Espresso machines for your home

Who couldn’t love espresso, that dark, golden nectar that’s a crucial part of our daily routine and lifestyle? If you want to be able to get your day started just by shuffling to your own espresso machine in your slippers, then here are the options you have to turn your kitchen into a barista.

Manual machines

A manual machine requires pumping by hand with a lever or piston. The learning curve is pretty steep, however, as you generally need to be an experienced barista to get consistently good results. But it’s worth it if you get it right.

Steam machines

Though steam machines are often referred to as such, they aren’t really espresso machines at all because the steam isn’t the right pressure or temperature to create a true espresso. What they do produce is a good, strong cup of coffee.

Moka pots

Like steam machines, these small stove-top machines don’t make actual espresso, but strong coffee. What’s great is that you can take a moka pot with you when travelling, even when you go camping, so you’ll be able to kick-start your day the right way wherever you go.

Pump machines

Pump espresso machines are semi-automatic, automatic or super-automatic machines. With a super-automatic, you simply press a button and you have yourself an espresso. The automatic works similarly, but you have to grind the beans yourself and then tamp them into the portafilter. With the semi-automatic machine, you have to grind and tamp the beans as well as press the button yourself to stop the brewing.

These are usually the kinds of machines you’ll find in coffee shops, as they deliver consistent, good espresso. But there are models that work great for the home as well. For instance, Jura coffee machines have the smallest one-touch cappuccino machine in the world.

Pod and capsule machines

Capsule or pod coffee machines, such as you get from Keurig and Nespresso, have become a popular no fuss, no mess way of getting your caffeine buzz. They reduce the time it takes to make an espresso by giving you neat, individually packaged portions of ground coffee.