Hot Espresso Machines

There is no mistaking the rise and rise of the coffee culture. It is one of the industry sectors which has weathered the economic downturn relatively well. It seems that a cup of coffee in a good coffee house is one of life`s little treats that customers are not keen to give up and surprisingly, many start up business success stories abound in the current climate. Similarly, the beverage has become more and more popular in countries which are traditionally known for their love of a different drink, such as in China and India, both of which are renowned for their love of tea. It is clear that there is something about coffee that appeals to many people – how has coffee managed to seduce many different generations of drinkers?

One answer could be the flexibility of espresso based drinks. If you visit any of the barista competitions, you will realize quickly that there are all manner of variations and creative interpretations of coffee drinks. The competing baristas are often required to create a `signature drink` based on an espresso which are delicious and express the personality of the individual creator. However, there are also some tried-and-tested classic drinks that are more ordinarily prepared using and espresso base and which are regularly found in coffee shops.

What are the most popular types of coffee based drink?

Lattes are always very popular, as they are a milky delicious type of coffee. They originated in Italy where lattes were especially popular at breakfast and, for the rest of the day, were largely a drink for children. However for those who find a straight shot of espresso to be too strong for their palette, or for those who prefer a longer drink, a latte is often a great solution and suits the palette of many different generations. Of course, too, latte art has become a sort of coffee craft to appeal to any age of artistic appreciation.

The cappuccino is one of the best known espresso based drinks. It is a little difficult to make at home, as it is formed of three layers – the espresso on the bottom, followed by a middle layer of hot milk and a top coating of frothy milk.

For those who prefer a stronger `coffee`, then perhaps the espresso macchiato is for you. This is a drink of espresso with only a smidgen of milk.

Finally, for the strongest way of getting a coffee bean to cup, try an Americano which is simply an espresso diluted with some hot water. Of course, you can also have a straight espresso and not bother with any of these permeations at all!

The Hot Espresso Machine site is dedicated to finding the best deals on espresso makers and also includes customer reviews. On this site you will also find videos and articles which show you how to make great espresso coffee and also how to clean out and care for your espresso making machine.

You can’t have espresso without decent espresso coffee cups it just wouldn’t taste the same! We are also searching for some great looking coffee cup sets and we are even adding coffee recipes and books about coffee. Enjoy the brew!

After several years of obtaining my daily espresso from a commercial machine at our coffee shop, I never expected to duplicate the same high quality in the comfort of my own home. I was certainly in for a pleasant surprise as I explored the various machines on the market and found that they very closely mimicked their commercial cousins.

Home espresso machines today come in a variety of styles and the problem most people encounter is which kind is right for their family. Each type of machine has the same basic mechanisms. They each force hot water through tampered coffee grounds under pressure. However, upon researching the issue you would find that there are several different methods that can be employed to achieve this same effect. There are four basic types of espresso machines in current use and each has specific positive traits as well as their own negative features.

Pump Espresso Machines 

These machines use a powered pump in order to produce the proper amount of water pressure necessary for a good cup of coffee. While they may produce superior results in espresso making you will likely pay higher prices for these machines then you would any other. You will frequently notice that these styles of espresso makers are seen in commercial establishments since they are usually very large and bulky. As with any commercial style units in use the pumps of these machines are prone to being clogged by mineral deposit buildup as a result of the water which is used.

However, smaller pump espresso machines for home use like the NESCAFÉ Dolce Gusto by Krups KP210040 Coffee Machine as shown in the image above are now available. The Dolce Gusto comes in several different colours to match any kitchen and at very reasonable prices. 

Lever Espresso Machines

In this type of machine there is a manual lever and piston that is used to create the needed pressure. The system is activated by the use of an arm to pull which releases the pressure and creates the espresso coffee. These are fairly quiet machines with low maintenance requirements and produce very good espresso quality drinks.

The Presso Espresso Coffee Maker as pictured on the left is a good example of a lever espresso machine that has a capacity of 1-2 cups. Impressive for it’s simplicity this great value model can also produce a great tasting cappuccino if used in conjunction with a frother.

Steam Powered Espresso Machines

These are likely the most popular types for home use since they are frequently smaller in design then those previously mentioned. The steam is created from the heated water which produces the necessary pressure to make the coffee. The problem encountered with these machines is that sometimes the pressure is not of sufficient quantity to create a really good cup of espresso.

The De’Longhi BCO120 Steam Combi Coffee Maker is one of the better steam powered espresso makers that also combines as a cappuccino maker.

Stove Top Espresson Maker

Finally I will briefly mention stove top pots. These are the older but simpler stove-top pots still used in some of the European countries today. I personally have about four of these units and find them very enjoyable to use. Water is placed in the bottom of the pot and steam is forced through the ground coffee which moves the final liquid to the top of the pot. These pots produce less pressure then most of the electrical ones do but they are also extremely simple in nature. These are the least expensive of any sort of espresso maker.

The Bialetti Moka Express Espresso Maker is a very inexpensive example of  a stove top espresso maker which holds up to 6 cups of coffee.

This brief introduction to home espresso machines should serve as a starting point in your investigations for advanced information. Always read up on the potential machine that you are looking to purchase. Pay particular attention to the user’s comments as they have already gone through buying one and using it. These people can enlighten you as to what problems you could expect to encounter with that particular machine. For details of more espresso machines click here

A health and safety Food Hygiene Course shows that your company cares and lets your customers trust your services. To ensure the success of your catering and retail business, these food safety standards should not be taken lightly.