Espresso
If you are more of an espresso person (like me), then you will be looking for an espresso maker of some sorts. An espresso maker forces very hot water under high pressure through finely ground, compacted coffee. When looking to purchase an espresso maker, you need to make sure it has the following qualities:
- Can produce pressure of 8-10 bars - better quality shots
- A steam wand - used to steam milk for espresso drinks
- A tamper - not always included, but vital to get a good shot
There are different ways an espresso machine processes the espresso: manual (lever), semi-automatic, or automatic. If you are interested in making your own at home, semi-automatic is probably your best choice. It is less work (and takes less knowledge) than the manual method, but gives your more control and lets you learn how to make your own shots unlike the automatic. Coffee Geek published a great guide on how to purchase an espresso machine that is definitely worth checking out.
Lastly, do not skimp too much when buying an espresso machine. You want a good quality machine that will last you a long time and produce great quality shots. Do your research. There are other ways to make espresso (just Google "Moka pot"), but a semi-automatic machine is the most popular method.
Regular Coffee
Now, for all of you that like plain old coffee, there are a multitude of ways to brew a cup of joe. K-Cup, electric drip, and French press are the most well known of the methods, so they will be the only three discussed here today.
K-Cup coffee makers are rapidly becoming the most popular method of brewing coffee today. K-Cups are small pods that have enough grounds to brew a single cup of coffee. They are sealed until placed in a Keurig brewer which punctures the lid and the bottom and forces hot water through the K-Cup into a mug. It is quick, simple, and less messy than other methods of brewing. Because today's society is a fast-paced world, this method appeals to students, commuters, and busy parents on the run. They are relatively inexpensive, but if you drink a lot of coffee, you might want to consider purchasing the small filter basket that allows you to use your own grounds as the K-Cups can add up over time.
Electric drip coffee makers are still in wide use because they can quickly make a few cups of coffee. A standard electric drip maker heats up water from a reservoir and sprays it over coffee grounds. The coffee then flows through a filter and drips down into a pot. While slower than a K-Cup brewer, it is much more effective when making more than two cups of coffee. A regular electric drip coffee maker can make about 10-18 cups of water. An electric drip coffee maker is generally the least expensive coffee maker for those who drink a few cups a day.
French press coffee makers are popular to the coffee enthusiasts out there. The coffee is brewed by pouring the hot water into French press with the coffee grounds, letting it brew for a few minutes, and then pressing the plunger to trap the grounds at the bottom of the press. The French press captures more of the coffee's flavor because the grounds and the water are in direct contact, and do not pass through a paper filter like other brewing methods. While the most inexpensive method of brewing coffee, the French press is not convenient for making more than two cups at a time.
Conclusion
Well, after reading a description (and my opinions) on some of the different methods available to you for brewing your own coffee at home, I hope you will figure out which setup is right for you. I'm now going to go on Amazon and start drooling over the De'Longhi espresso makers.
Sources: Home Barista
