What kind of coffee can you make with a fully automatic coffee machine?
From a powerful espresso to a creamy cappuccino
When you choose an automatic coffee machine, it's important to know what kind of coffees you want to prepare with the coffee machine. Start by asking yourself if you want to drink only black coffees, or if you want to vary between black coffees and milk specialties. We've highlighted the difference between the speciality coffees without and with milk below.
Coffee specialties without milk
For the coffee drinkers who like 'regular' coffee specialties, we've listed the coffees without milk. This way, you can easily find out which kind of coffee suits you best.
Coffee strengths
With a ristretto, espresso, and doppio, you get a nice boost in the morning. These coffees are small, but their flavor is intense and they offer a good shot of caffeine.
- Ristretto: 22ml espresso (extra strong)
- Espresso 30ml espresso (strong)
- Doppio 60ml espresso (strong)
Milder coffees
A lungo and americano have a milder taste because the espresso is mixed with water. The difference between both coffees is that the water and the espresso go in your cup at the same time. With an americano, this brew process is in a sequence, so you get a different flavor.
- Lungo 90ml espresso (mild)
- Americano 30ml espresso + 60ml hot water
Large, mild coffee
A coffee or filter coffee is the mildest version of the black coffees. The brew process is much slower, so the coffee machine makes the coffee less strong. Just a typical cup of coffee.
Coffee specialties with milk
Are you a coffee enthusiast, but do you want milk in it? Choose a fully automatic coffee machine which has a milk function. For example, you can choose from a (automatic) steam wand, milk reservoir, with or without pipes, or with a milk tube. Find out below which coffee specialty is perfect for you.
Strong milk specialties
Do you like a strong cup of coffee, but need a little milk? Choose espresso macchiato or cortado. An espresso macchiato is an espresso shot with a few scoops of milk foam. The cortado has more milk and doesn't have foam.
- Espresso macchiato: 30ml espresso + milk foam
- Cortado 60ml warm milk + 30ml espresso
Creamy milk specialties
The cappuccino is one of the most well-known coffee specialties. This famous drink consists of equal parts espresso, milk, and foam. Would you like it to be a bit stronger? The flat white is a good choice. This cup of coffee has a strong coffee flavor and has less milk foam.
- Cappuccno: 60ml espresso + 60ml warm milk + 60ml milk foam
- Flat white: 120ml espresso + 60ml warm milk + 30mlk milk foam
Milk specialties with a little coffee
For the true milk lovers, the café latte and latte macchiato are a good choice. The coffees which are known for their nice layer of milk, coffee and foam. Especially when you serve the coffee in a glass. These coffees largely consist of milk foam. This results in a mild and creamy coffee. The café latte is a bit stronger, thanks to a larger amount of espresso and a smaller foam layer.
- Cafe latte: 300ml warm milk + 90ml espresso + 30ml milk foam
- Latte macchiato: 300ml warm milk + 60ml espresso + 60ml milk foam
Customize coffee recipes
Although you don't have to mess around with coffee beans with a fully automatic coffee machine, you can control what the coffee tastes like eventually. How? By changing the settings of the machine. This way, you can adjust the strength of an espresso by changing the grind of the beans. Some machines also have a function to add an extra shot of espresso. This way, you can make your coffee much stronger.
You can also change the temperature. Do you like a very hot cup of coffee? The higher the temperature, the more aroma is released.
Conclusion
Do you only want to enjoy espressos, lungos, and americanos? Choose a machine without milk function. You don't need it. Do you love cappuccinos, latte macchiatos, or flat whites? Don't hesitate and choose a coffee machine with a milk tube, (automatic) steam wand, or milk reservoir. When you're looking to buy your next fully automatic coffee machine, make sure to check which coffee specialties it can prepare. This way, you can be sure the machine can prepare your favorite coffee recipes
