How to Make the Perfect Espresso with the Right Espresso Machine

Coffee is an essential beverage for many to jump-start their mornings. Cafes, diners, breakfast restaurants, and bakeries know this all too well. With its connection to coffee, espresso has become popular worldwide after originating in Italy. Brewing the right cup requires a bit more of a precise process and the right machine. 

If you are looking to add espresso and the various hot beverages you can make with it to your food service business, buying a commercial espresso machine is the first step to get you started. In this post, we’ll discover some common mistakes to avoid by picking the right machine and sharpening your skills to make a great espresso every time.

The Art of Making the Perfect Espresso

In Italy, espresso is more than a drink. It is an integral part of the culture, a unique invention with roots in every community. Italian cafes, also known as bars, are selective of the beans they choose to grind and brew into their espresso. When combined with a high-quality espresso machine, the possibilities for great espresso are endless. This process requires finely ground beans to be tightly compressed before boiling hot water is pressured through the grounds. The caveat to making an espresso is having a suitable espresso machine— without it, the grounds will not be compact enough, nor will the water be at the right temperature.

Different Types of Espresso Machines and Their Capabilities

The espresso machine you choose to implement in your restaurant or cafe may differ from what someone else might choose. Narrowing down your choices involves understanding the capabilities of the machines you are looking at and your and your staff's skill set for making espresso beverages. 

At Zanduco, we have a wide range of options to choose from. Here, we highlight two espresso machine options that suit various establishments:

Philips Saeco RI9841/50 Lirika Plus Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

Switch easily between coffee and espresso with the RI9841/50 Lirika Plus. It’s designed to be easy to use and easy to clean. This espresso machine is also considered an ideal choice for higher-volume businesses like cafes since it has high-capacity water and coffee tanks. With a pre-brewing system and height-adjustable spouts to accommodate various cups, it might be the perfect addition to your business.

Philips Saeco Aulika Focus Evo Automatic Espresso Machine

Restaurants will appreciate the direct-touch feature on the Aulika Focus Evo, which brews various popular espresso drinks. Both water and coffee containers are high-capacity, and the machine also has space to hold dairy products for optimal heating and foam capabilities. Allow the Aulika Focus Evo to do the work and present your customers with a great espresso experience every time.

Selecting the Right Machine for Your Needs

An at-home barista will have different needs than a busy cafe or coffee bar. As a result, home espresso machines are not ideal for food service environments. They simply cannot keep up with the demand or wear and tear from constant use. No matter how much your business focuses on coffee and espresso, the right machine is one that performs to its capacity and delivers a great shot every time. 

Home Espresso Machines

When brewing espresso at home, most machines are designed to handle a lesser capacity, only a few pulls a day. A home espresso machine works on lower power usage and tends to be automatic, so the user does not have to follow many steps. These features starkly contrast with the commercial espresso machines in food service establishments.

Commercial Espresso Machines

Many commercial espresso machines are stationary and made from stainless steel. Both of these features highly the sturdiness and durability they have compared to home espresso machines. Additionally, they have larger capacities for brewing and multi-head stations to accommodate more cups. A machine like this may be manual or automatic and relies on the precision and focus of a dedicated barista to operate effectively.

Consistently Brewing the Perfect Espresso

Learning about the espresso brewing process, along with having the right espresso machine, leads to consistent and perfect espresso beverages that your customers will love. Once you have mastered the art of espresso making, your customers are sure to notice and won’t be shy to tell everyone they know!

The Right Equipment

A high-quality espresso machine is a must-have since it can carry the weight of demanding needs while maintaining a great cup of espresso every time. This piece of equipment may also have features that turn espresso into other drinks like cappuccinos or macchiatos, which can help expand your offerings.

Brushing up on Techniques

The better you know the commercial espresso machine you use in your establishment, the better you will be able to use it and ensure it creates quality hot drinks for your customers. While you might make some small mistakes along the way, once you nail your techniques, espresso will be a large part of your business and leave your customers wanting more!

If your customers are big fans of coffee, they’ll love the opportunity to try out espresso from your business. At Zanduco, we carry various commercial espresso machines and other cafe equipment to take your offerings to the next level. Connect with us today to add exceptional espresso to your burgeoning business.