If with its 100% compostable coffee pods, CoffeeB has recently made a remarkable entry into the portioned coffee market, the historical players are not left out. The Vertuo Pop came to enrich the offer of Nespresso machines recently, and Philips is preparing for its part to enrich its Senseo range with the Maestro. Intended to replace the Senseo Quadrante, this new model inherits in any case its fairly square base and its 1.2 liter water tank, but introduces a new technology developed for espresso lovers.
A revised brewing method for espresso
This new technology called Intense Plus is obviously reminiscent of that of the Senseo Select: Intensity Plus. Presented however as exclusive, it intervenes at the time of the infusion and must make it possible to obtain “an authentic espresso with a particularly rich and finely porous crema” thanks to a “advanced multi-phase process”. We have contacted Philips for more information, but have yet to hear back. Given the low pressure of the pump – 1 bar, against 9 recommended –, it is in any case difficult to believe that real espressos will be able to come out of this new coffee maker, but we obviously ask only to be convinced.
To activate Intense Plus, the Senseo Maestro features a three-position selector. If it recalls that of the Select, the espresso icon is a little different. The other two positions correspond to strong and long coffees, historically offered on Senseo machines. Of course, the new Maestro gives the user the option of customizing these settings, and dispensing one or two coffees using dedicated buttons and a double dispensing nozzle. With the 1.2 liter water tank, Philips ensures that it is at least possible to run eight per full, while an indicator light should remind you to descale the device every three months.
Since we were talking about the arrival of CoffeeB on the market and its eco-responsible approach, we should point out that Philips is also making some promises on this side. The Maestro would thus be made from 80% recycled plastic and should consume 42% less energy than the Senseo Quadrante. An automatic stop is also provided, and the manufacturer recalls in passing that its pods are now industrially compostable – but not directly at home like those of CoffeeB.
The new Senseo Maestro has already started appearing at retailers, where it is priced at €99.99 in several colors: black, grey, white and red.