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What is Espresso?

An espresso machine is used to make traditional italian coffee which is known as espresso. Measurements of espresso are commonly referred to as 'pulling' a shot. This term comes from espresso machines with long handles that need to be pulled in order to 'produce a shot'

What Machine Should I Buy?

There are many types of espresso machines available, which vary in quality. The really good ones control the temperature of the water to within a few degrees of what is considered optimum.

How Long Does It Take To Make An Espresso Shot?

It shouldn't take much longer than 20-30 seconds to make a rich shot of espresso. You can pull a shot of espresso into a pre-heated glass to maintain the right temperature of your drink. Milk based espresso drinks such as cappuccino also make use of steam wands built into the machine which steams and froths the milk.

Does A Portafilter Make It Taste Better?

Bottomless portafilters have the added advantage of ensuring the espresso does not contact metal during the process of extraction. Greater volume of espresso will flow using a portafilter and many people think it tastes better.

Types Of Espresso Machine

There are many different types of Espresso machine. Here is a summary: -

' Stovepot Espresso Maker - Portable but overextraction can produce a burnt taste.

' Steam Espresso Maker - Operate by steam pressure. End result is similar to stovetop espresso maker.

' Automatic Espresso Machine - Pump automatically turns off and brew pressure is released through a valve

' Super Automatic Machine - These machines automatically grind the coffee and are a breeze to use. You just fill the hopper and reservoir. Many also include automatic frothing devices. These models are very popular for home use.