Coffee machines

• Coffee machine: a fresh start for your day
• Main types of coffee machines
• One coffee machine, different kinds of coffee

Coffee machine: a fresh start for your day

Everyone likes coffee, and especially in the morning, a nice hot cup gives you the energy to get through the day. If some people make do with instant and soluble coffee, using a standard electric kettle, for those who are more demanding sooner or later the time comes when improvised solutions are no longer enough: if coffee is a ritual for you too, as an alternative to the traditional Moka pot the most logical choice is to buy an automatic coffee machine, to prepare it in no time and with no effort at all. But which coffee machine should you choose?

There are many different coffee machines on the market, and figuring out which is the bestone for your needs can be tricky; the choice has ultimately to do with your personal taste. Should you choose an espresso machine or a filter coffee machine? With a built-in bean grinder, or for use with ground coffee only? Do you usually use capsules or do you like cappuccino? In this case, having a milk frother that becomes essential. In short, the possibilities are many, and on Klarstein you will find a wide range of models designed to prepare coffee exactly your way, bringing out the best of the aromas and providing you moments of absolute pleasure while you sip your favourite drink. Visit our online shop, discover our range of coffee machines for sale, and don't forget to check also our coffee accessories page, to find useful items such as milk frothers, grinders, filters and replacement pots for our coffee machines.

Main types of coffee machines

Once you have decided on the type of coffee you want to prepare, it is up to you to choose the machine that best suits your needs. The best coffee machine is the one suiting your personality and, above all, your taste. These are the main types available on the market:

• Filter coffee machines they work from according to a top down principle. Water is poured into a water tank at the top and heated with a built-in heating device. The hot water drips through a filter filled with ground coffee. Finally, the coffee comes out of the filter into a pot at the bottom. Most machines have a heating plate at the bottom to keep the coffee hot.


• Espresso machines: if you like strong and intense coffee, an espresso machine is the best choice. The secret of espresso machines is the control over the water temperature, and these usually work at the optimum temperature at around 90°C, as boiling water spoils the coffee, giving it a bitter taste.


• Capsule coffee machines: instead of using ground coffee or beans, capsule coffee makers use pre-packaged sealed coffee capsules containing ground coffee inside. The capsules are perforated when inserted into the machine, and hot water passes through the capsules at a certain pressure, producing a hot cup of your favourite drink.

Coffee machines: operation, advantages and disadvantages

Each type of coffee machine, in addition to different results in terms of taste, differs in the way it is prepared and various other characteristics. In the table below, we provide you with some essential information on how coffee is prepared, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each category, to help you understand which solution best meets your needs.

One coffee machine, different kinds of coffee

The process of preparing coffee always involves grinding the beans and then boiling them in hot water to extract the flavour. What differentiates an espresso from filter coffee is the fineness of the grinding and the way the hot water mixes with the ground coffee (to grind it you need a coffee grinder, which your coffee machine often comes with), allowing you to make the most of the freshness of the beans. Here is a list of the different types of coffee.

• Filtered or drip coffee: is prepared by dripping hot water through a filter that is filled with ground coffee. The usual size of a filter coffee is 240 ml and contains about 90-200 mg of caffeine. Filter coffee can be prepared using a coffee machine with a filter


• Espresso coffee: this is a small cup of strong coffee. The usual size of a small espresso is 30 ml, containing about 80 mg of caffeine. A good espresso should also have a layer of creamy, golden foam on top of the cup. Espresso can be prepared with a moka, an espresso machine using coffee powder or capsules.


• Cappuccino: is prepared with espresso, hot milk and milk foam. A traditional cappuccino is made up of 1/3 coffee, 1/3 hot milk and 1/3 foamed milk. It can also be prepared with espresso machines, as some of them are equipped with a milk frother.


• Latte or milk coffee: is made with espresso and hot milk. A standard 240 ml latte is usually made from a single espresso (30 ml), a large portion of hot milk and finally a layer of foamy milk.


• Mochaccino or mocha: is made by mixing a small espresso with hot chocolate.


• American coffee: is prepared by mixing hot water with espresso coffee. The amount of caffeine relative to volume is similar to that of filter coffee, but the taste is different.