Coffee Espresso Machine: Tips for Buying the Perfect One for You - By: Damen Choy

You settle into your favorite chair, at your favorite table by the window, holding your warm cappuccino. You savor the aroma and admire the frothy, foamy peak your barista brought to life. Ahhh... and it's quiet. Nobody's around. No noisy people chatting on their cell phones, no boisterous chatter, no piped-in music.

And here's the best part: your car keys are sitting on your dresser, and you're still in your pajamas. That skillful barista who made the perfect foam on your cappuccino? That was you. You've created your own quaint little cafe right here at home, with your very own coffee espresso machine.

Think this is a dream? Think again! There is a wide variety of espresso machines on the market that are made especially for home use, ranging from very basic and affordable, right up to the same machines used by professional baristas.

However, before you rush into investing in a coffee espresso machine, take some time to do your homework and consider your needs and preferences. How often do you plan to make espresso drinks at home? How often to you also drink drip coffee? (Some machines have dual brewing capabilities.) How important is the milk frothing capability to you? Think about whether you have this type of preferences this will help you narrow down the possibilities.

Also consider any preferences you may have about how your espresso drinks are made. For instance, my favorite part of an espresso shot is the crema - that's the caramel-colored, creamy foam that forms on a perfectly pulled shot. Since transferring the espresso from a shot glass to a coffee mug wastes some of the crema (it sticks to the sides of the shot glasses), I prefer a coffee espresso machine that is tall enough to fit the whole mug, thereby capturing the entire shot in my drink.

Here are the basic types of coffee espresso machines on the market:

Pump Coffee Espresso Machine

This is the highest-end but most expensive type of machine to buy. The pump coffee espresso machine is so called because they use a pump to keep the water pressure at the appropriate level, which produces the best and most consistent shot of espresso. These machines are primarily made for commercial use, and are usually very large, heavy, and noisy, but can be used at home.

About the Piston Coffee Espresso Machine

Piston machines use a piston or lever system to manually maintain the optimum pressure required for a great shot of espresso. This type of coffee espresso machine requires little maintenance, and is a lot less noisy than the pump machines. However, sometimes they require a lot of effort to keep the pressure at the right level, and it may take some practice to get the timing down. But if you're willing to experiment and work out the process, you'll be rewarded by a great shot, and a sense of accomplishment.

Steam Coffee Espresso Machine

The steam coffee espresso machine is typically smaller, easily accessible and relatively affordable, and it uses heat to produce steam instead of a pump or piston to create the pressure. While the lower prices are definitely an advantage for steam machines, if you're very particular about the quality of your espresso shots, you may find that the steam does not always produced the optimum pressure for the best tasting coffee. Also, maintaining enough steam to both pull shots and steam milk at the same time is sometimes difficult.

What is a Moka Pot?

This type of machine costs the least of all the options, and requires only your stovetop. The moka pot is a two-part pot which uses boiling water and the steam to create pressure, which pushes the boiling water up through the espresso grounds rather than gravity simply pulling heated what down. The result is quite nice, however, there is no milk frothing capability, so if you've got your heart set on cappuccinos, this is not your best option. But if you like a good espresso or a shot in the dark (brewed coffee with a shot of espresso added) and have a limited budget, give the moka pot a try.

Don't be put off by the high prices on a coffee espresso machine. Take a few moments to think about what you spend per day on your espresso drinks. A latte can cost you as much as $4. If you're like me, you average about five a week. That's almost $1000 per year! Over the course of time you may find that dropping the money once up front is worth the investment - especially when you consider the convenience of enjoying your favorite espresso beverage at home.

So take a little time to consider each of these options and how they fit with your preferences and needs. Whichever coffee espresso machine you choose to create your own cafe at home, you'll be making your own espresso drinks for you and your friends and family - with or without the frothy foam peaks - in no time.

There are many different types of coffee espresso machines on the market. You might find that all those options can be very confusing. This article sorts out the details so you can choose the best coffee espresso machine for your preferences and lifestyle.

Damen Choy, editor of Coffee Bean Direct Coffee-Bean-Direct.com provides timely information about the coffee market, as well as tips and ideas for coffee lovers and their friends. Visit organic coffee beans to know the many benefits of buying orgainic coffee beans.