Nespresso CitiZ Automatic Espresso Maker

Nespresso CitiZ Automatic Espresso MakerYou will be truly impressed with the ease and flavor of this machine. It’s quiet operation means that you won’t have to run out of the house to get your Espresso when everyone else is still sleeping. Small, extremely well-built and smartly-designed, the Nespresso is must-have if you like your coffees the way they make them in Europe.

The frother is equally simple and equally well-designed. Two attachments, held in place magnetically, allow you to choose between just steamed milk or lots of warm foam.

This Espresso Machine is available on Amazon at over 15% off retail price! Click this link to take advantage of this huge discount!

Combining an ultra-urban, retro-modern design with exceptionally practical, user-friendly functionality, this automatic espresso maker not only functions as a beautiful accent piece to any kitchen counter, but it also brews up soothing, cafe-style coffee drinks quickly and easily. Best of all, it comes with an integrated Aeroccino for creating an endless variety of milk-based coffee drinks at the touch of a button.

Other thoughtful design details include automatic and programmable volume control, an energy-saving mode, a 1-liter removable water tank, a removable drip tray, and folding cup support (one position for a cup and one position for a macchiato glass). The 1710-watt espresso maker and milk frother measures 14-3/5 by 9-2/7 by 11 inches.

Here are some great features of the Nespresso CitiZ Automatic Espresso Maker:

Here’s what one of the owners had to say about the Nespresso CitiZ Automatic Espresso Maker:

I was convinced that Nespresso was more of the same set of stylish gimmicks designed to convince you that this “espresso” was “the real thing”.  It IS the REAL THING. The machine is simply an automated and miniaturized ‘real’ espresso rig.  My Sicilian wife and all her relatives all fully approve of the espresso that comes out.  All this in under 30 seconds and within a square foot of counter space. (D. Thiel)

Review Paraphrased for size – view original review here

Breville BES860XL Barista Express Stainless Espresso Machine

Breville Barista ExpressThe Breville BES860XL Barista Espresso Machines is heavy, solid and well laid out. It’s a high quality, well built, user friendly, attractively designed machine. It features equipment options that accommodate the novice user as well as equipment options for the more experienced user. This machine is fast, easy and there is minimal clean-up. But most importantly, a fantastic cup of coffee.

The Barista is available on Amazon at over 28% off retail price! Click this link to take advantage of this huge discount!

With its integrated conical burr grinder and dosing control, this machine delivers the best way to get from espresso bean to thick crema in less than two minutes. Non-pressurized professional restaurant style single-wall filters allow for experimentation of grind size, grind amount and tamping pressure to explore the art of espresso. Pressurized dual-walled filters will assist even those new at making Espresso by delivering smooth crema every time.

Here are some great features of the Breville BES860XL Espresso Maker:

Here’s what one of the owners had to say about the Breville BES860XL Barista Express Stainless Espresso Maker:

This unit is a fully automatic expresso machine with the super automatic feature of grinding a pre-measure of beans for your brew. It has excellent steam temperature and pressure and works very well with the provided frothing jug – very minimal excess water to start. This is one finely engineered machine. In my opinion this is the best buy in the market. (Wolfenhawke)

Review Paraphrased for size – view original review here

Capresso Ultima Coffee and Espresso/Cappuccino Machine

Capresso Ultima Coffee and Espresso Cappuccino MachineThe Capresso Ultima is a wonderful kitchen appliance. It is so easy to use and the result is always consistent. The pressure steam process is the best way to make high quality coffee drinks at home without paying big dollars and standing in line at a coffee shop. Within about 2 minutes from plugging it in, making the espresso and frothing the milk, you can be done.

The Capresso Ultima is available on Amazon at over 15% off retail price! Click this link to take advantage of this huge discount!

The Capresso “Ultima” eliminates all the inconvienent and sometimes difficult steps of conventional espresso machines: no more complications with filling, cleaning and rinsing baskets, tamping and hot filter holders.

The double coffee spout adjusts to accommodate different size cups. Within seconds you can brew any size cup from one espresso to two six ounce cups of coffee with wonderful crema on top.

Here are some great features of the Capresso Ultima Coffee and Espresso Machine:

Here’s what one of the owners had to say about the Capresso Ultima Coffee and Espresso/Cappuccino Machine:

The DVD is very helpful to understand the process of using this coffee/espresso maker and its parts. My two favorite parts are the disposal bin for the used grounds (no more filters!) and the frothing wand. Essentially for the price, this machine produces a great cup of espresso and frothy milk or coffee which makes this a great multitasking machine that still fits (with clearance) under your cabinets. (S. Ryan)

Review Paraphrased for size – view original review here

Gaggia Classic Espresso Machine with Instructional CD

Gaggia Classic Espresso MachineNice large water reservoir single and double filter baskets, tamper, pretty much everything you need to get started making great coffee is in here. The quality is A+. Very easy to use. Why spend $5 per cup at a coffe house when the Gaggia Classic makes 1000 x better Espresso.

The Gaggia Classic is available on Amazon at over 15% off retail price! Click this link to take advantage of this huge discount!

The Gaggia Classic is one of our best sellers for several reasons. Commercial grade quality: Rugged construction of heavy duty materials for longevity. Forged brass components to stabilize temperature with a three-way solenoid valve and independent expansion valve. The Gaggia Classic turns anyone into a professional espresso maker in their own home.

Here are some great features of the Gaggia Classic Espresso Machine:

Here’s what one of the owners had to say about the Gaggia Classic Espresso Machine:

The Gaggia Classic Espresso Machine is brainlessly easy to use. There are detailed instructions and a CD to help you if you have any problems. I owned a much less expensive espresso make that I was never happy with. After doing extensive research on the internet and talking to several friends who are espresso aficianados, it is clear to me that this is the price range you need to be in that will consistently make a good espresso. (U. Blaine)

Review Paraphrased for size – view original review here

Rancilio Silvia Espresso, Latte, Cappuccino Maker

Rancilio Silvia Espresso Lattes Cappuccinos MakerEspresso Machines in the home are becomming very popular.  Many people prefer to make their own premium espresso from their own kitchen rather than the inconvenience of having to run out to your favorite cafe.

Precision manufacturing and the highest quality materials all come together to bring you a machine with a proven track record of dependable home service. Silvia’s heavy brass boiler can get up to temperature quickly and stay there, with a fast recycling time. The Rancilio Silvia is equipped with a 3-way valve that the relieves the brewing pressure as soon as the user turns off the brew switch. This automatically relives all the pressure so the user can safely, and cleanly remove the portafilter.

A reasonably sized brass boiler adds to thethermal mass. Heavy chromed brass portafilter,  three-way solenoid valve to depressurize the group head after pulling a shot, and wonderful creamy froth make this a top choice. The stainless steel construction ensures that the machine functions both as a  coffee maker and a piece of eye candy, while promising an easy surface cleaning. Excellent bang for your buck!

The Rancilio Silvia Espresso Maker is available on Amazon at over 15% off retail price! Click this link to take advantage of this huge discount!

Here are some great features of the Rancilio Silvia Espresso Maker:

Here’s what one of the owners had to say about the Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine:

This machine is the perfect blend of quality, durability, and ease of repair for a home machine under $500. It makes espresso that rivals any you can buy at a coffee house. This machine is practically bullet-proof. I’ve had it for over 5 years and it is still running like new. Sure it hurts to spend this much on an espresso machine, but how many $250 machines will you go through? Learn from my mistake(s) and get a good one. (C. Megbrag)

Review Paraphrased for size – view original review here

How To Keep Coffee Hot

Keeping our coffee fresh and hot is a big deal for some of us coffee lovers. There is nothing worse than a luke-warm mouthful of stale coffee. How you keep your coffee hot depends a little on where you are and what you’re doing. What happens to coffee as we keep it warm? Are there things I should never do to keep my coffee warm? Following these tips will help you understand how to keep your coffee hot and tasting great.

This little set of points should help you out:

- Use a thermal cup or mug for commuting or to keep it hot for short periods of time
- French Press brewers are not good for keeping coffee hot. They continue to brew and can produce very bitter coffee
- Glass and stainless steel thermos style bottles barely effect coffee taste at all
- Try to not use direct heat from an element or hotplate if possible
- A sealed or closed container slows the loss of essential aromas that influence coffee flavour
- You get the best flavour from coffee that is kept at least 170F

There are a number of taste related elements in coffee that change or degrade over time. This means that the taste of a cup of coffee will continue to change as time passes. The best way to manage this problem is to simply brew smaller amounts of coffee more frequently. It can’t be denied that the best cup of coffee is a freshly brewed cup of coffee.

Before you get your next pot of coffee ready, think about how you are going to drink it. If you plan on having it right away, no problem. But if you will be drinking it over a longer period of time, keep the points I made above in your mind. Plan out how you will keep it hot and tasting fresh. Then, happy brewing.

How To Store Your Coffee

Maintaining the freshness of coffee is so important in order to keep the flavor at it’s peak.  So how do we store coffee properly?  Well, there are a number of different ideas. One way is to put your ground coffee or coffee beans in the freezer. Is this the best option? Let’s look at the pros and cons.

Freezing has been used for centuries as a way to extend the life of many foods. And indeed, many foods can be frozen. Bread, meat, fruits, vegetables and even butter can be successfully stored in your freezer. Freezing  can even maintain many of the vitamins and nutrients of a wide variety of foods. Coffee, however, doesn’t fall into this category.

The freshness of coffee can be affected by four main things: air, heat, light and moisture. At first, freezing doesn’t seem to contain many of the offending enemies. However, appearances can be deceiving.

Roasting coffee beans enhances the flavor. But the  beans are also porous. A freezer can contain many other foods which have odors. This means that the porous beans can absorb the flavors of other foods in your freezer. Flavored coffees can be pleasant, but no one wants to drink seafood or garlic flavored coffee.

Moisture can also be absorbed by the coffee beans. Moisture causes deterioration and loss of flavor. The more often you take coffee in and out of the freezer, the more moisture can be absorbed into the bean. If you absolutely need to freeze some coffee because you have a large excess you’d like to keep, only freeze it once. The more you take it in and out of the freezer, the more damage you do.  I would personally recommend freezing coffee in individual portions in zip lock freezer bags and then putting these bags into a larger air-tight container.

Freezing also breaks down the oils in the beans. The oils in coffee beans contribute to their flavor. Breaking down the oils means taking away flavor.  And everybody who loves coffee knows that a large part of a good cup of coffee is the flavor.

All in all, freezing is not the best way to store your coffee. Keep coffee stored in a cool, dry, airtight container away from light. Freezing coffee is possible, but is best if you only freeze it once. The resulting loss of flavor and quality from repetitive freezing makes it a method of storage to stay away from. Your best bet is to purchase only enough beans or ground coffee to supply you for 1-2 weeks. Enjoy the coffee at its freshest!