Best alternatives to an espresso machine
The espresso machine may be the envy of coffee lovers, but itās not always the ideal solution. Espresso machines are expensive, bulky, finicky and over kill for most homes to be honest. Fortunately, there are more practical and affordable alternatives to traditional espresso machines that still make delicious espresso.
Espresso is a highly concentrated shot of coffee between 30-60ml in volume and the key ingredient in cappuccino and latte. The word espresso is derived from the Italian word for pressure, which is the method of extraction. In this article weāll feature the best alternative espresso makers, rather than alternative brew methods to espresso, like the French press or pour over, which aren’t capable of machine espresso.Ā
Picopresso, the best hand-held espresso machine in the world.
Itās pretty mind boggling how good the espresso from this hand-held, portable non-electric device is. Just ask world barista champion and coffee expert James Hoffman. The Picopresso is the most pro-oriented portable espresso machine available. Measuring in at just over 100mm in height, the Picopresso takes the heart of a commercial espresso machine and re-imagines it for the palm of your hand. Tweak your grind, tamp, add hot water, and pull a deliciously creamy, barista-level espresso.
The quality of espresso you can make with the Picopresso is far beyond any manual espresso maker out there and on par with machines 5 times its size and price.
Tips for making the perfect Picopresso shot:
1. Pre-heat by flushing with boiling water
2. Apply all the same techniques you would with an espresso machine. Yip, this is a legit espresso maker.
The moka pot, or Italian stove top, famous for its tradition, charm, and ease of use.
The most common alternative espresso maker is the Moka pot. The moka pot is a stove-top coffee maker that brews coffee by passing near boiling water through a bed of ground coffee. Named after the Yemeni city of Mocha, it was invented by Italian engineer Alfonso Bialetti in 1933 and quickly became one of the staples of Italian culture.
All you need is a stove to make delicious strong, authentic Italian-style coffee by simply adding water to the bottom chamber, medium-to-fine coffee grounds to the top chamber and placed on a hot stove and watch the magic unfold.
Tips for making the perfect Moka pot coffee:
1. Grind fresh beans to a table salt-like coarseness.
2. Place an AeroPress filter paper on top of the coffee bed to enhance extraction and filtration.
3. Stop the extraction as soon as the coffee runs watery, before it starts spurting. This minimises bitterness and enhances texture, closer to a cafƩ-like espresso.
Photo by Blank Space from Pexels:
AeroPress, famous for its versatility and simplicity.
The AeroPress is a modern-day cult legend amongst professional baristas and coffee enthusiasts. So popular, it even has its own fan-led world championship competition. Famed for its versatility, itās no surprise baristas have figured out a way to produce delicious espresso shots with it.
To use the AeroPress, simply add coffee grounds and hot water to the chamber, stir and press down on the plunger to extract the coffee. The AeroPress is a great option for those who want a quick and easy way to make coffee, as well as for those who want a more intense flavour.
Tips for making the perfect AeroPress espresso shot:
1. Grind fresh beans to a table salt-like coarseness.
2. Use a crema pressure filter. Paper filters remove crema.
3. Stir and let it steep for a minute to optimise extraction.
4. Push harder than usual to maximise pressure and crema
Flair Espresso
Finally, the Flair espresso press is a cleverly designed non-electric espresso maker. The robust build quality, and professional components gives you the full barista experience and the 9 bars of pressure to create legit espresso.
The professional portafilter basket, tamper and pressure gauge allows you to dial in the exact criteria to make proper espresso.
Grind beans to fine (flour-like), even out in the portafilter, tamp, add hot water and pull the level to create 9 bars of pressure for the perfect espresso extraction.
1. Pre-heat by flushing with boiling water
2. Apply all the same techniques you would with an espresso machine. Yip, this is a ligit espresso maker.
3. Its critical to get the grind just right
These alternatives to an espresso machine are budget-friendly and easy to use, making them perfect for those who want to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee without the hassle and expense of a traditional espresso machine. The manual nature will also teach you the art of perfecting espresso without having to break the bank. Alternative brew methods like the ones above, are the perfect start to your journey into espresso.