(by 11 people)
Full-bodied, aromatic, and flavorful -- espresso is a delight to the senses and a tonic to the soul. Once the exclusive property of the beat generation, espresso has gained in popularity with the introduction of specialty coffee outlets like Starbuck's.
Where a few years ago the would-be home barista would have been hard-pressed to find a serviceable espresso machine, she is now confronted with more options than can be absorbed in a few days.
Here are the results of our considerable research into currently available espresso machines and associated paraphernailia:
Bookmark / Subscribe!
What is Espresso?
Espresso is a real gourmet delight made from (usually) dark-roasted coffee ground extra-fine then "pressed" to extract the maximum flavor with a minimum of water.
This produces a much different beverage than brewed coffee, characterized by the crema, or foam -- a colloidal emulsion of oils, proteins, and sugars from the beans.
Getting the right "break" on the beans is something of an art, but it's a skill that anyone can master with some practice, and the right equipment.
KitchenAid KTA-KPES100PM
This high-quality pump machine -- suitable for home or small restaurant use -- is particularly attractive when the factory-reconditioned units are available. Indistinguishable from "new" items these are thoroughly tested while "new" ones -- well, where do you suppose reconditioned ones come from?
Save on Factory Reconditioned KTA-KPES100PM, or buy new below.(Red)
KitchenAid KTA-KPES100PM Pro Line Espresso Maker, Pearl Metallic
Amazon Price: $645.99 (as of 09/07/2008)
Listmania!
- The good, bad, and ugly in coffee and espresso
- N.Caine of Henderson NV, offers some sound advice not only on which espresso machines to buy but several "brand name" products you may want to avoid.
- Everything You Need To Quit Going to Starbucks
- rebeccaliz of "Midwest USA" shares some of her favorite coffee related picks, including a selection of coffee flavorings if you're not a coffee purist.
DeLonghi "Magnifica" EAM3200 Machine
This "Super-Automatic" pump machine includes an integrated conical burr grinder, shut-off timer, and a number of other features. Personally, I could live without the additional features and would prefer a separate grinder, but this unit is very popular.
Save more on outlet priced EAM3200
Some Buying Advice
Before you run out and buy the first "espresso" machine you see, you'll need to ask yourself how particular you are about your espresso and what you are willing to pay for first-rate espresso drinks at home.
Real espresso is produced under a pressure of 8 - 10 atmospheres (frequently specified as "bars"), so you'll need a pump or lever machine if that is your goal. Steam brewers will froth milk and produce a drinkable cup of coffee, but the result is not true espresso.
For a quick break-down of the various types of machines available see Amazon.com's feature: How to Buy Espresso Machines.
Gaggia Carezza 3500X
If you're looking for a simple answers to complex questions -- good luck with that! However, we can recommend the Gaggia Carezza as a good all-around home espresso machine.
It's not the equal of machines costing thousands of dollars, but it will produce a decent espresso at a price most people can afford. A teriffic bargain!
Gaggia 35005 Carezza Espresso Machine, Gray
Amazon Price: $249.00 (as of 09/07/2008)
Espresso Machine Types @ Amazon.com
Amazon.com frequently misclassifies items in their category pages, so double-check the results here to make sure you are actually getting what you want. We're featuring search result for "pump" and "lever" as well as the applicable categories.
- Super-Automatic Machines
Amazon created this category to refer to pump-type machines that have a variety of additional features, such as timers, grinders, drip-brewer and the like. They are quite a mixed bag, which makes them hard to evaluate, but since convenience is a strong selling point, many are quite popular.
- Pump Type Machines
Apparently Amazon refers to these as semi-automatic espresso machines. To be sure, check to see if mention is made of the pressure the unit is supposed to deliver. A pressure guage is very desirable, although not absolutely required.
- Lever Type Machines
Amazon.com refers to these as manual espresso machines.
- Steam Type Machines
Amazon uses keywords to sort products into categories, so a lot of pump-type machines are included here if their descriptions mention a "steam wand" or similar terminology. Since the main advantage of this category is price, the link is ordered by price from low to high.
- Stovetop Moka Pots
These really aren't espresso machines, but since theyre mentioned in Amazon article, we've included them for the sake of completeness.
La Pavoni EPC-8 "Europiccola"
If you like the artistry, mystique, and ritual of hand-pulled espresso, you've gotta have the La Pavoni Europiccola. Although much is made of the difficulty of operating lever machines, anybody who can operate a torque wrench can learn to pull perfect espresso shots.
It comes in several styles, priced from the black base version upward.
La Pavoni Europiccola 8-Cup Espresso Machines
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
Steam Machines
You wouldn't put single-malt scotch in a highball, and you may not need top-quality espresso if you're interested in making Americanos, Cappuccinos, Café Mochas, or Lattés. In that case, a steam espresso machine may suit your requirements at a "Mr. Coffee" price.
The problem with these machines is that they don't produce enough pressure for optimum extraction of the desired components of the coffee bean -- the so-called break. In addition, boiling water is a little too hot, tending to produce a bitter brew.
Steam Espresso Machines
These are all pretty much alike. Pick a brand or color you like.
View / Subscribe this feed.
Try The Jadebox Store
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byCurrent Specials @ Amazon.com
It's always a challenge to maintain current content when it comes to limited time offers, but these offers were in effect when they were posted.
Please verify that they are still in effect before ordering!
- Outlet Savings on Kitchen Appliances & Housewares
- (No Expiration)
This is one of thos "hidden" specials pages at Amazon.com, and although it isn't specifically about espresso makers, it usually includes a few. I discovered the popular DeLonghi EAM3200 machine through this page.
Gaggia 8002 MDF Burr Grinder
Coffee begins to oxidize when it is roasted, and that process accelerates dramatically when it's ground. Top-notch coffees require fresh-ground beans, and great espresso requires a serious grinder capable of producing the extra-fine espresso grinds. Essential.
See also: Coffee-Makers @ Amazon.com
Gaggia 8002 MDF Grinder - Black
Amazon Price: (as of 09/07/2008)
The Whole Ed Cata-Blog
Subscribe to The Whole Ed Cata-Blog
I've never quite been sure what distinguishes a blog from a regular webpage. Timeliness seems to have something to do with it, but that doesn't seem to be a hard and fast rule.
Anyway, here are some of the things I've been working on lately...
Fetching RSS feed... please stand by
