By Jenni Gregory
An espresso maker is an investment, but if you are a serious espresso lover, the initial expenditure will pay off handsomely in the long term. Not only will you not have to go anywhere to get your espresso fix, if you indulge in the brew regularly, the machine will soon pay for itself. There are so many of these machines on the market, though, how do you know which one is right for you?
What is Espresso?
Created in Milan, Italy in the early years of the twentieth century, this traditional Italian coffee is normally served in 2-ounce shots. The thick, strong espresso is topped by the crema, a foamy froth generated by the brewing process. Coffee beans used to make espresso have been roasted longer than normal so they release their oils more readily. They are then ground to a fine powder.
Your espresso maker will shoot out water that is about 195 degrees Fahrenheit (90 degrees Centigrade) using pressure to push it through the freshly ground coffee. The coffee oils are pushed out and blended to create a liquid that is thick and rich. The amount of pressure behind the water, the type of beans and the way the beans are ground can all affect the taste of the espresso.
Types of Espresso Makers
The simplest and least expensive espresso makers are the stove top models that use the power of steam and pumpless electric machines. The pumpless electric models normally come with a steam wand, allowing you to froth the milk so you can enjoy cappuccinos, lattes, and other espresso favorites.
Manual lever machines can be tricky, but are often favored by espresso aficionados. Instead of using steam or a pump to force the water through the beans, you use a large, metal handle to perform the action. This is probably the most challenging type of machine to use and to create a consistently good brew, but the experts adore it.
Electric pump machines are becoming one of the most popular type of espresso makers in both the commercial and home markets. This type of machine usually lets you choose the exact temperature you want your water and the amount of force you want to use when pushing that water through the coffee beans.
The ultimate espresso makers, however, are super automatic pump machines. They do it all, from grinding the beans, tamping the coffee into a puck and in some cases, like the awesome DeLonghi Magnifica, even clean themselves. Wouldn't it be sweet to find a DeLonghi Espresso Maker sitting on your counter the next time you're craving a perfect espresso shot?
Whichever type machine you choose, do your homework first, then sit back, relax and enjoy your espresso.
Jenni is a coffee aficionado and enjoys a fantastic shot of espresso from time to time. If you share her love of espresso and coffee, you'll want to investigate the Delonghi Magnifica - one of the best Delonghi espresso makers in the world.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jenni_Gregory
http://EzineArticles.com/?Choosing-the-Right-Espresso-Maker&id=3933523
No comments:
Post a Comment