Finding The Best Espresso Machine
Your very own espresso machine has been on your wish list for a while now. You are finally set to buy one. The appeal of enjoying your own magnificent cappuccino and latte or drawing straight espresso shots at home is strong. With a budget in mind, you set out to find the best espresso machine. You soon realize by researching different machines that there are just too many options and the decision becomes a lot more difficult to make than you anticipated it would be. Prices range from $50 to $10,000 and the choices in feature are equally diverse. There isplenty of data at hand, in fact possibly too much, and it all seems quite inconsistent. Finding the best espresso machine isn’t really all that difficult
So just what is the best espresso machine and how do you settle on which one to buy without dependence on unreliable reviews from questionable sources? In order to reach an intelligent decision you must first understand the actual process of making espresso. Understand this and you will gain a whole new appreciation for the functions and features built into each machine. You can then focus on the “must have” features and work within your budget to select the remaining features.
So on to the chemistry lesson. Don’t worry. This is going to be painless. To produce espresso, finely ground coffee that has been tightly packed into a small chamber has hot water forced through it under pressure. That sounds simple enough. Doesn’t it?
Just know that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts here. A series of factors have to come together for the finished product to approach the glorious result found in the best coffee bars and cafes. Roast, grind, tamp, pressure, time and temperature all play a role in the outcome. Since we’re discussing machines here, we’ll set the roast, grind and tamp aside for a later discussion.
The greatest influence imposed by the machine is over water temperature, the amount of pressure and the extraction time. Therefore, these are your “must have” features and you should consider them first when determining the best espresso machine. If you want great performance from your espresso machine, look for:
Time – The extraction should take about 25 to 30 seconds.
Pressure – A minimum of 9 to 13 bar pressure is required.
Temperature – the water should be about 95 degrees C during extraction.
Find machines within your budget that perform to these standards before deciding which is the best espresso machine for you. Lower priced machines frequently fail to meet these minimum requirements, especially where pressure and extraction time are concerned. You cannot develop a crema (the top layer of reddish-brown foam) without sufficient pressure. If you don’t have crema, you just don’t have espresso.
You will end up with a shot that is too strong or too weak if the extraction time and temperature are not correct. The operator (that’s you) is responsible for grind and tamping and it is true that these also have a substantial effect on the extraction. Still, if the machine doesn’t deliver on temperature and time the most skilled barista in the world won’t get acceptable results. As you might expect there is a direct connection between price and the machine’s capacity to handle these and other factors.The machine’s capabilities beyond these three important factors are technically speaking, a matter of convenience. However, certain additional features will have a major bearing on your overall satisfaction with the machine and your willingness to use it on a regular basis. For more on the best espresso machines, visit http:www.homegourmetcoffee.com.
