Which is the Best Espresso Machine?
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Is the highlight of your customer's dining experience the fresh espresso
coffee at the end of a beautiful meal? Are you running a dedicated coffee shop and your customers crave their
early morning espresso pick-me-up? Or maybe, they are frustrated with their home coffee brewing
abilities and want to try something new? Whatever your business there is an espresso machine out there for
you if you take the time to look. Or even if you're not in business but a hard core home Barista! Let
us point you in the right direction.
Did you know that espresso coffee forms the basis to other coffee beverages such
as Cappuccino, Cafe mocha and Cafe Latte? No, not many people do. Espresso coffee is brewed by forcing
hot water through finely ground coffee beans. Unlike coffee made via drip brew processes involving coffee filters,
espresso coffee is characteristically concentrated, strong and thick. It can either be consumed straight away or
immediately added to frothy or steamed milk to create delicious highly aromatic coffee beverages.
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Traditionally, espresso coffee was brewed on a stove or hob via an
eight-sided stove-top espresso pot (left). Many people
still favor this traditional method today. However, for connoisseurs searching for the
ultimate in espresso coffee experience and others meerly seeking to achieve better success in their
espresso coffee making, modern day automatic espresso machines have become a more attractive
alternative.
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Traditional stove top
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Semi-automatic with stove top looks
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When shopping for your new espresso machine, it is important to bear in mind a few
points.
Branding:- There are a number of strong competitors selling to the espresso
machine market. Most prominent you will find De'Longhi, Cuisinart, Krups, Gaggia and Bialetti. All of
these are reputable names synonymous with good quality, reliability and durability. In order to select the right
machine for you, therefore, more market research is required.
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information.
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Automatic v Semi-automatic:- These are the 2 types of powered espresso
coffee maker. Be sure you know the difference between them and are able to make a more informed decision with
regards your purchase.
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information.
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Steam Wand:- Installed in most espresso coffee machines. This wand
will facilitate the making of steamed frothy milk. It is wise to ensure this wand is easily cleaned and
maintained.
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Super Automatic Espresso Machine:- This is truly the ultimate luxury in espresso
coffee making. It not only brews excellent espresso coffee but grinds the coffee beans, adjusts the shot
(amount of espresso), and automatically varies the water flow. Such a machine, although a privilege to own,
may not suit everyone's pockets however should you choose to purchase one of these it is the ultimate in bean to
cup espresso experience.
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Click image above for more info.
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The most important thing about coffee making in general is that it is to be
enjoyable and pleasurable. The same is true with an espresso coffee. Often part of this
experience is the theatre of the brew with all it's sights, sounds and aromas - coffee is a highly
sensual experience. The machine to the right shows that it also doesn't have to be expensive
either.
Developed in Italy and now consumed worldwide, espresso coffee is not for the
faint hearted. It is full of big flavors, huge aromas and has a powerful sensory influence. Once you have
brewed your coffee, it is essential that you consume espresso coffee immediately since exposure to oxygen quickly
reduces its aroma and flavor. And we wouldn't want that now, would we?
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