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What is an espresso machine?
There are many different methods and tools to make espresso; an espresso machine is one of the most convenient things one can use for their daily dose of caffeine.
An espresso machine makes coffee by forcing pressurized, nearly boiling water through a puck of ground coffee and a filter. By flowing through the ground coffee, the hot water absorbs the flavours and oils of the beans. It then flows onward through a filter into your mug of choice. This produces a thick, concentrated coffee we like to call espresso.
Espresso has a rich, creamy flavour – it can be enjoyed on its own or with frothed milk as a latte or cappuccino, as well as with tasty syrups to make a caramel macchiato, mocha, and much more.
Espresso tends to have a higher level of caffeine than filter coffee, and it has a much thicker consistency. Coffee drinkers have identified three layers of espresso; the heart, the body and the crema.
Heart: the heart is the bottom layer of the espresso shot. It has the bitterness of the espresso shot. Ideally, the heart should be a deep, rich brown colour.
Body: this layer is caramel brown and sits in the middle of the espresso shot.
Crema: the crema is key in a great espresso-based coffee. It is the sweet, golden-coloured, thin layer on top of an espresso shot. The aroma and flavours emerge from the crema. Baristas often use the crema to create latte art by pouring frothed milk into a mug with espresso at the right angle with the right technique.
Espresso coffee machine accessories
Portafilter
A portafilter is an important part of an espresso machine. Shaped somewhat like a spoon, it holds the ground coffee that is used to pour an espresso shot. The portafilter is inserted to the group head of the espresso machine, where the hot water flows through the coffee grounds to make espresso.
Filter baskets
The filter basket gets its name from it’s shape. Shaped like a basket, it holds the coffee grounds used to make espresso. The filter basket has tiny holes that allow the coffee to pass through while keeping the grounds in the basket. The filter basket goes into the portafilter for making espresso.
Tamper
The tamper is a tool that’s used to pack espresso grounds into the filter basket. The process of tamping, and getting it right can make a huge difference in the quality of your espresso. The tamper is used to pack the grounds evenly to create a high quality espresso shot. It allows you to take loose grounds and tightly compress them into the basket.
Tamping is very important in the quality of your espresso; it has to be done right, otherwise you’ll end up with a watery espresso full of grinds that tastes terrible. Because espresso is made by pushing water through coffee grounds, if the grinds are loose, the water flows through quickly without getting the full flavour of the espresso.
With proper tamping, the hot water has to force its way through the grounds. The water picks up the flavour of the coffee grounds because it spends more time going through the coffee and it is distributed evenly, resulting in a tasty espresso shot.
Stainless steel milk jug
A stainless steel milk jug is key for making lattes, cappuccinos, and many more espresso-based coffee drinks. It’s a necessary tool for frothing milk used in cappuccinos and lattes. To froth milk, you need to take your milk of choice and pour it into the stainless steel milk jug. They typically have a spout – you’ll only want to fill the mug to just below the start of the spout as the milk will expand during the frothing process. You’ll then insert your frothing wand into the mug with the milk and turn on the froth setting. The handle on the jug is quite handy to protect your fingers from getting burned as the milk can get quite hot.
Cleaning tool
If you plan to use your espresso machine every day, you’ll need to clean it often to keep it in good shape. To do so, you’ll want to clean it often. Use the cleaning tools provided with your espresso machine for thorough upkeep.
Cleaning disc
A cleaning disc is a piece of flexible rubber that fits in the portafilter of an espresso machine. With a cleaning tablet inserted into the cleaning disc, the indentation of the dic lets you backflush your espresso machine in a cleaning cycle.
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The Best Espresso Machines
Smeg ECF01 Espresso Coffee Machine
Last update on 2024-01-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Smeg is known for it’s chic, retro-style appliances, and the Smeg ECF01 is exactly that. It’s a well-loved espresso machine, with 4.6 stars out of 5 out of 995 reviews, and it has topped many lists of espresso machines to buy. The Smeg ECF01 is a manual coffee machine, which means you’ll have to do the work. This is a good thing – since the coffee making process is in your control, you get to make coffee just how you like it. You’ll need to grind your coffee beans to make espresso with this machine. Most coffee shops will grind beans for you if you buy from them, or if you’re a coffee purist, look at investing in a good quality coffee grinder. This espresso machine has just three buttons: for volume, strength and temperature of coffee. It can also be set for water hardness. Additionally, it can remember your preferences for the next time you make a coffee. It has an easy-to-use steam wand that heats up within seconds and makes delicious frothed milk for your morning latte. The Smeg ECF01 is a convenient, stylish machine that gets the job done.
De'Longhi Dedica Style EC685M Traditional Espresso Machine
Last update on 2024-01-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The De’Longhi Dedica EC685M is a sleek, compact machine that brings the delicious taste of authentic Italian coffee to your home. Use this machine to create your favourite coffeehouse drinks at home with innovative and professional technology. The De’Longhi Dedica EC685M has 15 bar pressure to create a delicious espresso with a strong aroma and caramel coloured crema. It has an adjustable cappuccino system – you can change the setting on the milk frother and choose between a creamy cappuccino froth, or a latte with steamed milk. It’s Thermoblock technology keeps the water at the exact temperature needed for brewing the perfect espresso. The drip tray can be removed, allowing you to enjoy your coffee in different types of mugs. It’s water tank can be removed for an easy refill process. It has a classic stainless steel finish. Add this machine to your kitchen for an easy way to make your morning cup of coffee with quality.
Krups XP320840 Opio Steam and Pump Coffee Machine
Last update on 2024-01-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Krups Opio Steam and Pump Espresso Machine gives coffee lovers all the tools they need to make a perfect cup of coffee. For those of us who like things to get done quickly, this espresso machine heats up in record time thanks to its advanced heating technology. It has 15-bar pump pressure that helps extract an authentic flavour that’s as good as any coffee shop. It comes with a coffee tamper that helps you get the most out of your coffee and a measuring spoon to ensure you have the right amount of grounds in your basket filter. It’s a manual espresso machine with adjustable settings, putting the control in your hands. It’s steam nozzle produces delicious frothed milk for cappuccinos, lattes and cortados. It has a one and two-cup filter to let you decide the strength and volume of your coffee. It’s huge 1.5 liter tank lets you make multiple drinks at a time. Coffee lovers can take the coffee making power into their own hands with Krups Opio Steam & Pump Espresso machine.
Sage the Bambino Plus
Last update on 2024-01-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Bambino Plus is a compact little machine that lets you employ all the elements for third wave specialty coffee. It delivers high quality performance using a 54mm portafilter with 19 grams of coffee for full flavour. It’s automatic steam wand textures milk for true handsfree microfoam at the perfect temperature. Make your coffee even faster with this espresso machine; it heats up in three seconds from a cold start, and instantaneously changes from coffee extraction to steaming. The Bambino Plus also has low pressure pre-infusion which gradually increases pressure at the start to help extract the flavours evenly for a balanced espresso. This espresso machine has technology for quality espresso extraction; it’s Digital Temperature Control (PID) ensures water is at precisely the right temperature. The Bambino Plus also automatically purges the heat system after steaming – this makes sure your next espresso is made at the correct temperature. Try this espresso machine for great coffee every time.
Sboly Espresso Machine with Milk Frother
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The Sboly Espresso Machine is a compact, affordable appliance that’s perfect for anyone who’s looking to save money and counter space. While this machine is affordable, it doesn’t cheap out on the espresso it produces. The Sboly espresso machine makes making coffee simple, easy, and fast. It has a single knob for all operations, and it extracts 4 shots of velvety, rich espresso in just 2 minutes. It comes with an easy-to-use milk frother that steams any kind of milk in just 40 seconds, giving you a soft, creamy foam to enjoy with your espresso. It also comes with a carafe that allows you to measure the ideal amount of water to brew your coffee. Additionally, it has a filter basket scale built in to weigh out the amount of coffee grounds you’ll need to brew a quality espresso. It’s compact size is perfect for any kitchen. Try the Sboly espresso maker for a quick, quality coffee at home.
Summary
If you want to make coffee shop quality coffee at home, you’ll need a good espresso machine. You’ll also want to learn the process so you know how to do it right. Once you know the proper process and techniques, you’ll want to choose the right machine for you.
The Smeg ECF01 is perfect for people who like high quality espresso and a vintage look. The De’Longhi Dedica is a ‘no funny business’ espresso machine that gets the job done and produces a great cup of joe. The Krups Opio Steam and Pump machine is fast, great quality and pours delicious espresso. Sage the Bambino Plus is a high-quality machine in shiny stainless steel that has perfected the coffee making process for authentic espresso. The Sboly espresso machine is great for anyone who loves coffee without a big price tag and big footprint. Any of these machines are perfect for giving you your daily dose of caffeine at home; whether it’s a smooth espresso or specialty coffee drink.