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Archive for the 'Espresso Maker' Category
Espressione will soon introduce its long awaited latest edition of Espresso machines, the Supremma Super Automatic Coffee/Beverage System. Scheduled for a public release during the fourth quarter of 2009, the Espressione Supremma is certain to be a huge hit with espresso and coffee fans everywhere.
The beautiful Espressione Supremma Espresso Machine is a professional brewing system developed by Bianchi-the renowned Italian manufacturer of vending machines, which allows us to offer an unprecedented 10-Year-Limited Warranty on the brewing group (only). This well designed, full featured, super automatic coffee center is ready to serve your every coffee need with a simple press of a button. Whether for one shot at home, business meeting or social event, this all in one coffee power-house requires minimal maintenance. Professional performance in a super automatic coffee/ beverage center with an elegant refined design. Fully programmable incorporated professional ceramic doser and grinder, coffee essence system (CES), use with whole bean or ground coffee + BONUS CAPPUCINADOR included!!!
The Cellini by La Pavoni. Another stunning example of post modern design by Carlo Gallizi. The Cellini’s dual pressure gauges monitor coffee and steam output. The chrome plated, brass filter holder and 60 mm. coffee filters are oversized similar to commercial grade espresso machines. The unit returns unused water from the pump back into the water reservoir assuring fresh tasting coffee every time.
Micro-valves eliminate group dripping. Full metal body with top cup warmer. 40 oz. water tank is removable for easy cleaning. Powerful yet quiet ULKA pump (producing 16 bars of pressure) drives the machine to produce creamy espresso.
This espresso machine also features the reliable and easy to use “Super Froth” attachment. Also standard is the patented “Cappuccino Automatic” attachment which allows the user to draw milk directly out of a container before frothing and dispensing directly into your cup. It will also prevent scalding of the milk before producing the necessary froth. Both are removable for easy cleaning. Initial warm-up time is a quick 2 minuets.
| Here is a great review of the laPavoni Lusso |
My husband got me this espresso machine for Christmas in 2004. I have no complaints on the machine nor customer service. When I first got the machine, there was a problem with the handle. I called customer service to ask for a replacement. The customer service was spectacular, they were all very friendly. I received the replacement part in two days. Since then I have had no problems. They even answered some of my questions about making certain coffee beverages.The temprature and pressure has remained the same throughout almost daily use for 4 years. The performance has remained the same since day one. The milk frother comes with a cappuccino attachment which makes the perfect cappuccino. It also comes with the standard metal steam frother. This is great for making steamers. The espresso is wonderful. Provides good pressure, and a good amount of crema on top. It also comes with a pod attachment for the handle, so you can also brew single cups of coffee. Super easy to clean, the water holder comes out of the machine, making it not only easy to clean, but easy to fill. The drip reservoir pops right out making that easy to clean as well.Overall, I love my machine, and would not trade it for another. When we bought it almost 4 years ago and paid 319.00. My husband got it on our military base, so it was probably cheaper than you would usually pay. Worth every penny and more. I think part of the reason why our machine still works so well is that we use bottled purified water. Never had a scale problem, or a bad tasting product.
Pros: Works like day one 4 years later. Cons: Standard espresso carafe does not fit. The Bottom Line: I would recommend this to everyone, because of the quality. It also makes excellent beverages!
By jasmnslamp’s :Epinions.com
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At just the touch of a button, the Bosch Benvenuto Gourmet espresso maker grinds the beans and brews the coffee within seconds. The unique AROMASWIRL™ high-pressure brewing system immerses the freshly ground coffee in the ideal water temperature for optimal extraction and maximum flavor release. A frothing attachment for cappuccino, instant hot water for tea or hot chocolate adds to this amazing machine’s capabilities. To top it all off, the Benvenuto automatically cleans itself when needed. Fresh, flavorful coffee, cappuccino or espresso just like they make it in the Italian cafes.
With such a wide selection of high quality espresso machines available today, you can now brew your own espressos, cappuccinos, and lattes at home. With a little practice you’ll be brewing fancy coffee drinks at a fraction of the cost you pay at those expensive coffee houses.
There are several different types of home espresso makers. Espresso brewing methods range from stove top espresso makers to fully automatic espresso machines to manual electric pump versions. Depending on your skills or willingness to learn, brewing a fine cup of espresso or cappuccino can be as simple as pushing a button or you can control the entire brewing process.
The easiest espresso makers use pods to brew a single serving of espresso. Like the popular coffee-on-demand machines, pod espresso machines simply force hot water through pre-measured amounts of ground espresso beans inside the pods. This type of automatic espresso maker is great for those who want a consistent shot of espresso without the mess or effort of a traditional espresso machine.
If you are a little more adventurous and want to give the art of espresso-making a shot, try one of the manual versions. With this type of machine you will need to grind the espresso beans, measure the coffee, adjust the water, control the pressure. It’s a lot more work than the automatic machines, but brewing your own perfect cup of espresso can be quite satisfying.
If you enjoy drinking cappuccinos, a few machines can even froth milk. Having this option is usually worth the extra cost, as you never know who you might be sharing a delicious coffee drink with. If you are going to invest in a new espresso machine, you should really consider the frothing option.
The looks of espresso machines are as artsy as the drinks you can make with them. The designs vary greatly among the different manufacturers. While you might fall in love with the look of an Italian-inspired espresso machine, make sure the features match your needs and the price tag fits your budget. While there are some very reasonably priced models that are top-rated performers, you might be surprised how much some of the most popular machines cost.
No matter what you decide to invest in your new espresso maker, you will no doubt be happy with your choice every time you take that first sip of your freshly brewed espresso.
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Blake_Mead |
With a stop by your local coffee shop you suddenly find yourself in awe. All that you ordered was a latte, but what stands before you is a true work of art. It appears that the barista painted a fern on top of your cup. You’d like to drink it, but it seems such a shame to destroy such a beautiful picture. What you’ve just encountered is called latte art, and it is the mark of a true barista. You’ll be pleased to know that with a little practice (and the right tools) you can become a real barista too. In this article I will teach you how to make latte art that will stun and amaze your guests.
The Latte Artists Tools
Before we get started with teaching let’s talk about what you’ll need. You are going to need an espresso maker(obviously). Choosing the best espresso machine is actually quite important. Most commonly a semi-automatic espresso machine or an automatic with a powerful steam wand will be chosen. The fully automated espresso machines won’t work in this case since they froth the milk and incorporate it into the drink themselves. You will also need:
- Freshly Ground Espresso Coffee – Freshness is very important to get that full bodied espresso with nice crema.
- A Steam Pitcher – Required for holding the milk while steaming, and allowing you to pour it just right.
- Fresh Milk (4%) – Low-fat milk produces harder bubbles. Use fresh whole-fat milk for the best results. Keep the milk quite cold before using it.
- Wide Mouth Cup – As you gain experience, cup selection likely won’t matter. To start though, a 6 or 12oz wide mouth cup will be your best choice.
Latte Art
With the tools and ingredients in place now it’s time for a little magic. Perfecting the skill of latte art will come with practice (likely lots of it), but the basic steps are as follows:
- Take enough milk for one latte and stretch it from cold (warm it quickly so that it increases in volume) with the steam wand. Keep the steam 1cm above the surface of the milk until it reaches body temperature (about 80°F or 27°C).
- Insert the steam wand deep into the milk, and swirl the steam pitcher counterclockwise. Continue this until the milk reaches about 155°F, and then turn off the steam.
- Get your espresso pouring
- As your brew is filling into your cup, swirl the milk vigorously in the steam picture. If you see any bubbles, tap the pitcher on the counter a few times. Swirl the milk for about 25 seconds.
- Pour the milk directly into the center of your espresso. As the foam begins to rise back to the surface, begin to pour more slowly. When the cup is half full, start shaking the pouring milk back and forth while moving the picture towards yourself. This will create that signature flower/fern pattern that is quite common.
- You can vary your pattern by changing the way you move the steam pitcher as your pour. Want a heart? Shake it back and forth, as before, but don’t move the picture towards yourself.
- Enjoy your beautiful creation.
The key to making great latte art is practice. You may want to use water instead of milk for your first few attempts. After you do put in a little practice you’ll likely find that latte art really does bring out your inner barista!
by Andreanne Hamel of Do it yourself .com
Stovetop espresso makers produce an espresso with an extraction ratio similar to that of a conventional espresso machine. The bottom chamber contains the water. The middle chamber is a filterbasket and sits within the bottom chamber holding the ground coffee. The top chamber, with a metal filter, screws onto the bottom chamber. When the pot is heated on a stove, the pressure from the steam in the bottom chamber forces the water through a tube into the filter-basket, through the ground coffee, the metal filter, and it then funnels into the top chamber where the coffee is then ready to serve. Depending on bean variety and grind selection, stovetop espresso makers can create the same foam emulsion known as crema that conventional espresso machines can. They are commonly found in Italy, Spain and Portugal, and are known colloquially as moka pots, after an early trademark. They are also known as a macchinetta, Italian for “little machine”. They are also referred to as Spanish coffee makers, or cafeteras in Spanish.
Compliments of Wikipedia
Air-pressure driven handheld espresso machine
A handpresso is a small handheld high-pressure espresso machine. It works by pumping air at very high pressure (16 bar) into an intermediate chamber. Hot water is then poured into a small reservoir, which can contain hot water for one cup of espresso coffee (45ml). Ground coffee is inserted on top of the water reservoir and a portafilter is screwed on the top of the water reservoir. The machine is now turned around and the pressure from the intermediate chamber is released into the water reservoir. The high pressure forces the water through the coffee pod and into the cup, which is positioned underneath the device. When the desired amount of espresso coffee is brewed, the pressure is released from the water reservoir and the infusion process stops.
The advantages of the handpresso are that it can be used to make a real high-pressure espresso with the characteristic crema, wherever hot water is available. The Handpresso was invented and designed by Nielsen Innovation in 2006 and the first products were sold in 2007.
Compliments of Wikipedia
Variations
Semi-automatic, automatic, and super automatic
There are primarily three variations of Espresso machines, Semi-automatic, Automatic and Super Automatic. Here we will provide a brief description of each.
Machines which contain the addition of pumps, sensors, valves, and grinders to automate the brewing process generally are referred to as automatic.
- Semi-automatic machines are automatic in the sense water is delivered by a pump, rather than manual force and remaining brew pressure in the basket is dissipated with a three way valve.
- Automaticmachines add a flowmeter inline with the grouphead. When the programmed amount of water has flowed through the flowmeter, the pump is automatically turned off and brew pressure released through a three way solenoid valve.
- Super-automatic machines operate by automatically grinding the coffee, tamping it, and extracting; all an operator needs to do is fill the bean hopper, and if the machine is not connected to a water line, add water to a reservoir. Additionally, models contain an automated milk frothing and dispensing device.
Compliments of Wikipedia
Pump-driven Espresso Machine
A refinement of the piston machine is the pump-driven espresso machine, which has become the most popular design in commercial espresso bars. Instead of using manual force, a motor-driven pump provides the force necessary for espresso brewing. Commercial or some high-end home machines are often attached directly to the plumbing of the site; lower-end home machines have built-in water reservoirs.
Home (consumer-grade) pump espresso machines typically use a single chamber both for heating water to brewing temperature, and to boil water for steaming milk. Since the optimum temperature for brewing coffee is much less than the temperature for creating steam, the machine requires time to make the transition from one mode to the other. Commercial-grade and “semi-commercial” high end home espresso machines use the boiler chamber only for making steam. Water for brewing most commonly passes through a heat exchanger (taking some heat from the steam, without rising to the same temperature). In a few commercial espresso machines (notably La Marzocco), water for brewing is heated in a separate chamber.
Compliments of Wikipedia