The Top Espresso Machines - Turn Your Home Into a Starbucks

Gone are the days of those old steam-driven espresso machines that were used to brew you the coffee with unmistakable burned and bitter taste. Today there are a range of sophisticated semi automatic and fully automatic models that pack a lot more punch by serving you dark, rich, foamy espresso that can give the Starbucks or barista a good run for their money.

The new age Espresso Machines can help you make coffee like a pro. They offer a clutter free solution for your home too. You just need to press the button of a fully automatic espresso machine and it will do the entire job from grinding the beans to make your espresso. It will also serve you regular brewed coffee alongside your espresso.

Investing in a high quality espresso coffee machine means employing a qualified barista at your home…for free and getting refreshing shots whenever you want with the press of a button. Hit the stores asking for demonstration of the following top models of espresso machines.

Espresso Gaggia - Classic and time tested

This is definitely a classic in the crowd of other espresso models. The old fashioned coffee connoisseurs love Gaggia for its ability to make thick crema that can compete with any Italian cafes. This sturdy coffee maker is just ideal for daily use; they are easy to maintain too.
On the flipside, it takes longer for warming up and the price is also on a higher end as compared to its other market competitors.

Krups Novo 3000 - Simple features; easy price

If a cup of high-octane espresso is what shoots up your mood, then you should go for this no-frills machine. This reasonably priced pump espresso comes with minimalist controls are easy to figure out. However, the true connoisseurs may not find the coffee made by it flawlessly tasty. The model however offers a better choice over steam-driven espresso machines.

Nespresso D290 - Easy on operation

These Espresso machines are regarded as the most user friendly gadget. A small proprietary capsule make it possible to get your coffee with the press of a button. The capsules come in nine caffeinated and three decaffeinated varieties and each capable of producing a thicker crema than any other models available.

Krups Cafe Bistro - Advanced features at easy prices

This is an ideal gadget for a coffee loving family: it is able to brew you 10 cups of coffee or 2-4 shots of steam-brewed espresso. This compact model is also provided with a frothing wand for cappuccino and 24-hour timer controls.

Professional Pavoni - Large model for a large family

This is ideal for commercial uses with its large 16 cup capacity water reservoir. Because of this large size they are not exactly ideal for households. But if you want to make your neighbors take notice of your gadgets, then this model with gleaming chrome body makes an attractive appearance. You will get less punch in your cup; it makes espresso with a bittersweet taste. If you want a good amount of golden crema, you should go for the Europiccola Pavoni model.

Back in Italy, they treat espresso making something as an art form; an espresso machine makes it easier for you to master the art. However, while selecting the model for your household, stress on the points of quality, ease of use and of course the look.

The Buzz on Caffeine

David Letterman told Esquire in an interview, "If it wasn't for coffee, I'd have no discernible personality at all". I dare say that this is a belief held by millions of people across the globe as they exist daily with their caffeine dependencies. On the popularity scale, coffee holds the title for the world's most popular beverage with a grand total of 400 billion cups consumed each year. That could potentially be a large number of caffeine dependencies.

Is David Letterman really serious when he says that his personality is a derivative of caffeine? Studies show that low doses of caffeine (up to 200 mg) alone can create positive mood effects such as increased well-being, happiness, energetic arousal, alertness and sociability. That means that we would all have great personalities if we stuck to two cups or less of coffee a day. But many coffee drinkers would have to confess that they typically consume two cups or more a day and studies show that higher doses of caffeine, (200 mg or greater) may produce negative impacts including increased anxiety, nervousness, sleeplessness and upset stomach. Remember also that the affects of caffeine can also vary from person to person depending on their body weight, sensitivity, and any tolerance a person has built up toward caffeine..

Caffeine doesn't only hide in coffee. Although 75% of caffeine intake does come from coffee, it can also be derived from other sources as well. This stimulant that we call caffeine is found naturally in coffee beans, tea leaves, and chocolate but is also a popular added ingredient in carbonated beverages and some over-the-counter medications. Surprisingly enough, compared to an 8 ounce cup of coffee that has on average 100 mg of caffeine, a carbonated beverage such as Mountain Dew contains a whopping 55 mg of caffeine. So, you see sources of too much caffeine are not limited to only coffee alone.

With caffeine presenting itself in so many different foods and medications, it's difficult to say that we will just avoid it altogether. So the important question would be, "How much is too much". The American Heart Association states that one to two cups of fresh steaming coffee a day does not seem to be harmful for most people. This would mean 200 mg or less of caffeine intake. It's significant to note that, although caffeine receives a lot of bad press, those that consume moderate amounts, as suggested, can receive certain health benefits as well. These health benefits come from antioxidants and other substances which help regulate blood sugar, prevent gallstones and reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease.

If you are passionate about your coffee and feel that you can't live with only two cups of java a day, it is vital that you make yourself aware of the risks that are associated with increased caffeine intake. Studies that I have looked into explain that an increased level of caffeine can speed bone loss, increase heart risk and might reduce birth weight if too much caffeine is consumed during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant should drink no more than two cups of caffeinate coffee per day and postmenopausal women should also stick to these limits..

The studies on the risks (and benefits) of caffeine intake are ongoing, but quite simply put, the buzz on caffeine is that it makes you feel alert and pumps adrenaline to give you energy. Grab yourself a cappuccino and voila, you now have the caffeine buzz.