Best espresso machines that make the perfect cup
Are you tired of making sour or salty espresso coffee? This guide will help you make better espresso coffee in no time.
Espresso machines make the dream of every coffee aficionado come true. The machine is used to brew coffee at high temperatures and pressure. It forces highly pressurized and heated water through a leveled puck of ground coffee and filters to produce a rich type of coffee often described as the expresso.
The espresso maker is one of the best inventions of the 1900s. Many espresso makers exist, but they have similar components like the group head and portafilter. Home espresso machines designed to help users attain certain coffee styles and flavors, such as cappuccino and coffee latte, also come with the hot water spot or nozzle.
How does an espresso machine work?
The espresso machine comprises the group head, steam arm, hot water nozzle, and portafilter.
- The group head is where the water flows through the coffee.
- The steam arm is used for heating and frothing milk.
- The hot water spout or nozzle is used for dispensing hot water.
- Finely ground coffee is placed into the portafilter.
To make an espresso coffee, you need an espresso machine. Firstly, you need to grind the coffee in a coffee grinder and measure the amount of ground coffee you need for your coffee shot. Then, you tamp the ground coffee. Tamping is leveling the coffee in the portafilter. Lock the filled portafilter into the machine. In less than half a minute, your bean juice is ready. You can choose to take your shot that way or make a latte coffee using steamed milk. Either way, the choice is yours.
The presence of the crema and good taste signifies that your coffee shot is perfect. Note that the lower temperature produces an acidic flavor while higher temperatures produce a bitter taste.
Unlike filter coffee, espresso coffee is thicker and more consistent in richness than filter coffee. A shot of espresso coffee can be divided into the heart, body, and creme. The heart is the foremost, thickest and darkest layer of espresso coffee. It is identified as dark brown and bitter.
The body is the middle layer of the espresso coffee shot. It has a lesser solid component and a characteristic caramel brown color. The crema embodies the magic of espresso coffee. It is responsible for the lovely aroma you perceive at the coffee shop or whenever you make an espresso banger at home.
Which espresso coffee machine is best?
The coffee machines recommended below are strictly automatic.
Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine
Price: $607.19
Breville Barista Express is the secret tool used by professional Baristas to create artful espresso coffee. The automatic espresso coffee machine is with a built-in coffee grinder, steam wand, and full espresso coffee maker all in one machine. You don’t have to grind your coffee elsewhere and steam your milk on another machine.
Pros
- Take charge of the size, texture, and dose of ground coffee that builds the foundation for your coffee shot.
- Offers a balanced taste through the balanced and gradual pressurization of the water in the reservoir.
- Comes with an in-built coffee grinder.
- Steam your milk for your latte coffee.
- Makes the best espresso coffee.
Cons
- Build quality is not so durable.
- Expensive.
- The paint used on the drip tray chips easily.
Breville BES500BSS Bambino Plus Espresso Machine
Price: $628.32
Breville Bambino Plus is the perfect espresso machine for beginners. Unlike semi-automatic espresso machines, this automatic device allows beginners to determine the texture, taste, and richness of their espresso coffee from the start. With features such as digital temperature control, auto-purge, and dose control, beginners with no previous barista skills can make the best espresso coffee.
Pros
- The auto-purge feature lets the espresso machine cool to ensure the next coffee is at the right temperature.
- Regulate the temperature and pressure at which your coffee is ready.
- Determine the texture of your coffee powder beforehand.
- Automate the coffee-making process according to your standards.
- Perfect for beginners.
Cons
- Lacks hot water dispenser.
- Not for professional Baristas.
- Not-so-good portafilter.
Calphalon BVCLECMP1 Temp iQ Espresso Machine with Steam Wand
Price: $349.99
The Calphalon expresso machine provides all you need to get your espresso coffee ready. It comes with a detachable 2L water reservoir, making it easy to prepare double shots of espresso without refilling. Perfectly designed for beginners and professionals alike.
Pros
- The dial interface is easy to use.
- Regulate the temperature using the thermoblock heating feature.
- Achieve the creme layer using the 15-bar Italian pump designed with the espresso machine.
- Pack enough ground coffee into the 58mm portafilter.
Cons
- Beware the sharp cleaning pin oriented at the drain area, as it can injure you.
Gevi Espresso Machines 20 Bar Fast Heating Automatic Cappuccino
Price: $139.99
Gevi espresso machine is by far the most affordable espresso machine on our list. It comes with an LED display that helps you determine the cup measurement of your coffee content, whether one cup or two cups.
Pros
- Quite affordable.
- Adjust the temperature at which your espresso coffee is ready using two temperature controls.
- Steam your milk for latte or cappuccino using the steam wand.
- Attain the crema layer using the 20-bar pressure system.
Cons
- The mesh cup retains content it’s to dispense.
Espresso Machines vs. Coffee Machines
Ways of making coffee drinks differ depending on the type of coffee maker of use. Drip coffee and espresso coffee are from the drip coffee maker and espresso coffee machine. However, drip coffee, aka brewed coffee, can be made using a coffee filter, percolator, or French pass.
Espresso coffee is thicker than other forms of coffee because of dissolved solid substances. And if you want the creme effects, you would have to stick to the espresso coffee.
Espresso coffee contains more caffeine per unit volume compared to drip caffeine. However, the content gotten from the espresso process could be smaller yet thicker than that of the drip coffee.
The regular coffee machine is what is in most households, thanks to its ease of use and minimal maintenance effort.
The coffee machine sacrifices quality for convenience. All you need to brew drip coffee is to fill it with coffee grounds and fill the reservoir with water. In less than 10 minutes, your coffee is ready. While some coffee machines may offer automated options, the usual drip coffee is likely. Another benefit is the price.
Espresso machines are costlier than the drip alternative.
The Espresso machine is the darling of every coffee aficionado. Its use is a science and an art that can only be through patience and consistency. Espresso machines are in two groups: automatic and semi-automatic. If you are the type that demands complete control over espresso-making, the semi-automatic espresso machine is your best go-to.
Still, if you want a hand-free coffee creation process, the automatic alternative is best for you. Using the espresso machine is unmatched by the regular drip machine. The espresso machines give you greater coffee quality and appealing aesthetics.
However, you have to learn the process and design your style of making espresso coffee. Do you ever wonder why most coffee shops create different coffee tastes even though they use the same things? Style makes the difference.
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Final Thoughts
When choosing an espresso machine, consider the quality of the espresso coffee you want and don’t let the price be a limiting factor. Go for the best.
