Are you a regular morning drinker of Starbucks or any other espresso? There’s a huge amount of people out there who spend thousands on daily espresso shots when simply purchasing an espresso machine will pay for itself many times over in just a few weeks. But what makes a top of the range espresso machine? There are many elements involved in determining the best espresso machine and when you put those elements together you should not only get something that can deliver the perfect shot of espresso but also looks great in your kitchen. The first thing you need to do is set a realistic budget before you even start comparing espresso machines and features. $500 to $1,000 is a realistic budget for the best espresso machine. Before you hit the floor in shock at those figures sit down and do an honest evaluation of how much you really spend each year on espresso from your local coffee shop.

See? If we say an average espresso from a shop is around $3, then you’ll have paid off your machine within 6 months if you stop buying from shops and use your machine. It makes a ton of sense to seriously look at purchasing your very own espresso machine.

When you finally figure out that what you really want in life is a good espresso machine, you are most likely going to want to take a good look around to find the right one for you. These babies aren’t cheap so plan and do your research ahead of time so you know exactly what you are looking for.

Making the right espresso, however, is a combination of science and art. A certain flair is desirable when making this characterful beverage. Making espresso does require a certain amount of talent.

Because of the value attached to the best espresso machine it only makes sense that your espresso machine should reflect not only its value but the savings it represents for years to come. Make sure your best espresso machine is something that you are proud to have and display in front of visitors and friends. The best espresso machine is something that makes a statement about you before you even start brewing the coffee.

Consistency Is Best

Cheaper espresso machines will often use a steam method to make espresso and this can be inconsistent and sometimes pretty terrible. When you are shopping for the best espresso machine always consider machines, and manufacturers, known for their ability to always produce the best shot of espresso possible and for their consistency. It’s probably best to avoid inconsistent machines, unless of course they are beautifully designed and you’re buying it with looks in mind. Also consider whether or not the espresso machine creates a creamy top to the espresso. Above all, enjoy shopping for your best espresso machine because it may be the only one you ever have to buy. And just think of those lifetime coffee shop savings!



Thanks to Elizabeth T James for contributing this article to our Coffee blog:

Grind And Brew Coffee Makers

What is Espresso?

The word espresso comes from the Italian words caffè 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.



Thanks to Dale Martin for contributing this article to our Coffee blog:

How To Make A Latte

Can you answer Annie’s question about Coffee?:

Hi, this will seem very silly to many of you, but I’m an Aussie girl staying in a US hotel and I have NO IDEA how you work a drip coffee machine. Would somebody have the time to help me? It seems to be the standard one I’ve seen in your movies - heat at the base, pyrex clear container above that, then a plastic container. I have figured out that water goes down when I put it together, but do I need to heat the water beforehand? Where is the coffe packet supposed to go? I’m lost. We use plungers or espresso machines at home.

Best Rated Coffee Maker

While coffee-based beverages remain as popular as ever, more Americans are looking for a do-it-yourself way to enjoy high-end coffee bar style cappuccino and espresso drinks at home. Fortunately, there are many affordable products on the market to assist the home brewing enthusiast in their quest for the ultimate coffee concoction. Regardless of which product you choose, there are endless recipes and combinations of ingredients to literally spice up your daily infusion.

First you need choose the basis of your beverage: coffee or espresso. Coffee can be drip-brewed, percolated, instant or cold-pressed. Any of these methods are very inexpensive. An espresso-based beverage is more likely to satisfy the sophisticated palette of the coffee connoisseur. To do this at home however, requires more of an investment in the brewing equipment. Real espresso machines cost upwards of $1,000. An affordable and popular alternative are the single-serving type of machines such as the Tassimo, where you invest in the machine and purchase pre-portioned packages of espresso varieties to brew a serving at a time.

Still confused about the difference between coffee and espresso? Espresso is a method, first originated in Italy, of extracting flavor from the heart of the coffee bean. The technique employs a pump-driven machine to force hot water through the ground coffee beans at high pressure in a short time frame — usually between 20 and 35 seconds. The amount of water used is only about ¾ of an ounce, and the resulting taste is described as smooth, thick, rich or sweet. So the obvious differences between coffee and espresso are 1) the amount of water used and 2) brewing or pressing time. Coffee is generally brewed for 4 to 6 minutes depending on the method and individual preferences.

Cappuccino is espresso mixed with equal parts of steamed and frothed milk. If you don’t purchase an espresso machine with milk-steaming capabilities, you will have to steam and froth your milk the old-fashioned way — on a stove. The frothing process involves skimming and stirring the hot milk. To layer the milk and espresso, allow the freshly frothed milk a moment to rest and separate (foam on top and milk on the bottom). Pour the steamed milk into your cup first, then pour in the espresso, and top it with the frothed milk using a spoon.

The creative possibilities go on from there. One of the most popular twists on the cappuccino is adding a sprinkle of powdered cocoa or cinnamon. Other combinations take their inspiration from favorite foods such as traditional desserts or candy bars. Try these super-easy recipes or experiment with making your own!

Milky Way Cappuccino– 2 shots espresso, 1 shot chocolate syrup, 1 shot caramel

Java Chai Espresso — 1 shot espresso, prepared chai concentrate, steamed milk, ½ ounce almond syrup

Cafe Corretto — 2 shots espresso, 1 shot brandy, cognac or flavored liqueur

Cafe Romano– 1 shot espresso, served with a twist of lemon or lemon peel

Rocky Road Cappuccino — 1 serving of your prepared cappuccino, 1 tablespoon hazelnut liqueur, 1 tablespoon chocolate sauce, 1 teaspoon of marshmallow crème and ¼ teaspoon finely chopped nuts

Butterscotch Creme Cafe — 1 serving coffee, 3 tablespoons butterscotch syrup, 2 tablespoons of half-and-half cream

Ginger Spiced Coffee — 1 serving coffee, 1 small piece finely chopped crystallized ginger, 1 cinnamon stick

Cafe Borgia — 1 cup coffee, 1 cup hot chocolate, 1 shot cream, sprinkle of grated orange peels

Chocolate Mint Truffle(for the non-coffee drinker) – 1 cup hot chocolate, 2 chocolate coated mint candies topped with 1 tablespoon whipped topping and 1 fresh mint sprig

Espresso Martini — 1 shot espresso cooled to room temperature, 1 shot premium vodka, 1 splash liqueur in flavor of your choice (try amaretto, Irish creme, Godiva chocolate or any favorite), garnish with 3 whole espresso beans

Mexican Coffee — your favorite brewed coffee, 2 cups whipped topping gently mixed with ¼ teaspoon nutmeg and ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

French Vanilla Coffee– your favorite brewed coffee, equal portion of milk heated to scalding temperature, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 cinnamon stick, sweetener to taste

If you are hosting a winter party and feeling a little adventurous, you may want to try a festive twist on the usual coffee and eggnog choices. Try this Betty Crocker recipe for 16 servings of Cappuccino Eggnog:

Ingredients — 6 eggs, slightly beaten; 2/3 cup table sugar; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 5 cups milk; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 cups hot espresso; 1 cup coffee liqueur or brandy; 2 cups heavy whipped cream; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; ground cinnamon

Directions — Stir together eggs, granulated sugar and salt in a Dutch oven pan. Gradually stir in milk. Cook over low heat 15 to 20 minutes, stirring constantly, just until mixture coats a metal spoon; remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Stir together coffee and liqueur. Gradually stir coffee mixture into egg mixture; keep warm. Just before serving, beat whipping cream and brown sugar in chilled large bowl with electric mixer on high speed until stiff. Gently stir 2 cups of the whipped cream into egg mixture. Pour into mugs. Top with dollops of remaining whipped cream. Sprinkle with cinnamon and serve immediately!



Thanks to Lisa Parker for contributing this article to our Coffee blog:

Best Single Cup Coffee Maker

Can you answer Dan S’s question about Coffee?:

I have two Sunbeam coffee machines with these things, and there is nothing in the manual for what they do.

Coffee Maker Reviews