Espresso Latte Maker -- Coffee Shop Truths You Should Know

That cup of coffee is one of the first things you depend on on a lazy morning and your wake up jolt against a brain-dead afternoon. A genuine coffee person can't go without an espresso latte maker at home but there are times when one needs to urgently get their fix somewhere else -- from one's favorite cafes.

Coffee shops can serve hundreds of every imaginable caffeine concoction (Starbucks has over twenty thousand) and it's natural we crave for these concoctions every once in a while. After all, it's not all the time all of us carry around portable espresso latte machines. Our laptops, smartphones, briefcases and backpacks can fill our two hands all the time. Dropping by for a buzz won't hurt. Or does it?

Although cafes can save our lives on some days, there are certain things your buddy barista keep on his/her side of the counter when you make your order. We'll let you in on 5 of them to give you a little hindsight.


1. Most Fancy Drinks Are Calorie-Loaded.

Fancy a frap, a Venti White Mocha, or Java? Perhaps you'd stop and think if you know just how much calories they have. In fact, anything with whole milk, whipped cream or flavored syrups in your fave coffee shop will have loads and loads of calories that can very well surpass the calorie count of a single meal. If you are trying to lose weight, or are trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle, you might want to start treating yourself to these delights on certain occasions only -- definitely NOT regularly.

For your daily cups, ask your barista for skim milk on it and skip the whipped cream altogether.

2. High Markup On Beverages.

Get inside a coffee shop and take a look at the prices of the items. They seem very affordable, and with the convenience of having your cup of Joe with the littlest effort (almost like making it appear by magic), there seems to be no problem at all.

The truth of the matter is, if you try to look at the big picture and figure out how much you spend a year for that java fix, it can run up to $700. While you pay around $1.95 for a cup, the coffee shop spends as little as 15 cents on it -- that's a markup of about 900%!! And don't get me started on other items that are very tempting to pick up like muffins, biscotti, cakes and many others.

3. The Espresso Machine Might Be Soiled.

A clean coffee machine is necessary to make great coffee -- every barista knows that. Oil from the coffee beans can go rancid over time. It can cling to the water screen and filter and thus affect the taste of the espresso that comes out.

Therefore, it is recommended the machine be cleaned after 20-30 espresso shots but through the course of a day, with baristas hustling and bustling, it might be a long shot. However, if you like the taste of the coffee in your favorite shop, there?s a good chance they are keeping their espresso latte makers clean and bright.

4. Coffee Is Not Immortal, It Stales.

Coffee is not something that can be kept for long periods of time. It does not have an indefinite shelf life. Your coffee shop should be grinding fresh coffee on a daily, and even hourly, basis in order to serve the best. Coffee beans are at its best 1-3 days after roasting that is why it should be up used within a week. Beans should be grinded as needed, should be stored in dark, cool, dry place but never in the fridge.

5. There Are Cheaper Alternatives To What's Under Your Nose.

Although it is a hard fact that getting your coffee from fancy shops can take its toll on your budget, drinks in the coffee shop have cheap alternatives and there are many ways to get them for less! One trick is to order off the kids' menu (if you like hot chocolate or apple cider). Or you can make the poor man?s latte by ordering double espresso on ice and adding milk from the condiment bar.

If you don't want to cause frowns from the people behind the counter, the most polite way is to bring your own mug. Many shops give discounts for people who bring their own coffee mugs or tumblers.


Now are you ready to stick to home coffee? Get more tips when it comes to having your own latte makers when you jump to this portal. You will find hundreds of ways to make great coffee at home that matches the taste and quality of those in the cafes.

Fail Proof Shopping For An Espresso Latte Maker

Here comes fall and we are bracing ourselves for the first hints of chill in the air. For many it’s a sign of prepping for the coming winter season and while each of us are clamoring to make sure our favorite things for this season, coffee lovers can’t help but look at the latest latte makers on sale as well as load up on tips for making great tasting coffee that's sure to jolt your senses back to life.

Of course, the supply of caffeine is not about to be let low this fall. We will make sure of it. And what better way to keep those buzz in cups than having coffee made at home? This clever trick will save you rounds of cash to power up the coming holiday spending. You do have a long list, do you?

Don’t fall for shopping mistakes. Your best bet into making the right purchases is to know the most you can about your target item. This need not take you eons of years, mind you, need not slow you down and waste your time. Instead of aimless shopping, we bring you a list of latte makers, including the espresso latte machine so have a wee bit idea of every kind of coffee maker out there and can decide as early as now.


*Single Cup Coffee Filter*
Do you live alone and have really tiny living space? Are you fond of camping out and gazing at the stars with a cup in hand? Single-cup filters will be the perfect option when going fuss-free and solo. They are brew coffee manually and an added perk if your favorite is Vietnamese-style coffee.

*French Press*
If you like your coffee maker inexpensive, durable and small but works to produce strong coffee then a French Press is what you need. They can be a little of a work for somebody not used to it but many love them nonetheless. Basic French presses such as Bodum are priced at around $30, while you can choose among glass, steel or plastic versions with Chambord.

*Pod Coffee Makers*
Pod machines can make only one cup at a time but it does it quickly and consistently with very little cleanup after the job. They use pod coffee either supplied by the manufacturer or you can get them from your favorite specialty coffee shops.


Now we move to the bigger options for those who prefer counter top coffee machines.

*Drip Coffee Maker*
This machine is perhaps the most common in American households. They use paper or mesh filters as part of the process in coffee making. Most drip coffee makers are dual functioning – they grind coffee beans and make coffee in one machine such as the Cuisinart Grind and Brew Thermal Automatic Coffeemaker. Prices depend on other features that are included aside from the main coffee making components but can start at around $130.

*Espresso Latte Machine*
An espresso maker is considered to be a higher end product, designed with lots of features and made to look good in your kitchen counter. In the past espresso machines are avoided because of the space they take and the limited coffee choices. Nowadays they are more popular because they tend to be multi-purpose coffee machines that can brew regular coffee, serve espresso, cappuccinos, lattes, macchiatos, even hot choco and teas.

More coffee making options and espresso latte makers can be found right after the jump. Remember that one should never settle with any less than one’s taste when it comes to coffee. Getting a bargain deal for one you won’t be happy with over time is more a losing deal than a winner.