June 8th, 2008 
admin Amazon's Bestselling Coffee Makers
Espresso and cappuccino have become popular drinks both with people who like coffee and people who don't typically drink coffee. Espresso is the stronger of the two drinks and also the basis for the majority of coffee drinks purchased in coffee shops.
However, people don't have to go to a coffee shop to get their favorite espresso and cappuccinos; they can make them at home.
Commercial espresso machines are huge and very expensive, not to mention the training and skilled involved in using them. The good news is that the same companies that designed the commercial cappuccino machines have also designed home espresso makers.
Shopping List
Espresso Maker
To set up a home espresso and cappuccino bar, there are some items that must first be purchased. The most important thing is the espresso maker.
There is a wide variety of espresso makers available for home use. There are automatic and semi-automatic espresso makers that are reasonably priced. Choosing one involves some research to determine what is needed.
Home espresso machines range from off the shelf, retail store versions that aren't very expensive but also aren't designed for heavy use, to ones designed for heavier use that are automatic and do everything with the touch of a button.
Once the espresso maker has been decided on, a coffee bean source should be located. This too should be done with some thought and research. Low quality beans will result in low quality espressos and cappuccinos.
Coffee shops or direct from the growers via the Internet are two good places to find top quality beans. Coffee shops use a lot of inventory which helps to assure that their products are fresher than those that might have been sitting on the grocer's shelf for months.
Once these two items have been purchased the remaining items are the basics that should be on hand for making the best espressos and cappuccinos without going to the local Starbucks.
Mugs
A variety of espresso cups and cappuccino mugs are needed. Espresso should not be served in a typical coffee mug, it takes away from the whole experience and makes it more like drinking a shot of coffee.
Espresso cups are demi cups that are often kept in the warmer of the espresso maker, if it has one. If not, hot water can be poured into them just prior to pouring the espresso.
Cappuccino mugs come in several different shapes. There are tall, fluted mugs that can also be used for lattes and there are large soup bowl looking mugs.
Cappuccino mugs should be large enough to hold the liquid, foam and any toppings without spilling out.
Miscellaneous Items
Other items that should be kept on hand for a cappuccino and espresso bar include:
- Long handled spoons for scooping the froth onto the drink
- Flavored syrups for cappuccino
- Cocoa powder
- Cinnamon powder
- Chocolate bar for shavings
- Biscotti - excellent to serve with the cappuccino or espresso
Home espresso and cappuccino bars are an added luxury that will impress friends and make the neighbors envious, not to mention the money that will be saved by not stopping at the coffee shop every morning.
Sharon V Chapman writes on the joys of coffee and provides information on espresso & cappuccino for Espresso Xpert - your online guide to espresso and espresso machines.
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Lavazza Espresso Point Espresso Machine $875 The Lavazza Espresso Point Espresso Machine features the options that you expect from a quality espresso coffee brewer by Lavazza Espresso Machines. |
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Grindmaster 1700 Espresso Machine $3490 The Grindmaster 1700 Espresso Machine has the utility that you expect from a quality espresso coffee brewer by Grindmaster Espresso Machines. |
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Grindmaster 1750 Espresso Machine $3698 The Grindmaster 1750 Espresso Machine features the utility that you expect from a quality espresso coffee brewer by Grindmaster Espresso Machines. |
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Grindmaster 2400 Espresso Machine $4480 The Grindmaster 2400 Espresso Machine provides the utility that you expect from a quality espresso coffee brewer by Grindmaster Espresso Machines. |
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Krups Espresso Carafe - 4 Cup Black $17.99 Krups espresso maker carafe fits Krups Espresso machines and Krups Espresso/Coffee combo machines models 171, 865, 866, 867, 871, 872, 963, 972, 985, 987 and 993 only. Lid sold separately PLEASE NOTE: This CARAFE does not fit the XP series espressos. |
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Taylor Classic Instant-Read Pocket Thermometer List Price: $9.99 Sale Price: $2.99  |
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This thermometer instantly ascertains the temperature of foods, whether they're on the buffet line or being cooked. Its 1-inch dial, protected by a shatterproof plastic lens, displays temperatures from 0 to 220 degrees F... |
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Keurig B-40 B40 Elite Gourmet Single-Cup Home-Brewing System List Price: $119.99 Sale Price: $90.00 Used From: $75.00 |
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The Elite Brewing System is Keurig's gourmet home brewing made affordable. The Elite Brewing System, the most affordably priced Keurig kitchen brewing system, offers K-Cup® coffee, tea and hot cocoa brewing as the elite choice to any drip coffee maker... |
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illy Caffe Scura Coffee, Espresso, (Dark Roast, Black Band), 18-Count E.S.E. Pods (Pack of 2) List Price: $36.34 Sale Price: $25.95 |
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illy has made it easy to prepare authentic Italian espresso at home with E.S.E., our innovative Easy Serving Espresso. Simply insert a pre-measured serving of illy (a pod) into an E.S.E.-compatible espresso machine, and in less than 30 seconds you have rich, robust espresso... |
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Lavazza in Blu Espresso Ground Coffee, 8.8-Ounce Tins (Pack of 4) List Price: $36.29 Sale Price: $26.70 |
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Lavazza in Blu is a premium ground espresso coffee carefully blended using select 100% Arabica coffees from Brazil and from South America. Lavazza in Blu features a velvety rich, full bodied flavor with a slightly sweet, non-bitter aftertaste that is excellent straight and the flavor also holds up well in cappuccino and latte drinks... |
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Gevalia Signature Blend Coffee, T-Discs for Tassimo Hot Beverage System, 16-Count Packages (Pack of 2) Sale Price: $23.39 |
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16 Individual T Discs. Exclusively for Tassimo System. Gevalia Kaffe Signature Blend is a super-premium coffee created especially by our Master Taster. Years of blending and tasting expertise have culminated in this robust, delightfully dark blend... |
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Homemade Soda: 200 Recipes for Making & Using Fruit Sodas & Fizzy Juices, Sparkling Waters, Root Beers & Cola Brews, Herbal & Healing Waters, ... & Floats, & Other Carbonated Concoctions List Price: $18.95 Sale Price: $10.76 Used From: $9.73 |
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Making your own soda is easy and inexpensive. Best of all, you control the sweetness level and ingredients, so you can create a drink thatâs exactly what you want. Using a few simple techniques, anyone can make a spectacular variety of beverages... |
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