Dave Poon asked:




If you are a coffee aficionado or if you are the type who only enjoys a cup of coffee occasionally, you know that a shot of espresso is a sure-fire way to perk you up.

An espresso is prepared using a specialized coffee machine which uses high pressure to extract the essence of the ground coffee.

Water is poured onto the espresso machine’s water chamber, then ground coffee and paper filter is placed to start brewing the coffee.

The ground coffee used for an espresso machine is made from coffee beans specifically selected for this coffee variant. The beans or the ground coffee itself can be bought from coffee specialty shops.

If you are an avid espresso buff, then you might want to consider buying a good espresso machine so that you can brew a perfect cup right in your own home.

It is good to consider first the size of the machine that you want. The most basic espresso machine starts at about $100.

The size varies from a 4-cup to a 12-cup machine, depending on the volume of coffee that you want to brew.

For an espresso machine which is top of the line, you might need to dole out $1,000. You would also need other accessories like an espresso grinder, a metal hand tamper, a filter basket and a pump machine.

If you want to have your own café at home, you can buy a piston espresso machine which is a little bit more expensive but will surely help you in making a wonderful espresso cup.

Here is an overview of some of espresso machines that you can use to start learning the art of making the perfect espresso cup:

Gaggia

Their newest model, the Gaggia Titanium SS Espresso Machine is sold for about $1,500. The model is quite costly, but if you are an espresso addict and you want to have only the best model in your kitchen, then this is a must-have.

The parts and housing of the Gaggia Titanium are stainless steel.

It also features programmable buttons to brew, grind and prepare the exact amount of espresso to fit your tastes.

Cleaning an espresso machine has never been easier with its removable brew group.

Saeco

Saeco features the V’ Espresso Machine which sells for only $999. This automatic espresso machine offers a rapid steam feature which lets your coffee brew and steam almost at the same instant.

The V’ Espresso includes a programmable digital display and adjustable settings to control the amount and strength of the espresso that you want the machine to brew.

Kitchen Aid

The Kitchen Aid Pro Line Espresso Machine can be purchased for $899. This is a semi-automatic espresso machine with a double boiler system.

It also has a three-way solenoid valve that delivers pressure to brew the perfect espresso cup.

Nespresso

The Nespresso D290 is one of the middle-cost brands of espresso machines at only $499. However, the capsules used in these machines are specially made by Nespresso.
It has programmable buttons to brew the appropriate amount of liquid, depending on the number of shots of espresso.

You can take your pick from a super automatic, state of the art espresso machine, a manual or a semi-automatic espresso maker.

No matter which brand you choose, make sure that you follow the cleaning and maintenance instructions and in no time at all, you can brew a fantastic, perk-you-up espresso cup right in your own home.

Sarah asked:


I’ve been told both.

jnvalerio@sbcglobal.net asked:


Seems very fine ground coffee makes it overflow from the filter basket
What brand do you use and does it matter how fine the grounds are?

Jennifer Harris asked:




Believe it or not, there are eight different types of espresso makers. The first, and most common one to find in homes in Spain, Portugal and Italy, is the stovetop espresso maker. There are three chambers, the top holding the ground coffee, the middle being a filter basket and the bottom holds the water. As the water is heated, it forces steam up through a tube to the second chamber, then the top, making espresso that is ready to serve.

A steam espresso maker is very similar to a stovetop one, and produces a cup of espresso that is nearly identical. A piston-driven espresso maker is another beast entirely. This type of espresso maker comes in high end designs that can cost several hundreds of dollars. Ornate and exquisite, they can be made out of brass, copper, chrome or silver.

Also, the piston-driven espresso maker is what made the crema a desirable trait in a cup of the drink. Before, the crema was thought of as an unwanted waste product.

The piston-driven espresso machine gave birth to its pump-driven counterpart. Small, simple and ideal for home use, it is also the most popular machine found in American coffee shops. A motor-driven pump does the work that manual force used to, making this version very easy to operate.

There are also semi automatic and automatic espresso machines, the former is automatic in the way that the water is delivered from a pump instead of manual force. The latter allows the user to send a programmed amount of water through the flow meter.

Super automatic espresso machines are even easier to operate, since they literally do all of the work for you. From grinding to tamping and extracting, getting a perfect cup of espresso has never been easier. Fully self contained, all you have to do is fill the water reservoir and bean hopper. The antithesis of the Presso manually operated coffee press, these are more expensive but completely fool proof.

Shabs Piercy asked:




Like with any industry a Barista needs his tools, the equipment needed to get the job done and done right. A Barista kit is made up from all the extra hand tools they’re going to need. So big pieces of machinery such as an espresso machine, coffee grinder or coffee roaster wouldn’t count as part of the kit.

Most Barista kits will include the following: A coffee grind tamper, count down timer, cleaning brushes, scales, cleaning chemicals, cleaning clothes and wipes, 30ml espresso glasses, 7g scoop, a thermometer, a 16oz milk jug and a leveling knife.

A tamper is used to “tamp” the coffee grinds when they’re in the filter basket – this basically compresses the coffee grinds ready for extraction. A good tamper is needed so that even compression of the grinds is achieved.

The 7g scoop, scales, 30ml espresso glasses, count down timer and leveling knife are used to help maintain the production of good espresso’s. The equipment helps the Barista measure the grinds, weight them, time the extraction and helps him make sure that he is getting 30ml of espresso liquid from 7g of coffee grind in around 20 seconds. If he is not, he needs to change his grinds and measurements etc.

The milk jug is used for steaming or frothing the milk for such drinks as latte’s and cappuccinos. The Barista can heat the milk using the coffee machines steam arm, which releases hot steam into the milk. With the aid of the thermometer the Barista will be able to heat the milk to the perfect temperature.

The cleaning equipment is obviously to keep the Barista’s tools and machinery in tip top condition.

Fenton Wayne asked:




Espresso drinks are enjoyed the world over and there are an enormous number of different types and makes of espresso machines available. However they all use a similar process to extract the delicious coffee oils into the final beverage.

It is the quality and formation of the ‘crema’ that reflects the quality of the espresso beverage. The best indication of good espresso is the crema.

The ‘crema’ traps and holds the finest coffee oils and aromas that in other brewing processes are lost to the atmosphere. The crema should form as a thick, golden-brown, marbled foam across the whole surface of the espresso cup and cling to the sides.

In addition to the quality of the crema, the appearance of the flow or pour of the espresso from the spout of the espresso machine also signals quality. Initially, you should see a thick, almost viscous, dark, honey coloured flow that gently lightens as the extraction proceeds. The flow should form a continuous, flickering stream, similar to the tail of a mouse, up to the point of shut-off 20 or so seconds later.

It is important to look out for the signs of under or over extraction in the espresso process and take corrective action accordingly.

Over-extraction is signified by a slow, broken trickle with a dark brown (burnt) crema. This means that the water and coffee were in contact for too long. This occurs if the coffee grind is too fine, effectively blocking the filter, or by using too much coffee in the filter basket. The coffee will scorch in the basket and the espresso will taste bitter and burnt.

If the brewing cycle is too long then the taste can be impaired as harsh compunds are taken from the coffee during this over extraction. The appearance of white marks or streaks appearing towards the end of the pour is an indication of the brew cycle being too long.

Under-extraction is signalled by a rapid, bubbling flow from the spout and a thin, broken crema. This can be a result of using a coffee grind that is too coarse, by not using sufficient coffee or from tamping too lightly. All result in the hot water passing through the coffee too fast so it is unable to extract the desired coffee solubles and oils. The result is a thin, insipid sour brew of espresso.

You will also find that using water of insufficient temperature results in under-extraction.

By carefully watching out for these symptoms the espresso machine operator or barista can take corrective action to ensure delicious espresso drinks are always available.