Espresso Makers

Espresso is a popular drink around the world. This highly concentrated form of coffee originated in Italy, around the turn of the last century. While it was originally produced solely by using the pressure of steam, modern espresso machines force very hot (although not boiling) water through the coffee at high pressure. Espresso coffee is ground very fine to allow the coffee to steep into a more concentrated form. The end result is a beverage that’s thicker than drip coffee, with more dissolved solids. Because it’s very volatile, espresso shots that are stored or less than fresh quickly lose their chemical components to oxidation and heat loss. That means the best espresso is as fresh as possible. What better way is there to get that fresh shot than by using your own espresso machine?

Be Your Own Barista!

Barista is the Italian word for bartender. However, in America, it usually refers to someone who makes coffee at a high end coffee shop. With the right espresso machine, you can be your own barista. It takes a little skill to learn to operate each type of espresso machine, but once you’ve learned to do so, your espresso will be perfect every time. Just remember that espresso machines require careful maintenance, and if you don’t take care of them, the quality of your coffee may drop.

What is the Best Espresso Machine?

There isn’t a definitive answer to which espresso machine is the best. It really depends on how you like your espresso to taste like. Naturally, the more modern and higher end machines will enable you to create very high quality espressos without a lot of work. The older-fashioned machines will require more work but they do create very good drinks like their high-tech counterparts. The best value espresso machine for you will depend on your budget and how much effort you are willing to invest in the creation of your espresso drinks.

Steam driven – These machines were the original type. A common boiler piped steam into four heads, allowing different kinds of coffee to be made at once. Since steam driven espresso machines don’t have moving parts, they can be inexpensively made, and more simply maintained. That makes them popular for low-cost home machines. They’re pretty cheap – about fifty dollars.

Piston driven – Developed in 1945, this design uses a lever to send the water through the coffee. Because of the length of the lever, and the pulling motion used to make the espresso, making coffee this way is often called “pulling a shot”. Piston driven espresso machines are divided up into two kinds – manual and spring piston. The manual piston machine is the most direct – the operator directly pushes water through the coffee. Spring piston machines, on the other hand, use the operator’s work to tension a spring, which delivers the pressure. These machines require a bit of knowledge on the part of the operator to make a good shot of espresso, but they’re preferred by people who love their coffee. They cost from a few hundred dollars and up.

Pump driven – the most popular design for commercial and high priced home espresso machines, a pump driven machine uses a motor to provide force. This makes it easier to produce espresso, and introduces less operator error. However, it’s a good idea to know your pump driven espresso machine well, so that you can maintain it properly. These machines can cost several hundred, or even several thousand dollars.

Air pressure driven - These small, hand held espresso machines work by pressurizing air, which is then used to deliver the water to the coffee. These small machines make a great espresso, but only produce a single cup at a time. They were developed in 2006. They’re a great way to make some espresso on the go, but the cost is fairly high. The handpresso runs ninety-nine Euros on its homepage, or about a hundred and forty-five dollars.

Stove top – Technically, stove top espresso machines don’t really make espresso. However, the very dark coffee they produce is very similar. The bottom chamber of these machines holds water. In the middle, a filter basket full of ground coffee is placed. The top chamber holds a metal filter. When the pot is heated, the pressure of the bottom chamber’s steam forces water up through a tube, and into the basket. The water then passes into the top chamber, creating ready to serve coffee. Since there’s less pressure in this type of espresso maker, the “espresso” lacks the classic foam. These inexpensive pots cost between ten and fifty dollars, however, making them great if you want to try out espresso like coffee and aren’t concerned about technicalities.

In addition to the above espresso machine types, you can buy some that are automatic, semi-automatic, or super-automatic. This means that they perform one or more functions without operator aid. Semi-automatic machines deliver water by a pump, and dissipate extra pressure using a valve. Automatic machines also track how much water goes through the machine, making it unnecessary for the operator to gauge this. A super automatic machine, like the barista espresso machine by Starbucks, automatically grinds the coffee, tamps it, and extracts the espresso. The only thing you need to do is add water and fill up the hopper with coffee. Some models even automatically froth and dispense milk. Of course, automation costs extra. Expect the price of machines with automatic features to be higher than those listed above. Hand and stove top machines can’t be automated.

Knowing about the different kinds of espresso machines is the first step to picking the right one for your home. Whether you want to make a single shot on the go, or want a professional cup that doesn’t require much effort on your part, there’s a machine for you. Just match your purchase to your personal coffee tastes, your knowledge and your budget. You’ll soon be making great espresso on your own!

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