Lavazza, A Modo Mio Idola, Coffee Capsule Machine, Compatible with A Modo Mio Capsules, Quiet, with Adjustable Cup Rack and 1.1 L Tank, Automatic Shut-Off, 1500 W, 220–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz, Black

Product Information

So what have Lavazza been up to in the intervening years?Well the Lavazza Idola is the answer. It’s one of a range of new machines and sits where my old Modo Mio used to be, around mid-level. Do not drink the descaling solution and liquids that have run through the machine until the cycle is complete. What the Lavazza Idola won’t do is concoct milk-based drinks for you. Milk will need to be added and, if desired, heated manually. But with the wealth of speciality milk frothers on the market, this feels more like an opportunity than an omission. Where the Jolie really differs from its bulkier brethren is its control panel, which in this case is just a single button on the top of the machine. This is used to turn it on and pour espresso: it’s as simple as that. There’s no off button on the Jolie, either. Instead, it will shut itself off automatically after nine minutes of inactivity. Alternatively, you can switch it off at the plug.

The latter, the Free Dose, is a very good new feature. Basically, when pressed it delivers boiling hot water, about a mugful, although you can stop the flow at any time by pressing the button again. Lavazza coffee machines represent the evolution of the best technology, offering you a traditional and authentic coffee experience that is both practical and full of flavour. And on the reservoir front, the new machine has a larger capacity 1.1 litre tank which is an improvement. You can also detach the tank from the machine to take it to the tap, although I fill mine directly with filtered water from a jug to cut down on calcium build up.

Lavazza say these caps have undergone extensive research to retain the flavour and maximise shelf life to prevent waste. Limescale formation is a normal occurrence when using your coffee machine and will result in reduced water flow or cold coffee. For this reason, you will need to descale the machine every three months or so, and in any case everytime the descaling light on tha appliance is switched on. If you live in an area where hard water is prevalent, then the decaling maybe required to be completed more frequently. Lavazza assumes no responsibility for damage to the machine resulting from failure to descale.

The key feature here is the fact that you have four brew size options to give you flexibility. This makes a change from the one-size, preset button that is usually found on other models. In the event of interventions not carried out by authorized Lavazza centers, no liability is accepted for any damage. Do not touch the hot parts immediately after use of the appliance. When brewing coffee or milk, pay attention to any splashes of hot liquid.

With this upgrade to what has been a very good and reliable machine for me it’s now a sad goodbye the old Lavazza Modo Mio and hello Lavazza Idola.

Looks aside, the Jolie is remarkably easy to use. With just one button, you can produce a consistently great-tasting espresso with the machine’s “Stop&Go” button, giving you full control over dosage. Simply press the button to begin the pour and then again to stop. Cynthia Lawrence is a freelance lifestyle and homes/interiors journalist, and writes for various national publications. With an unhealthy obsession for all things homes and gardens, she also has an interior design blog. When she’s not spending time surfing online for decor inspiration to revamp her 1930s home, she is busy reviewing some pretty awesome home appliances. The size of the Jolie is also a bit of a double-edged sword. Although its minimalist design means it doesn’t dominate your kitchen space, you will find you’ll have to empty the capsule bin more frequently than you would with larger machines. I also found that, on occasion, lifting the lever would not cause the capsule to drop down into the bin immediately and that I would need to give it an encouraging prod to loosen it up (this is an issue that has affected a number of the Lavazza machines we’ve tested). Lavazza Jolie review: Should you buy it? On that point, the Idola alerts you when descaling is necessary, which is usually about every two months in an average water hardness area. When you wake up in the morning what’s the first thought that pops into your head? If it’s “I fancy a coffee”, then you’re not alone. Coffee is now the most popular drink worldwide and we just can’t get enough of it hear in the UK. There’s nothing like that first delicious morning brew, so if you’ve been settling for a hastily made cup of instant, it could be time to treat yourself courtesy of our codes with Lavazza.Other useful new features are an audible warning with flashing light to tell you when the empty pod container is full, and another audible warning if you try to operate the machine without any water in the reservoir.