| Most people who love specialty coffee drinks | | | | grinder. The beans are ground for each |
| eventually purchase an espresso maker. With a | | | | individual cup. This results in more flavour |
| good one, you can make all your favourite | | | | from the oils inside the beans. The drink |
| drinks in the comfort of your own kitchen and | | | | will taste fresh with this feature.Milk |
| try out a new recipe or two. Since this is a | | | | FrotherFor cappuccino or latte drinks, you |
| large investment, you should spend some time | | | | will need a frother. This can either be a |
| learning about these machines before you buy. | | | | frothing wand or a separate milk container. |
| Learn about the features available and then | | | | More expensive models have a container.Pod |
| read some reviews to find the best machine | | | | CompatiblePods are small packets that consist |
| for your home.Common Types of Espresso | | | | of a filter material on the outside and |
| MakerManual Espresso MakersManual machines | | | | ground beans on the inside. The pods are pre |
| require you to do all the work. You measure | | | | measured for one cup. Just put the pod in the |
| and grind the beans, tamp the grounds and | | | | machine and brew your coffee. Most people |
| brew the coffee. These are the least | | | | either love the pods for the convenience or |
| expensive machines. Some avid espresso | | | | hate them and lament the bitter taste.Water |
| drinkers will only use a manual machine.Semi | | | | FilterSome of the more expensive machines |
| Automatic MachinesSemi automatics do some of | | | | have a built in water filter to remove |
| the work for you. You adjust the water | | | | chlorine or other chemicals from the water |
| temperature and pressure. Grind and tamp the | | | | prior to brewing. These are mostly carbon |
| beans and the machine will do the rest. They | | | | filters. If your water is heavily |
| are more expensive than a manual machine, but | | | | chlorinated, you will notice the difference |
| much more affordable than a fully automatic | | | | with a built in filter.Cup WarmerA cup warmer |
| model. These machines are a good first | | | | keeps the cup warm before brewing. This |
| cappuccino maker.Automatic MachinesAutomatic | | | | results in a hotter drink. This feature is |
| machines do the whole job for you. All you | | | | usually located on the top of the machine.Hot |
| need to do is add the water and the beans. | | | | Water DispenserSome machines have a separate |
| With the touch of one button, you will have a | | | | valve for dispensing hot water. This feature |
| great cup of your favourite java drink.Super | | | | is great for making tea or hot chocolate. |
| Automatic MachinesSuper automatics do | | | | Most machines used in commercial |
| everything from grinding and tamping the | | | | establishments have this feature.Some Other |
| beans to the finished product. They pre | | | | Things to Considero Steel or brass machines |
| infuse the beans with water for more flavour | | | | are best. Some people detect an aftertaste |
| than other machines. The entire process is | | | | with aluminium machines.o Look at the pump |
| faster than regular automatics. These | | | | pressure on home coffee makers. More powerful |
| machines are often found in restaurants and | | | | pumps work will with finer grounds. You |
| coffee bars.Great Espresso Maker FeaturesThe | | | | should have a minimum of 14 bars or more for |
| features vary from machine to machine. When | | | | pump pressure.o Look for a removable water |
| comparing two models, look at the features | | | | tank. This is easier for cleaning or emptying |
| included with each to determine which will | | | | and will prevent stagnant water from |
| suit your needs better.Bean GrinderMore | | | | collecting at the bottom of the tank. |
| expensive machines often have a built in | | | | |