Category: Coffee Tips

Although you can basically consider all espresso machines as professional, there are some that are truly known as a professional espresso machine, and if you are interested in buying a modern, durable, and long lasting machine, then the professional espresso machine is the one that you want to be looking for.

What is the Professional Espresso Machine?

Basically a professional espresso machine is any espresso machine that comes with ten or more features, and you can usually tell which is a professional espresso machine because it will typically be higher priced than the rest; basically after a professional espresso machine there is only the industrial espresso machine, and so it should not be too hard for you to distinguish between the choices overall.

Where can the Professional Espresso Machine be Used?

Basically this type of espresso machine can be used anywhere: the home, the office, the business; it is truly up to you in regards to where you bring it, but if you are planning on toting it around to several different places quite regularly then you will want to make sure that you choose a model that is not oversized, so that you do not have to be lugging a huge machine around with you every time.

There are in fact compact professional espresso machines that are available, and so if you are someone who moves around a lot then you will absolutely want to take a look at these and see if you think that they would work better for you overall. (more…)

Once you have delved into the world of fine coffee deeply enough to own your own espresso machine, there will come a time when you will begin to shop for espresso machine accessories. These little extras that you can use with your espresso maker can enhance the enjoyment of your coffee as well as making your hobby as an amateur barista more fun and interesting.

The first rule of thumb that you should keep in mind when shopping for espresso machine accessories is that the best accessories to select are those that are specifically designed to go with your espresso machine. Most manufacturers will provide a variety of espresso machine accessories to go with the machines that they offer. By selecting an accessory by the same company as your machine, you are guaranteed compatibility between the two pieces.

Different Accessories to Consider

If you are going to be serving your espresso in style, cups and demitasse stirrers will be a must as a part of your espresso machine accessories. A frothing pitcher is one of the first espresso machine accessories that you should consider if you are interested in serving up any types of coffee drinks beside straight espresso. Cappuccinos and lattes require a certain amount of steamed or frothed milk, and a frothing pitcher will guarantee that your milk is steamed properly before adding it to your coffee. You can also purchase a frothing thermometer to ensure that your steamed milk is the proper temperature every single time, and a timer to assist you with the process. (more…)

When buying an espresso machine in general, you need to consider certain factors before you actually make any sort of purchase, such as the fact of what type of features you want it to have; you certainly do not want to buy an appliance such as an espresso machine and then get it home and realize that it does not have all of the features that you wanted – or in the same case, you don’t want to pay more for a machine that has features that you don’t necessarily need.

The Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

The fully automatic espresso machine is certainly the espresso machine of wonder; it is the one espresso machine that comes with absolutely every feature possible, and so if you are someone who likes to have lots of buttons to push, or perhaps you are buying this espresso machine for the office or for somewhere extremely classy or where it will be used all the time, then the fully automatic espresso machine is a great choice.

Buying A Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

Once you have decided that the fully automatic espresso machine is right for you, then the next step is the process of you actually going out and buying it; you can either go to a store in person, or you can shop online, but either way you will first want to determine what the best makes and models are, so that you are not confused when you do go to actually purchase it, and as well so that you can save yourself time, effort, and money. (more…)

There may come a time in your life when you would like to own a home espresso machine. You are tired of having to go to Starbucks every time you get a craving for some, so you would rather just make it in the comforts of your own home at any hour of the day. That is indeed a possibility, as many espresso machine companies have produced home espresso machines for people that just cannot get enough of it.

Of course, it is not easy choosing what kind of machine to get as there are different brands that offer different product qualities and prices. You have to consider how much you are willing to pay to get the best espresso possible and that involves thinking about usage and the desire to clean the product. There are four main types of home espresso machines and each listed below has positive and negative attributes that will be discussed.

Pump Espresso Machines

A home espresso machine that is pump-powered can create some of the best espresso around. A pump is used to create the right amount of water pressure to create the best possible espresso. That comes at a bit of a cost though; a pump espresso machine can be very loud and bulky and these types of machines can be very expensive. Nonetheless, if you are not looking for an espresso machine that fits exactly with the theme of the kitchen and you are willing to spend a little extra to get a higher quality, then looking at a pump espresso machine may not be a bad idea.

Piston/Lever Espresso Machines

These espresso machines create pressure by using a manual lever and piston. This may seem like a hassle to some, as there are other types of espresso machines that allow the consumer to merely touch a button to create an espresso. This can seem time-consuming to some, but then again, other people like to feel that they know exactly what they are doing and can create a great espresso product. The quality of a piston/lever home espresso machine can vary obviously, and the maintenance and support for one of these products is less than a different model.  (more…)

Now that you’ve bought your own espresso maker, it’s time you learn on how to make Barista-level cappuccinos and lattes like they do at your local coffee shop. Nowadays, making the perfect cup is more of an art. So exactly how to those coffee experts achieve such levels of perfection? Well, one of the most important steps when making a rich and creamy cappuccino is knowing how to froth the milk. When done correctly, frothed milk contains microfoam which is rich, creamy and soft. Below I’ve outlined the procedure to have you on your way to making frothy drinks that will leave your friends puzzled and speechless.

What You Need to Know?

Before we begin, a couple of basics to help you on your journey
• Non-fat or skimmed milk will easily produce the largest foam and thus is the easiest to froth. Despite this, due to lack of fat, the froth produced it light and not as rich in taste as that made from whole milk. It is highly recommended for beginners.
• Organic milk, lactose free milk and soy milk do not froth as well as other milk types. This is because of the difference in the pasteurization process.
• Fresh cold milk is key to a good froth. Make sure you use milk that’s not over 5 days old.
• The optimum temperature for frothing is about 150-155°F. Milk proteins are broken down at about 170°F.

Requirements

Like any other form of art, we require a set of tools. Luckily, if you are reading this, then you most certainly have most of them. (more…)