Do you really need a fully automatic espresso machine? Well, you may not need one, but I am  willing to bet that you WANT one.

Espresso machines are available in, basically, four different types. They are: manual, semi-automatic, automatic and fully automatic. With the proper instructions, they all make a great cup of espresso. However, as you go from one end of the spectrum to the other, the ease of use gets better and better, as in “push a button”.

Most “espresso experts” will probably have the opinion that the manual style is the way to go. Just keep in mind that they are “experts”. They are trained in the intricities of espresso making. Correct temperature, tamping, coffee grinding, pulling the perfect shot, milk frothing, and the list goes on and on. I understand the pride that they must feel when they produce that perfect shot. And, yes, I am envious, but I also know my limitations.

If I can push a button and get the same results as a trained Barista, you had better believe that I am going to take that route. I simply do not have the time to devote to learning all that there is to know to produce the perfect espresso shot.

The fully automatic espresso machines do it all. They have a built in conical burr grinder, they measure the correct portion of ground beans to the size shot that you want, they let you set the strength and size, they froth the milk AND they clean up after themselves. I do not see any negatives here.

There is a learning curve since there are so many options available to you with your machine, but they have a book and a DVD! But, if you follow the instructions, they are idiot-proof. That is a very important feature for me.

You are the only one that knows where you are on the road to the perfect cup of espresso coffee and any one of the types of espresso machines may work for you, but, for me fully automatic is the only way to go. You just have to know your limitations.

The answer to the question “Do You Need A Conical Burr Coffee Grinder?” is a very easy one to answer. It all depends on whether you make coffee in anything besides a regular drip style coffee maker. If you use an espresso machine, a french press or a percolator, then the answer is a resounding YES.

Regular blade style coffee grinders work great for a drip coffee maker. But, when it comes to espresso or Turkish coffee, they have many strikes against them. That’s where the conical burr coffee grinder steps up to the plate. Instead of a metal blade, the conical burr grinder uses two metal discs, one is stationary and the other one rotates. The beans are passed through the discs one time only, greatly reducing the heat build up of the regular blade grinder. The conical burr grinder can also grind the coffee bean much finer than a blade grinder, and that is crucial for an espresso machine, since the coffee grounds are only exposed to the water for a few seconds. Finely ground coffee is the only way to get a good shot of espresso and a blade grinder simply cannot achieve that. As an added plus, conical burr coffee grinders are a lot quieter than blade grinders.

Most conical burr coffee grinders have a minimum of 16 different settings and produce 5 ounces of grounds. That is usually enough for just about any household. However, the higher end units can have as many as 40 settings! As with any other appliance, the more “bells and whistles”, the higher the price tag.

There are many great manufacturers to choose from. Some of the best are Gaggia, Jura Capresso, KitchenAid, Pasquini, Baratea, Cuisinart, Breville and Krups.

Have fun exploring the world of conical burr coffee grinders.

There are many reasons to buy items online and espresso machines are no exception. We live in a beautiful, but remote area. There aren’t a great deal of choices for shopping of any kind, much less espresso machines.

So, you have a trade-off.  Serene views of the quiet  lake or a bustling shopping mall. Well, for myself, I’ll choose the lake anytime. However, getting the things that I need to use in a gourmet kitchen, can be a challenge.

That’s where the brown truck with UPS on the side comes to the rescue.  I can usually have whatever I want delivered within 2 to 3 days from the time I order it.

In addition to the ease of online shopping, you have a much larger selection of brands to choose from. Very seldom will you find a shop that carries six or seven different brands of espresso machines in stock. They will always offer to order it for you, but you can do that yourself and save their store markup.

You save money on the store’s  markup, gas not used to go from store to store and shoe leather doing all of that walking from one side of the mall to the other. It’s a win – win situation. With the money you saved by buying your new espresso machine online, you can get a conical burr grinder to go with it!

What’s the best way to get the best shot from your espresso machine? Get yourself a conical burr coffee grinder. Well, you may be thinking “what’s the difference between a conical burr grinder and a regular coffee grinder?”. Plenty. It could mean the difference between a disgusting, bitter cup of espresso and a sip of heavenly nectar.

A regular coffee grinder is fine if you are using it to grind coffee for your regular drip style coffee maker, but that’s about as far as it goes. If you want espresso or Turkish coffee, a regular grinder can’t grind finely or evenly enough to get the results you need.

A regular grinder uses steel blades, which produce heat and inconsistent grounds. The burr coffee grinder uses two circular shaped steel wheels, in the shape of the letter “O” to grind the coffee beans. It grinds much slower, thus eliminating the heat and inconsistent grind of the blade style grinders. Also, it’s much quieter, which is a big plus.

Well, that’s out of the way. You need a conical burr coffee grinder! Next question – which one? As with any other appliance, the first place to start is with your own personal needs.

How much do you want to invest? What quantity do you need to process at one time? How many different settings do you require? Most units start with a choice of 16 settings, some have as many as 40. The different settings produce grinds appropriate for espresso, Turkish coffee, french press, drip or percolate. Hopper sizes vary, average being 8 ounces. Yield of ground coffee can be from 4 ounces to 15 to 30 and so on. Some use timers only and some have on and off switches.

The higher end units, like Gaggia and Pasquini, have a “doser” built in that lets you consistently measure the correct amount for just the right shot of espresso coffee.

Now that you know the conical burr coffee grinder secrets, you will be able to select the unit that’s right for you.  Some of the top brands are Gaggia, Pasquini, Jura Capresso, Baratea, Cuisinart, Breville, KitchenAid and Krups. Now, go find your perfect match.

Beautiful, lovely espresso coffee. How much do you pay for a shot at your favorite coffee house? A pretty penny would be my guess. But, you can’t do without it, can you? There are few things worse than a cup of plain ole coffee after you have experienced espresso.

However, you have nothing to worry about. There are espresso machines of all kinds available on the market to produce that magic elixir right in your own home. But, what’s that you say? You can’t afford $800.00 for a home espresso machine. Well, you’re not alone.

There is an alternative to the $800.00 home espresso machine. It’s not a new invention. It’s been a staple in Italian homes forever. It’s the stovetop espresso maker. It’s not as sexy as those espresso machines that make your eyes glaze over with espresso desire, but they get the job done. Now, don’t think that I don’t want one of those sleek machines, because I do. However, until I have a LOT of extra cash laying around, I can make do with my Bialetti stovetop espresso maker.

They are really simple to use. Put water in the bottom, put espresso ground coffee in the filter, screw the second filter tightly on top and put it on the stove and wait until you hear the gurgling sound. I have one. My sister has SIX. Well, she does own a coffee and tea shop. She also has a big commercial one for her shop. At home, though, she uses her stovetop espresso makers, but she is a professional. Just kidding, they really are easy to use. They are available in 1 cup all the way up to 10 cup sizes. You can even get electric ones, like the old-timey percolators.

One of the great things about them is their price. They range anywhere from $25.00 to $140.00. Yep, the $25.00 is not a typo. With prices like that, you can afford a burr grinder to go with it.

Some of the top brands are Bialetti, Ilsa, Bonjour, Bodum and Primula. You can get aluminum or stainless steel. So many choices. All that you need are your ingredients and a heat source and you’re ready for espresso. Simple, affordable and easy. Three of my favorite things. So, you decide – a cheap espresso buzz or a really wise choice for making espresso at home?

The only difference between the espresso coffee bean and a regular coffee bean is the process by which the bean is processed before it is converted into a coffee drink. The espresso coffee bean was originally developed in Milan in Italy during the early 20th century, and up until the mid 1940s, espresso could only be produced through steam pressure. The espresso coffee bean has defining characteristics which set it apart from other coffee beans, including a thicker consistency than standard drip coffee, a higher amount of dissolved solids per relative volume, and a serving size that is usually measured in 1 fluid ounce shots.

Espresso is  volatile and chemically complex by nature, and many of its chemical components degrade quickly because of a loss of temperature and due to oxidation. The most distinguishing feature that sets espresso apart from drip coffee and the traditional coffee bean is “crema”, which is a reddish brown foam that is composed of vegetable oils, sugars and proteins that float on the surface of the espresso shot.

All of the flavors and chemicals in a typical cup of drip coffee are concentrated as a result of the high pressure brewing process. For this reason, espresso is especially useful when serving as the coffee base for other specialty coffee drinks like mochas, macchiato drinks, cappuccinos and lattes. On a per volume basis, the espresso shot that results from brewing the espresso coffee bean contains approximately three times as much caffeine as regular brewed coffee. When compared on the basis of a standard serving size, a single fluid ounce shot of espresso has half of the caffeine content of a standard six fluid ounce cup of American-style drip coffee.

Preparation of espresso from the espresso coffee bean form requires the use of a special espresso machine. Producing a single shot of espresso is called “pulling a shot”, which is derived from the old style lever espresso machines that involved pulling down on a handle that was attached to a spring loaded piston which forced hot water through the coffee at the right level of pressure. Pulling a shot of espresso involves a metal filter basket with 7 to 10 or 12 to 18 grams of ground espresso coffee beans depending on whether you are looking to produce a single shot or a double shot of espresso.

The ground espresso coffee bean are tamped down using 30 to 40 pounds of force into a firm puck of coffee. Pressurized water is then applied at between 185 and 203 degrees Fahrenheit. Water cooler than this ideal zone would cause sourness in the shot, and water hotter than this ideal zone would cause bitterness.

The higher quality espresso machines control the temperature of the brew water to keep it within a few degrees of the ideal zone. To produce the ideal shot of espresso, a demitasse or shot glass is pre-heated, and the espresso shot is pulled directly into the shot glass so that its crema can be maintained and its ideal temperature preserved.

You can believe you are in for an unbelievable flavor and a caffeine shock from the espresso coffee bean with your first shot of espresso coffee.