Espresso Machines

Whereas espresso is composed of water and coffee, cappuccino on the other hand is a blend of approximately one third frothed or steamed milk, and espresso. Cappuccino is prepared using an espresso maker to brew the shot of espresso and then to steam or froth the milk. This coffee beverage, like espresso has its origins in Italy.

Two of the most important essentials when preparing cappuccino is have the proper temperature; this in turn will help create just the right consistency of the froth. All of which is achieved by infusing tiny microscopic bubbles of air into the milk through the use of steam.

Most all espresso machines have the capability to produce cappuccino as well. Both cappuccino and espresso require a minimum pump pressure of 9 bars of pressure. Consistent pressure is essential to producing quality cappuccino and espresso. The machines pressure is produced by its pump. Cappuccino / espresso machines have one or two boilers with a heating element or a thermo-block heating element, which the water passes through while being delivered to the pump. In addition some cappuccino maker/machines have a dedicated milk frothing device or attachment. If the machine has one of its boilers dedicated to the frothing of milk it is also accompanied by a frothing wand, which allows for brewing an espresso or a cappuccino all with the same machine.

As a rule machines that house a boiler, are more expensive and will require a longer heat up time. In addition they usually require a little more maintenance than a thermo-block machine.

Cappuccino machines boilers are usually made of marine brass or stainless steel. With independent thermostats and boilers for brewing the espresso and steaming or frothing the milk the brew time required is only a few minuets.

With their self priming pump one can usually prepare a single shot or a double shot of espresso within a matter of minuets. The espresso makers’ reservoir which is usually removable for ease of filling generally has a capacity from 30 t0 90 ounces.

Choosing one of numerous quality espresso/cappuccino machines is not a difficult as it may seem as there are a vaiety of excellent machines from which to choose.

With the advent of the home espresso maker, the best espresso no longer necessarily comes form a coffee café. Using a Saeco espresso maker the best espresso can now be brewed in your very own home. Which equates to no more long lines or departing with you hard earned money on a daily basis. If you value time, money and great tasting espresso a Saeco espresso machine may be right for you.

Saeco offers a fully automatic line as well as their manual variety. They are both technologically advanced and classy enough for every kitchen.

Saeco espresso makers are easy to use; just add water and coffee beans and you’ll soon be enjoying delicious hot espresso or cappuccino. The automatic version will grind the beans, dose the correct amount of coffee and then tamp it. The coffee is then infused with water, and within a very short period of time you’ll be enjoying great espresso. After the brewing processes the spent coffee is emptied into a dregdrawer for disposal.

Saeco’s fully automatic lines advanced features are what makes this machines so desirable. There is a cup warmer on top of the machine that keeps the cups warm as you brew your espresso.

Its conical burr grinder grinds the beans to suit the coffee beverage being brewed from extra fine to coarse. The dosing feature adjust the quantity of coffee being used, therefore giving the user the ability to control how weak or strong you like your espresso coffee.

Saeco has an unique advantage over most other espresso makers in that it features technologically advanced controls. Dependent upon machine choice there is a large touch sensitive screen, where you just touch to select your brew options. Or there is the LCD screen display featuring a click wheel for an easy selection of brew options.

Touch2Cappuccino®: This feature allows you to prepare two cappuccinos with just one touch. There is no longer a need to wait for the machine to reheat while you brew another beverage. The built-in milk container allows the user to make up to 4 cappuccinos. When the container is empty, the machine will stop brewing and the touch screen will display “Fill Milk Tank”. The built-in Cappuccinatore is easy to use and froths perfect foam every single time.

The Saeco programmable brew system is designed with multiple programmable options dependent upon your desired drink. The Saeco espresso machine line offers the option to brew cappuccino, lattes, espresso or regular coffee.

Another great feature on Saeco espresso makers is an 82 oz. water reservoir; this allows you to brew numerous beverages before the need to refill arises.

Depending upon machine model, the bean reservoirs capacity holds up to 12 oz., they are ground using its conical burr grinder. Its conical burr grinder helps prevent burning of the beans therefore, eliminating that burnt coffee taste.

Saeco offers an exceptional line of espresso makers, with a machine to fit your every need. In addition Saeco espresso makers are cost-effective to operate and produce great cappuccinos and espresso, all at a reasonable price.

At an average price of twelve hundred dollars, the Bosch Benvenuto B20 is considered to be a high end complete espresso, cappuccino, coffee, and latte coffee brewing machine. Including a wealth of features along with a user friendly design, the Benvenuto 20 makes for a perfect fit for the expert or beginner. Its conical burr coffee grinder produces grinds the beans to match the coffee beverage being brewed. Its burrs are well designed and require only modest maintenance. Its removable water reservoir has a capacity of nearly 2 liters and includes an easy grip handle for effortless removal. With its low water alert, you no longer need be concerned about running low on water while brewing your favorite espresso beverage. With separate coffee chambers for coffee beans and ground coffee provides for up to thirty cups of your favorite espresso before you need to refill the reservoir. Spent coffee grounds are disposed of into an internal dredge drawer for easy disposal. It has a 15 bar Thermo block pressure system ideal for brewing the perfect cup of espresso, in addition it features an automatic cleaning / automatic descaling cycle that makes for easy cleanup and maintenance of your machine. With its 12 different cup-size settings and 6 levels of grind quality the Benvenuto 20 makes it easy for you to select from a large range of coffee beverages, ranging from a large coffee to a small shot of espresso. A frothing attachment for cappuccino, instant hot water, hot chocolate or tea adds to this remarkable espresso machine’s capabilities to create the perfect froth. The Bosch Benevenuto B20 is the ideal espresso machine for in home use or a small office environment.

 Its sister machine, the Bosch Benvenuto B30 espresso machine includes all the same wonderful features of the B20 with the principal difference being the digital display located on the units top.

Mocha is the name of a port on the southern end of the Red Sea, near Yemen. The port has been of little importance since the late eighteen hundreds. Java is an island off the coast of Indonesia. And Mocha referred to those beans being shipped from the port of Mocha, and Java pertained to those beans grown on Java. Thereby Mocha Java was the first successful marketable blending of two varieties of coffee. During the mid to late 1800”s it was believed that coffee roasters acknowledged that there were certain aspects to the Yemeni bean that when blended with Java beans resulted in a very pleasing taste. Or it may have just been convenient to mix these two well known coffees together.

Regrettably, the uniquely original Mocha-Java blend that was very popular during the 1800’s has been lost forever, since a blight of coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix) destroyed the old Java coffee tree stock prior to the 19^th century. Over time the island’s Java coffee trees were replanted however, coffee aficionados claim the original flavor of the old java coffee trees was never duplicated. Today’s highly skillful roasters try to imitate the Mocha-Java blend flavor, although they often blend beans that are neither Indonesian Java nor Yemen Mocha to accomplish this. Since no one can truly know for certain the flavor of the original Mocha-Java-Blend coffee, using coffee beans from other than Indonesia or Yemen origins is not necessarily inauthentic.

The Gaggia Company is the most famous Italian manufacturer of coffee espresso machines for use in specialized coffee and household espresso maker use and its name is known for tradition and reliable machines around the world. In 1948 Achille Gaggia began his espresso coffee machine company, the man to who we owe a great deal of thanks to for the espresso coffee achievements first in Italy then the entire world. This espresso legend who in September 1938 patented the modern steam-free coffee and cream machine, therefore responsible for the delicious espresso coffee we enjoy today. In 1977 Gaggia S.P.A. started producing coffee machines for in home use, thereby the Baby Gaggia was introduced into the Italian coffee marketplace, which to the present day is considered by many to be the perfect family coffee-maker.

Gaggia products are produced at the Robecco sul Naviglio plant (Milan), where tradition and attention to details combined with state-of-the-art technology help create Gaggia’s famous espresso coffee makers.

Gaggia coffee machines have evolved over the decades beginning with the traditional lever pressure-generating piston to a fully automatic apparatus which, with the simple the touch of a button, activates the mechanism regulating the grinding, dosing and brewing process of luscious espresso coffee. All these features are to be found in the Gaggia Titanium series super automatic espresso machines, their technical perfection results from years of research and development.
GAGGIA continues to undertaken a process of renewal and diversification of its product lines, which include their luxury kitchen line of the Gaggia espresso maker.

Coffee beans as we know them are actually the seeds of the coffee tree. There are usually two seeds grown within  a cherry like fruit. While on the tree these seeds are coated with a silverskin, this is a vestigal that remains from the fruits development also known as the spermoderm. The seeds silverskin is sheltered by a parchment like skin (its endocarp), this is covered by a slippery like substance (the parenchyma). This is surrounded by a layer of thin pulp known as the mesocarp. These are all covered with an outer skin; the exocarp. These layers must be removed prior to the roasting of the coffee beans however,there is usually some silverskin that remains intact during the roasting of the beans.

This is the origin of the gourmet coffee as we know it.

If you are an espresso lover like I am, you can easily spend a hefty chunk of change during any given month frequenting your favorite espresso shop. Most people would benefit greatly by purchasing their own espresso machine. There are numerous varieties on the market, finding one that suites your needs can be a challenge to say the least.

Here are a few tips in helping you choose the espresso coffee machine that is best for you.

Since there are quite a few different types of espresso machines on the market today, you’ll need to come to a decision on how much control you want over the espresso brewing process. There is a fine balance between how difficult the machine is to operate and how much direct control you want.  To make a choice that is right for you, it is important to comprehend the differences each of the machines has to offer.

For starters will the machine be put to use in your home or in a commercial environment. With so many choices available it is easy to become confused. You’ll need to choose a variety  to meet your needs. Below are a few of the primary types of espresso makers available on today’s market.

Lever / Manual Espresso Coffee Machines;

Manual espresso machines are among the most difficult to use. They require a degree of skill to operate. However, once you have mastered this procedure they will brew a great cup of espresso that many connoisseurs are not willing to trade.

While using a manual machine you must fill up the portafilter handle and compact to coffee, preferably using a tamper. Then brush away any loose grounds and lock the portafilter handle onto the machine. The intricate step of producing a great cup of espresso is pulling the handle at the proper time, not doing so may result in an espresso that may not be a good as otherwise could have been. The manual machines date back to the earliest days of Italian espresso, and were used to create the famous espresso we have all grown to love.

Semi Automatic Espresso Machines;

After the manual pump model espresso coffee machine became available, the Semi-automatic espresso machine was later developed during the 1940’s. Since this machine did not require as much skill to operate, it rapidly gained popularity.

The semi-automatic model uses a pump to extract the coffee brew, thus eliminating the inconsistencies associated with the earlier model pump machines.

The semi-automatics were more user friendly than the manual machines. As a result of this invention it suddenly was far easier to brew a great cup of espresso.

Super Automatic Espresso Machines;

So far the machines we spoke about require you the espresso maker to have some degree of hands on with espresso extraction. A new day has arrived in espresso machines where you the espresso maker takes charge of the brewing process. Once easily programmed these super automatic espresso machines do it all. From the grinding of the beans, the tamping of ground coffee, the brewing process, then the dispensing of the spent grounds in an internal dregdrawer and there you have a perfect cup of espresso. In today’s time conscious culture, these machines have grown very popular in recent years.

Enjoy!

We’ll all agree, an espresso is a great coffee beverage, but you aren’t really enjoying great espressos if they aren’t  served in traditional espresso cups. Also known as demitasse cups, these miniature little coffee mugs look as though they belong in a doll house setting. Surprisingly, there’s a certain knack to making espresso correctly, and should you be in the market for a new set here are some things that you may wish to keep in mind.

Most cups are traditionally made out of porcelain. Normally, each cup has a capacity for two or three ounces of  coffee beverage. Depending on whether you rather have it topped with creamy froth or sugar in your espresso, you might need to get slightly larger cups if that is the case.

From the glass works of Italy directly to your kitchen, porcelain cups can be rather plain or ornate, costly or relatively reasonable in price. If you are a connoisseur espresso lover, you may wish to invest  in a expensive set of  espresso cups and saucers.

While many still prefer traditional designer style cups, today’s technology has its rewards. As an example, there are numerous modern styles accessible on the market that feature dual walled thermal glass. Such cups keep your espresso much hotter for a longer period of time than the traditional porcelain composition cups.

Whether you prefer traditional or a new trendy style cup, when shopping for a set of cups you should seek out quality. Espresso conisiours know that the best cup of espresso won’t be great unless it is served in an equally quality cup. If it’s too thin, not only is the cup subject to chipping or breakage (in which case you should immediately throw out the cup), but it also allows the heat to disipate quickly. And no one enjoys lukewarm espresso.

Keep in mind when shopping for espresso accessories- cups they are generally available in a rather broad price range.  Affordable and decent quality cups can be purchased in the $20.00 range per set, on the other hand one could easily spend a few hundred dollars on a designer set of espresso cups.