Capsule Coffee Machines

This is where espresso comes into it. Espresso refers to the method that a shot of coffee is produced. Ground coffee powder is exposed to hot water using pressure to extract liquid. Once the espresso shot is prepared, the coffee is topped with the foam of the coffee beans called crema. The acidic flavour of the coffee beans is balanced by the creaminess of the crema, creating the perfect espresso coffee that is so universally popular. Espresso is different from instant coffee and from coffee made using a brewer and the quality of your espresso heavily depends on the quality (and functionality) of your espresso machine.

When it comes to understanding capsule machines, forget everything you know about the typical coffee bean methods. Capsule machines function differently from both automatic coffee machines and manual coffee machines. Capsule coffee machines, also type casted as the ‘espresso makers’ of the machine world rely on sealed coffee pods containing ground coffee powder to make your morning coffee. Coffee pods can be both single-use and presealed with additional pre-blended flavours or they can be reusable with coffee you blend and grind yourself. Once you insert the capsule in the machine, it is pierced and injected with hot water that brews the coffee into an espresso. Depending on your machine, the capsules either drop into a waste compartment or need to be manually removed.

A capsule coffee machine is perfect for the coffee novices among us. It requires no barista skills, is compact and extremely easy to use. A big plus is that these machines take up little space and offer a variety of milk systems to suit your preferences.

Are you fussy about the flavour of your coffee? Are you considered the hardest coffee drinker to please amongst your friends? If so, then a manual coffee machine will likely be your new best friend (after the coffee itself, of course).

Manual coffee machines require you to manually measure the right amount of coffee powder into the handle, firmly tamp it in and then fastening the handle to the machine. The hot water is then dispersed through the handle and into an espresso. This may sound incredibly simple, but there is definitely a craft that needs to be mastered to get your coffee just right when using a manual machine.

WIth a manual coffee machine you have the freedom to design your own perfect blend. There are a large variety of manual coffee machines on the market, to suit anyone from a beginner to an expert. These traditional machines are ideal for anyone who is looking to perfect their professional coffee making skills or are just extremely particular about how coffee is made.

In contrast to the manual coffee machine, automatic machines are the ideal tool for anyone wanting to simply press a button and go. Forget all about grinding your coffee beans, tamping them into place or steaming your milk. Automatic machines do all of that (and more) for you.

The only downside to automatic machines is that they require a little more cleaning than the others. Most automatic machines require you to clean the milk frother, coffee brewing compartments and waste tray daily or even after every use.

Regardless, what automatic machines require in maintenance they make up for in ease of producing the perfect coffee, every single time.

There are three main methods of milk frothing that coffee machines are able to do. Of course, you can always use a separately purchased frother but nothing is as effective as the milk frothers embedded in your machine!

Manual Steam Wand:
Much like a manual coffee machine, a manual steam wand gives you full control over the texture and temperature of your milk foam. The use of steam stretches the milk to produce an authentic cafe coffee texture.

Automatic Steam Wand:
An automatic steam wand allows you to preset your ideal foam consistency and temperature.

Automatic Milk Systems:
Typically, automatic milk systems foam your milk at a universally favoured consistency. They are automated for your convenience.

A quality grinder can make a world of difference in both manual and automatic coffee machines. When coffee beans are freshly ground, the extraction of flavour is far more aromatic. There are several types of coffee grinders to choose from, but those that grind coffee in a cylindrical fashion offer the most control over the coffee’s consistency.

Brewer Coffee Machine: If you’re into that slow release deliciousness that comes from a drip filter then you’re a match made in heaven for a Brewer. This machine prepares coffee using a slow absorption process by pumping heated water over coffee powder.

For the sake of those with a passion for coffee and those with not a single coffee making bone in their body, keep the office machine simple. Simple doesn’t mean shabby and old, but rather sleek and easy to use. Look at your capsule machines and automatic machines, take an office poll or choose the one that you like best. Unless there’s an ex barista in your midst, keep it simple folks - and that’s the best advice we’ve got.

Whether you are looking to buy a coffee machine for your cafe or to buy a coffee machine for your restaurant, it goes without saying - what you pay for is what you get. That doesn’t mean spending lots will get you quality, but it does mean that you should be seriously considering buying the best that your business can afford. If you’re a cafe in Melbourne, the competition surrounding great coffee is incredibly high so you’d want to ensure you’re putting your business in the best possible position by investing in the highest quality manual coffee machine on the market.