Interested in buying a home espresso machine but cannot choose from all the different models available today? The first thing one needs to do is gain an understanding of how these espresso makers work so that one can ask the right questions.

An espresso machine makes coffee by using very hot water, temperatures of 195 degrees Fahrenheit, and shooting it, with a 9 bar of pressure through a pod of premium blend coffee. The finely ground coffee has oils that when extracted make a rich, flavorful, strong cup of espresso.

A good espresso machine can shoot out a double shot of espresso in about twenty to twenty five seconds from the moment you have turned on the pump. Finely ground coffee tends to allow a faster shot to be produced, but other aspects also have an effect. Fine grinds tend to allow the water to flow faster, although how tightly packed they are has a bearing also. See this article for more details: Espresso coffee resource.

Making milk based drinks also requires a machine that has a steam wand to froth the milk and many of the best machines will do this without a problem. The milk is steamed by the machine in order for it to become frothy for the top of the coffee when it is served. There are a lot of different types of machine, some with operational differences. Basic machines are either steam driven or stove top devices, and then there are pump driven makers, plus of course the semi-automatic and fully automatic machines that use ready made pods of coffee.

Making a good shot of espresso needs the basic ingredients to be right – and that starts with the coffee. Coffee used for espresso machines has to be specially blended in order to be able to create the smoothness, sweetness and aroma that are necessary in order to have that perfect cup of espresso.

Lighter roasts tend to be sweeter and hold on to the sugars in the beans better than darker roasts, although this can vary.

A dark roasted espresso will create a bitter tasting cup of coffee that resembles the taste of charcoal. Many tap waters are heavily treated and can leave a nasty taste when distilled down to a shot of espresso – if this is the case, use filtered or bottled water. Another thing that is important is to choose a machine that consistently heats the water to between 92-96 degrees c. Variations can change the way the shot tastes.

Visit here for an interesting and fun review of the best espresso machines – by Mark Knowles at http://hubpages.com/hub/espresso-machines

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