Best espresso machine for crema

Everyone would like to make barista-quality coffee from home. But it's more complicated than it seems. At least, that's the conclusion I came to on my search for the top coffee makers. There were a lot of things to consider if I was to recreate my favorite flat white coffee machine from the cafe. What should I do?

"It's a massive rabbit hole - I've been in the industry for 10 years, but I still have to play around with recipes to get it right," says Jon Townsend, an authorized specialist coffee trainer and the director of the Institute of Coffee. "There are a lot of variables in coffee, and you can either take control of those and change them how you want, or you can make it easier for yourself."

I had never given these aspects much thought. Although it may seem simple, things like the level of roughness of the grind as well as the water filtration process make a significant impact on the flavor of the drink you get.

In actual fact, Ewelina Kania, General Manager of a favorite coffee shop I frequent in London - Prufrock located in Farringdon, London - tells me that you shouldn't put tap water into any coffee maker. Yikes. There's a device that could aid in this, a device known as Peak Water, which is an exclusive water filter jug specifically designed for espresso ( PS49, Colonna Coffee). Coffee machines that are of the highest quality should have an integrated water filter.

The third (perhaps unassuming) item that is essential for making good coffee is a scale for the kitchen. "The two key things are water quality and the kitchen scale - one of the most under-appreciated pieces of equipment," Wilson Jimenez, the founder of specialty coffee brand Piqant informs me. "Weighing your coffee will mean you get consistently good coffee - rather than relying on a tablespoon or eyeballing."

To make the process more complex yet, the recipe, which is i.e. how much ground coffee is used in a shot - is different based on the person you ask. Baristas typically utilize between 15 and 26 grams, based on their machine and their roast, as well as the kind of beverage they're making.

If this seems to be a lot of fuss and faff, it's because it is. However, the good thing, Townsend says, is that with the equipment "you don't actually have to spend a crazy amount to get good results; you can, of course, spend upwards of PS5,000, but if you're a casual coffee drinker you're not actually going to notice the difference."

Espresso machines begin at PS50 however, they begin to get better after at the PS130 mark. Pod coffee machines utilize pre-portioned capsules of espresso and are typically less expensive but you have to take into consideration the cost of purchasing replacement pods and the environmental impact that could result from the disposal of these (although there are currently compostable and recyclable pods available).

If you are looking to purchase a machine, the kind of coffee you enjoy can be a good start and also how much time you've got. Espresso machines with manual controls are most suitable for people who want to truly get involved in coffee-making, who are prepared to put in the time, money, and energy, and capsule or pod machines will work better for those who want a fast and efficient method to make coffee as they walk out the door for work.

What else are you looking for? If you decide to purchase the espresso maker, opt for one with PID (proportional integral derivative temperature control, according to Jimenez. "It's a more sophisticated thermostat which controls the temperature exactly, ensuring consistent results each time." Check out the explanation at the bottom of this page to learn more.

A brief note about testing to see if it works: your coffee's quality get depends on the beans used to make the pods that are used to create the machine. Except for the Nespresso Vertuo, I tested the following with either excellent coffee capsules made by the award-winning roaster Colonna Coffee ( from PS24 for four boxes) or beans from the subscription service Kent-based Lost Sheep Coffee. If the machine didn't have grinders built-in I made use of Cuisinart's Burr Mill ( PS62, the AO) for consistency.