Coffee Makers - Gourmet Coffee Without the High Price

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=K_J_Charbeneau]K J Charbeneau
Coffee shops such as Starbucks are great places to hang out and socialize, but an expensive way to get a good cup of Joe. Here are some tips for choosing the perfect coffee maker for those who want to make gourmet coffee drinks at home, without the gourmet price.
First, decide whether you want an espresso machine or other machine, such as drip or percolator. Espresso machines are expensive and require a little more work, most machines require that you make each cup of separately, however, they allow you to make a variety of styles: Lattes, Cappuccino, Macchiato, etc. Regular drip makers are less expensive and they allow you to simply turn the coffee "on" and let it brew two or more cups on it's own with not much work on your part. This is handy when you're serving several people at once. Many drip makers allow you to program them to start brewing automatically, at a time you choose. You can wake to the great aroma of tasty brew. Drip makers also allow you to use flavored coffee and to change the strength of the coffee by changing the coffee to water ratio.
Other   rel=nofollow [http://www.duny-coffee-makers.com/]coffee maker options include stove top pots or "Moka" coffeepot and the French Press or plunger press pot. The stove top pot will yield very strong, dark coffee which can be used to make styles of coffee that espresso machines make such as cappuccino. The French press allows you to control the strength of the coffee but is a little more complicated to use than a drip coffee machine. With a French press, you let the coffee grounds steep, similar to making tea. The grounds will float to the top then a plunger type device with a filter is used to push the grounds to the bottom of the pot separating them from the brew.
You'll also want to consider coffee maker accessories. A good grinder allows you to buy whole coffee beans and grind them yourself at home. Grinding beans fresh before each service yields great, fresh tasting coffee. Roasters allow you to roast green coffee beans in your home for a super fresh brew. Milk frothers are used to make the foamy milk topping for cappuccino and other coffee drinks. Also, don't forget a good scoop measure for consistent strength, some nice heavy coffee mugs to keep the brew warm and a travel mug so you can take it with you!
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Coffee-Makers---Gourmet-Coffee-Without-the-High-Price&id=6632476] Coffee Makers - Gourmet Coffee Without the High Price