There's nothing more sublime than a cup of piping hot, perfectly creamy coffee to kickstart the day, and espresso machines let users make high-quality drinks at home and work. With milk frothers to create microfoams perfect for latte art and conical bean grinders that ensure the coffee is always fresh, modern espresso machines produce cafe-level drinks at the press of a button. Below is a guide to what to look for when buying one.
High-quality coffee every time
Whether making an espresso or adding milk for an americano, a macchiato, or a cappuccino, a quality espresso maker has the tools to do it. They adjust the dose, bring the water to just the right temperature, and provide sufficient pressure post-infusion to produce the best full-bodied coffee with golden brown crema. Some machines fill an entire pot, while others offer customizable single and double-shot systems. Some espresso machines are designed to produce iced espressos within minutes--brewing and filtering occur at a lower temperature for rich-tasting coffee that doesn't feel watered down.
Added functions and features
Most espresso machines come with a steam wand. This attachment lets you froth or heat milk for preparing cappuccinos and lattes: one can create both heated milk and milk foam. For the latter, the steam pushes thousands of bubbles into the milk, turning it into a super smooth microfoam perfect for decorating coffee with latte art.
Some larger machines even come with a built-in steel burr grinder that takes roasted beans and grinds them for the freshest taste. Grinding can usually be customized for dose and personal coffee preferences, too. Yet other espresso machines can be pre-programmed for custom drinks--perfect for hurried mornings before work.
All sizes for the most convenience
Espresso machines are designed to take the difficulty out of making delicious coffee at home or work. They come in countertop-ready sizes to make it even more convenient for users to fit these machines into their lives, complete with self-cleaning routines and easy-to-wash drip trays. Household and office machines often come with detachable water tanks, frothing jugs, bean grinders, and other attachments and peripherals.
On the other hand, there are mini espresso machines just large enough to make a single serving. These can be surprisingly powerful and efficient, with a steaming cup ready in under a minute. Convenience is taken to yet another level with portable espresso machines, which need nothing but ground or pod coffee and water to make a shot of delicious coffee. These are incredibly light and use mechanical pressure or compressed air to add water to the coffee and extract the drink. They're perfect for sating those coffee cravings while camping or traveling.
Categories Simillar to Espresso Machines includes Tea Filters, Burr Coffee Grinders and Coffee Percolators