http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/
I'm drinkin' one right now. Cheap, easy to clean, small and easy to put away, no problems with breakdowns. Quick (around 2 min to make) Realy a no-brainer.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/1. Good ingredients.
2. A good machine
3. A good grinder

Most people who haven't had a good cup of espresso typically say they don't like espresso because it is bitter. If espresso is bitter, it most likely hasn't been made properly because one or more of neceessary 'parts' were not there. Espresso is supposed to taste like a cup of molten bitersweet chocolate. It doesn't need sugar; it is naturally sweet. In the US, I've only been to 3 cafes that serve espresso the right way; a lot of other places make espresso in such a way that it tastes bitter. (In europe, the opposite is true)

You can get the Silvia, like I did, and try to use your starbucks bought coffee and all you'll have is a small cup of bitter coffee and $499 less in your pocket. You need finely ground coffee that is fresh; Illy espresso in a can won't get this for you.

Look for a decent grinder first. Mazzer Mini is great; Rancilio makes the Rocky (I have the doser-less one).

As for the machine, yes, the Rancilio is regarded as one of the best home espresso machines. It is built like a rock, all stainless steel components, and a good pump mechanism that will wake up the neighbors in the morning. It is the hummer of espresso machines.

Ingredients: You'll want fresh coffee beans. Beans typically go bad after 2 weeks. Try intelligentsia coffee's black cat espresso blend - they deliver with the roast date on the bag. You'll also need good water; NYC has great water but some parts of the US have really 'soft' water which doesn't make for a good cup.
]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/
and, i only got the cheap one.


z]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/
For more info then you could probably ever use, look at www.home-barista.com and www.coffeegeek.com

Also, I'd have to respectfully disagree with E and say that the Nespresso machines are sins against coffee and shouldn't be allowed within 5 feet of a kitchen. The disgusting podwater that they make could never be called espresso and the proprietary pods they use are a. expensive as hell b. bad coffee and c. proprietary so you couldn't order after market pods of (decent) coffee from http://www.podhead.com/ or the like.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/
However, once I discovered this a replacement was sent, I had only to pay for shipping. I bought mine from www.wholelattelove.com]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/If you do get one, season it by making a half-dozen, or so, coffees that you should just toss. The machines are extremely well engineered and, if nothing else, it will surely be the coolest looking item in your kitchen.
]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/water in the bottom, ground coffee (normal grind please!) in the center,
and pot on top with a pressure release valve. Water heats up, pressure
builds up, release lets go steam comes blasting through the beans into
the upper pot, perfect home espresso.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/
also john r knows his shit. heed his advice

and check the ratings yourself on coffeegeek:
http://www.coffeegeek.com/reviews]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/for this info
go to the source
http://www.coffeegeek.com
caffeine fueled obsessives
sick
really
.
i'm a
single-cup
manual
pourover
with a
whirlyblade
(shameful, I know
but grudgingly accepted
for a pourover)
.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/
http://www.bialetti.com/
http://lib1.store.vip.sc5.yahoo.com/lib/coffeeandkitchen/moka-directions.jpg

Mike]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/+
either illy or lavazza coffee.

= perfect espresso.
]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/
I have the F9 and really love it. The only problem is you will drink way too much coffee!

http://www.capresso.com/prod_super_f9.html]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/
some pictures you can see here
http://www.aving.co.kr/newproduct/default.asp?p1=newproduct&mode=cat_list&c_code=02_03

(in Korean though)

]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/Manual, do-it-yourself: La Pavoni
Middle of the road: Bialetti

I have first and last; Pavoni was my first and has since been handed down to another coffee lover.

As to Nespresso: yes, pods are expensive at $0.49 each, but the quality is outstanding; the crema is consistant; the service from nespresso USA is timely and top notch. We are on our second machine, after wearing out the first after 6+ years of use; this one is 2+ years, and going strong.

Mike]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/
Also, good dark beans (not french roast, too bitter) and good water always make for good coffee. If you have to shop a the grocery store--and they are not well stocked--look for Cafe Bustello.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/
I use Barefoot Element 114 beans, FANTASTIC. I used a Krups w/ Illy coffee for about 4 years. Doesn't even come close.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/
Capsules are not expensive. How much is double shot at Starbucks? :D
At lest the coffee grind is perfect.

It makes perfect crema, better than some coffee shops/restaurants who don't bother cleaning the machine or learning how to make a shot.

It's an art to make the perfect espresso, the Nespresso machine does it all. All you have to do is put the capsule in! :) Perfect everytime.
]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/
http://62.207.135.220/FrancisFrancis/en-US/Products/X1.htm

...highly enough myself. Not cheap, though, particularly should you feel the need to splash out on the Titanium version weighing in at a cool, wait for it, $1,399.99(!!):

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000AFX48/102-3266769-0949700?v=glance]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/
Seriously.

]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/
..I'd link to a decent picture...
...Though I can only find the manual on their web site.

It is defiantly the most *gadget* expresso machien I have ever seen (dual line LCD display, blue LED backlighting, motors and actuators to do everything):

http://www.starbucks.com/retail/Starbucks%20Italia%20Digital%20165895600%20Rev01.pdf


ahh .. found a picture:

http://www.starbucks.com/retail/images/lg_saecoDigital.jpg

And a forum on it:

http://www.coffeegeek.com/forums/espresso/machines/36966
]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.bodumusa.com/shop/line.asp?MD=1&GID=3&LID=11&CHK=&SLT=&mscssid=9XBP6UP55SXE9GB9L4NKR33J2EK7DF6B]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/
http://www.victoriaarduino.com/]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002ELNQY/qid=1122603392/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-3273641-2086328?v=glance&s=gourmet-food&n=507846]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.synesso.com/index.shtml]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/Dec 19th 2005 1:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/28/ask-engadget-best-home-espresso-machine/
Gaggia are excellent value for money.]]>Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM