The proliferation of coffee shops on every street corner may be quite obvious to most people. Indeed, coffee shops have come a long way, now brewing different types of coffee beans into a number of coffee concoctions that people enjoy. Espresso is one of the most popular choices for people to order and savor in coffee shops, although the cost can become quite exorbitant for the frequent visitors. Espresso machines are used to produce the traditional Italian coffee drinks, often prepared by trained baristas to balance the flavor, aroma and acidity of the espresso. The popularity of the said drink may be the reason behind the presence of espresso machines not only in coffee shops but in more and more coffee lovers’ homes.

Heavenly Espresso

Perfect espresso captures the richness of the coffee beans, preserving its robust aroma and flavor with the right acidity, bitterness and punch. Traditionally produced using lever-style espresso devices, there are now countless varieties of espresso machines that will suit every consumer’s needs and budget to produce a flavorful shot of espresso. Rich, almost syrupy espresso may then be taken as is or may be used as the base for almost all coffee concoctions.

What Espresso Devices do

Espresso machines are specially designed to capture the full flavor of coffee in one shot. Freshly ground coffee is put into a metal filter basket which is then tamped or compressed to make a dense coffee puck. Pressurized water of the proper temperature is then forced into the coffee puck, and secured by a locked portafilter. Most machines available also have steam wands to steam and froth milk for espresso beverages such as lattes and cappuccinos. Although initially manufactured for commercial use, espresso machines have found their way into more and more homes, with smaller versions of the larger commercial machines.

Types of Espresso Machines

There are different types of espresso machines that can satisfy the needs, whims and budget considerations of consumers. Stovetop espresso makers and steam espresso pots are considered little, portable machines that can produce a rich espresso. Piston-driven espresso makers, the original blueprint for current espresso machines, are also popular since they can produce high quality espresso and may be decorative showpieces that add a homey touch to country kitchens. Traditional pump-driven espresso makers which inspired commercial espresso machines are also popular, practical and affordable choices. For those who are after comfort and quickness in preparing their espressos, semi-automatic or automatic espresso machines are equipped with water pumps and manually controlled grind, brew and tamp levers. Super automatic espresso machines, although expensive, may be the best choice for people who lack the time or expertise to make the perfect espresso. These devices are self-contained, and only require owners to fill the water reservoir and the bean hopper. The amazing machine will do the rest of the work in brewing the perfect cup of espresso every time.

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So you need a cup of coffee to get you going in the morning, and you are probably quite happy to drink whatever brews the cappuccino machines in the office are dispensing. If it’s hot, it smells like coffee and it gives you the necessary head rush to start your day, that’s all you need.

So it may astonish you to realise exactly how many different types and origins of coffee there are out there. Some people devote their entire careers to coffee tasting to find the perfect mix of beans to create just the right taste. These professional tasters are called cuppers and really know their coffee.

Centered on the equator, a band twenty five degrees to the north and south houses the seventy countries where coffee beans are grown. From South America and the Caribbean, to Africa and the Middle East, this strip around the centre of the globe provides just the right conditions for coffee plantations to thrive. Each country, and sometimes each area within the same country, produces beans with their own special characteristics to produce distinctive flavors.

The two main divisions of coffee beans are Arabica and Robusta. Robusta is the more potent of the two, with double the amount of caffeine. The Arabica beans have more taste and a pleasing fragrance, making them suitable for superior quality blends.

The Arabica bean is split again into two categories. The higher quality Milds, are grown at over three thousand feet, the perfect altitude for coffee growth. Brazils, not surprisingly a product of Brazil, are grown in larger quantities, at lower altitudes, on the many large plantations of the area.

When seeking the perfect coffee, most people choose ready roasted beans, although it is possible to buy the soft, green beans and roast them yourself. There are a number of categories of roast, from the light or cinnamon roast, which is strong and acidic, to the dark or city roast, a less bitter sweeter category, often used for espresso. In between is the medium or American roast, the standard used for everyday drinking and extremely popular.

Two other varieties of European roast are the full bodied French roast, and the very dark Italian roast, used in speciality espressos. Both of these are dark roasts and so the resulting brews are less acidic and sweeter than your average cup. The longer roasting process allows the sugars in the bean to caramelize and much of the bitter caffeine to burn away.

So next time you reach for a cup of the strong stuff to wake you up in the morning, take a minute to find out what goes into your coffee makers. Maybe consider what you really want in a coffee and spend some time looking for your perfect roast.

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How much do we really know about the coffee we drink every day? Where does the coffee used in our cappuccino machines come from? Next time you go into the kitchen to make a cappuccino take a look at the coffee packet and you might be surprised. The number of coffee producing coffees is growing rapidly, and the differences between the types of coffee according to their origin, can be astounding.

Coffee produced in Columbia is, of course, known worldwide. Although it is often used in mass produced supermarket coffees, there are a number of very fine Columbian grinds that should not be overlooked. One example is La Esperanza, grown at over six thousand feet in Tolima. Whilst the aroma of this particular coffee is likened to cherries, the taste contains an exquisite combination of chocolate and pipe tobacco tones.

Less well known are coffees from areas such as Hawaii. A particular favorite from this island is Kona, which comes in a variety of roasts from light to espresso. This particular coffee has a very low acidity which works beautifully with the powerful flavor of the dark espresso roast.

Continuing east on our coffee tour, we come to Africa, home to a number of superb coffee flavors. In Tanzania, should you be brave enough to attempt an ascent of Kilimanjaro, you would find the unusually shaped Peaberry coffee bean. The single oval bean results in a lighter coffee with a higher than average acidity. Ethiopia is another crucial part of Africa’s coffee history. A really unusual taste from the Yirgacheffe region mixes ginger and citrus peel to give an effect that is both sharp and chocolate like.

Our first taste of Asian coffee should probably be sampled in India. The coffee beans that result from the humid and rainy months of the Monsoon Malabar are swollen and golden in color, producing a distinctive flavor and aroma of apricots. Jumboor beans are another popular variety, which gives a raisin like flavor to the drink. A lighter alternative can be found in Indonesia, where a sweet and flowery drink is made from beans in the Lake Toba region of Sumatra.

Another unusual location for coffee production is Jamaica, where the Peaberry, closely related to the African single bean of the same name, is made into a rich, intense drink with a sweet acidity and a range of floral tones.

Take a little time to find out what it is you like about your coffee and explore the possibilities available from the many coffee producing countries. You may find a perfect African cup that satisfies in the morning, an American roast for your coffee break and an Asian delicacy to follow your evening meal.

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