Creating your own Espresso Bar At Home

Have you recently given in to your long standing desire to have your very own espresso machine at home? Congratulations! If you set yourself up with a few key accessories you should enjoy brewing your own delights for many years.

The first add-ons that you need to get are your espresso making tools and at the top of this list is the espresso coffee grinder. Low end grinders use a blade to grind up the coffee beans and they do a fine job for course grounds. Burr grinders are higher quality grinders and they do a much better job when you need finer grinds for espresso. The blade grinders can also burn the coffee beans if they are used for a long time to make finer grinds.

An espresso tamper is a necessity and you probably got one with your espresso machine. A new tamper can be a nice upgrade if yours is a poorly made model (most that come with espresso machine are poor quality). Make sure the new tamper you are getting fits the opening well and beyond that get one that feels good to you.

A steaming and frothing pitcher rounds out your arsenal of espresso making tools. Many espresso drinks call for steamed milk or frothed milk or both. For example a Cappuccino is made with roughly equal portions of espresso, steamed milk and frothed milk. A 12 oz. pitcher is appropriate for home use but you can also get them twice as large if needed.

Espresso cups are one of the accessories where you can go a little crazy. Many cup and saucer sets come with unique art designs on them and can become very collectible. Other options are espresso glasses and stainless steel espresso glasses. Both the glass and stainless models typically have a double walled design to help retain the heat of your drink for as long as possible. Latte cups are usually 6-12 oz for larger espresso drinks.

Along with the espresso cups you will want to add espresso spoons. Just like with espresso cups versus latte cups, there are latte spoons to match to your cups. Some of these spoons can be quite elaborate in their construction while others are plain.

You will also need to have some espresso recipes for all of the different espresso drinks you can make. A good coffee recipe book will get you hundreds of options to choose from.

Flavors come next and there are LOTs to choose from. Although there are flavored powders (ex: chocolate, mocha, etc) most flavors are added as syrup. There are dozens of flavors of syrup and they range from the perennial favorite of chocolate to seasonal flavors such as pumpkin.

Actually your options for accessorizing your new espresso machine are nearly endless. Add new items when they make sense to you and you will enjoy brewing your own home made espresso drinks for a long time.

Espresso cup are a good present idea for your favorite coffee afficianado and espresso shot glass might be an alternative present for your adventurous drinking friends.

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December 02 2009 | coffee | No Comments »

Espresso Cups: Quick Guide for Coffee Lovers

Are you a loyal coffee lover? What better way to energize yourself every morning than sipping a cup of coffee. Coffee has the power to boost your mood and make yourself active the entire day, thanks to its unique aroma and taste. Besides the quality and kind of coffee you're drinking, the kind of cup you're using can make your coffee experience even better. If you like drinks with strong flavors such as espresso, then you'll enjoy it all the more if you drink it in espresso cups.

Also known as demitasse cup, an espresso cup is a very small cup that can hold two to three ounces of liquid. Its size is ideal for holding an espresso shot. Why use a cup made exclusively for espresso when any kind of cup will do? Coffee still tastes like coffee no matter where you put it-in a teacup, mug, or even paper cup. However, using an espresso cup can make a big difference when drinking coffee. It also serves both aesthetic and functional purposes.

Typical cups for espresso are good at maintaining the heat of your drink for hours, meaning you can have your espresso steaming for a long time while you're having a business meeting or a casual meeting with your friends at home.

Coming in various designs, an espresso cup can make your coffee drinking a very exciting daily habit. Also, you'll love serving your guests with your special blend of espresso when it's served in stylish espresso cups.

Espresso cups are made of different materials to suit every coffee lover's taste. You can choose from cups made of ceramic, stainless steel, and glass, among others.

The most widely used cup is the ceramic espresso cup. You can pick a set of ceramic cups with either classic designs or beautiful art prints or paintings. If you prefer elaborate designs for your ceramic cup, your choices include Dutch blue, Italian, and Victorian styles.

Stainless steel espresso cups are for those who favor functionality over appearance. Cups made of stainless steel are becoming popular, as they can keep coffee hot even if you leave it for quite a while.

You may want to get an espresso cup made of glass, which is available in different colors and accents such as chrome-plated handles.

Whatever material of espresso cups you select, ensure that you get only the best ones. Also, make sure that the cups you'll purchase have excellent features such as durability, fade resistance, and double layering for keeping liquids hot for a long time.

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May 27 2009 | espresso | No Comments »