Do you love coffee? Imagine the thrill of brewing your own perfect coffee right in the comfort of your own home. Well its possible – by following these simple tips when searching for your coffee machine. I will help you choose not only the best machine for your needs but also one you will be happy with for many years to come.

1. What type of Coffee do you like to drink?

The first step is to identify your favourite coffee – shouldn’t be too hard? Why? Because you need your new coffee machine to make this type of coffee well enough so you will enjoy it each and every day. Try to see the coffee machine actually working – ask for a demo. The end result of making a coffee is a rich golden crema – the basis of all coffee recipes – you should see this. It looks like rich dripping honey as the coffee extracts from the group head.

2. Machine Pressure

You need adequate pressure to extract the coffee from the beans you would like to use. This helps produce the rich golden cream you so desperately need. Quality machines have at least 15 bars of pressure – don’t even look at any machine with less than this as you won’t be happy with the quality of the final product. Your machine should be able to to extract enough flavour for true espresso. This is a big selling point with machines and will be easy to find in the list of benefits for each type.

3. Do I need an Automatic or Manual Machine?

This ultimately comes down to how much control over the coffee making process you require. Some manual machines at the cheaper end are excellent, however you will have more “work” to do when brewing. Fully automatic machines cost much more but do everything for you and still make a fantastic coffee – at a price. Perhaps a semi-automatic machine is the way to go as you can control such elements as “milk frothing” and the “coffee grind” while still have the machine control extraction time and temperature. Price will have a lot of influence on your decision as there is a wide range of prices between Fully manual to Fully automatic – work out how much you want to spend and check out what is available in that price range and go from there.

4. Hot Water is vital.

When making several coffees, cheaper machines will give up – water needs to be heated and while using the steam wand and group head you deplete the water boiler and then have to refill – can be painful (not literally) and annoying. Dual boilers are fantastic but can be expensive or look for a machine with “thermoblock” technology which reheats the water quickly and more efficiently.

5. The Best Grinder you can afford.

You can buy pre-ground coffee beans which are vacuum sealed – ok but not great – air makes the coffee go stale fairly quickly. Ideally you should buy a grinder – cost between $100 to $300. Some coffee machines have built in grinders which are great – however make sure you can adjust the grind therefore affecting or perfecting your extraction times and crema. The coffee grind is an extremely important step and only buy a coffee machine with a built in grinder if you know you can control this element of your coffee making.

6. Cleaning and Maintenance.

Coffee Machines must to be cleaned and maintained. Some machines offer automatic cleaning and descaling which makes life easy. Group heads and frothing wands become clogged with coffee grounds and stale milk thus affecting rubber seals and wand pressure. Consider purchasing coffee cleaning powder or your machines suggested cleaner at time of purchase to keep your machine in tip top condition.

Considering the number of home coffee machine brands that are available on the market the suggestions and tips provided in this article with help you start your search for the ideal machine for your home or office.

Imagine yourself relaxing into your favorite chair, at your favorite table by the window, holding your warm cappuccino. You savor the aroma and admire the frothy, foamy peak your barista brought to life. It’s nice and peaceful. No noisy chatter. Just quiet.

And here’s the best part: your car keys are sitting on your dresser, and you’re still in your pajamas. And that talented barista who has mastered the art of foam? That’s you! You’ve created your own quaint little cafe right here at home, with your very own coffee espresso machine.

Think this is impossible? Think again! There are many different types of espresso machines on the market that are made especially for home use, ranging from very basic and affordable, right up to the same machines used by professional baristas.

However, before you rush into investing in a coffee espresso machine, take some time to do your homework and consider your needs and preferences. How often do you plan to make espresso drinks at home? Do you also drink a lot of brewed coffee? (Some machines have dual brewing capabilities.) How important is the milk frothing capability to you? If you have preferences in any areas such as these, this will help you narrow down the possibilities.

Also consider any preferences you may have about how your espresso drinks are made. For instance, my favorite part of an espresso shot is the crema – that’s the caramel-colored, creamy foam that forms on a perfectly pulled shot. When you pour shots from a shot glass into the mug, most of the crema gets left behind, so I prefer a coffee espresso machine that is tall enough to fit the whole mug, so I can enjoy the entire shot in my drink.

Here are the basic types of coffee espresso machines on the market:

What is the Pump Coffee Espresso Machine?

This is the best but most expensive type of machine to buy. The pump coffee espresso machine is called this because they use a pump to keep the water pressure at the appropriate level, which produces the best and most consistent shot of espresso. These machines are primarily made for commercial use, and are usually very large, heavy, and noisy, but can be used at home.

About the Piston Coffee Espresso Machine

This type of machine uses a piston or lever system to manually maintain the optimum pressure required for a great shot of espresso. This type of coffee espresso machine requires little maintenance, and is much quieter than the pump machines. However, the lever may require a good deal of arm strength to keep the pressure at the right level, and it may take some practice to get the timing down. But if you’re willing to experiment and work out the process, you’ll be rewarded by a great shot, and a sense of accomplishment.

About the Steam Coffee Espresso Machine

This type of coffee espresso machine is typically smaller, easily accessible and relatively affordable, using heat to produce steam instead of a pump or piston to create the pressure. While the lower prices are definitely an advantage for steam machines, if you’re very particular about the quality of your espresso shots, you may find that the steam does not always produced the optimum pressure for the best tasting coffee. Also, maintaining enough steam to both pull shots and steam milk at the same time is sometimes difficult.

About Moka Pots

This type of machine costs the least of all the options, and requires only your stovetop. The moka pot is a two-part pot which uses boiling water and the steam to create pressure, which pushes the boiling water up through the espresso grounds rather than gravity simply pulling heated what down. The coffee tastes great, but since you cannot froth milk with a moka pot, it’s not for you if you really like your lattes and cappuccinos. But if you like a good espresso or a shot in the dark (brewed coffee with a shot of espresso added) and have a limited budget, give the moka pot a try.

Don’t be put off by the high prices on a coffee espresso machine. Take a few moments to consider what that daily latte is costing you. A latte can cost you as much as $4. If you’re like me, you average about five a week. That’s $975 a year! Over the course of time you may find that dropping the money once up front is worth the investment – especially when you consider the convenience of enjoying your favorite espresso beverage at home.

So take a little time to consider each of these options and how they fit with your preferences and needs. Whichever coffee espresso machine you choose to create your own cafe at home, you’ll be making your own espresso drinks for you and your friends and family – with or without the frothy foam peaks – in no time.

Here are some recommendations for a new starter of Espresso making to produce heavy crema for the cup in regards to the control of these factors.

1. Fresh beans – contributing to a plenty of quality crema derive from the roasted beans no longer than 7 days in storage. With a longer period of time, this will reduce the crema. In particular, the beans are to be blended only for Espresso making of each time to avoid unproductive crema.

2. Adequate machine – is needed for Espresso making. The machine with ability to produce plentiful whitish foam should force at least 9 bars of water pressure during the process.

3. Adequate tamp – refers to the application of proper packing of coffee in the porta-filter with density described as 30 pounds of force.

4. Adequate grind – is regarded as another necessary factor to obtain fine coffee particles for Espresso. The operation should last 20 seconds for each shot of Espresso.

5. Fresh water – for this process should be well filtered, containing 97-98 % of purity.

Anyone who has all these factors in control deserves to receive a great cup of Espresso with the intense color, nice crema and better taste of authentic Espresso coffee.

read more http://coffee-forlife.blogspot.com

Over the course of the past manful of years coffee and espresso makers have gone through a litany of changes. They are now smaller, more compact and also much more feature laden. At the same time more companies have began to make them for home use. More choices and options translates into more items to consider when trying to decide which make and model to bring home.

Consider Simplicity

If all that you are interested in is a good cup of coffee or espresso then consider the simplicity of the machine that you are going to purchase. Remember, that there are plenty of one cup simple coffee brewers on the market. This means that if you are primarily interested in espresso, you have the option of simply buying an espresso maker and a simple one cup coffee maker to use occasionally.

Size Matters

When it comes to coffee and espresso makers, size definitely matters. With coffee prises predicted to shoot up in the upcoming years, waste can quickly add up into big money losses over the long haul. Remember that it is not hard at all to brew a second pot if need be but pouring unused coffee down the drain every morning can get old real quick.

Value and Quality

Of course you will want value for your dollar, in terms of the price of the coffee and espresso maker that you buy. However; if you are buying a feature laden machine that is extremely low in price you have to take its overall quality into close consideration. There are great machines out there that can give years of service but they tend to be the more expensive models.

Easy to Clean

Make sure that you select a coffee and espresso maker that is easy to clean. This might not seem like a big deal up front but it will be once you get your machine home and start using it. This particularly holds true if you have a teenager in your home, because inevitably you will end up cleaning the machine for two people if this is the case.

Ah, espresso! It’s been called the nectar of the gods and the elixir of energy. Properly prepared, the perfect shot of espresso is an unparalleled sensory experience, encompassing four of the five senses – five, if you include the sound of this delicious drink as it is prepared and consumed. A perfectly turned out shot of espresso is an incredibly refreshing hot beverage and has been termed ‘the god shot’. There has been a great deal written about how to achieve a perfect shot/cup of espresso every time. Brewing the perfect cup of espresso consistently is a talent to which most baristas – both professional and at-home – aspire. What does it take to brew a perfect cup of espresso? Here are ten tips to help you make every shot of espresso a perfect shot.

1. Start with a clean machine. That should go without saying, but far too many people neglect the necessary maintenance needed to keep their espresso machines scrupulously clean. A film of coffee oils on your filter basket or group head can mar the flavor of your coffee, and mineral buildup in the various parts of the machine that hold and carry water can give your espresso a tinny or metallic flavor.

2. Choose the right coffee. It’s not necessary to choose an ‘espresso roast’; in fact, espresso roast is often darker than the roasts suggested for making espresso. Because espresso brewing extracts so much rich coffee flavor, you will get incredibly good results with coffee in the medium to medium-dark roast categories. Of course, you want to use GOOD coffee, but the variety is less important than the perfect grind.

3. The perfect grind is almost impossible to achieve with a cheap bladed grinder. The right grind for espresso is very fine, almost as fine as talcum powder. Aim for a grind somewhere between sugar and flour in consistency, and you will have it about right. You CAN get that consistency with a blade grinder, but you will generally ‘burn’ the coffee in the attempt. A burr grinder can be adjusted to exactly the right grind for espresso without damaging the flavor of the coffee.

4. Use the right amount of coffee. The “Espresso Rule of Thumb” calls for 7 grams of coffee for a single shot and 14 grams of coffee for a double shot.

5. Use good water. Filtered water is best for making espresso because you will leave behind all the little impurities that can affect the flavor of your coffee. On the other hand, distilled water can leave your coffee tasting a little flat. If you are lucky enough to have a semi-automatic machine with a built-in water filter, be sure to keep the filter clean.

6. Heat the water to the correct temperature. Espresso is defined as a coffee beverage brewed by forcing water heated to between 190 and 195 degrees through finely ground, packed coffee under high pressure. If the water is colder than 190, it will not extract enough flavor. If it is hotter, it can ‘cook’ the coffee.

7. Run a ‘blind shot’ through the group head before you make your shot to heat the group head to the right temperature. To make a perfect shot of espresso, the temperature should remain consistent all the way through the brewing time. If your group head is at room temperature, it can rapidly cool down the coffee right in the middle of the brewing process, resulting in weak coffee.

8. Tamp the coffee in the filter basket to pack it tightly. The “Espresso Rule of Thumb” says that you should get 1.5 ounces of espresso in 20-25 seconds. There are two major factors that affect how fast the water goes through your ground and packed coffee. The first is the pump pressure on your machine. The second is how firmly packed your coffee is. If the water is flowing through too fast or too slow, try adjusting either the grind of the coffee or the pressure that you use to tamp the coffee into the filter basket.

9. Use the right size tamper. This is a surprisingly simple solution that is often overlooked. If the tamper that you use is too small, the coffee around the edges of the filter basket won’t be packed firmly enough. The water will take the path of least resistance through the coffee – right down the sides of the filter basket, missing most of the coffee flavor in your basket.

10. Use the right pump pressure setting. The correct setting for your pump pressure is 8-9 BAR.

Making perfect cup of espresso is not much different than making a perfect cake. Once you learn the recipe – which in the case of espresso includes pressure and temperature – you will be able to produce consistently excellent shots of espresso even when you start experimenting with different kinds of coffee.

Choosing the right home espresso machine can be a difficult task but with some basic knowledge and wisdom of how a coffee and espresso maker works, how much they cost, and specific features you get for the money, selecting the right option is easy.  One point is clear.  If you are spending money at a coffee shop at least 3-4 times per week the payoff on a home espresso machine is well worth the investment:

Let’s do the math:

1.  Average cost for a coffee specialty drink such as an espresso or cappuccino:   $3.50
2.  Number of trips to the Coffee Shop per year:  52 weeks * 4 visits per week =  208 yearly visits
3.  Yearly Cost:  $3.50 espresso drink cost * 208 yearly visits = $728 Annually

For $728, one can purchase a full-featured super automatic espresso machine.  Ok, now that you see that an home espresso machines is good investment, let talk about some tips on how to buy one:

1.   Decide what type of espresso drinks you like.  Do you like a cappuccino or mocha or just a straight shot of espresso?  How about a regular cup of coffee?   The choices for home espresso machines will vary greatly.  Most super automatic espresso coffee machines can brew you a strong cup of coffee just like you find at the coffee houses as well as the espresso drinks.  Perhaps you would like to choose between regular coffee and decaf in which case a bypass doser on the home espresso machine is a good option.   Choose between a super automatic, semi automatic, or automatic home espresso machines.  The most popular type of espresso machine is a super automatic espresso machines.

2.   Cost.  While many people like to have all of the bells and whistles, buying a quality espresso machine is much like buying a car.  Do you need heated seats if you live in Arizona?  Same principle.  Decide on what type of drinks you like, find a machine with those features and set a budget.  The most common question we get is how much do I have to spend for a quality machine?  If you are spending $750 – $1,000 on a fine brand super automatic such as Saeco or Gaggia, you will be purchasing a quality home espresso machine with standard features suitable for most people.  If you want the highest quality espresso drinks, a semi automatic espresso machine such as a Rancilio or Pasquini are priced in the $700 to $1,500 range.  Semi-automatic espresso machines are a bit more work but results are outstanding.  All excellent choices.

3.    Popular Espresso Features.  Milk based drinks – If you love the lattes, mochas, and cappuccino’s make sure you buy a machine with two boilers or dual heating elements.  Using a single boiler is ok for standard espresso drinks but a dual boiler will produce the fastest steam.  This is typically a feature that separates the cheap $100 – $200 espresso machines from the quality home espresso machines.

Adjustable water volume and coffee dose – Some machines will only have the ability to adjust the water so the more water you have the weaker the cup.  Having both an adjustable doser and water volume gives you the most control.  Excellent features to have especially if want a standard cup of coffee.

Digital or Analog (dials) – There is much debate on which is better to have. This comes down to a personal choice. With digital machines, your options are greater and you can really get dialed in on the coffee / water ratio. You also get statistics on your home espresso machine and most digital espresso machines will tell you when to clean it.   Another key feature digital machines typically have is the ability to regulate when the machine is on or off. 

View Quality http://www.moderncoffeedesigns.com home espresso machines

Other important features: 

Look for a large water reservoir typically over 40 ounces. 

Cup height adjustment – make sure your cup will fit.  Most espresso cups are 4 – 6 inches.

Water filter – espresso machines with a water filter will produce better coffee and keep you machine in better condition.  Water filters are highly recommended.

Bean hopper size – Get a machine with a minimum or 8 ounces.  You do not want to be filling the bean hopper every day.

Cup Warmer – Coffee maintains its best flavor when poured into a heated cup. 

Grinder Settings – Make sure the espresso machines have at least 3 grinder settings. This is essential for dialing in the right grind.

Heat up time – you do not want to be waiting over 5 minutes for an espresso machine to heat up.  A good machine will be ready for a second cup of espresso is just under 1-2 minutes after the initial heat-up.

4.  Size and Construction – Make sure you have adequate counter space for the home espresso machine.  These espresso machines are generally larger than a typical coffee pot so make sure you measure.  Also, having a movable base will allow you to pull the machine out to fill it with water and beans.   Almost all of the super automatic home espresso machines body’s are made of heavy duty plastic or stainless steel.  The inside boilers are either stainless steel or aluminum.  Often people make the mistake of thinking the plastic is not as durable but in reality, it is.  It is what is on the inside that counts.  A stainless steel boiler will offer years of service if properly maintained.   The espresso machines of today feature sleek, modern designs.  If you are purchasing a semi-automatic espresso machine, consider stainless steel because of all of the interaction with the machine.  If you choose a super automatic, a plastic design with stainless steel or aluminum boilers is sufficient.

5.  Proper Cleaning and maintenance – The number one problem with home espresso machines is scale build-up.  If you own a quality machine, regular descaling and back flushing is not recommended, it’s required.  What I mean is that if you want to maintain your warranty, you must complete these maintenance items.  It takes about 15 minutes each month but will keep your machine operating for years.  Don’t let your machine sit idle for a long time with water loaded as the minerals in the water can cause issues in the boilers and metal components.

6.  Water and Coffee – Buying quality coffee and using filtered water will provide the ultimate coffee experience.  Many espresso machines have built in water filters such as the Aqua Prima Water Filter.   If you use tap water and cheap brand name coffee don’t waste your money on a quality espresso machine.   Fine coffee and filtered water contribute significantly to the quality of the brew.  Use a coffee such as Lavazza or Gaggia especially made for a higher end coffee espresso machine.

7.   Choosing where to buy a home espresso machine – You can buy these machines from many of the major stores but the issue is support and buying guidance.  You simply cannot call the “red dot” store or “overstock” stores and expect to find someone that is knowledgeable about quality espresso coffee machines.  Try calling one of the major chains for support and they will refer you to the manufacturer.  The truth is that your retailer should be able to answer most questions and get you technical support if you need it.  You are not going to get the level of support from a big chain store or large e-tailer.

Today’s home espresso machines are sophisticated machines.  Buy the machine from a reputable online retailer who specializes in espresso machines or coffee makers.  Retail stores that specialize in espresso and coffee machines have knowledgeable staff that can assist you with questions, problems, tips, and service.  And guess what, the prices in the espresso coffee machine specialty stores are typically less because of the volume of machines they sell.

Choose a store that has a Better Business Bureau accreditation so you can be sure you are buying from a reputable dealer.  Beware of stores that do not specialize in coffee and espresso machines.  Where is the best place to find the best cup of coffee or espresso?  It is your own kitchen of course.  Happy shopping.