Espresso Xpert


Nov 11 2008

Espresso Machines

Published by Jennifer

spacer If you were to look at coffee makers and espresso machines in particular, you will be overwhelmed by the many features that are offered in them. They have automatic brews, time sets, water temperatures and a variety of other features. At times, espresso machines seem to be more fully-loaded than some cars.

But it is very important to find an espresso machine that is fully loaded if you are going to get a good cup of espresso. You can’t look for the inexpensive machine since the espresso that machine will put out will make engine oil look like a better beverage. Instead, if you are serious about owning an espresso machine, you should be prepared to put out a little bit of extra cash for a great machine.

If you are planning on purchasing your own espresso machine, there are a few things that you should make sure your machine has. If it doesn’t have everything on this list, then look you should keep looking.

Magic comes from the wand:

Every good fairy godmother has a magic wand to do her “bippity, boppity, boop,” and a good espresso machine should have a great wand too. Of course, the wand in question is a steam wand but it is an item where magic is made since the steamed milk is just as important as the coffee.

What you need to look at is what type of power the steam wand has. If it is fairly weak, then you should just pass the machine aside.

spacer Beauty is in the strength of the beholder:

Just like everyone has a different view on what beauty is, so do they have a different view on what a good cup of espresso is. Some people like their espressos strong, others a little weaker. Purchase an espresso machine that allows you to change the amount of water (and grounds on some machines) that you use with each cup.

Moisture is key:

If you have watched any commercials, you have probably seen something on moisturizing. We are constantly being told to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize and your espresso machine is no different. You should look for a machine that moistens your coffee grounds before you pull your shot of espresso. This results in the perfect cup of espresso with the best aroma around.

Clean, clear and refreshing water:

Yes, you will add water to many of the machines but you should check to see if your espresso machine has a built in filter. Trust me; espresso is so much better if your machine filters out all the nasty stuff found in regular tap water. This includes iron and chlorine.

We all need a little warmth:

Having a feature as simple as a cup warmer on your espresso machine can add so much to your espresso and you will love this feature.

Don’t fear the pods:

I know there was a horrible movie at one time involving pod people but you no longer need to fear the pod. Instead, pods, which are little discs of pre-packed coffee grounds, can make creating a shot of espresso much easier and cleaner. Make sure your espresso machine can use pods before you purchase it.

Fully loaded means all the extras:

You don’t really need to have a coffee bean grinder but if you want the ease of making great espresso built right into your machine, I would recommend a built in coffee bean grinder. When your machine has a grinder, it will grind just enough coffee beans for the perfect cup of fresh espresso.

There are other features that you can find in an espresso machine but it is important to make sure that the model that you are purchasing has an excellent wand, strength controls and a moistener. Everything else will just make your espresso that much better.

-Sirena Van Schaik

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