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Espresso Coffee makers and Cappuccino Machines

What is Espresso Coffee?

“Espresso” is an Italian word. Many people believe that it translates as “express” and that espresso coffee is called this because of the fact that in cafes it is traditionally brewed when a customer orders and is delivered straight to them.

However, according to others the word actually means “pressed out” and refers to the fact that espresso coffee is made by using either water-pressure or steam-pressure built up inside the espresso machine.

Espresso is a strong, concentrated, richly-flavoured black coffee, and is the basis for other forms of coffee such as latte and cappuccino. Because of its richness and thick consistency, it’s usually served in small cups.

Good espresso coffee should have a layer of creamy golden froth which stays on top of your coffee until you have finished it. This is known as “crema”.

What is Cappuccino?

Cappuccino is a type of coffee traditionally consisting of ⅓ espresso, ⅓ steamed milk and ⅓ frothed milk. You can also dust the top of your cappuccino with chocolate, cocoa powder or cinnamon for added flavour.

The name cappuccino is believed to have derived from the name for the habits worn by monks in Italy’s Capuchin order, which were brown with a white hood.

How Do Espresso Coffee Machines Work?

Espresso coffee makers work by using pressure to push either water or steam through ground coffee. This releases the flavour and the aroma of the essential oils in the coffee beans when the cup of coffee is produced.

Traditionally espresso machines can only be used to make espresso coffee, but most modern espresso coffee machines can also be used to make cappuccino, as they have a separate spout for frothing milk. Sometimes these machines are known as espresso/cappuccino coffee makers.

Further Information

You can find out more about the different types of espresso/cappuccino coffee machines available on our Types of Espresso/Cappuccino Machine page.

You can also find some hints and tips on what to look for when choosing an espresso machine on our How to Choose and Buy an Espresso Coffee Machine page.

You can find out about specific brands and models of espresso/cappuccino machine in our Brands section and on our Top Models of Espresso Coffee Makers page.

For information about some of the top online suppliers, including details of their delivery times and post and packaging costs, visit our Where to Buy section.