Espresso Machines: How they Came About, How they Work & How to Buy them

When you order a cup of coffee to go from a chain store, don’t you usually marvel at how the complex gadgetry allows baristas to make the perfect espresso? Although these individuals are trained to master the art of coffee, latte and cappuccino making, it does not mean that you cannot be your very own barista at home. You simply need to buy the perfect espresso machine, read the manual and start brewing endless cups of coffee for yourself and your guests. 

What is Espresso & How the Machines Came About 

How did the art of espresso making start? During the 1900s, Luigi Bezzera found a way to use steam from pressurized water so that espresso can be extracted from finely ground coffee. The result is the espresso that we know of today, which is a highly concentrated cup of coffee. Anyone who is looking for a quick caffeine fix with a robust flavor prefer to have small cups of espresso – also called espresso shots – rather than a full cup or mug of brewed coffee. 

Naturally, the first espresso machines developed were not as easy to use as the ones available in the market today. In the mid-1930s, compressed air was used instead of steam and a decade later, the lever action in espresso machines was developed by Achille’s Gaggia. 

By 1945, the piston machine was developed in Italy and it became the predecessor of the espresso machines that we know of today. The piston-driven coffee machine has a lever which forces pressure onto the hot water, then is driven through the coffee grinds. This was also the stage of the modern espresso machine’s history when crème came to be part of the drink, thus producing blended, coffee-based drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. 

Types of Espresso Machines & How they Work 

Currently, there are three types of espresso machines that you can choose from:

1.      Semi-automatic espresso machines

These types of machines are ideal for those who do not really need their caffeine fix daily, but only occasionally. Semi-automatic machines require the user to perform some manual steps before the kitchen gadget does its magic of extracting espresso from ground coffee beans. 

2.      Fully automatic espresso machines

For this type of machine, you only need to put roast coffee beans on the designated container – and let the espresso maker do all the work. 

3.      Super automatic espresso machines

There are also super automatic espresso machines which have additional features like self-cleaning, a big water reservoir, temperature regulator, etc. 

What to Look for when Buying One 

With dozens of brands and hundreds of models to choose from, you really need to spend a bit of time and effort in purchasing the perfect espresso machine. Aside from the features and type of machine, there’s also your budget that you need to take into consideration. Counter space is yet another factor that you may want to consider especially if you have a small kitchen. 

At the end of the day, buying an espresso machine is all a matter of looking at what’s available in the market, making a comparison based on your needs and budget, then making an informed decision from there.