If you have recently purchased your own home espresso machine, you might be looking for accessories for it. There are some basic "must haves" and there are some really fun add-ons as well. Pick a few from this list to get you off on the right brewing foot.
Priority number one is to get a good coffee grinder. There are two basic types: the blade grinder and the burr grinder. The burr grinder does a better job of grinding the beams to a fine grind. The blade grinders are less expensive and can do a find job when all you need is a course grind for drip coffee. You get what you pay for and a bur grinder is a good upgrade.
The tamper is a pretty simple tool that is used to press down on the coffee grinds prior to brewing. If you have a new espresso machine, a tamper probably came with your machine and it probably sucks too. If you upgrade your tamper make sure it fits will and that it feels and looks good to you.
The next tool type accessories are the frothing and steaming pitchers. Many espresso drinks call for frothed and/or steamed milk. As an example a latte is made with steamed milk. There are many sizes for frothing pitchers but a small one should suite you fine at home.
Espresso Cups and Espresso Cup Sets - This is one of the best places to insert some personality into your espresso bar. There are many types of espresso cups that range from simple porcelain cups to ones with name brand designer patterns. Espresso cups also come in glass and stainless steel. Once you find an espresso cup set that you enjoy for a while, you may just find yourself looking for another set because collecting them is a ton of fun. Your first set of espresso cups don't have to be expensive and you will enjoy using them. If you enjoy larger drinks like lattes and cappuccinos then you will also want to get a set of cappuccinos cups for those drinks.
Along with the espresso cups you will want to add espresso spoons. Just like with espresso cups versus latte cups, there are latte spoons to match to your cups. Some of these spoons can be quite elaborate in their construction while others are plain.
Until you master a multitude of espresso drinks, you will want to have a coffee recipe book. These recipe books can contain hundreds of recipes for coffee beverages (wow!). Basic espresso drinks that you will want to master include the latte, the mocha and the cappuccino.
Once you have the basic espresso drinks mastered you can start adding flavored syrups. There are dozens of flavors and even some that are seasonal (example: pumpkin). You can easily get carried away with too many choices so try them out at your local coffee shop before you buy a multi-year supply in a 750ml bottle.
Actually your options for accessorizing your new espresso machine are nearly endless. Add new items when they make sense to you and you will enjoy brewing your own home made espresso drinks for a long time.
Priority number one is to get a good coffee grinder. There are two basic types: the blade grinder and the burr grinder. The burr grinder does a better job of grinding the beams to a fine grind. The blade grinders are less expensive and can do a find job when all you need is a course grind for drip coffee. You get what you pay for and a bur grinder is a good upgrade.
The tamper is a pretty simple tool that is used to press down on the coffee grinds prior to brewing. If you have a new espresso machine, a tamper probably came with your machine and it probably sucks too. If you upgrade your tamper make sure it fits will and that it feels and looks good to you.
The next tool type accessories are the frothing and steaming pitchers. Many espresso drinks call for frothed and/or steamed milk. As an example a latte is made with steamed milk. There are many sizes for frothing pitchers but a small one should suite you fine at home.
Espresso Cups and Espresso Cup Sets - This is one of the best places to insert some personality into your espresso bar. There are many types of espresso cups that range from simple porcelain cups to ones with name brand designer patterns. Espresso cups also come in glass and stainless steel. Once you find an espresso cup set that you enjoy for a while, you may just find yourself looking for another set because collecting them is a ton of fun. Your first set of espresso cups don't have to be expensive and you will enjoy using them. If you enjoy larger drinks like lattes and cappuccinos then you will also want to get a set of cappuccinos cups for those drinks.
Along with the espresso cups you will want to add espresso spoons. Just like with espresso cups versus latte cups, there are latte spoons to match to your cups. Some of these spoons can be quite elaborate in their construction while others are plain.
Until you master a multitude of espresso drinks, you will want to have a coffee recipe book. These recipe books can contain hundreds of recipes for coffee beverages (wow!). Basic espresso drinks that you will want to master include the latte, the mocha and the cappuccino.
Once you have the basic espresso drinks mastered you can start adding flavored syrups. There are dozens of flavors and even some that are seasonal (example: pumpkin). You can easily get carried away with too many choices so try them out at your local coffee shop before you buy a multi-year supply in a 750ml bottle.
Actually your options for accessorizing your new espresso machine are nearly endless. Add new items when they make sense to you and you will enjoy brewing your own home made espresso drinks for a long time.
About the Author:
Kim enjoys writing about expresso cups and other espresso topics at Best Espresso Cups.
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