It is called pulling the perfect shot, the shot being a robust cup of espresso. A luxurious cup of espresso is usually enjoyed at a sophisticated coffee house, or better yet, a European café. However, it is possible, with a little practice and a well crafted espresso machine, to make that perfect cup at home. So pull out your favorite demitasse and get ready!

Making the Perfect Shot

Espresso has become quite popular in coffee houses, and is the root of the very popular latte and cappuccino. With the boom of coffee houses, a wide variety of beans and roasts have become available to consumers. Once considered exotic and hard to find, a good cup of espresso is usually within reach. Espresso is a strong, flavorful coffee beverage brewed by forcing hot water through ground-roasted coffee beans. The beans are typically darkly roasted, and finely ground. In Italian, espresso means to press, and refers to the pressure applied to the water as it is forced through the grinds. In Italy, if you order a cup of coffee, it is assumed that you are ordering an espresso, and a cup of drip coffee is called a caffe Americano.

The public has embraced the boom of the coffee world, and there is a growing appreciation of fine coffee. With the expansion of the coffee business, there is a wide selection of beans and roasts, as well as machines. Espresso machines are available in stores and online, and range from the simple stovetop device to high-end professional models. With this emergence of such coffee machinery, people have taken to making their own morning, afternoon and after-dinner cup.

Types of Espresso Machines

There are three basic types of espresso machines: automatic--both semi and fully; super automatic; manual or piston. There is also the Moka pot, which is technically not an espresso maker because it lacks a steaming wand. It is a stovetop device, made of aluminum, which uses chambers to create steam and force hot water up through a tube and into coffee grounds located in a filter. The coffee then dribbles into a top chamber. The quality is not the same as a cup made in a café because the espresso flavor can be inconsistent. It is an affordable option, however, and ranges in price from $10 to $20.

Semi automatics and full automatics use an electric pump system to create the pressure. The difference between a semi automatic and a full automatic is that the fully automatics have an electronic control system that delivers measured amounts of water. A highly recommended fully automatic is the Rancilio Silvia. The Silvia can be found in stores and online. The price is estimated at $500.

Super automatics take espresso making to the next level. They deliver consistent, high quality. As espresso making can be messy and time consuming, the super automatic is fast and efficient. These machines are known to make a flavorful cup of espresso with no bitterness, each and every time. The Saeco Vienna Deluxe comes highly recommended. These machines are expensive, however, and can cost over $1,000.

Manual espresso makers are exactly what their name depicts. Manual. They can be more difficult to handle, and usually a trained barista will be skilled in making a great cup. The trick is that you need to pull the handle to create the shot of espresso. If you pull too slowly, the espresso is bitter. Also, your grind must be perfect. On the other hand, these machines are more affordable, and they offer the challenge of becoming a skilled barista. This machine is for the hobbyist.