Archive for May, 2009

I Want a Coffee Espresso Machine!

I am an avid coffee lover. What better way to enjoy coffee than by getting a coffee espresso machine? There are so many to choose from, the choice is bewildering. We can separate the various espresso machines into three categories.

The first category is what I like to call fully automatic. The fully automatic machine does everything for you. You load it with coffee, water, etc. and just push the button. The second category is partly automatic. This requires your intervention and some of the process is automated. The benefit to these type of machines is that they allow you to have more control over how you want the coffee extraction to go.

Last, but not least is the manual machine. This is my favorite. I don't need any automation, just give me a machine with a handle press and I'm ready to go!

Who makes a good coffee espresso machine? There are many specialty manufacturers and the price can go into the thousands of dollars. Even the mainstream coffee machine manufacturers have offerings that are reasonable.

Krups, Bosch, Capresso and others make great coffee machines. What are the features to look for? If we are talking fully automatic, it should have an integrated burr grinder, high-capacity bean hopper, high-wattage heater, high-pressure pump and automated cleaning cycles. It should also have an integrated frother for lattes.

If we are looking at the semi-automatic models, then look for high-quality components, large boilers, stainless steel components, high-quality portafilters, etc. The manual models are my favorite for many reasons. I like simplicity and quality.

Choose a model with stainless steel or chrome plated parts for maximum durability and minimal interaction with the coffee and water. I simply do not like any plastic components coming in contact with very hot water and/or the coffee. Plastic parts should be avoided if you are an avid espresso coffee fan.

If you are an avid coffee consumer and only the very best will do, then do yourself a favor and get the best coffee espresso machine that you can afford. The investment will be well worth it as you'll enjoy the very best espresso coffee for years to come.

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May 31 2009 | coffee | No Comments »

Coffee Espresso Machine – Gourmet Coffee At Home

Ever imagine what Starbucks would be like if it didn't have an espresso machine? The famous coffee spot just wouldn't seem the same. So, where did this machine originate from and who do we thank for this convenience of "foam" coffee? An espresso is nothing more then coffee that is brewed by mixing hot water with ground up coffee beans. Believe it or not, the coffee espresso machine has been in existence for almost 100 years.

A common misconception is that the first machine was invented in Italy. This is not the case, rather, in 1822, a French entrepreneur named Louis Bernard Rabaut first developed a fast coffee machine. This machine passed pressurized steam and water through a filter lined with coffee beans. In 1855, Mr. Edward Loy Sel de Santias took his newly developed full-size espresso machine to a Paris Exposition. While at the event he brewed "fast coffee" at a rate of 2,000 cups per hour.

Mr. Luigi Bezzera, an Italian, received a patent for his coffee machine in 1901. The machine used the same principle as Louis Rabaut's in the early 1800s. The machine was supposed to enable people to make fast foam coffee without the need of waiting 10 minutes for a cup of hot Joe.

The patent was later purchased by a gentleman of the name of Desiderio Pavoni in 1903. By 1905 he was manufacturing this foam coffee out of his self named company. Pavoni introduced his remodeled invention to America in 1927. Americans loved how fast they could now brew their coffee, but they hated the taste of the burnt beans.

The espresso machine evolved even further with the introduction of a piston pump that could force hot water through the coffee then boil it. This advancement was the much needed icing on the cake to make the coffee enjoyable to all those who partook in it.

M. Faema supplied the finishing element to the evolving espresso machine in 1961 by adding an electric pump which would change the way we drink coffee all together. With this advancement to the espresso machine the way was paved to have the machines introduced to households worldwide. In 1991, the first ever espresso machine was able to be purchased by ordinary households.

While you wait for your next cup of espresso, sit back and ponder on the marvelous vision the early inventors in order to create a seemingly simple cup of delicious coffee or latte. With that first sip, you'll come to appreciate their great effort and ingenuity.

In a world where things are so simple and fast paced. It's almost amazing to ponder about how the early pioneers who brought us foam coffee had such a struggle to do so. All their hard work and dedication however did pay off in the long run. Today people from all over the world can now take advantage of this great invention all in the comfort of their own home.

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May 30 2009 | coffee | 1 Comment »

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