Sales of coffee are soaring in America. One of the largest areas of sales are in espresso, cappuccinos, and lattes. While you may think that it is only possible to get a good espresso at a drive through coffee stand, by choosing from the many espresso coffee makers available for home brewing, you can make a great cup of espresso at home.
Some inexpensive electric espresso coffee machines can be purchased in the thirty to fifty dollar range.
These inexpensive espresso coffee makers use steam power to force the hot water through the coffee grounds. There is a sealed chamber that the water is placed in. As steam pressure builds the water is forced out and through the grounds that have been tightly packed. True espresso lovers say that the water is not forced through the grounds in a steam machine with enough pressure to produce a cup of true espresso.
These inexpensive espresso coffee makers also often have a valve that allows to steam to be redirected through a side vent for steaming milk.
More expensive coffee coffee making machines with the pump for forcing the hot water through the coffee can cost over five thousand dollars, although some very well liked models cost only one hundred fifty dollars.
While some of the more expensive espresso coffee making machines also have a steaming port, many do not offer this feature. If you find that you need this feature, then make sure that the machine you choose has it available.
For a true Italian cup of espresso, stovetop models are inexpensive and readily available in the United States. Water is placed in the lower portion of the pot, coffee placed in the filter and the whole pot is placed on any type of stove for heating. The process takes about three to five minutes and users swear that you cannot tell the difference between stovetop espresso and the expensive pump models.
If you decide to go with a stovetop model, remember that espresso cups are very small, only 1. 5 to 2 ounces each. Otherwise, you may buy a nine cup espresso maker expecting it to have a pot the size of your Mr. Coffee and find that it only holds about one large coffee mug of espresso.
The only complaints about the stovetop espresso coffee making machines were for the cheapest of models that were made in PRC rather than in Italy. These models tend to have internal parts break and replacement parts are not available, making it necessary to replace the entire espresso maker.
All users of espresso coffee machines agree that a food coffee bean is the key to a great cup of espresso. If there is a coffee roaster in your hometown, buy freshly roasted beans there to take home to make your espresso. Coffee beans start to loose quality as soon as the roasting process is ended, and are best when used within one week of roasting.
Coffee beans should be bought in quantities that can be used within a week and ground freshly every day. Using freshly ground freshly roasted beans will give the best cup of espresso each day.
Before buying an Italian espresso maker, it is vital to do some research and testing if possible. Italian espresso makers can vary greatly in price and quality.