Espresso Equipment Reviews

The Best AeroPress Filters: Enhance Your Coffee Brewing Experience

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AeroPress coffee maker kit including after market metallic filter and custom filter cap.

The secret to an exceptional AeroPress cup: the filter. If you are looking for the best AeroPress filter, you might be faced with a problem: the choice. Paper, metal, or cloth? Each one is a master key to an array of flavors, from the deep intensity of espresso to the lively notes of drip coffee. If you already know which type of filter you want, you will then need to choose a brand.
In this exploration, we focus on how these filters shape your coffee’s character, then we show you which brands are the best for each type. The best AeroPress filter is a combination of personal taste, environmental values, and practicality. Let’s delve deep and find not just a filter, but your partner in crafting the ultimate coffee experience.

AeroPress Review – Why The AeroPress Is One Of The Best Coffee Makers

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brewing inverted aeropress

The AeroPress is very popular for its ability to make top-quality coffee. Its versatility and affordability make it suitable for home and professional use. The device’s unique brewing method, combining steeping and pressure, results in a smooth, less acidic taste. With options for customization and additional accessories available, the AeroPress offers a convenient and portable coffee brewing solution.

What Is a Manual Espresso Machine

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la pavoni lever operated manual espresso machine

Manual espresso machines, often underrated, offer benefits like portability and control over the brewing process. The lever-operated machines, the precursor to semi-automatics, require skill but provide control over pressure. Portable manual machines, like hand pump espresso makers, cater to on-the-go enthusiasts. Hobbyist machines, like lever-operated ones, demand dedication but deliver exceptional shots.

Gaggia Babila Review – Super Automatic Espresso Machine

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gaggia babila review

I’ve spent a ton of time behind the counter at coffee shops, slinging espressos and getting that perfect foam on lattes. It’s pretty cool, but let’s be real—not everyone’s got the time to geek out over pulling the perfect shot with a semi-auto machine. That’s where this bad boy, the Gaggia Babila, comes in. It’s … Read more

Jura X8 Review

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jura x8 review 2

As someone who’s spent years behind the counter of coffee shops, I’ve had my hands on all kinds of espresso machines. While I have a soft spot for semi-automatics, I get it—not everyone has the time to make espresso a full-blown hobby. That’s where super-automatic machines like the Jura X8 come into play. They offer … Read more

What is a Super-Automatic Espresso Machine? Buying Guide

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various superautomatic espresso machines

Super-automatic espresso machines provide coffee lovers convenience, consistency, and customizability with the push of a button. They automate the entire process from grinding to extraction and often milk frothing. Features like integrated grinders, precise temperature control, and programmable settings make them popular for home and commercial use. Yet, they may offer less control over brewing for coffee aficionados, have a higher cost, and require meticulous maintenance. Ultimately, the choice between super-automatic and other espresso machines depends on individual needs for convenience, control, and budget considerations.

Mantis Espresso WDT Tool Review

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espresso wdt tool

As an espresso geek, I’m always on the lookout for ways to make the perfect cup of coffee. The WDT tools I owned were okay, but I never owned one to get me excited. I know… It’s a raking tool, and you only use it for a few seconds a day. Well, I like beautiful … Read more

Bottomless Portafilter – Why Do You Need One and Where To Buy It?

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Pulling an espresso shot with a bottomless portafilter

The pursuit of the perfect espresso shot is a non stop race.  Professionals and enthusiasts alike try to improve the extraction down to the finest details. No wonder there are so many tools and accessories for espresso brewing, espresso lovers are truly passionate. One of these espresso tools is the bottomless portafilter. In this page … Read more

The Best WDT Tool on the Market

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distributing coffee grounds with fusedline wdt

If you are looking to improve your espresso shot and get consistent results every time, you need a WDT tool. It’s not even a debate, there is concrete evidence that the Weiss Distribution Technique slightly improve the overall quality of your shots, but more importantly, it brings consistency from shot to shot. You might have the … Read more

The Best Coffee Canisters for Coffee Storage

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coffee beans in airtight glass jars

Storing coffee properly is one of the best things you can do to improve the taste of your espresso, or coffee. There is nothing worse than a flat shot of espresso, especially when you paid a decent amount to get great quality beans. So to pay for that single origin, and to end up with … Read more

Best Home Espresso Grinder – Rancilio Rocky Vs Baratza Vario Vs Eureka Mignon

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baratza sette espresso grinder

Best Home Coffee Grinders Compared Choosing a home espresso grinder for your daily espresso coffee brewing needs is not that complicated. If your budget is flexible, and you are trying to get the best bang for your buck, you might be stuck in a dilemma. We hope we can make it easier for you by showing what … Read more

Espresso Knock Box – The Best and the Cheapest

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espresso knock box line up

The espresso knock box is one of those devices that you never miss if you haven’t used it before, but once you get used to it you can’t live without. OK, it’s a trivial plastic box, you might say, what’s the fuss about it. Yeah, you are right, a cheap plastic bin to dump your … Read more

Semi Automatic Espresso Machines

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Faema E61 Legend semi-automatic espresso machine

One of the most sold types of espresso machines is the semiautomatic espresso machine. This is the perfect choice for espresso enthusiasts who aim to learn and experiment with coffee – it allows them to play with different recipes to create their favorite popular espresso drinks. There is also the inexpensive semiautomatic, which is the … Read more

What Is the Best Espresso Extraction Temperature?

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espresso machine displaying the water temperature in the boiler.

extraction is a precise process, where multiple brewing variables are finely adjusted in order to obtain a great cup of . Brewing temperature is one of the important variables, and if we don't handle it properly our espresso might be ruined, or just average.

In this post we are going to look at how the brewing temperature can change the flavor of the espresso, and how ca we teak the temperature in order to perfect our shot.

The information in this post is intended for the advanced barista, who wants to finely tune their shots.

Lelit espresso machine with PID showing 94 degrees Celsius - 201 degrees Fahrenheit.

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Rancilio Silvia vs Gaggia Classic Pro – A Classic Review Comparison

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rancilio silvia vs gaggia classic pro

If you are looking for a mid-range semi-automatic espresso machine, for your morning coffee fix, there are a lot of options. However, the Gaggia Classic and Rancilio Silvia are a lot of times compared. There are other machines within the same price range, however, these two coffee machines are the best rated by customers. This … Read more

Rancilio Silvia Pro X Dual Boiler Review

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rancilio silvia pro x

Rancilio Silvia Pro X is the dream of any home barista that aims for perfection. It is rather a prosumer espresso machine, and the price tag on the unit makes it accessible for those with a generous budget. Silvia Pro X is an upgrade of the Rancilio’s domestic espresso machine Silvia, so if you know … Read more

Espresso Machine Buying Guide – How to Buy an Espresso Machine for Home

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Mastrena semiautomatic espresso machine

When you are buying your first machine, you are faced with a big problem: choice. There are so many choices, that even if it's your second , it could prove a difficult task.

There are so many types of espresso machines, and there is a lot of competition on the market nowadays, that sometimes it's really difficult to choose, when you don't have all of the information. This is why we put together this espresso machine .

Even if you don't want to purchase soon, this page will show you what the differences between all the espresso machines are, and what importance have all the features for the .

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Rancilio Silvia Espresso Machine Review

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Rancilio Silvia espresso machine

is one of those machines that stirs up heated discussions. The machine is a collection of high-quality components that you only see in more expensive machines, yet some home baristas are reluctant to buy it. Our aim to inform you and make you confident in your machine purchase. We want you to make the right decision with the help of our articles and our Espresso Machine buying Guide.

This review will show you what makes the Silvia special, and what are the little annoyances that home baristas wish Rancilio would fix. 

Rancilio HSD Silvia, targets the home brewing sector, the espresso enthusiasts that love to tweak their espresso to perfection.

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DeLonghi Esam-3300 Magnifica Review

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delonghi magnifica esam 3300 review

The DeLonghi Magnifica ESAM3300 is a super-automatic espresso machine, that is affordable, reliable, and easy to work with. Any DeLonghi Magnifica will turn you into a home barista without the skills and knowledge you need if you buy a semiautomatic. This Delonghi Magnifica might not have the bells and whistles of the more expensive machines, … Read more

Espresso Shot Screen – What are Puck Screens and Which ones Are the Best

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espresso puck screen bplus

Espresso shot screens, or puck screens, are more and more popular among espresso aficionados. While the puck screen is not an essential piece of equipment, baristas who look for perfection, need it. Discovered by accident, the puck screen is now a popular accessory to improve the quality of the espresso shots.

Best Espresso Tampers for All Budgets

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espresso tampers

Beginner baristas look at the tamper as an unimportant accessory, the one that comes with the espresso machine is good enough. Maybe the tamper is not as important as the grinder, the roast date, or water quality. However, a great tamper is one of the tools you need if you aim for the perfect espresso shot. … Read more

Nespresso Vs Espresso vs Illy IperEspresso

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large realistic size of nespresso vs espresso final

If you are looking to get the best shot of espresso, you probably want to compare the most popular options on the market: traditional espresso vs Nespresso. Even the most passionate Nespresso critics have tasted it, at least to satisfy the curiosity. Let me introduce another competitor in your comparison, Illy IperEspresso. Why talk about … Read more

Best Cheap Espresso Machines

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For a coffee lover on a budget, buying an espresso machine might be challenging. As a beginner barista, you have limited knowledge in the field. How do you choose the best cheap espresso machine? What are the criteria that separate a good espresso maker from a bad one? We will try to familiarize you with … Read more

5 Great Cappuccino Cups – How to Buy a Cappuccino Cups Set

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Cappuccino cup and saucer

My wife asked me a couple of days ago to find her the best cups set on the market. Kind of a tall order, but hey, I didn't want to disappoint her.

The cappuccino set was going to be a gift for a close friend of her. I knew what I needed to find, so it looked like it was going to be a quick job. Material, size, form, I knew all of that, it just had to match my wife's taste. You'll see how a seemingly easy task turned up to be a very difficult one. I'll tell you the story, and you'll find out how I picked my cappuccino set, and in the process, you'll learn what to look for when you are shopping for .

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5 Best Espresso Cups – 5 Demitasse Cups

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espresso shot in white demitasse

Choosing the best espresso cup is not as easy as one might think. Yes, we know, you can probably drink your shot from any small cup. Espresso though is more than downing a strong coffee to get you started in the morning. It’s a ritual, and it is as much about the experience as it … Read more

Espresso-Based Beverages – Americano

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preparing an espresso drink - espresso Long Black

The Americano is an espresso-based drink with added water on top of a espresso shot. There are many variations of the Americano to choose from including black coffee with espresso added, iced americano, and Long black. Americano can be traced back to Italy in 1919. The drink was created when espresso machines were first introduced … Read more

Espresso-Based Beverages – Cappuccino

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Cappuccino in white cup on a saucer

Cappuccino is an espresso-based coffee drink that has its roots in Italy. The word cappuccino means “little hood” and refers to the brown color of monastic robes worn by members of the Capuchin order. It is traditionally made with espresso, hot milk, and steamed milk, and foamed milk. This article will explore what makes a … Read more

Espresso-Based Beverages – Latte

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barista pouring latte art

A latte is an espresso drink that you can get at any coffee shop. It consists of espresso, steamed milk and foam, and some flavorings. The word “latte” comes from the Italian word for milk: latte. Which makes sense because it contains both espresso and steamed milk! In order to make a latte correctly, you … Read more

How to Make Espresso With an Espresso Machine – A Definitive Guide

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Freshly brewed espresso shot

Everyone loves espresso coffee. No matter what we do to make our cup of joe at home, nothing seems to compare to a beautiful, strong, crema-topped espresso, which we get in our favorite coffee shop. But wouldn’t it be lovely to be able to recreate this at home?  The process for how to make espresso … Read more

Espresso vs Turkish vs Drip Coffee – a Visual Comparison

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Turkish coffee and espresso are two of the most popular coffee drinks in the world. They both have their own unique characteristics and fans. So, which one is better? In this document, we will compare Turkish coffee to espresso and see how they stack up against each other. We will look at the different brewing … Read more