An Introduction to Espresso Machines

Espresso machines are one-of-a-kind coffee machines that produce a strong and more flavorful coffee that is used as a base for latte or cappuccino. They are steam driven and uses pressurized water on coffee grounds to bring out that unique taste and quality. Espresso machines used to be identified to cafes and coffee bars as they were quite bulky back then. But, with the development of more compact and stylish domestic machines, the espresso is invading the homes. But still, having an espresso machine in one's kitchen can be considered a luxury by some. Yet, it might just be the right investment for you if you happen to really enjoy a cup of espresso every so often. The following can help you make that decision to finally go get an espresso machine Your Budget There are many kinds and models of espresso machines. The question you need to ask yourself is, 'How much am I willing to spend?' Higher end models have more features and some say better espresso but they are also more expensive. If you are working within a budget, you can still find a mode that will suit your needs. Before making a purchase, ask for a price list as well as the specs of the machines. Kinds of Machines There are different kinds of machines that make espresso. They all offer the basic mechanism that forces pressurized water through the coffee grounds. But how a particular pressure is created differs for each style of espresso machine. Basically, there are four kinds of espresso machines. The first is the pump espresso machine that uses a powered pump in producing the right amount of pressure. It is usually more expensive than the others. Though it produces excellent espresso, most models are quite bulky and take up space. Most cafes use this type of machine. The level/piston espresso machine is another kind. It uses a manual piston and level to produce the pressure. It is a very quiet machine, has few parts and is low maintenance but the espresso it produces can vary in quality and be hard on one's arm. The third kind of machine is the steam powered machine. This type uses steam from heated water to create the pressure. It is a smaller machine that is available in sleek designs. It is also easy to use but there are times that the pressure created isn't strong enough for a perfect cup of espresso. Fourth, there is the Moka pot. This is a super simple machine that is actually a kind of stove-top pot. Water is placed n the bottom half of the pot. The steam then forces its way through the coffee ground that is in the top half of the Moka pot. This is the least expensive and the simplest of all espresso machines but creates less pressure. It also doesn't have any additional features such as milk foaming/frothing. Finally, there is also the 2-in-1 coffee and espresso maker that allows you to make drip coffee and espresso at the same time. It saves you on buying two machines and allows you to save on counter space as well.