How to choose the right espresso machine

To enjoy rich, creamy, and perfectly satisfying coffee every day (and even multiple times!), you need to choose the right coffee maker, one that suits your tastes and lifestyle, as well as your budget. A barista with more than 15 years of experience and thousands of coffees under her belt sheds some light on the matter.

What style of machine? With or without coffee grinder? Is it complicated to use? And, above all, how much does it cost? These are the kinds of questions we asked barista Hind Kaddouri, who shares her experience and passion for good coffee at Édika, an import and distribution company specializing in high-quality espresso machines, established in the Ahuntsic district, in Montreal.

Where to start ?

I would tell you that what matters in the first place is the person who is going to make the coffee – even before talking about machines! Everyone is looking for the same thing: real good coffee. But some prefer to just push a button and let the machine take care of everything, while others love the ritual of coffee brewing. It’s like in the kitchen: there are those who love to simmer a good meal while others have neither the time nor the interest. But, on the other hand, everyone wants to eat well! The secret is to properly determine your needs: do you want to make several coffees in a row, will many of you be using the machine (each with their own preference), how much space do you have on the counter, are you More of a fan of black coffee or coffee with milk? All this will count in the choice of the preferred model.

Manual or automatic machine? And why ?

How much time are you willing to give to brewing your coffee? This is the first question to ask. Manual machines will meet the expectations of those who love the ritual of preparing coffee, who want to experiment, play with the settings and parameters of infusion, temperature and pressure. With the pandemic and telework, we sold more high-end manual machines than ever, because customers were less in a hurry and more inclined to take the time to familiarize themselves with the technique. Automatic machines, as their name suggests, offer the advantage of simplified use, which is done, for example, at the push of a button. High-end models are even programmable to suit users’ tastes, and they can execute everyone’s “recipe”.

Which model produces the best coffee?

Purists opt for manual coffee machines, such as the excellent LELIT, and they enjoy the ritual of preparation as much as the resulting coffee. But a high-end automatic model gives very, very similar results. Thus, the JURA range is distinguished by its very powerful machines, with very hot infusion temperatures, programmable to everyone’s taste and giving stable and fast results. Their use is really simple: even those who have no experience can perfectly achieve a flat white (two shots of espresso and a touch of micro-foamed milk) or a cortado (espresso and hot milk in equal parts).

Should we take into account the number of people who will use the machine?

Yes ! The more of them – as in the case of a large family, a person who entertains very often or for use in the workplace – the more powerful and easy to use it will have to be. In this case, automatic models are ideal. Some manual multi-kettle machines, such as the LELIT Bianca, which can be connected directly to the water supply, are also suitable for large groups because they allow coffee and milk froth to be prepared at the same time. The saving of time is then appreciable.

What is the most common mistake users make?

Owners of a manual machine often ask me why their first coffee is not as good and creamy as the second, even if they have opted for a high quality machine. The problem ? They do not know that the portafilter must be at the same temperature as the machine. In fact, as soon as you turn it on, you should always put the filter holder in place, which is not complicated. And we do not rinse the filter holder when preparing another coffee so as not to cool it. It’s the kind of simple detail you need to know. Buying a good machine is great, but you have to know how to use it to its full potential. That’s why our customers can call us, write to us or chat with an advisor when they have questions. As for users of automatic machines, the main mistake is not to modify the settings, when they have every interest in exploring them. By testing different options, one can personalize the coffee and adapt it precisely to one’s taste.

What about maintenance?

Regardless of the brand chosen, maintenance is essential. High-end models, whose parts are very solid, will not break if they are not maintained, but their durability will be affected and the coffee will be less good. Because, by neglecting the maintenance, we lose the added value of the maximum extraction of the coffee. The purchase of a good machine can entail a significant expense, why not protect your investment adequately?

What about pod machines?

We don’t offer any, firstly because nothing beats fresh ground coffee. In addition, the pods, which are not very ecological, create significantly more waste than a bag of coffee beans. Finally, our automatic machines with integrated grinder are practically just as easy to use.

In a world where coffee is omnipresent, Édika stands out for its know-how and its respect for tradition. Behind every cup are dedicated people who share their experience and passion so that every step of the process provides a special moment at home, in the office or in the restaurant.

This content was produced by Le Devoir’s special publications team in collaboration with the advertiser. Le Devoir’s editorial team had no role in the production of this content.