Coffee Guide

Espresso machines come in hundreds of varieties ? there are the simplest candle driven models to the very high technology, dual thermostat and multiple-chamber machines you see in today?s cafes. Despite these complexities, espresso machines have very basic cores ? they are either steam- or pump- driven.

Types of espresso machines

Steam espresso machines. These are the simplest kinds of espresso machines, as they work by pressure. How exactly do they work? Water boils in an airtight container below the machine. The water becomes steam, and then forces its way through the coffee grounds, and eventually into a coffee cup.

There are different types of steam espresso machines ?the stovetop version and the electric version. They work on the same principle, except that the stovetop machine only relies on the heat of the stove to produce steam, while the electric version uses an electric coil to heat the water.

Pump espresso machines. Pump espresso machines do not wait for the water to heat up and become steam. They pump the water through the coffee at a temperature that is a little cooler. Coffee experts say that pump espresso machines create more superior espresso than the steam machines, provided they are used correctly.

There are different types of pump espresso machines. There is the electronic pump that most modern coffee houses use. They are very accurate, because you can calibrate the temperature according to your liking. There are also pump espresso machines with manual levers. It takes a lot of skill to master this type of machine, so don?t invest in one unless you have a ?barista? background. For the less gifted, the automatic pump is the way to go. It does virtually everything by itself ? it grinds the coffee beans, tamps and pumps.

Espresso provides detailed information on Espresso, Espresso Machines, Espresso Equipment, Gourmet Espresso Coffee Gifts and more. Espresso is affiliated with Best Espresso Machines.

Gourmet espresso beans make excellent gifts for all occasions, especially if your recipient is a certified coffee lover. But how do you choose what gourmet espresso coffee bean to give when you know nothing about coffee? This crash course should help you.

Choose the best: Arabica beans

Arabica beans are all the rage in the coffee world, because of their distinct flavor, strong aroma and high caffeine kick. The best Arabica beans are grown in countries like Costa Rica, where the climate, weather and soil are ideal for growing superior coffee beans. Choose only Arabica espresso beans that are cultivated in volcanic soil, because experts agree that they have the richest and, at the same time, the most delicate flavor.

What are the characteristics of good gourmet espresso coffee gifts?

The key to excellent gourmet espresso is striking a balance between three things ? bitterness (sometimes referred to as acidity), consistency (it has to have smooth and fine body) and aroma (strong and seductive). Find these characteristics in the gourmet espresso gift you give, and your recipient will surely be unable to stop thanking you.

Why should I buy gourmet espresso coffee as gifts?

Gourmet espresso beans are not only ?safe? and ?classy? gifts, they are also very versatile. If your recipient does not particularly like espresso or does not know how to make it, the beans can easily be turned into a less complicated cappuccino, or even a latte. The possibilities are endless.

How much will it cost?

A good bag of gourmet espresso will set you back about $40, give or take a few dollars. Wrap it in a fancy clear or opaque paper and tie a ribbon around it, and you instantly have a very elegant gift for any occasion.

Espresso provides detailed information on Espresso, Espresso Machines, Espresso Equipment, Gourmet Espresso Coffee Gifts and more. Espresso is affiliated with Best Espresso Machines.

Espresso has long captivated coffee lover around the world. It is actually a type of coffee prepared with a special espresso machine and made from finely ground coffee beans. Espresso is taken in ?shots? ? a straight shot is about one to one and thee fourths ounces. Most espressos are topped with cream. Espresso is usually poured directly into the cup used to serve it.

Origins of the espresso

Espresso roots back to old Italy, as its name, Italian for ?express,? implies. The brewing involved in producing espresso has four steps. The first is ?macinazione,? which refers to the grinding process. The second is ?miscela,? which is the name for the produced coffee blend. The miscela then goes into the ?macchina,? or the espresso machine, and is finally produced and poured by the ?mano? that refers to the trained barista?s hand.

Espresso is an art

Coffee experts agree that the ability to prepare the perfect cup of espresso takes years to acquire. In fact, it is so complicated that it is considered an art form. Baristas are trained extensively, so that they can make superior espresso.

What is a perfect cup?

Espresso is characterized by exceptional sweetness, smoothness and thickness. The perfect cup also maintains a strong aroma and the character of freshly-ground coffee flavor. The perfect espresso leaves a superior aftertaste minutes after drinking.

The best espressos are made with only the finest coffee beans from Brazil, Panama, Mexico and Peru. These beans all have distinct bitterness, consistency and aftertaste. Usually, only trained baristas and active coffee lovers are able to balance espresso?s acidity, but there are a lot of self-help books and Internet tips available for those who want to try. The grinding process of espresso is complicated as well. If you over grind, you lose the flavor. The recommended grinding duration is very quick, usually around 25 to 28 seconds.

Espresso provides detailed information on Espresso, Espresso Machines, Espresso Equipment, Gourmet Espresso Coffee Gifts and more. Espresso is affiliated with Best Espresso Machines.

Making espresso is more difficult than making regular coffee, and you need special espresso equipment if you like a shot or two every morning. But with all the espresso machines on the market, picking one out can be quite daunting. What features should you look for in an espresso equipment? These tips should help you out.

Features that all espresso equipment should have

Cup warmers and hot water dispensers. This might sound a bit too simplistic, but this simple (and often overlooked feature) can help you keep coffee warm during a hectic morning. Cup warmers are usually right on top of the machine. Just place your cup, and you?ll always have warm coffee. The same is true for hot water dispensers that can really save you a lot of time, because you never have to lug out the kettle whenever you want a warm drink.

Easy to use controls. Your espresso machine should be equipped with ?strength controls? that let you manage how much water and grounds you want to use for each pull. This is a must for true blue espresso lovers, because you can more accurately create the precise espresso you want.

Water filters. Invest in an espresso machine that has fitted water filters that sift out iron or chlorine from the tap water you use to make coffee. This s a very useful (and sensible) feature, although it can be quite difficult to maintain, because you need to clean or replace it regularly.

Finally, frothing wands or canisters. Your espresso machine should definitely have frothing wands if you like to make lattes and cappuccinos. Some higher-end espresso equipment actually has a whole canister for milk.

Espresso provides detailed information on Espresso, Espresso Machines, Espresso Equipment, Gourmet Espresso Coffee Gifts and more. Espresso is affiliated with Best Espresso Machines.