The Basics: Cappuccino Makers, Coffee Grinders, and Tea Makers

Coffee has come a long way since a spoonful of instant in a cupful of tepid water. If you are willing to put a little effort and a few resources into it, you can have a tasty cup of coffee, or a related beverage. One of the related beverages is an espresso.

Espresso/cappuccino makers operate by heating water and using steam or pump pressure to force the water through fine grounds quickly for maximum flavor extraction. Steam can then be diverted through a nozzle to foam milk for cappuccino. Of the two types, pump machines are the more powerful, heating water to the optimal temperature (190-197 degrees as recommended by the Specialty Coffee Association of America) then propelling it through fine-ground beans in about 20 to 30 seconds. The fast rate of expulsion produces a rich layer of foam, known as crema, which is the mark of great espresso. Though steam machines do not possess the power of pump machines, they do produce a good strong cup of espresso and are generally smaller and less expensive than pump models.

With convenience at a premium these days, a relatively new unit is the "automatic" espresso maker, which lets you drop a "pod" of coffee in the machine, rather than having to measure and tamp grinds.

Today's consumers demand more functions and versatility than ever. Coffee manufacturers have responded with combination units, which not only brew a pot of traditional coffee, but produce rich tasting espresso and cappuccino as well.

These units offer the best of both worlds--combining specialty features from automatic-drip machines, such as digital clock/timers, automatic shut-off; and pause-to-serve, with the functionality and frothing capability of a steam-driven espresso maker. As you might expect, combination units occupy more counter space and cost a bit more than standard automatic-drip machines. Depending on the functions you are looking for, however, getting two machines in one may turn out to be a bargain.

Since a good cup of coffee starts with quality ingredients, always be sure to use fresh coffee. Grinding your own from freshly roasted beans is simple with a coffee mill or grinder. The mills, also called burr grinders, use wheels to produce a variety of grinds--from very fine espresso grinds to coarser grinds--for use in percolators. These units are larger and more expensive than standard blade grinders; however, the increased capacity and ability to select from a number of different grinds make them ideal choices for the most discerning coffee drinker. No matter which type you decide to buy, be sure to store your beans in an airtight container in your freezer and grind only the amount needed immediately before brewing.

Many consumers who enjoy a good cup of joe in the morning prefer a good cup of tea in the afternoon. Making a good cup of tea is a simple matter of boiling water and allowing the tea to steep, or saturate, and thereby extract flavor from the tea leaves. Some manufacturers have designed electric tea makers, which operate in a similar fashion to automatic-drip coffee makers by pumping hot water up and letting it flow down through a steeping chamber filled with either loose tea leaves or prepared tea bags. Unlike automatic-drip coffee makers, however, these units are designed so the water remains in the steeping chamber for a length of time sufficient to extract the tea flavor.

Another alternative in this category is the electric tea kettle. These units are compact, quite portable, and heat water in record time. The heated water can also be used to make hot cocoa, soup or other instant beverages.

Tea makers range in price from approximately $20-$140 for an electric kettle, and about $50-$80 for an electric tea maker. Coffee mills and grinders range in price from approximately $15-$20 for a basic grinder to $60 for a top-of-the-line coffee mill. Espresso/cappuccino makers range in price from approximately $30-$50 for a basic steam unit, to $250 and higher for a powerful, top-of-the-line pump model.

Most of these units usually carry 1- or 2-year warranties. Higher-end units may be backed by slightly longer warranties.

How to Shop

These appliances all come in a variety of styles, sizes and colors. Before you go shopping, consider how often you will use the machine, how many cups you routinely brew, and which specialty features you will find most useful.

Controls: Although controls vary from machine to machine, espresso/cappuccino makers commonly feature touch-and-release buttons or a separate on/off switch to activate the unit. The more sophisticated units feature a program dial, which can be set for espresso, steam pre-heat, steam only, or power off. Higher-end units offer touchpad controls with digital clock readouts.