Espresso coffee setup | At home|Complete guide

With the rise of people working from home these days, more and more people are paying attention to creating a higher quality espresso coffee at home.

Here at helloaana our editors have analyzed a general increase of interest in high quality espresso coffee, paired with an ongoing growth in people working from home. This has led to home brewing being an integral part of people’s lives. Filter brewing methods were the first on the rise, due impart to reasonably priced equipment and tools.

Now, with the coming of more sophisticated but also more affordable home espresso coffee machines, espresso is following suit.

The editors at helloaana will also make you dive deep into some questions and comparisons like-

1.which espresso coffee maker is the best?

2.when to drink espresso coffee?

3.how long will espresso coffee last?

4.which espresso coffee cups to use?

Your prosumer level espresso coffee machine will almost certainly include the essential accessories you’ll need, but just in case, here’s a quick list.

A quick list for your espresso coffee setup at home-

Basic parameters

To summarize findings so far and provide a quick-guide to setting up your own equipment here are a few basic steps and parameters to get your espresso right.

• Set your pre infusion time to max 4 seconds following the user manual’s instructions
• Use a basic recipe as your starting point:
• Dose: 18-22 gr of ground coffee in your basket (I started with 19)
• Yield: 30-45 ml of coffee in your cup (I started with 40)
• Extraction time: 25-30 seconds (I started with 28)
• Tweak your recipes based on your coffee beans and personal preferences
• Weigh your coffee grounds and espresso every time for the best results

Which espresso coffee maker is the best?

Exploring the fascinating world of espresso at home can be difficult, but also rewarding. If you’re looking to cut down on visits to your local coffee shop, the best home espresso coffee machines can help you get your latte or cappuccino fix right in the comfort of your own kitchen.

 There’s so much to learn about how shots pull, there are so many flavours to explore via espresso that you can’t with other brewers, and you can make so many different espresso-based drinks. The confusing part is deciding on which equipment to buy.

There are hundreds of beginner home espresso machines and grinders, and choosing the right ones can be stressful. We’re going to focus solely on semi-automatic machines, because if you’re a prosumer, you want as much control as possible.

Points to consider while purchasing Espresso Coffee machines for your home-

 Espresso  Coffee machines are not like your smartphone or TV that you have updates every year. It is usually, a one-time affair. Therefore, it makes sense to consider these points while purchasing your Espresso Coffee machines.

Usability

Coffee making is an art. You have to be accurate with your coffee brewing and steaming of milk. The semi-automatic or the automatic machines should be a good choice.

The Super Automatic Espresso machines are the best when it comes to delivering the best coffee. You press a button and get your cup of perfectly brewed coffee in your hands.

Budgetary Constraints

The Super Automatic machines are the most expensive of the lot. The double boiler semi-automatic machines are also comparatively more expensive than the single boiler dual use machines.

 If the budget is not your concern, you can opt for either of these two machines. However, not everyone can afford to have such expensive machines at home. Single boiler dual use Espresso machines are the most popular of all.

Easy to Clean

Going for a sophisticated Espresso machine is an excellent idea, but it should also be easy for you to clean the machine. The more the features and elements your Espresso machine has, the more challenging it is to clean it.

 It can consume a lot of time as well. You have to clean the machines, especially the filters clearly lest you end up with clogged filters. It can affect the performance of your Espresso machine.

Catering to taste buds

If you are buying your Espresso coffee machine for everyday use at home, you should not bother much about the specifics. You can opt for the single boiler machines.

 If finding time to prepare coffee is a concern, the coffee pod machines should be the right ones for you. The advantage of having the semi-automatic machines is that you can customise your beverage to suit your taste.

Size of the machine

Some Espresso machines can be significant. If space is a matter of concern, you cannot go for such models. Check out the size available in your kitchen before you venture to get your coffee machine.

Durability

You do not buy an Espresso coffee maker every day. Hence, it becomes critical to buy the machine that lasts long. Almost all the machines come with warranties.

Opt for the device made of metal that lasts longer while effectively upholding heat at the same time. Note that the highly programmed models comprise of specific electrical parts that could require frequent repairs.

Customer service

Your Espresso machine does not come cheap. Therefore, you should always opt for the models that provide the best customer service. Look into the warranty clauses before choosing the right machine for your home. It is also better to read customer reviews, especially the 1-star and 2-star reviews to get the right picture.

Let us see some of the espresso machines with the most desirable features –

Breville BES840XL Infuser Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel, 100

Why you’ll love it: The Breville BES840XL Infuser Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel, 100 Machine makes top-notch espresso and it includes a burr grinder, tamper, and frothing pitcher.

 Most espresso machines don’t come with everything you need, so you end up buying a bunch of accessories to actually make your coffee. Not so with the Breville BES840XL Infuser Espresso Machine.

The Breville BES840XL Infuser Espresso Machine offers features that rival those in more expensive machines. As its name indicates, it has a pre-infusion function to extract maximum flavor from coffee grounds.

When extraction begins, the process expands the grounds under slow and even pressure before they undergo higher pressure. Pre-infusion produces a smoother, more balanced espresso and richer crema.

The Breville Infuser delivers optimal flavour in every cup creating third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula, ensuring the right dose of beans, optimal water pressure, precise temperature control and microfoam milk for latte art.

The machine comes with a one-year warranty in case of issues. User reviews on Amazon are very positive, and most people had a very easy time making high-end espresso with the machine.

Highly recommend this machine. If you’re inexperienced, it’s a good machine to learn with, and if you’re interested in fiddling around with settings, you can do that, too. It’s an all-around great espresso machine, according to several reviews by experts and everyday users.

Delonghi EC680M Dedica 15-Bar Pump Espresso Machine, Stainless Steel

DeLonghi has a long-standing reputation for well-made and well-priced products. Their machines are made with the user in mind and can produce a unique cup of espresso at a push of a button while admiring the elegant, compact design that is the signature style of the DeLonghi brand.

DeLonghi makes sophisticated yet simple-to-use machines to bring the concept of convenience and versatility to your kitchen without compromising on quality (at least when it comes to coffee beverages). Choose between a latte, espresso, Americano and more from just one single machine.

Why Choose DeLonghi?

Looking for an espresso machine that has a boot up time of less than 40 seconds and brew time of less than 2 minutes? Look no further than The DeLonghi Dedica. Another 15 bar pump espresso machine designed for narrow spaces and silky-smooth espresso.

Taking up only about 6 inches of countertop space, it makes for the perfect addition to a kitchen where space is limited but espresso is loved. It’s removable double-layered drip tray is easy to adjust to fit taller mugs or cups.

The frothing system in this machine is unlike others offering an automatic flow stop and frother that is fully customizable.

 Use the self-priming option to get the machine geared up and ready to go as soon as you blink open your eyes in the morning. Cleaning out filters and water tanks is made easy and, if you prefer grounds over pods or vice versa, the Dedica provides options for both.

Morphy Richards New Europa 800-Watt Espresso and Cappuccino 4-Cup Coffee Maker

The Morphy Richards New Europa Coffee Maker will make your life easier for you in the kitchen by churning out coffee for you in no time. This handy product from Morphy Richards is sure to be very beneficial.

This New Europa coffee maker is backed by an 800 W Motor which means, it can function optimally without burdening you with high electricity bills. The coffee that may drip while handling the operations will be collected on this drip tray. This is easily removable, and thus can be cleaned without the slightest hassles.

Now getting your perfect cup of coffee is easy with the europa  espresso  coffee  maker  from Morphy Richards. This 4-cup capacity stylish coffeemaker is equipped with a steam-control knob and coffee strength selector.

Espresso-lovers will delight at the sheer ease of making just the right concoction. If espresso is more your style, you’re in luck as its Turbo nozzle ensures effective frothing of your coffee.

It has a unique, removable drip-tray that makes it easy and convenient to clean. What’s more, the coffee maker has a heat-resistant carafe and lid. So forget about hopping across to the nearest cafe for your daily cuppa.

 Europa espresso  coffee maker lets you experience pure coffee perfection, right in your home. Illuminated on/off switch, a transparent glass carafe allows you to see the final output.

It Makes espresso, cappuccino and latte coffee and has a warranty of 2 years,making it the finest appliance in your kitchen and will deliver the perfect cup of morning coffee for you.

This 800 Watt coffee maker delivers four coffee cups in a row which is good enough for a coffee lover. It comes with a turbo cappuccino nozzle that creates beautiful froth on which you can indulge on.

The removable drip tray, steam and coffee strength selector, steam control knob and permanent stainless steel filter add to the convenience of the unit. The heat resistant carafe is quite effective delivering on safe handling.

You can set the required coffee strength to appeal to your taste-buds, thanks to this feature.

The appliance comes with an attractive glass carafe that collects the coffee and also lets you see the required amount that is to be used for each cup.

This feature performs the job of filtering the extracts efficiently. You can then enjoy the smoothest and most consistent coffee.

Nespresso Krups Inissia White Coffee Machine

This Coffee Pod Espresso machine facilitates easy insertion and ejection of Espresso capsules. It uses a compact brewing unit technology with a preheating time of 25 seconds. The 19 bar high-pressure pump ensures the optimum supply of water.

This machine comes with two programmable buttons for Espresso and Lungo preparation making it the best Espresso machine for Americano preparation.

Tiny foot print, compact, lightweight and equipped with an ergonomic handle, the new Inissia coffee machine fits perfectly into any interior design.

It is an energy efficient coffee maker with an A Class energy rating. The machine switches off automatically after 9 minutes of inactivity.

 Cleaning the device is also easy because of the removable 24-ounce water tank. The folding cup tray accommodates all kinds of recipe glasses. It is an ideal Espresso machine for home use as it can store 9 to 11 used capsules at a time. Every machine comes with a 14 capsule assortment.

A colorful, compact and user-friendly machine Nespresso’s most compact capsule coffee machine is easy to use ,thanks to a simplified two-button interface.

Inissia provides high-quality results thanks to its 19-bar thermoblock combined with exclusive Nespresso coffee selection. Its trendy design, fancy colors and high-end finishing are perfect for young coffee lovers everywhere.

With a tiny footprint, compact, lightweight and equipped with an ergonomic handle, the Nespresso Inissia coffee machine fits ideally into any interior design and is available in a full palette of colours to satisfy all tastes.

There’s virtually no waiting for the machine to warm up before you make your coffee selection.In just one touch and 25 seconds, the water reaches the ideal temperature to make up to 9 coffees without having to refill the 0.7 L tank.You can adjust the cup size with two programmable espresso and lungo buttons.

Simple to use, the Nespresso Inissia offers an impeccable barista-style coffee every time, thanks to its simple, one-touch operation and patented extraction system which delivers up to 19 bar pressure.

Nespresso Delonghi Lattisma Touch Automatic Coffee Machine

Here is a top automatic Espresso machine that enables you to get high quality coffee at the touch of a button.

The high-pressure pump and the ideal heat control system ensure that you have a reliable product on hand. The automatic descaling feature makes it the favourite of Indian homes as it makes cleaning the machine comfortable. Also, this machine is energy-saving one.

Thermo block System quickly heats-up water to the perfect temperature in just 25 seconds, using only the water quantity required for each beverage.

Have your fill of the best Cappuccino and Latte Macchiato using the pre-programmed Lattisma Touch automatic Espresso machine. The integrated milk function is an exceptionally convenient feature for Espresso lovers.

The 19 bar pump ensures perfect results in cup, delivering the correct amount of pressure and water flow according to the type of beverage selected. The auto-off function automatically turns off the power 9 minutes after the last coffee brewing for greater safety and reduced energy consumption.

The soft touch buttons make using the machine easy, comfortable and enjoyable.

Nespresso by Krups XN760B40 New Citiz and Milk Coffee Machine

More than 20 years ago, Nespresso developed and patented a system for mastering the preparation of the espresso, from the selection of the finest green coffee beans through to the moment of tasting.

The perfect espresso is a complex alchemy between coffee of exceptional quality and freshness, and water at high pressure. It is these elements which give the coffee body and intensity, and reveal all the subtleties of the aroma.

Coffee, machine and the club are the inseparable components of the Nespresso experience, which allows you to prepare an espresso, cup after cup, time after time, in the comfort of your own home.

Trust Nespresso to deliver a high-quality coffee drinking experience with this exquisite Espresso machine for home and small coffee shop.

This machine is ideal for home use as well as use in  home and small cafes. The 19-bar pressure system allows you to draw the full richness and aroma of Nespresso Coffee.

All Nespresso machines are equipped with a patented extraction system that guarantees up to 19 bar pressure. Each element – water pressure, temperature and extraction duration – has been calculated with great precision. This ensures the aromas from each Grand Cru coffee are expressed, giving the coffee body and creating an exceptionally thick and smooth crema.

The Krups Citiz and Milk allows automatic and programmable water sizing for espresso and long black. The Citiz and Milk has an energy saving mode. The fitted Aeroccino can be used for both hot and cold coffee, perfect for cappuccino and latte.

It features auto eject and a capsule container for up to 12 capsules. Its retro-modern design in fire engine red makes it a stylish addition to any kitchen.

The highlight of this machine is that it is extremely easy to clean it. You can decide the strength of the coffee as this machine allows you to programme it accordingly. The pre-heating time of 25 seconds makes it one of the quickest automatic Espresso machines on the market. The 9–minute auto standby feature is energy-saving one. You can simultaneously prepare hot and cold coffee using this machine.

Tecnora Classico TCM 107-M Thermoblock Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Coffee Maker

Get The Cafe Home!

This machine comes with 1050 watts of power thereby enabling the optimum and efficient use of the boiler. It also helps to provide higher consistency in milk steaming, a critical aspect of coffee preparation.

The Thermoblock pump ensures the perfect temperature thereby ensuring that your coffee does not overheat. The Thermoblock pump delivers Espresso coffee of the highest quality.

Completely redesigned ,the original Classico ,is to make your coffee experience perfect. This entry-level espresso maker now comes with 1050 watts of power, which not only boosts the boiler efficiency but also provides a greater consistency of steam to froth milk for that creamy cappuccino.

The sleek, compact, lightweight plastic body houses a powerful electromagnetic solenoid pump for extracting a full coffee flavour, guaranteeing you the complete café experience in your own home.

A smart auto switch-off feature prevents overheating and turns the machine off automatically in 25 minutes. No more having to go back home to check to see if you’ve turned off your coffee-maker.

Manage the water temperature in the boiler with this switch. Toggle between temperature for brewing espresso or higher temperature to generate steam for milk frothing. Slide upwards to detach. Simply refill with water and repeat the joy.

The appliance comes with two pressurised portafilter baskets, one for a single Espresso shot, and the other for a double shot. The additional Panarello wand enables easy frothing thereby enhancing the taste and flavour of the coffee.

 The auto switch-off feature prevents overheating of the machine thus making it a safe appliance to use.

Prestige PCMD 1.0 Coffee Maker

The Prestige PCMD 1.0 Coffee Maker is perfect for the Indian household as it is capable of delivering 4 cups of steaming hot coffee at one go.

Let your coffee come alive with great aroma and rich taste. Mesmerize Yourself and your guests with that great cup of coffee.

Prestige Drip coffee maker is  for those who love authentic South Indian filter coffee. Making great tasting filter coffee is now easy with prestige coffee maker. With advance mesh filter, anti-drip mechanism, advanced brewing technology, water level indicator etc, you can enjoy the perfect cup of coffee at the comfort of your home, any time, any day.

The ergonomically designed carafe allows you to see the level and the strength of the coffee decoction. The water level indicator guides you in the sense that you control the amount of water you add to the machine. In a way, it enables you to manage the strength of the coffee according to your tastes.

It comes with a translucent water gauge to check water level without opening the coffee maker. It gives better visibility of water level, thus making it convenient and comfortable to use.

The brew basket with lifter handle facilitates easy removal of filter. Thus making it user friendly.

The elegant glass carafe collects strong filtered coffee decoction and retains the aroma of authentic filtered coffee. It is made up of high quality raw materials, ensuring durability.

The filter’s anti-drip valve prevents dripping when the carafe is removed. Thus making it easy to maintain and convenient to use.

This steam vent releases excess steam so that there is no pressure inside the appliance thereby ensuring safety.

The non-drip valve ensures that the decoction does not drip when you take out the glass carafe from its base. Correctly priced, the prestige Coffee maker is indeed an indispensable part of any Indian kitchen. Water level indicator to enable you to gauge the strength of the coffee. Exquisitely designed glass carafe adds to the beauty.

When to drink espresso coffee?

An espresso is a strong black coffee which is served in a small cup called a demitasse. It is often drunk at the end of a meal as the strength of the caffeine in the espresso can help to overcome any sleepy feelings caused by heavy eating.

Traditionally an espresso would be the preferred choice of coffee to drink in the afternoon or evening as it does not contain milk.

How long will espresso coffee last?

We’ve learned how to extend the shelf life of whole beans and coffee grounds, but what if you’ve already made a pot of coffee? How long will your cup of Joe stay fresh? How long will espresso coffee last ?

The freshness of your coffee will also depend on the beans you use, meaning that using stale grounds will produce a stale cup of coffee even when it is “fresh”.

When you start to brew coffee, you’re actually setting the oxidation process into full speed. Like exposure to air, water also causes coffee to oxidize. As coffee comes into contact with hot water during the brewing process, the aromatics, oils and acids from the coffee are transferred into the coffee pot, leaving you with that beloved flavour we all know and love.

From the moment you start to brew your coffee, you have about 20 minutes to one hour (depending on who you ask) to drink it before the “freshness” dissipates. Even after the brewing process is complete, the oxidation process continues to transpire.

To extend the fresh flavour by a few hours, you should pour your coffee into an airtight thermos. If the coffee is left out in a room temperature environment, you should drink it within 4 hours or else the oils will start to go bad as well.

However, remember that adding milk will significantly reduce the time frame in the thermos. In this case you should finish drinking your coffee in a couple of hours.

Of course, the freshness of your coffee is also highly dependent on whether you used fresh coffee grounds or beans to brew it. This factor is why properly storing your coffee is so important. Once the beans or coffee grounds are stale, the lacklustre taste will be evident even in the freshest brew.

Technically speaking, you can store your freshly brewed coffee in the fridge for up to a week, but keep in mind that the taste and aroma will still degrade over time. You should also make sure the coffee is completely covered, or else the smells and flavours from other food can be absorbed and alter the taste.

The older your coffee grounds are, the more they have been subject to oxidization. Coffee made from old grounds will taste stale even immediately after brewing.

On the other hand, cold brew coffee will keep a bit longer in the refrigerator than regularly brewed hot or iced coffee. This ultra-potent coffee concentrate is made by steeping coarse coffee grounds in water from 12-to-18 hours.

Properly-made cold brew should keep in the fridge for a couple of weeks, but the flavour will start to change over the first week. If cut with water, the concentrate will only last up to three days in the fridge, so be sure to keep it unadulterated to maximize the shelf life.

Coffee solubles dissolve best between 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit, so coffee brewed with hot water has a more full-bodied, flavorful taste profile than coffee brewed with room-temperature or cold water, which is also called cold brew.

Espresso coffee cups

Believe it or not, there’s a science to choosing the right cup for your espresso. I’m not kidding.

 Actual scientists have studied it. The size, shape, and even the colour or pattern of your mug affects how you perceive the taste of your coffee !! .

Choose The Right Material.

Three materials are commonly used for espresso cups stainless steel, ceramic, and glass.

There is also porcelain, which is a type of ceramic made from fine materials for a glassier appearance. Stainless steel is the MOST DURABLE, so it’s a great choice for travelling, home or if you’re just clumsy before that first hit of caffeine.

Because metals are powerful heat conductors, choose a double-walled design. Otherwise you’ll end up burning your fingers and sipping cold espresso.

Ceramic and porcelain espresso cups are classic, long favoured by baristas because they’ll NEVER LEACH any unwanted flavours into your drink besides flavour, ceramic mugs are usually less expensive as fired clays are thermally insulating, and there’s no need for double-walled construction. Of course, ceramics are more fragile than steel, so they’re a better choice for home use.

Glass espresso or latte cups LET YOU SEE YOUR DRINK, which is especially nice if you’re crafting layered milky drinks. Like stainless steel, glass isn’t a great insulator, so we suggest double-walled espresso cups.

We also recommend looking for borosilicate glass, which is most durable, though you’re still going to want to treat glass cups gently. Like ceramics, glass won’t impart any flavour to your drink.

Choosing the style of your espresso cups is the fun part! Do you want fun colors to brighten your morning, a look that suits your kitchen decor, or something classic and timeless?

Think about design as well as colors and patterns. Do you want cups with handles? Handles are useful if the exterior of your espresso cup is hot, but only if they’re big enough to use. Handles also mean your cups won’t stack nicely and might take up more cupboard space. If you’re pressed for space, buying a stackable set with a stand is a great space-saving idea. Here are six fantastic espresso cups, all of which would make a fine addition to your home espresso bar.

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