Espresso, a coffee connoisseurs’ dream. It is the rich, dark, tasty liquid that is taking the world by storm. Everything about espresso is delightful. From the aroma, taste, and appearance, espresso is most certainly something that we love here at Brand My Cafe! So, what is the best espresso machine for your cafe?
What is Espresso?
Isn’t espresso just coffee? Yes… and no.
Here at Brand My Cafe, we like to believe that nothing is just “coffee.” All drinks should be made to perfection, and espresso is no exception to that! All espresso is coffee, but remember not all coffee is espresso. The difference between coffee and espresso all comes down to the preparation.
In simple terms, espresso is made by blasting hot water through the coffee grounds and dark brown thick liquid with a small amount of Crema, basically, foam comes out! The beans are typically ground more finely than those for drip coffee. Generally, it should take about 25-30 seconds to get your cup of espresso.
With traditional drip coffee, the coffee is made by boiling water over ground coffee. The coffee grounds used here are much more course. The water then falls into the pot, making this process much longer than that of espresso.
Espresso lovers claim that espresso is by far superior to drip coffee because of the taste. Due to the way that espresso is produced, Tannic Acids are unable to infiltrate the process, making espresso far less bitter.
Why is an Espresso Machine important?
Besides creating just a simple shot of espresso, espresso machines are used to create some
In order to maximize revenues and profits, it’s crucial to offer a wide array of different options for your customers to choose from. Having a great espresso machine that produces great tasting shots in a speedy manner is just the thing you need in your cafe!
Read more about how espresso machines fit into the budget of your cafe or coffee shop. You don’t want to underspend on your espresso machines if you have the budget to afford it!
Choosing the Best Espresso Machine for Your Cafe
Choosing the right espresso machine is an extremely exciting and important step! Making sure you purchase the correct machine suited for the type of business that you own is, quite frankly, one of the most crucial decisions you will have to make for your business. We are here to help! We’ve come up with 3 questions that you need to ask yourself before looking for an espresso machine that fits your business’ needs! Have a look below.
1. What Kind of Business Are You?
Do you own a coffee shop, cafe, or restaurant? What do you specialize in? Coffee shops and cafes will have a higher demand for a great espresso machine, whereas a restaurant will need to put more focus on their food preparation.
If you’re starting a coffee shop soon or you’re daydreaming about starting one, go ahead and read exactly what you should think about before opening your dream cafe.
2. How Many Customers Do You Have?
Begin with making a rough estimate of how many espresso-based beverages you predict to be selling on a day to day basis. Think of it as 50 cup intervals. Will you be selling 0-50? 50-100? Or 100-150 cups per hour? Depending on what you think, jump up to the next category. It never hurts to over predict the number of cups in the beginning days of a coffee shop because the idea is to one day be maximizing sales! It’s important to get a machine that can last.
3. How Much Can You Afford?
Depending on how much you are willing to dish out for this lovely device, there is a variety of different machines that you can choose from. You need to keep in mind that this equipment is one of the most important you will buy during the entire process, so you should allocate a sufficient amount of money.
Now that you have a little knowledge about the benefits and importance of espresso, it is time to look for machines! Below you can find a few of our recommendations for the best espresso machine for your needs:
Best Espresso Machines on the Market
Breville the Barista Express Espresso Machine
If you are a small coffee shop located in a library, bookstore, or quiet counter service than this is the machine for you! Although it may not last you for years to come, it is a great starter machine so you can get the hang of the espresso industry! If you have a high volume of customers, this is not a machine we recommend for your business. We recommend reading below to small cafes/coffee shops.
Some features include:
- Dose control grinding
- Precise espresso extraction
- Microfoam milk texturing
- Grind size dial
- Hands-free operation
- Settings: single or double shots. Adjustable grind amount & manual over-ride. Power 1600 Watts
See more features by clicking here.
Rocket Espresso Boxer
This elegant and efficient espresso machine is perfect for those small cafes with limited space!
Some features include:
- Shot Timers
- Automatic Shot Programming
- Low Profile
- Cold Water Mixing
- Automatic Back-flushing
- Insulated Steam Wand
See more features by clicking here.
La Pavoni Bar T 2-Group
This espresso machine is a perfect match for those medium-sized cafes that want something reliable and efficient!
Some features include:
- 2 Groups made with press-forged brass and chrome plated, with vertical infusion chamber and pressurization system which eliminates group dripping
- Boiler in copper equipped with transversal heat exchangers and front injectors for each group
- Independent radiator hydraulic system for every group
- Thermal stability: Independent radiator hydraulic system for every group allows for consistent water circulation throughout the boiler.
- Anti-vacuum valve eliminates liquids from back flushing into the steam wand.
- Mounted gauge to monitor boiler pressure.
See more features by clicking here.
La Pavoni Bar T-3 Group
Similar to the machine described for medium-sized cafes, the “La Pavoni” is definitely a reliable, sturdy, and efficient machine that we recommend. This machine is durable and has a large capacity for establishments that need a lot of use.
Some Features (taken from the machines description):
- 3 Groups made with press-forged brass and chrome plated, with vertical infusion chamber and pressurization system which eliminates group dripping
- Boiler in copper equipped with transversal heat exchangers and front injectors for each group
- Independent radiator hydraulic system for every group
- Thermal stability: Independent radiator hydraulic system for every group allows for consistent water circulation throughout the boiler.
- Anti-vacuum valve eliminates liquids from back flushing into the steam wand.
- Mounted gauge to monitor boiler pressure.
- Three double portafilters with 2 coffee baskets each.
- Spring taps for hot water and steam
See more features by clicking here.
There are plenty of other espresso machines out there that can suit your needs, but based on our in-depth research and experiences, these are the machines that we recommend for you! If you have any other recommendations for the best espresso machine for your cafe, please feel free to leave a comment below!
We’ll be sure to add it to the list!
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