In the very simplest term, espresso maker is something that makes espresso, that coffee that is so thick, some folks swear that it must be triple that of a normal coffee (although in theory, it is only double the intensity of normal coffee).

Oh, if you want to know more about espresso, here is how it is being produced, 1.5 ounce of water, jet it through roughly 0.75 ounce of coffee that is compressed with a good 12 bar pressure and the water temperature at 195F. When all that is fulfilled, you would get a good espresso.

Then, good espresso must come with "creama", or as the middle east folks would call it "wesh", that is the face of the coffee. Without it, it is not consider good espresso.

well, if you are hoping to know and learn about all the espresso makers here, please know that it is not possible. There must be thousands of models out there. But, basically, you only need to know that no matter how many models, there are only 5 groups.

Moka Pots

First, you have the moka pots, this is the simplest way to make espresso. And the famous of it all, is the bialetti, the world famous hourglass shape that produces only 5 bar pressure but surprisingly great coffee.

While it cannot make the perfect espresso, it is easy and simple to use.

Neapolitan filter brewer

Yes, I know you might not have heard of this one before. It is one of the least used and not so popular maker to brew espresso.

What you do is to boil the water, then turn the filter brewer upside down for the coffee to steep through the coffee grounds which is packed in the waist of this equipement.

Also easy to use but not that much used as it is not easy to find and does not produce really great espresso.

Piston espresso machines

Then you have the piston espresso machine. The spring loaded and hand operated piston is the main characteristics of these espresso makers. You brew your espresso with a piston instead of the usual motor, pump and brewing switches that would of course produce the pressure (depending on big is your biceps).

It works like this, cold water is poured into the chamber, ground coffee is put inside a small container on the top of the espresso maker. Then the piston is lifted up, this would draw water above the coffee compartment, when you press the piston down, you would forced water through the coffee bed.

One of the more popularly known model would be the la pavoni

Steam powered espresso machines

This steam powered espresso make is also not very popular, the main complain is its low presssure, resulting in poor extraction of the coffee. While coffee snobs avoided this espresso machine, do note that there are fans for this as well.

Its greatest value add is the price! The price is at least 50% lower than the pump pressure espresso machine, which means if you are not really particular about espresso quality, then this model is great for you!

Although, I must add that at less than 9 bars, forget about great cappuccino and lattes (I meant textbook quality gourmet coffees). Main reason being the milk steaming nozzle which is practically useless with the low pressure.

Pump espresso machines

Well, I have saved the best for the last. The pump espresso maker is the most common espresso machine around, almost any brands that you can think of, has a pump espresso maker.

These machines are make popular by the starbucks and coffee beans with the baristas dosing, tamping and nozzling the cappuccino. The high pressure, usually 15 bar and above allows one to brew great cappuccino.

But, the price is steep, in fact almost comparable to commercial espresso maker. But, they do have commercial quality as well!

It works when you activate the contraol switch to start the pump, this would raise the heat in the boiler, creating pressure that forces the water through the coffee bed, giving you a great espresso.

Yes, that is all about espresso maker, no matter which brands, it would be within these 5 groups. Hope this helps...