How To Choose The Best Italian Espresso Machine
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Given that Italy is the birthplace of espresso, it should come as no surprise that Italian brands make some of the worlds best espresso machines. They have high standards to uphold.
Even Starbucks founder Howard Schultz holds the region in high esteem .
I think Italy is such a special place. I am so respectful of the Italian coffee heritage and the Italian culture.
So whats the best way to bring that Italian coffee culture into your home? This buyers guide is here to walk you through it, so youll be drinking morning cappuccinos and afternoon espressos like a true Italian.
Speaking of Italian coffee culture, did you know theres a way of drinking coffee like an Italian? Oh, yes.
How To Clean A La Pavoni Espresso Maker
The chances are that with time the chrome featured on the coffee machines may get lime scale-ridden, but not to worry gentle polishing will get it back to its shiny self.
To polish, all you would need is a glass cleaner and soft cloth so that you don’t accidentally cause scratches.
Also, since water is involved in espresso preparation, you might end up with hard water stains. A regular full-cleanup will help in removing them.
However, there’s nothing to worry about in the meanwhile. The portafilter is quite strong and ensures that even If your La Pavoni gets calcified the espresso flavor, richness, and caffeine ratio will remain the same.
Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine Best Overall
Silvia is Latin for forest, and the Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine may stand out as the greenest tree in the forest that is your kitchen. Its semi-automatic with an elegant presence and a commercial-grade interior, from the thermally stable group-head to the portafilter size. It also has a flexible steaming wand, allowing you to control steaming pressure while you practice your latte art.
As a compact machine, this choice does have its shortcomings. The drip tray is smaller than many might prefer. It does have a removable water reservoir, but no low water indicator. Without a built-in grinder, you will have to purchase one separately if you dont own one.
Overall, we think the Rancilio Silvia is the best espresso machine under $1000.
The Breville Barista Express is a semi-automatic that includes a conical burr grinder with a size dial, giving you control of the grind. It allows for single or double shots and micro-foam milk texturing and has PID technology to ensure that there are no temperature fluctuations.
Its not a self-explanatory machine, so you might need to immerse yourself in the manual if youre still acclimating to the barista world of espresso. It comes with interchangeable filters so you can use the auto operation or manual operation, if youre in the mood to dabble with the method. It does come with a water filter, but replacement filters are expensive, and using pre-filtered water may be a better option.
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Why Are Some Espresso Machines So Expensive
Espresso machines are expensive because of the quality of their components. So it is often worth shelling out the extra bucks for a great model.
More expensive machines are usually stainless steel rather than plastic, so theyre more durable, and they have more precise controls. That means more accurate and consistent pressure and temperature, a surefire way to make better espresso.
Gaggia Brera Super Automatic Espresso Machine
The Gaggia Brera is an Italian super-automatic espresso machine that can make anything from classic espresso to specialty drinks like cappuccinos, lattes, or macchiatos. Its unique Panarello wand enables you to steam or froth until it’s creamy, velvety, and smooth, providing ideal foam to top off your lattes, hot chocolate, or a cappuccino. It only stands at 12.4 inches with a front-loading water reservoir and dreg drawer, allowing you to slide the product in kitchen cabinets and give you more counter space to spare.
Features
Ceramic Burr Grinder For Fresh GroundsThe brewer’s equipped with a ceramic burr grinder, ensuring consistent grinds while reducing heat transfer, producing flavorful and aromatic espresso that resembles your favorite drinks from your local coffee shop. Moreover, it uses an adapting system that automatically adjusts the grinding time, speed, and volume of grounds you’d like regardless of the type of beans you’re using.Programmable Espresso BrewingThe brewer allows you to personalize your favorite drinks, including the aroma, coffee strength, and volume for espresso, latte, cappuccino, or regular brewed coffee.Simple InterfaceThe brewer is relatively easy to use thanks to its intuitive, dedicated buttons and LED touch screen, allowing you to make a list of beverages, including pre-made options like espresso, cappuccinos, or customized ones.
HIGHLIGHTS
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What Are The Best Espresso Beans
The best espresso beans are the ones that taste the best to you. Theres no need to look for beans, specially labeled as espresso beans, although here some of our recommendations.
If youre unsure where to start, try a flavorful and full-bodied medium roast with chocolate and nut flavors, like a Colombian or Costa Rican single origin. These tend to be crowd-pleasers.
Best Italian Espresso Machines
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Do you want one of the best Italian commercial espresso machines money can buy for your business?
Youll notice one thing pretty quickly about high-end espresso machines: theyre frequently made by Italian manufacturers.
In Italy, making espresso drinks is an art, and this quality shows in their espresso machines. If youre looking for a high-end Italian machine for your home or business, youre in the right place.
In this guide, well show you the best Italian commercial and home espresso machines.
Youll discover:
- The basics of espresso machines
- How to decide which espresso machine is right for you
- Our collection of the best Italian espresso machines
- Recommendations on the best applications for each machine
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Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Espresso Machine W/milk Frother Black Ep3241/54
If youre on a budget but want an espresso machine at home, the Philips 3200 is an excellent option. At first glance, you may mistake this brewer for the Saeco Xelsis since it has a modern control panel and can brew up to two drinks at a time.
Coffee lovers seeking smooth milk froth will love the steam-dispensing milk frother on this Philips machine. Prepare to feel like a barista as you pour milk into the two-part frother and steam it to perfection. That said, if you prefer automatic milk-based menus, the newest automatic milk foaming system LatteGo in the Philips 3200 series offers a hands-off milk system.
If you struggle with getting the proper water temperature for other coffee makers, youll be happy to know that the Philips Aroma Extract system ensures your cup of Joe stays between a perfect 90 and 98°C.
Pros
- Brews four types of coffee ranging from espresso to coffee
- A 12-step burr grinder lets you turn your coffee beans into a fine powder or keep them coarse
- An aroma seal simultaneously preserves coffee bean flavor and prevents loud grinding noises from filling your kitchen
- Affordable price for the impressive features it provides, the best espresso machine under 1000.
Cons
- The machine shuts off on its own, so itll need to reheat again if you want another cup of coffee and dont catch it in time
- This model doesnt have a steam wand so you cant froth milk yourself.
Types Of Drinkshow Much Do You Need
If multiple people will use your espresso machine or if you like changing up your coffee beverages, youll want to choose an espresso maker that offers different espresso drink styles. In fact, some espresso machines offer a double-digit number of options!
There are espresso machines that brew up more basic beverages like espresso and Americano.
However, if you love lattes, espresso macchiato, cappuccino, and other frothy drinks, youll want to ensure that you purchase a machine that comes with a milk frother. If you want to get really fancy, you can even choose one with a milk-based menu.
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Jura Ena 8 Metropolitan Black Automatic Coffee Machine
If youre drawn to the compact, one-cup nature of the Jura A1 but feel like you want something a little more advanced, look no further than the Jura ENA 8. The crystal carafe water tank lets you store plenty of water for cup after cup of coffee, while the cylinder remains thin enough that this coffee maker takes up less than 11 inches of counter space.
During early mornings when you wake up groggy, youll appreciate the user-friendly color display. With intuitive touch buttons and options to choose the type of coffee you want, you wont have to worry about finding a latte macchiato in your cup when you wanted a cappuccino with smooth foam.
- Choose from 10 different specialty coffees
- Allows you to program your favorite brewing temperature, coffee strength, and hot water temperature
- You can make a large cup of coffee in the morning and cut the size in half in the evening, so you dont consume too much caffeine before bed
Cons
- Water tank capacity is smaller than other machines
- The power switch is behind the machine, making access difficult if you place it against a wall
What Is The Best Espresso Coffee Machine In Italy
The answer to this question is very clear: the De Longhi ESAM3300 Magnifica. This super-automatic coffee machine is currently considered to be the best Italian-style coffee machine, and it is no wonder, since thanks to its innovative double boiler system and its eleven customizable grinding options, drinking coffee every morning will be a real pleasure.
In addition, apart from its multiple functions, this coffee maker is also very practical and easy to store with a beautiful and resistant shiny stainless steel cover that will ensure that our machine remains spotless over the years.
Fast, beautiful, and efficient. The De Longhi ESAM3300 Magnifica is simply ideal!
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Best Italian Espresso Machine: Our Top 7 Choices
In a hurry? Our top pick for the best Italian espresso machine is De Longhi ESAM3300 Magnifica.
Ready to splurge on an espresso coffee machine?
You cant go wrong by choosing an Italian brand.
After all, who knows espresso best than those who invented it?
Of course, theres a long list of models on the market, so choosing the right one might seem like an impossible task.
But thats why were here today.
In this article, Ill show you the best Italian espresso machine there is, as well as a few close follow-ups.
That should help you make your choice on knowledge, not pure luck.
Lets dive straight in!
What About A Lever Espresso Machine
Lever espresso machines really are beautiful, and they’re fun to use. However, they also present a handful of unique challenges, particularly when it comes to espresso shot consistency. The learning curve is higher, so we tend to save recommending lever machines only for higher-end coffee shops and espresso bars that are up for the challenge.
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Create Third Wave Specialty Coffee At Home
Made possible by the 4 keys formula
Third wave specialty coffee sees coffee as an artisanal food, produced to achieve the ultimate taste experience. When it comes to replicating third wave specialty coffee at home, theres no cutting corners. Thats why Breville created a range of automatic and manual espresso machines that honor tradition and techniques that define the very fundamentals required for third wave specialty coffee
Breville Fully Automatic Espresso Machine Oracle Touch
One glance at all the bells and whistles on the Oracle Touch, and youll feel like you brought the best qualities of a coffee shop into your home. Personalization defines this espresso machine, as you can adjust the strength, milk texture, and temperature to your liking and save that setting under your name. Do you have a big household of coffee drinkers? No worriesit can accommodate custom settings for up to eight people.
The Oracle Touch is a dual boiler machine. It comes with time-saving features such as the ability to brew and steam simultaneously. Are you running late for work? The Oracles digital temperature control produces a balanced-tasting cup of coffee that you can nurse as you rush to the office. The premium stainless steel build makes it looks great in your kitchen. This super automatic machine has a higher price tag since its the top model of Brevilles coffee machines product line.
Pros
- Fully automated with a touch screen where you can choose and customize everything from long black coffee to cappuccinos
- It contains high-quality conical burr grinds and doses out coffee like commercial machines
- An Over Pressure Valve prevents your coffee from tasting bitter
Cons
- The warm-up time takes longer than other super-automatic espresso machines
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Best Machine For The Value: La Marzocco Linea 2 Group Ee
When youre on a budget, you need a machine thats simple and reliable, without sacrificing performance. With sturdy engineering and complete reliability, thesemi-automatic La Marzocco espresso machine is a trusted classic that you can depend on day after day.
Featuring dual-boiler technology and saturated brewing groups, the Linea ensures thermal control and maximum steam capacity for a perfectly matched coffee experience every timeeven in busy settings. With robust craftsmanship and a clean, minimalist design, the Linea is as easy to operate as a home espresso machine, making it user friendly for baristas of all backgrounds. Best of all, this tried-and-true classic is budget friendly. So whether youre a small cafe or just testing the waters of coffee service in your retail space, the Linea is a wise choice for the financially minded.
To Grind Or Not To Grind
A big factor dictating an espresso machines cost is whether or not it includes a built-in grinder.
We always recommend that you grind your coffee beans right before you brew. This guarantees the freshest and most flavorful cup. To do this, you can either buy an espresso machine with a built-in grinder or buy a separate burr grinder to pair with your espresso machine .
The formers advantage is that it saves counter space, makes your espresso preparation more efficient, and could save you some money. The advantage of the latter is that youll have more flexibility. You can use the separate grinder to prepare other coffee styles, and you can opt for a brand specializing in grinders.
Because they are Italian in origin, ESE pods are compatible with many espresso machines made in Italy. Conceived by famed Italian coffee brand Illy, the pods are designed to make espresso as convenient and consistent as possible, and they succeed on that front.
They dont match freshly ground beans in terms of quality, but they are undeniably convenient. And unlike K Cups or other similar single-serve products, they dont come with negative environmental consequences .
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How To Choose An Italian Espresso
Throughout the article, we have talked about the best Italian espresso machines to make delicious espresso, but how can we find out which is the best Italian espresso we can drink?
The methods of selection between one type of coffee or another have evolved over the years, especially since the globalization and the export of coffee from all over the world, but if you really want to drink an Italian espresso at home, you should always take into account a series of factors the blend, the milk, the filtering and brewing method, the roasting and the aroma.
Everyone knows that there are two universal types of coffee blends Arabica and Robusta. With Arabica being the most used and preferred by coffee lovers with a more velvety taste resulting from the mixture of different beans and fruits. The choice between one type or the other will always depend on the personal taste of each person, so it could be said that there is no bad choice.
On the other hand, we should also take into account whether we like to drink an Italian espresso with milk or alone, which will turn our espresso into a delicious cappuccino or caffe latte and will change the original flavor of the coffee when mixed with the creamy flavor of the milk. Regarding the filtering and the flavor of our Italian espresso, we should know that filter coffee has a much more acidic flavor and a much more powerful aroma, so if we like intensely flavored coffees, filtered coffees are probably our best option.
Reviews Of The Best Super
It can get quite complicated to find the best commercial espresso maker when you are presented with so many options. Over the years, the process of making coffee in coffee shops and restaurants have continued to evolve. Thanks to commercial espresso machines, we have moved away from the era where waiters and waitresses served filtered coffee from jugs. Instead, we came to an age where your espresso drinks are brewed the moment you place an order.
You want to improve the quality of coffee served in your coffee shop or café? Or are you about to start a shop or a restaurant? Or maybe you just have a large family who all happen to be coffee connoisseurs. A commercial espresso coffee machine is what you need.
Not looking for a commercial-grade espresso machine? Try something more affordable, but as great and meant for households best espresso makers under 200 USD.
The super-automatic espresso machine will provide you with more flavorful drinks, faster brewing speed, and versatility.
To make your choice of the right espresso machine easier, we have reviewed the best 10 commercial espresso machines out there.
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