Is the Nuova Simonelli Talento the right fit for your business? This review is going to cover all the important details of this machine so that you can make a proper assessment.
At the end of this review, you'll be familiar with...
- The Nuova Simonelli Talento's key features and how they benefit your business.
- The different configurations of this machine and how to choose between them.
- How it stacks up against similar models.
- What type of operation will get the most out of this machine.
- The brand's background and what industry professionals say about it.
Let's dive right in...
Quick Summary
Nuova Simonelli Talento
Offering the greatest possible efficiency and 20 programmable drink recipes, this super-automatic espresso machine makes espresso service a breeze for the busiest cafes, hotels and restaurants. Because it can automate production from brewing, to steaming, to drink assembly, it's a machine that even total beginners can operate right off the bat—the ideal choice for businesses that have high staff turnover rates or just need a machine that can standardize beverage quality across the board.
Key Features And What They Mean
Super-Automatic Design
The Nuova Simonelli Talento SuperAutomatic makes the impossible, possible. Espresso beverages are made from start to finish at the press of a button, offering unprecedented labor-saving functionality.
One of the issue that plagues service industry businesses like restaurants and coffee shops is a high staff turnover rate. If your business relies on espresso beverage sales, this hurts profits as each new employee requires weeks to months of specialized training to be brought up to speed on the espresso machine.
Because the Nuova Simonelli Talento is so highly automated for the user, it cuts training time from weeks to minutes. This translates to major benefits like saved labor costs and quality consistency for your loyal customers, no matter which barista is making drinks.
This cutting-edge super-automatic espresso machine supports businesses growth by fulfilling key requirements: simplicity, unrivaled efficiency, user friendliness and unsurpassed adaptability.
Read Next: Check out this Majesty Coffee School buyer's guide on all of our commercial espresso machines.
Advanced, Easy to Use Menu
Simple and straightforward, the menu on this machine is designed to be easily operable by all users.
All major functions are controlled through the LCD display. Effortlessly program up to 20 drink options, coffee dosing, milk dosing and temperatures for the groups, brewing and milk steaming.
Everything your baristas need to control for, from espresso extraction to steaming, is accessible through the control menu, generating the greatest drink consistency and saving time for your baristas to interact with customers and build valuable relationships.
The peace of mind that comes with the machine's self-diagnostic program cannot be underestimated. It takes the guessing game out of adjustments and troubleshooting that could otherwise go unnoticed and cost business owners in the end.
Automated Milk Steaming
Hands-free milk steaming frees your baristas to focus on multiple drink orders and tasks for greater productivity.
But more importantly, baristas gain access to a new level of milk frothing perfection. Traditionally, frothing milk is a technical skill that takes patience and a surprising amount of training.
Think of the Nuova Simonelli Talento as your most valuable and highly trained barista who not only knows how to perfectly brew espresso, but also how to obtain that sought-after microfoam that is the hallmark of an expertly crafted latte.
This machine gives your staff the ability to create flawless steamed milk—even if they've never made an espresso drink in their life—every single time.
Temperature Stability
The Nuova Simonelli Talento's brew group is outfitted with solid metal, not plastic. Plastic parts are typically inferior as they're less durable than metal and more prone to breakage and malfunctioning.
Plastic parts also won't hold heat as efficiently as metal, which could affect the quality of your espresso.
Another feature that separates the Talento from other espresso machines is the placement of the heating element inside the brew group. This prevents the metal from cooling off over time and generates the ultimate temperature stability.
Dual Hoppers and Grinders
Most espresso machines require a separate grinder. With two hoppers and two grinders built into the machine, the Nuova Simonelli Talento is truly a one-stop shop.
The dual hopper system feeds directly into two separate grinders that you can easily adjust for dialing in the grind.
Because there are two hoppers, you can equip the machine with both decaf and regular espresso beans, or the two coffee profiles of your choice.
This all-encompassing system essentially combines the functions of three separate pieces of equipment. Your decaf grinder, regular coffee grinder and espresso machine are now one supercharged machine.
Multiple Drink Size Options
In terms of drink size options, espresso machines generally come in two types: traditional and tall cup.
A traditional cup machine is designed to brew espresso into short cups or into shot glasses, necessitating a transference of the espresso to larger cups. A tall cup machine, on the other hand, can brew directly into large cups.
The Talento has the tall cup machine capacity to brew for a wide array of drink sizes. The standard flexible spout is fully adjustable and can be raised and lowered for adaptability not often seen in other machines.
For busy coffee shops and restaurants, this kind of feature can be a life-saver, streamlining espresso production so that more customers can be served in a timely manner.
Different Configurations
Nuova Simonelli Talento SuperAutomatic 1-Step
The beauty of the Nuova Simonelli Talento SuperAutomatic 1-Step is that every user can achieve latte mastery, even if it's their first time using an espresso machine.
The full automation truly comes to life in this model configuration. When the user interacts with the machine through the menu, the machine adds the right volume of milk, steams it to specifications, and pours it gently into the cup.
The same automated function applies to espresso extraction, layering the espresso with the steamed milk right in the glass.
The intelligent design of the Talento is truly awe-inspiring, and for large businesses, it can be an essential piece of the puzzle to making business thrive.
No more time and money squandered on high turnover rates, and nothing but the highest quality product that every customer who walks through the door can count on.
*This machine does require that you select the milk cooler add-on upon purchase.
Nuova Simonelli Talento SuperAutomatic 2-Step
This model splits the drink making process into two simple steps: espresso brewing and automated milk steaming controlled separately by the barista.
Baristas have total control over the process with unparalleled precision. Through the programmable steam functions, they can choose any percentage of milk expansion for lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites and customized drink orders.
The milk pitcher is set in place and the barista selects the appropriate button. An internal pump injects air to articulate the milk, creating silky-smooth microfoam.
This is huge for latte art. As professional baristas know, creating the perfect milk is essential, and that takes finesse and serious practice. Now everyone has access to making beautiful latte art.
Comparable Alternatives
The Nuova Simonelli Prontobar SuperAutomatic is a close cousin of the brand's Talento model. Both are super-automatic espresso machines, capable of setting the bar for speed, efficiency and consistency in any establishment.
Like the Telanto, the Prontobar comes with the following features:
- 1-Step and 2-Step options
- Dual hopper and grinder system
- Programmable display
- Limited counter space adaptability
There are differences, however. While the Talento has 10 drink buttons and two digital pages to allow for 20 programmable drink styles, the Prontobar has six programmable drink buttons.
The Prontobar is rated for medium-sized locations while the Talento is constructed for larger establishments. This is the big difference between the machines (as well as a price adjustment).
Do you want the convenience of a superautomatic espresso machine at a more budget-friendly price than the Nuova Simonelli Talento? Then this Bunn Espress Sure Tamp machine could be precisely what you need.
It comes with many of the same features as the Talento, but at a reduced price. Some of those features include the following:
- Dual hopper system.
- A build-a-drink menu with easily understandable graphics.
- Integrated cleaning system.
- Plumbed-in design.
We especially like that the machine has a compact size. Measuring at just 12.4 inches wide, 25 inches deep, and 25.1 inches tall, the Bunn Espress Sure Tamp won't eat up room on your counters.
The world of superautomatic espresso machines is dominated by Franke. To see why, all you need to do is look at models like the Franke A600.
This machine is a tour de force in convenience. It's jam-packed with amazingly simple features that baristas or customers will love using such as the following:
- Beautiful touchscreen display with a full-color icon menu.
- Dual hopper and grinder system.
- Automatic pre-infusion to round out the flavor.
- Built-in powder containers for popular drinks such as hot chocolate.
It has a few key differences from the Talento, such as its full-color display and lack of a choice between one-step and two-step. However, at a slightly reduced price, we feel like it's a steal in the superautomatic espresso machine industry.
About the Brand
Founded in 1936, Nuova Simonelli is known as a top innovator in the world of espresso machines. Formerly selected for the prestigious title of the official machine of the World Barista Championship, the company name is synonymous with excellence and is well respected by professionals.
Nuova Simonelli is known for pairing simplicity with advanced technology in its gorgeous machines. Some of its other top-of-the-line models include the Musica, the Oscar II and the Aurelia Wave.
Ideal Machine Applications
Without a doubt, both of the Nuova Simonelli Talento model configurations are built for high-volume establishments. That means large coffee shops, hotels and restaurants.
Any organization that needs baristas to be ready to make drinks as soon as they're hired will see instant value and exceptional ROI on both the 1-Step and 2-Step machines simply from eliminating training that can go on for weeks to months.
However, the different configurations of this machine do have unique advantages that certain businesses can especially benefit from.
As the 1-Step model offers the greatest automation and ease of use with its single-step drink making process, it's also recommended for large corporate offices. Staff members can make cappuccinos by pushing a button. No milk pitcher filling, extra steps or know-how involved.
What Customers Say
From our customers' perspectives, Nuova Simonelli espresso machines do not disappoint. These high-performance machines take any operation to a higher standard of service and professionalism.
Our customers love the superb functionality and user friendliness of Nuova Simonelli's designs. And for those looking to embellish their decor, this company's machines are stunning.
Price
At Majesty Coffee, we price competitively to give you the most highly advanced, yet affordable options.
We offer our Nuova Simonelli Talento SuperAutomatic 1-Step for $17,700 and our 2-Step for $16,650.
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