of a small percentage of Robusta are best suited. Robusta gives the drink the necessary density, good cream and a characteristic bitterness, which is felt harmoniously in doppio.