Coffee Maker Reviews – the complete guide to finding the top espresso machine

There is an art to making a good espresso

You will need the following items to make a good espresso at home using an espresso machine

* good espresso machine – the DeLonghi EC155 is a good one but there are many options out there.
* good quality beans which are fresh (if you don’t want to grind your own beans, you can buy them ground already – but for pure freshness, I recommend grinding your own)
* grinder (optional)
* tamper
* filtered water

7 steps to making the perfect espresso

Making the perfect espresso is more of an art, than a science. Practice makes perfect, but by following these 7 steps, you will be well on the way to making the perfect espresso….

1. Research which coffee beans you like the best. Believe it or not, the tastes of different coffee beans can vary greatly due to the different types of roasts that are out there.
2. Grind your own beans. Like most things, quality equipment usually means a quality end product – so do not buy a cheap grinder as they can ruin your coffee. The consistency of the coffee should be like sugar – if it is too fine, then the brew takes too long to brew, resulting in burnt coffee. YUK!
3. Use the correct amount of coffee – 7 grams is advised for a single shot.
4. Pack the grind into the filter holder and lightly press using a tamper (you want the coffee evenly packed). A tamper is used to pack the grinds to a density that will provide the right amount of resistance against the water going through the grind.
5. Tightly lock the filter handle in the machine and place a warm up underneath it.
6. Use filtered water that is not boiling!! Fill the espresso machine with filtered cold water – the espresso machine will heat the water to the correct temperature.
7. Start the machine. If your machine is automatic, it will switch off at the perfect time, however, if your machine is manually run, then this is the important step. The key is knowing when to stop the machine from running. It should take about 5 seconds for the first drops of coffee to come out, but about 25 seconds (depending on the machine) to make a single serve. The coffee should drip out slowly, appear reddish brown in colour with a thick crema. If the crema is starting to appear clear (as it is coming out of the machine), stop the machine immediately. Your coffee has finished brewing.

That’s all!

If you like your coffee black, simply add hot water to your espresso shot. Alternatively, if you like your coffee with milk, simply add milk that has been warmed with a frother.

Most importantly, once your coffee has been brewed, for the best flavor, you must drink it immediately.

Enjoy!