Espresso Coffee Makers

Espresso coffee makers and machines - where do you start? When you are trying to find a coffee maker to make that perfect cup of espresso the decision can be traumatic? It can be hard as there is so much choice and variety. You must first of all decide on exactly what requirements you have. Sit down with a coffee and make yourself comfortable ...

You must think about whether you wish to have strong coffee, traditional varieties or weaker forms. What kind of coffee do you (and your partner) like?

Espresso coffee makers and machines are often of the "drip" variety - the water is heated to the correct temperature (not boiling!) and filtered through compacted grounds. The finer the coffee grounds, the stronger the resulting espresso coffee.

Machines, such as the Bunn and Capresso coffee machines, are durable, efficient and reliable. They will always give you a welcome and flavorsome cup of espresso (cappuccino or latte).

They are programmable so that you can control the resulting cup of coffee - for example depending on your time and schedule.

You can even set them so that the coffee is prepared as you wake up! Now that's decadence! If you want, you can make a single cup or a whole pot. Make your coffee preparation suit your personal timetable. Designer coffee!

Some machines give you greater versatility - they may be more expensive but the resulting variety of blends and types of coffee you can produce is well worth it. Don't forget coffee machines are durable and able to withstand years of use. The coffee you make will often be reflective of the time you have invested in its preparation as well as the machine you own. Make coffee- making and art, not a chore!

Machines can be semi automatic, automatic and super automatics - choose the one that reflects your commitment and lifestyle.

What are the differences between the different types of machine or coffee maker? As the name suggests, automatic machines do most of the work for you - obviously you have to set things up with the raw ingredients (coffee beans, water etc) but then the machine does the rest. With semi-automatic coffee machines you have to put more input into the preparation - you will need to prepare the raw coffee beans beforehand (that is, grind them to your liking) and turn the machine on and off at appropriate points. It's not hard work but it requires some thought. An automatic machine, of course, costs more to purchase.

With super automatic coffee machines you can expect highly superior quality coffee. Yes, they are the most expensive and represent a large investment. But they pay back dividends in terms of flavor, wholesomeness and smoothness.  If your budget allows, then buy a super automatic coffee maker. The super automatic will grind the coffee beans to perfection, compress (tamp) them, and fully prepare your drink. You decide what you want the coffee machine to do and it is done - great coffee every time. You choose the variables of strength, size of grind, water levels, etc. You can do this at the push of a button - it is that easy - the coffee is ground to your requirements, the brewing chamber is filled, the coffee is tamped down, the coffee is brewed and your cup is filled. And then, if that is not enough, the super automatic machine will clear up the waste! Mess is reduced to a minimum and all you do is drink superb coffee.

So the great thing about this type of machine is there is no mess and no fuss you just get a great cup of espresso coffee every time you use it or cappuccino, mocha or latte if you prefer.

Many machines have additional extras such as warmers and dispensers so you can be just like the professionals! Wake up to perfect coffee, sustain your day with exemplary coffee and end it with that tantalising taste.

Attachments such as milk frothers can be included in the coffee machines to add to the espresso experience by allowing you to prepare lattes and cappuccinos.

When buying a coffee maker you need to consider the following:

• - are you prepared to do some of the pre-preparation or do you wish to have the coffee machine do most of the work?
  

• - do you wish to have the facility for the machine to froth and prepare milk for cappuccinos and lattes?

• - do you wish to have a machine with a built in grinder or do you wish to do this process separately (the quality of the coffee bean grind can be improved by external manual attention)?

• - do you want to use coffee pods which are the easiest way to prepare coffee?

• - do you want the least mess and the greatest flexibility?

If you are going to the expense of buying a machine then you should care for it - always. Don't let scale build up otherwise your machine's life will be shortened. Many machines can help you in the cleaning process - again, it depends on what you are prepared to spend.

Buying a coffee machine is a large investment and, just like any other investment, it requires thought and planning. Decide how you wish coffee to reflect your life and activities. Choose the machine that will fit in with your lifestyle and preferences. Remember that modern machines are built for action and will last many, many years. Coffee at its best.