PRODUCT

Capresso EspressoPro

Home Espresso

Shhhh ... The secret's in the coffee!

BY DAVID MOSS

F

or 1960s cartoon character George Jetson,
the future of technology — including
brewing fine coffee — was just a button-
push away.
Today, the future has arrived, as the many for-
ward thinkers who have abandoned their daily trek
to Starbucks for a home espresso machine can
attest. From bargain priced ($90) to top of the line
($2,000), these machines are lean, mean and brew a
darned good cup of Joe.
Despite sleek designs and user-friendly gadgetry,
according to Elliot Lewkow, better known across
Michigan as "The
Cappuccino Man," the key
to any machine is the
coffee, "whether you
buy a $100 machine or a
$1,000 machine," he
says. "Look for Arabica
coffee, which is grown
at altitudes of at least
4,000 feet, and is
more complex and
less caffeinated than
Robusta coffee."
Lewkow suggests
starting at
Rancilio Silvia

Espresso Source Roasters in Bloomfield Hills, or
Gourmet Coffee Roasters in Walled Lake, for
beans that are roasted fresh on the premises.
But there are still a few factors to consider when
choosing an espresso maker. Which are important?
• Start with a machine that meets the industry
guidelines for espresso preparation — 1.5 ounces of
water heated to 195 degrees Fahrenheit, forced
through seven grams of finely ground coffee at no
less than nine atmospheres of pressure (130 PSI)
within 20-25 seconds.
• Next, look for a pump-driven machine. The
less expensive steam-driven models don't maintain
the correct water temperature or may not generate
enough pressure for brewing.
• Make sure the components are durable and
made of metal or heavy plastic. The frothing mech-
anism should work well, have a movable wand and
be easy to clean.
• And, finally, more power is better! Units that heat
up quickly and generate enough steam to brew and
froth and reheat quickly between brewing are best.
With all this in mind, I began a search of some
local stores and the Web.
One model with outstanding reviews was the
Rancilio Silvia ($500), billed as the top mid-priced
choice of coffee experts for its consistency, durability

Saeco Via Veneto Espresso &

Cappuccino Machine

and value. The Silvia is
pump-driven and has a
movable steam arm, cup warmer, removable water
reservoir and stainless steel housing.
For half the price of the Silvia, the Cappuccino
Man suggests the Capresso EspressoPro machine,
which combines an 18-bar, stainless-steel-lined
ThermoBlock heating system and the FrothXpress
into one machine. In addition to a great cup of
espresso, the art nouveau design will add a bit of
sculpture to your kitchen.
Another option is the Saeco Via Veneto Espresso &
Cappuccino Machine ($200). Made in Italy, the Via
Veneto is pump-driven and a good choice for the
novice brewer, with an easy-to-use interface, a remov-
able reservoir and clearly marked rocker switches for
running the steaming and brewing functions.
There are plenty of options these days for those
who wish to brew great espresso at home, and they
exist at several price points. The bottom line,
though, is to start with fresh, high-quality beans and
clean, cold water — no matter which machine you
choose. ❑

J N P LATI NUM • SEPT II:NI 13 II:12

2 005 •

29