Espresso is a coffee specialty with a strong taste and a thick layer of foam, and if you are one of the many people in love with its great taste, an espresso machine helps you make your favorite coffee from the comfort of your own home.
Most home espresso machines can make espresso and other types of drink as well, including cappuccinos and machiatos, so if you are a coffee lover, it is worth investing in such a machine. Pump and steam driven espresso machines are the most popular types of coffee makers, and knowing the differences between them should help you make the right choice.
Thick layers of foam and strong taste
Pump driven espresso machines are high-end products, thus more expensive than the steam driven ones. Their mechanism is based on heated water that activates an internal pump which produces a full-flavored espresso. Moreover, pump driven machines don’t need time to cool down between uses; all you have to do is refill the water tank and push a button any time you or your guests want to enjoy a fresh cup of espresso.
Pump driven machines can also be semi-automatic, full-automatic or super automatic. The semi-automatic ones are less popular because you will have to manually control the volume of the drink. Full and super automatic machines, however, have improved features that allow you to enjoy a great coffee at the touch of a button. They usually have heating chambers for brewing and steaming to optimize flavor extraction; warming trays, removable drip trays, multiple cup sizes and coffee strength options. There are many renowned brands that offer these types of automatic espresso machines, so if you are not sure which model to choose, you can check out espresso-dedicated websites such as Espresso Gusto to read reviews and other useful information.
Another major advantage of choosing pump driven machines is that they are the only devices that produce crema, which is an essential element for an original espresso. It is actually a golden, thick layer of foam resulted from the pressurized extraction process. Most people choose to drink their coffee that way because they get to enjoy different flavors at once when sipping the drink and breaking the foamy layer. Note, however, that crema is different from the frothed milk that tops other types of specialty coffee.
Steam driven espresso machines also use boiling water to produce steam pressure, but that pressure is usually not strong enough to provide the same intense coffee taste as pump driven machines do. Moreover, they cannot produce more than 4 shots of espresso at once, because you will have to allow complete cool down before being able to add more water and start the process again. However, steam driven espresso machines are more affordable and may be a better option for people who don’t drink coffee that often.