Espresso Machines

Gourmet Espresso beans are commonly referred to as oily dark roasted beans however, in reality there is no such thing as espresso beans or espresso roast. Espresso coffee is achieved by blending a variety or beans as well as special roasts with the objective of creating the best possible tasting espresso. As no two blends are exactly the same, achieving this goal can be a challenge.

Depending upon what espresso beverages the blend will be used for the choice will vary. Espresso coffee used in milk based drinks such as cappuccino or lattes will possess different characteristics than a blend of coffee used for a true espresso to be drunk without any additives. The milk based espresso beverages must have an unique aroma that will balance its full flavor and be enjoyed when blended with milk based froth.

Many roasters will have their own signature blends of espresso with strictly guarded formulas. Since individual palates are unique, it is best to sample different espresso gourmet coffee blends until you find one that is suitable to your taste.

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.

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.

Throughout your travels, you might see a coffee shop or espresso house on every corner. You may be tempted  to stop and order your drink, but the cost, the lines, and the inconsistency from location to location can be quite frustrating. There must be a easier and more cost efficient  way to get your espresso coffee the way you want it without the hassle. The answer is easier than you may think.

Considering your own espresso maker to brew espresso coffee at home has many advantages for espresso lovers. You can eliminate your daily trip through the drive through or fighting off crowds at your local cafe without giving up delicious, fresh brewed espresso. There are many good reasons for owning your own espresso maker, but when financial times are hard, savings can be substantial and a pretty big incentive.

Stopping at the local cafe or drive thru every day and spending a meer $3 will cost you more than $1000 per year. Should you have an adventurous palate and you order larger or more exotic coffee beverages and you could be spending 4, 5, or even 6 dollars per day. Purchasing your own espresso machine can result in an average cost per cup for as little as 50 cents. Even brewing twice or more a day, you could be saving more than $700 / $800  per year.

If you’re like me, you are happy with the thought of saving money. But, if you don’t have experience brewing your own specialty espresso coffee, you might begin to question whether those savings will leave you with a bad flavored, or weak espresso. Making a onetime investment in a quality espresso maker means you can learn to master brewing your own beans and take pride in providing yourself with delicious gourmet coffee drinks, not to mention your family and friends.

Once you’ve learned the basics of making espresso, you can then focus on the more complex coffee beverages that require somewhat more skill for brewing quality coffee beverages. Brewing specialty coffee at home give you control over the outcome of your beverage. You can customize your coffee drinks in unlimited ways.

You not only control the flavor, you also control the ingredients and their source. Free trade, organic, and local products are important to more and more people today. When you use your own espresso maker to brew at home, you can create a truly gourmet drink while maintaining any dietary or ethical guidelines that are important to you.

Making your own specialty coffee at home and choosing the beans and other quality ingredients means you can educate yourself further on brewing espresso coffee beverages. You have the ability to explore beans from different parts of the world and cultures as well as experiment with a variety of roasts.  You’ll be able to brew multiple types and blends of beans and directly compare them without having to spend $15 , $20 or more  for cups at a coffee shop.

Another advantage of owning your own espresso maker is sharing your love of gourmet, fresh brewed coffee. With such a low cost per cup, you’ll be able to serve delicious beverages to friends, family, and guests without worrying about breaking the bank. For the same price you previously paid a barista to make one cup of brewed espresso coffee, you can share with your entire dinner party while also showing off your newly acquired knowledge and skill.

Entertaining can be fun, but let’s not forget one of the best parts of owning your own espresso machine. Fresh brewed, hot gourmet coffee in your own home on a lazy weekend morning is now a reality. Enjoy your espresso in your slippers while you relax. You’ll never have to worry about  leaving for work early every day to stop for your morning java. Not only will you be saving time and money, but you’ll be enjoying espresso coffee exactly as you like it.

Whether you want to impress your guests or family with fresh,brewed gourmet coffee or treat yourself without leaving the comfort of your home, buying your own espresso machine is a great solution. With a new espresso machine in your kitchen, you can have your espresso and drink it too.

Gourmet Coffee is best served when fresh. In fact, it is at its height of freshness within a week to ten days of being roasted. Any time beyond this the beans start losing aroma and freshness.

You would think that the coffees you find at the supermarkets are the freshest possible. Guess again! This is not really true as most of them are roasted and ground at least a couple of months before their sale. After the many months of processing, packing and shipping, and setting on a grocer’s shelf you would not want to bet that the coffee in your hands is still fresh. You could, however, get around this predicament. By purchasing whole roasted gourmet coffee beans and grind your own coffee beans prior to brewing your espresso or coffee beverage.

By purchasing your gourmet coffee online from a reputable roaster you get access to the most freshly roasted coffee and express coffee delivery. Maximize these two features and you will get the freshest of all coffees and in record time too. Imagine getting your gourmet coffee within a few days from the time it is roasted. You can then grind your gourmet beans when you need them at just the right potions.

Be aware that the finer you grind your coffee, the more intense the taste and aroma. This is essential to product a quality shot of espresso. However, all depends on personal preference and how you strong you prefer your gourmet coffee beverage. With some experimentation it is quite easy to adjust your grind and strength of coffee to achieve just the right flavor and taste for that rewarding cup of gourmet coffee and that long awaited caffeine rush.

By storing your gourmet coffee in an air tight container in the freezer keeps them fresh for a longer period of time. Coffee beans should never be left around at room temperature as this hastens their loss of aroma and freshness. Using them as needed from your freezer unquestionably extends the shelf life of the beans.