What are espresso coffee makers?

by Dorothy
(Knowlton, Quebec)

QUESTION:

I get confused. What's the difference between regular coffee makers and espresso coffee makers? My husband says he'd like for us to have an espresso coffee maker...but I'm not sure what to get.

ANSWER:

Good question. Strictly speaking, there is no such thing as an "espresso coffee maker".

A coffee maker is designed simply to make a regular cup of coffee. An espresso machine makes espresso, which forms the base for drinks like cappuccinos and lattes.

If your husband just wants to be able to enjoy a good cup of coffee, you need a coffee maker.

If he wants espressos, cappuccinos or lattes, then you need an espresso machine.

That said, you can buy combination machines that will make both coffee and espresso, like the DeLonghi BCO130T Combination Coffee/Espresso Machine (Link takes you to Amazon.com)

So yes, it would be reasonable to describe machines like DeLonghi as espresso coffee makers.