Sunday, October 7, 2007

Is It Possible To Make Perfect Espresso?

Literally, the word espresso means an extraction of coffee using high pressure from a special espresso machine.

Below are some instructions which will help you make the ideal espresso.

It is important that you have a good quality espresso machine. Purchase one that comes with a built in grinder if possible (as the finest ground beans make the best coffee).

Get some cold clear water and pour this into the water tank of the machine. Then make certain that the boilers cap is secure. Use one ounce of coffee for one shot of espresso, for a double shot use two ounces of coffee. There are some machines that will give as much as four shots in one go.

You place the basket of coffee in the filter holder, if you want you can place a little pack in the ground coffee. The filter has a measure that will tell you the amount for the type of espresso you are preparing.

Brush off any grounds from the top and sides of the filter then place the filter holder inside the espresso machine.

Place the glass carafe that comes with your machine under the spout and then turn on the machine. The machine will warm the water up to the right temperature and then force it into the coffee grounds. This should take about 15 to 20 seconds and as the coffee starts to flow into the cup the foam starts forming on top. This foam is colored brown and is known as Crema but once this foam becomes white in color then the best tasting liquid is not flowing any longer and you should stop the machine now.

Remove the cup right away and your cup of espresso is now ready to drink.

In order to get the best results from your Krups espresso machine you should choose beans that are specifically for making espressos. You can find it in many coffee specialty shops as well as your local grocery store. Also use filtered or bottled spring water since tap water is too hard.

By following these Krups espresso machine instructions, hopefully you will be able to produce that perfect shot of espresso that you always wanted.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Is The Espresso Machine Really Worth Buying?

Coffee fever has spread to fast food restaurants, cafes, and restaurants, who are striving to provide their customers with a wider variety of that black coffee in a Styrofoam cup. If your coffee budget has left you aghast, consider alternatives to buying those tasty espresso fixes. Many people find that the purchase of a home Krups espresso machine can save them enough to pay for the machine many times over.

Instead of running out and purchasing a fantastically costly espresso machine that you think will provide you with the best results, consider researching the most appropriate machine for your specific needs. A simple search on the Internet will provide you with a great variety of machines that are geared towards individuals with a wide variety of needs.

For those people who have smaller kitchens or limited countertop space, the stovetop varieties of espresso machines may be the best option. These espresso machines are not electric and work on the principle similar to that of a double boiler.

Another option that is quickly becoming more popular is a machine that runs off specially designed pods. These pods contain the ingredients for the coffee and are inserted into the machine and the espresso is brewed and these pods are mess and maintenance free.

If you want to directly recreate the fantastic espressos produced in your favorite coffee shop, turn to a professional Krups espresso machine made for commercial purposes. Although these machines are often the most costly, largest, and loudest machines on the market, they are the ultimate luxury for those individuals wanting espressos at home. However, always remember that you do not have to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on a top of the line espresso machine to make excellent espressos in the comfort of your own home.