Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Espresso Machines Make The Best Tasting Coffee

By Mark Knowles

If you enjoy a morning cup of coffee from one of the drive through coffee shops, here is a way to have that same great cappuccino or espresso without having to go out of your house on your days off. Get yourself one of the new espresso coffee making machines.

Some inexpensive electric espresso coffee makers can be purchased in the thirty to fifty dollar range.

The inexpensive espresso coffee machines rely on steam to force the water through the grounds. The water is sealed in an airtight container and heated so that the steam pressure builds up enough to force the water through the coffee grounds to form what many people say is not a true espresso, but simply just a strong coffee.

One feature that many people enjoy about these inexpensive machines is that they are equipped to steam milk and make the froth needed for a latte or a cappuccino.

The more expensive espresso coffee machines pump driven espresso coffee making machines begin at about one hundred fifty dollars and can range up to over five thousand dollars. They have a pump that forces the heated steam through the coffee grounds at the correct pressure to make a true espresso.

While some of the more expensive espresso coffee machines also have a steaming port, many do not offer this feature. If you find that you need this feature, then make sure that the machine you choose has it available.

If you want to enjoy your espresso like they do in Italy, choose one of the stovetop models. They are readily available in the United States. Any type of stove, hotplate or even campfire will provide all the heat that is needed for a great cup of espresso every time. It only takes three to five minutes to brew a very fine cup of espresso. Most people can tell no difference in this espresso than that of the most expensive of the pump driven machines.

. Remember that espresso cups are very small, generally 1. 5 to 2 ounces. If you buy a nine cup espresso maker, it will only produce 18 ounces of espresso at one time. That is about enough to fill one large coffee mug, but enough to make two quads from the local coffee shop. You should only expect to make two coffees for the average American using the nine ounce espresso maker.

The cheapest of the stovetop espresso coffee machines had the largest number of complaints. They are often made in PRC and replacement parts are not available, even though they often break. Many purchasers of these cheap models, found that the replacements they made with better stovetop espresso machines would last from ten to fifteen years.

Users of all models of espresso coffee makers agree that the key to making a good cup of espresso, no matter which machine you are using is to choose the best coffee you can afford and to grind them fresh. Often the difference between a home brewed cup of espresso and the coffee you pay three to five dollars for at the drive trough is simply the beans that you choose.

Do not buy beans in large quantities unless you make large amounts of espresso every day. Coffee beans are best when used within a week after roasting and ground fresh for each brewing of coffee.

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