Welcome To Anthonys Espresso Equipment
We at Anthonys Espresso Equipment, understand how important coffee is. It is a part of our daily life and routine. Its a tradition with family. Its gathering with friends. Its an excuse to unwind.
For nearly 20 years, Anthonys Espresso Equipment has been servicing the GTA and beyond, with their coffee & espresso needs. Now with two locations Toronto & Vaughan, weve become a staple in the industry. We can help you through the entire process from choosing the right coffee bean & grind, down to how to choose the right commercial espresso machine Toronto is home to, or how to buy espresso machines Canada loves. If you are looking to buy an espresso machine for your home and need help selecting the best coffee beans, or, maybe its espresso & coffee equipment for your business, the team at Anthonys Espresso Equipment can help you navigate through the countless options right down to the perfect fit. Just for you. We carry major name brand home-use manufacturers like Saeco, Philips, DeLonghi, Gaggia, Jura, Breville, Rancilio & Rocket just to name a few. If youve been searching buy espresso machine Canada or commercial espresso machine Toronto youll be happy you found us! Our commercial customers also love our selection of major professional espresso equipment makers like La Cimbali, Bezzera Nuova Simonelli, Ceado, Saeco & La Marzocco. We look forward to helping you select the perfect coffee fit.
Are Coffee Machines And Espresso Machines The Same
No, the machines required to make drip coffee and espresso coffee are different. The methods of preparation and the size of the grind differentiate the two. To make drip coffee, the coffee maker heats water and then disperses it over coarsely ground coffee and a filter. In comparison, an espresso coffee maker creates high pressure to force water quickly over tightly packed, finely ground coffee beans.
How To Choose The Right Coffee Machine For You
Should you buy a manual espresso machine?
Pros: Best-tasting coffee flexibility | Cons: Time-consuming can be messy
If you want the flexibility to create anything from espresso to ristretto to cappuccino, a manual espresso machine similar to what you find in coffee shops is the best choice. The downside is that you’ll need to learn to manually grind and tamp the coffee, steam your own milk to perfection, clean the machine and repeat the process for every cup, but the added control makes it possible to get the absolute best from every variety of coffee.
Should you buy a bean-to-cup machine?
Pros: Easy to use great coffee | Cons: Expensive cleaning can be fiddly
If manual espresso sounds like too much work then a bean-to-cup machine is a great choice. Simply pop water and coffee beans in the machine, and you can get a shot of coffee at the press of a button and without cleaning the machine between every single shot. Pricier machines include integrated milk frothers that dispense a cappuccino or white coffee at the press of a button. The results are never as good as manual machines though, and prices start at around £400.
Jump to the best bean-to-cup machines
Should you buy a coffee pod or capsule machine?
Pros: Quick, consistent results mess-free | Cons: Inferior taste to manual espresso
Jump to the best capsule machines
Should you buy a filter coffee machine?
Pros: Cheap, quick, easy | Cons: Only makes black coffee
Jump to the best filter coffee machines
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An Option That Rivals The Espresso Machine At Your Favorite Coffee Shop
Seattle Coffee Gear
Dimensions: 14 x 21 x 15 inches | Pressure: 9 bar | Warmup time: 15 minutes
Those able to splurge on their espresso machine will be rewarded with perks like sleek design, temperature adjustment capabilities and a powerful frother with a commercial-grade steam valve that produces the ideal steamed milk for latte art. Even with a 3.5-liter water reservoirenough to last through many brew cyclesthe Linea Mini has a smaller footprint than other commercial machines, but it brings that same level of professional quality to your home kitchen.
Espresso Beans And Coffee Growing Regions
The coffee growing regions of the world all offer characteristic flavors. While every coffee plantation has its own climate and soil , each region tends to offer distinct elements of flavor and aroma:
Sumatra is a great choice for DARK ROAST. The wet hulling process used there produces an earthy, mushroomy flavor that carries through even in the darkest French roast. If you like the smoky tang of a Portobello mushroom seared over a charcoal fire, you might love coffee from Sumatra.
South and Central American coffees are popular in MEDIUM ROASTS.
These coffees tend to have brighter acidity, with more fruit and floral notes. With fine grind and attention to heat in your espresso machine, you can brew a great shot of espresso with beans from Colombia or Guatemala. Brazilian coffee tends to have a lighter, sweeter flavor, which is great when blended with stronger beans for espresso.
Africa provides deep minerality, partly from the soil and climate but also from the dry-processing method in which the coffee beans are left to dry in this sun. This concentrates stronger, DARKER FLAVORS in the resulting coffee. Notes of chocolate and fruit make a complex, balanced cup of espresso.
Indonesia is known as much for the volcanic tingle its soil adds to the aftertaste as for its rich, bold flavor and well-balanced acidity. Even in a medium-dark roast, Indonesian beans have the body to make great espresso shot.
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Jura E6 Automatic Espresso & Coffee Machine $1530 To $1600
The Jura E6 Automatic Espresso & Coffee Machine is the heavy-duty kitchen appliance you need if youre serious about your coffee game. Its life-changing, says one Amazon reviewer .
If you want a machine with top-tier water filtration and brewing levels, this is your match. You wont need to buy another coffee maker ever again, TBH.
Are There Different Types Of Espresso Machine
Ah yes, thats an important question. Its not just a case of buying a good espresso machine, but choosing which typeof machine. Because there are plenty to consider. These are the main types that youll come across when shopping:
Pod Machines These are automatic machines. Just pop in the pod and push the button. Theyre space-saving and affordable, and fast and easy to use. Though buying pods can get pricey in the long run and they do create waste.
Bean-to-Cup Machines This is a bit like having a barista-coffee machine combo. Add beans as you need them, adjust your preferred pressure and coarseness settings, and its internal grinder goes to work. It then blasts in hot water in to deliver a perfect cup of coffee. Theyre usually big, bulky, expensive machines.
Manual Machines These machines put the power of good taste in your hands. You pull a lever to make your espresso, deciding on the level of pressure. That allows you to experiment with pressure and taste. Theyre worth it in the long run, but hard to use at first and take some practice to get right.
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How We Tested Coffee Machines
The coffee machines featuring above were some of the best performing from within their category tests. Our reviews experts put products through their paces in controlled conditions and marked each against a set of core and contributing criteria. The average marks out of five across the following determined the overall star rating of each machine. Find our more about how we test products here.
For example, with espresso, we looked for a rich colour, bold aroma, intense flavour and a hazelnut coloured top of silky crema.
- Quality of materials
Coffee machines are big investments, so every element must be built to withstand daily use over a long period of time.
- Value for money
Overpriced? Cheap feel? The quality offered must feel like good return for the investment.
Coffee machines shouldn’t require an hour of studying a convoluted instruction manual. They also need to be simple enough to use when half asleep or in a rush.
- Ease of assembly and packaging
We scored on the protective quality of the packaging, quantity of single-use plastic used and how simple each was to put together.
The following secondary criteria also played into our decision-making
- Footprint on the countertop
- Aesthetic design
Coffee pod machines use single-shot pods so their versatility isn’t as broad as espresso machines that can make two cups at the same time. Espresso machines may have milk frothing wands so these should have enough oomph to heat and froth milk without literally running out of steam.
Grounds Or Pods Compatibility
Some machines are compatible with both coffee pods and coffee grounds, but you typically have to choose between the two. Freshly ground coffee beans are usually more flavorful than pods and can be adjusted to make coffee stronger or weaker. Grounds are also more affordable than pods over time and can be purchased in a wider array of flavors and blends. Pod-based machines offer convenience, as they speed up the brewing process, make cleanup easier, and eliminate the hassle of packing the filter by hand. These are predominantly single-serve, while brewers that use ground coffee can often make multiple servings at once.
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What To Consider When Buying A An Espresso Machine
When choosing an espresso machine, there are many things to consider.
A subset of the best coffee makers, which come in all shapes and sizes, including some of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines, the best espresso makers help you achieve barista-quality results. They also typically include their own integrated bean grinder for our convenience. Just bear in mind that that extra equipment adds bulk and often costs as well single-serve or pod coffee machines might be a better fit for you if you want something that’s faster, more affordable, and take up a lot less space.
Next, consider if you want a machine that you can use with ground coffee, single-serve pods, or a mixture of the two. Coffee pods are less messy than using ground coffee. They can be handy if you occasionally want to make decaf coffee using the machine but they dont produce the thick, rich crema you get with freshly ground coffee.
If you regularly make espresso for a couple of people simultaneously, look for a coffee machine with a double spot on the tray that can fill two separate cups simultaneously. Meanwhile, if you like longer coffee drinks with milk, such as cappuccinos and lattes, choose an espresso machine with a built-in steam wand or factor in the cost of a standalone milk frother.
If you’re on a budget, take a look at our guide to the best cheap coffee maker deals, too.
Intelligentsia: Black Cat Classic Espresso
Intelligentsia made a name for itself for providing extremely high-quality coffee at affordable prices.
The Black Cat Classic is a wonderfully-flavorful blend of Brazilian and Colombian coffee beans that will help you pull a tasty and fragrant coffee.
- Black Cat Classic Espresso: Supreme balance and a wonderful sweetness make our Black Cat Espresso truly a classic.
This blend has a reliably sweet taste with notes of dark chocolate, fruit, and sugars, perfect for casual and avid coffee drinkers.
The Intelligentsia Black Cat Espresso is my top choice for espresso enthusiasts.
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How Do You Use An Espresso Machine
For regular espresso machines that aren’t fully automatic like a Nespresso, you first turn on the machine to heat the water. Next, grind and measure your beans and place them in the portafilter. Clean any excess grinds from the portafilter, and use a tamper to press down straight on the grounds. Lastly, place the portafilter into the machine to pull your shot, which should take about 20 to 30 seconds to reach two ounces of espresso.
Krups 15 Bar Pump Espresso And Coffee Maker
This two-cup espresso and coffee maker by Krups is a great entry-level option. Its removable 1.5-liter water tank is located in the back, so the appliance is great for counters with limited space.
You can pull a single or double shot with this machine, and the steam nozzle allows you to heat and froth milk for cappuccinos, lattes, and more drinks. Theres also a cup warmer to ensure temperature consistency.
Note that this is a semi-automatic unit, so youll need to keep a close eye and turn it off when your espresso is done.
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Save $200 On One Of Our Favorite High
Amazon
The Barista Touch is our pick for best fully automated espresso machine. While we link the machine above at Williams-Sonoma, where it has typically been listed for a lower price, if you are a prime member you may wish to purchase the model from Amazon instead, where its currently on sale for $900 .
The Closest Youll Get To A Live
Williams Sonoma
Dimensions: 13.25 x 12.5 x 15.75 inches | Pressure: 9 bar | Warmup time: 3 seconds
A more advanced model from Breville, the Barista Touch Espresso Machine is probably the closest youll get to having a live-in barista. This fully-automatic machine has a 9-bar extraction pressure system, automatically doses out grinds based on your preferences and has a razor tool that trims down espresso to the ideal level for precision dosing and consistent extraction.
A digital touch screen lets you select your drink of choice from five options , or adjust shot volume, milk texture and milk temperature to create and save up to eight personalized drinks. Plus, the automatic milk texturing allows you to make silky latte milk or perfectly aerated cappuccino foam completely hands-free.
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Best Home Espresso Machines Traditional
OK so now we’re on to traditional espresso machines, or if you know you’re looking for a machine of this type you might have saved yourself the time of reading the bean to cup section, which is fair enough, time is money so they say. Not sure who they are, but apparently they say that.
So I’m going to do this roughly in price order as I did with the bean to cup section, some machines are very similarly priced, and some machines will be priced differently at different times when a certain retailer or brand has a promotion, etc., so they’re not going to be in perfect order by price.
Preinfusion?: Yes, pre-set and manual
What To Consider When Buying A Coffee Maker
There are so many different coffee makers on the market that it can be hard to know which is the best option for you.
If you enjoy a simple americano and donât like milk-based drinks, then a drip filter coffee maker will be a great option. Plus, these machines can make as many as 12 cups of coffee in one go. If you just want small quantities of coffee, weâd recommend a single-serve coffee maker from Keurig or Nespresso.
If you do like milk-based coffee, then there are quite a few options available. Some models are fully automated and have a built-in frother that will be able to create a variety of milk textures, while others have steam arms which you place into a jug of milk and froth the milk yourself. Thereâs a third option too – and this includes buying a separate milk frother which is a stand-alone machine. Youâll be able to use these to make everything from lattes to hot chocolates, and they make a great accompaniment to a pod coffee maker.
Coffee drinkers that like plenty of customization options will be best suited to a coffee maker that lets you adjust the strength of your brew and create different sizes of hot drinks. Many premium coffee makers will let you do both of these things, but you can also adjust the strength and the aroma of your coffee with a good drip filter model.
If youâre still not sure, you can find a more detailed breakdown in our article covering which type of coffee maker to buy.
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What Coffee Beans Do You Use For An Espresso Machine
Any beans can be used, but some are better than others. “Traditionally throughout Italy , Robusta has been the bean of choice,” Patterson says. “They are typically lower quality, but they produce the better crema. In the US, Arabica beans are commonly used to create great Espresso and are my go-to.” He stresses the importance of using beans that have been freshly roasted, as that will heavily impact the flavor.
How Much Do Coffee Machines Cost
Again, this depends on the type of coffee you’re looking to make and desired level of control over the process. A basic coffee pod machine can be picked up for upwards of £40, although buying coffee pods can work out to be a more expensive in the long run.
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Espresso machines that use ground coffee start at just under £100 but the ceiling for these depends on the brand and can be pushed upwards of £2000. Most on the market are pump-powered and generate bar-pressure to drive hot water through the compressed grounds. For a good automatic machine with presets, you can expect to pay between £100 and £400.
The most expensive home coffee machines on the market tend to be bean-to-cup. These are also the largest out there in terms of footprint and start at around £300.
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French Press Coffee Makers
French press coffee makers have been used for nearly a century, and theyre still beloved by java purists. You control every aspect of the process, from your choice of coffee beans to the steeping time. Full control means you can tailor your coffee to your liking. Plus, the best French press coffee makers are simple to use and clean and produce a robust and full-flavored beverage thats difficult to match.
Environmentally friendly
Infinite possibilities to experiment with taste
Portable and require minimal counter space