.::.Easy Clairvoyance.::.

The introduction of Starbucks and other retail coffee shops has increased the popularity of espresso coffee makers in the past few years. Many of us seek a way to create those wonderfully drinkable Italian creations without the need for a barista.

In 1901 people saw their first glimpse of the espresso machine. There have been several different variations since then. Most, however, include a few of the same basic parts. The portafilter, for example, which uses a small metal basket to hold the grounds. A steam wand on these coffee makers is pretty common as well. The steam wand steams the milk and then froths it for certain espresso based drinks.

There are several variations of the espresso coffee maker as discussed below. Each have their own pros and cons and the usage is dependent upon what each person prefers.

Piston: The famous espresso maker manufacturer Gaggia has roots in the creation of the piston driven coffee machine. Founder Achille Gaggia invented his creation in Italy in 1945. His coffee maker is easy to use and employs a lever mechanism to force hot tap water through the coffee grounds. This machine is the basis of the popular term "pulling a shot" because of the repeated pulling action of the handle that is required. The piston driven espresso coffee machine comes in two main forms, the manual and the spring driven version. A manual espresso maker simply requires the hot water to be forced through the grounds by means of pulling the lever. The spring driven alternative requires tension to be put on a spring which builds the proper pressure that is needed.

Pump: Pump style espresso coffee machines work off of a motorized pump. This pumps builds the force needed to brew the drink properly. This is the type of machine you will see most often in coffee shops because it gets the job done quickly. Commercial styles are hooked in to the buildings plumbing making them ideal for business use while cheaper versions that are normally used at home come with a built in water reservoir.

Steam: Steam driven makers work just the way the sound. Water is forced through the coffee using steam pressure. The very first espresso coffee machines were steam powered and is still used today in low end makers used in homes. They are still used because of the cheap manufacturing cost and lack of need for moving parts.

Air Pressure: Air pressure espresso coffee machines are more commonly known as Handpresso coffee makers. This name comes from the creater, Nielsen Innovation, who invented the product in 2006. It met fame in 2007 when it was first introduced in stores.

As you can see, when shopping for espresso coffee machines, you have many options to choose from. What you choose is mainly based on the application for which you will be using the product since some types work better in a business setting and others are targeted for home use. Prices vary greatly for each type and are dependent upon the brand and other factors. All create a great tasting cup of coffee though.