Posts Tagged ‘Espresso Machine’
Coffee Espresso Machine: Tips for Buying the Perfect One for You
November 21st, 2009 | 
Author: Imagine yourself relaxing into your favorite chair, at your favorite table by the window, holding your warm cappuccino. You savor the aroma and admire the frothy, foamy peak your barista brought to life. It’s nice and peaceful. No noisy chatter. Just quiet.
And here’s the best part: your car keys are sitting on your dresser, and you’re still in your pajamas. And that talented barista who has mastered the art of foam? That’s you! You’ve created your own quaint little cafe right here at home, with your very own coffee espresso machine.
Think this is impossible? Think again! There are many different types of espresso machines on the market that are made especially for home use, ranging from very basic and affordable, right up to the same machines used by professional baristas.
However, before you rush into investing in a coffee espresso machine, take some time to do your homework and consider your needs and preferences. How often do you plan to make espresso drinks at home? Do you also drink a lot of brewed coffee? (Some machines have dual brewing capabilities.) How important is the milk frothing capability to you? If you have preferences in any areas such as these, this will help you narrow down the possibilities.
Also consider any preferences you may have about how your espresso drinks are made. For instance, my favorite part of an espresso shot is the crema – that’s the caramel-colored, creamy foam that forms on a perfectly pulled shot. When you pour shots from a shot glass into the mug, most of the crema gets left behind, so I prefer a coffee espresso machine that is tall enough to fit the whole mug, so I can enjoy the entire shot in my drink.
Here are the basic types of coffee espresso machines on the market:
What is the Pump Coffee Espresso Machine?
This is the best but most expensive type of machine to buy. The pump coffee espresso machine is called this because they use a pump to keep the water pressure at the appropriate level, which produces the best and most consistent shot of espresso. These machines are primarily made for commercial use, and are usually very large, heavy, and noisy, but can be used at home.
About the Piston Coffee Espresso Machine
This type of machine uses a piston or lever system to manually maintain the optimum pressure required for a great shot of espresso. This type of coffee espresso machine requires little maintenance, and is much quieter than the pump machines. However, the lever may require a good deal of arm strength to keep the pressure at the right level, and it may take some practice to get the timing down. But if you’re willing to experiment and work out the process, you’ll be rewarded by a great shot, and a sense of accomplishment.
About the Steam Coffee Espresso Machine
This type of coffee espresso machine is typically smaller, easily accessible and relatively affordable, using heat to produce steam instead of a pump or piston to create the pressure. While the lower prices are definitely an advantage for steam machines, if you’re very particular about the quality of your espresso shots, you may find that the steam does not always produced the optimum pressure for the best tasting coffee. Also, maintaining enough steam to both pull shots and steam milk at the same time is sometimes difficult.
About Moka Pots
This type of machine costs the least of all the options, and requires only your stovetop. The moka pot is a two-part pot which uses boiling water and the steam to create pressure, which pushes the boiling water up through the espresso grounds rather than gravity simply pulling heated what down. The coffee tastes great, but since you cannot froth milk with a moka pot, it’s not for you if you really like your lattes and cappuccinos. But if you like a good espresso or a shot in the dark (brewed coffee with a shot of espresso added) and have a limited budget, give the moka pot a try.
Don’t be put off by the high prices on a coffee espresso machine. Take a few moments to consider what that daily latte is costing you. A latte can cost you as much as $4. If you’re like me, you average about five a week. That’s $975 a year! Over the course of time you may find that dropping the money once up front is worth the investment – especially when you consider the convenience of enjoying your favorite espresso beverage at home.
So take a little time to consider each of these options and how they fit with your preferences and needs. Whichever coffee espresso machine you choose to create your own cafe at home, you’ll be making your own espresso drinks for you and your friends and family – with or without the frothy foam peaks – in no time.
Posted in Coffee | 
Tags: Coffee Machine, Espresso Drinks, Espresso Machine, Shot Glass | 
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Espresso – The Morning Wake Up Call
What is Espresso?
The word espresso comes from the Italian words caff? espresso which literally means pressed-out coffee. Espresso is brewed by forcing very hot water under high pressure through coffee that has been ground to a consistency between extremely fine and powder. This process extracts a very flavorful concentrated coffee beverage. In Italy, good espresso is defined by the “four Ms” – Miscela, Macinazione, Macchina, Mano. These four words loosely translates to: blend of coffee beans, the grinding process, the machine, and the person making the espresso.
Espresso was developed in Milan, Italy in the early 20th century, but up until the mid-1940s it was a beverage produced solely with steam pressure. A simple espresso machine uses a pot, a filter, ground coffee and a spout. The as water in the pot is heated pressure builds inside the pot, and the
only way for it to escape is up the spout, through the coffee and out of the spout in the top. Since the end of the spout is under water, the pressure forces the hot water up through the spout. Modern day espresso machines have really caught on since the invention of the spring piston lever machine. This machines commercial success changed espresso into the beverage we know today. Starbucks has taken espresso production to a new level and the market continues to grow each year.
How does Espresso Differ from Coffee?
So what makes espresso so much different than regular coffee? For starters it has a thicker consistency than standard drip coffee. It also contains a higher amount of dissolved solids than drip coffee per relative volume. And probably the most noticeable thing when you pay $6 bucks is that the serving is much smaller. Espresso is usually measured in shots, which are between 25 and 30 ml (around 1 fluid ounce) in size. Espresso is also chemically complex and somewhat volatile, with many of its chemical components quickly degrading from oxidation or loss of temperature. Just by looking at it, the most distinguishing characteristic is “crema”. Crema is the reddish-brown foam that floats on the surface and is composed of vegetable oils, proteins and sugars. Crema has elements of both emulsion and foam colloid.
Because of the high pressure brewing process, espresso tends to be a very highly concentrated “shot” of coffee. While there can be significant variation, on a per-volume basis, espresso contains approximately three times the caffeine content of regular brewed coffee. In most cases, 1 shot of espresso will have about half the caffeine of a standard large coffee. For this reason, it has become the base ingredient for other drinks, such as lattes, cappuccino, macchiato and mochas.
Which type of coffee beans is used to make espresso?
Contrary to popular belief, there is no specific coffee bean type or roast required to make espresso. Remember, espresso is made from the process, not the bean or blend. Typically, espresso is made from a blend of beans that can be roasted ranging between dark and light. Depending on the consumer, the blend chosen is purely a decision on taste. Commercial espresso makers like Starbucks go with a darker roast of beans to produce their traditional flavor.
What the heck is a Barista?
Barista is the Italian word for bartender. So an expert operator of an espresso machine is considered a barista. Starbucks uses this term to refer to their counter staff and thus the term has gained popularity in the U.S. A “home barista” is one who enjoys making espresso at their home.
A final word on espresso
As more and more Americans pour (no pun intended) into the local Starbucks or the Seattle’s Best coffee shops, the popularity of espresso grows. Owning your own espresso maker has become quite popular in recent years and there are many styles of machines to choose from. Some operate with just the touch of a button. I encourage you to do your research before you buy there are many different options and many different price ranges to consider. Good luck on your quest for the perfect cup of espresso be it home brewed or Starbucks original.