Many of us see ourselves as coffee connoisseurs these days; no longer do we always want to settle for a spoonful of freeze-dried instant granules when we’re in need of a caffeine fix. The boom in High Street coffee shops has led to a growing awareness of the different types of coffee and different ways of making it, from low-fat skinny lattes to supercharged triple espressos or fancy frappuccinos. “Frothy coffee” is no longer an exotic option available only in Italian cafes with Fifties formica tables, and you don’t have to wait for ages beside a plug-in or stove-top percolator, either.

But can you be a barista in the comfort of your own home? When you’re keen to get going early – or having a day when you just can’t face getting dressed up to go out for coffee – can you replicate the taste of the best brews in a domestic kitchen, at a reasonable price?

Different types of machine

One of the cheapest way to enjoy a good cup of coffee is to buy a glass cafetiere with a plunger, or use filters which sit on the top of your cup – but this limits you to just the one type of filtered coffee. For something stronger, you could try an espresso machine, which mixes the coffee with the water under high pressure; generally speaking, the higher the pressure, the more expensive the machine. The test of a good espresso machine is the ‘crema’ it produces, which is the rich froth on the top.

Larger and higher-pressure machines may use a pump system with a separate water tank and heater, and can heat the water to higher temperatures. And to make cappuccinos, you’ll need a steamer module as well for the milk. This usually comprises a nozzle to place in a jug of milk, and should allow you to create a frothy foam as well.

To help you choose which type of machine is best for you, you’ll need to decide whether you want to use ready-ground coffee or work from scratch with roasted unground beans, which can give the ultimate taste quality. A beans-to-cup machine will grind the beans as well as make the coffee – but they’re generally more sophisticated and expensive than a straightforward coffee-maker using grounds.

Some coffee machines use Nespresso-system ‘ESE’ (‘easy servicing espresso’) pods, which are clean and simple to slot in, or capsules. These mean less cleaning-up afterwards, and you won’t need to ‘tamp’ or compact the dry coffee as this is ready-done. The downside however, is you’re less able to control the strength or adjust the dosage according to your taste. These machines are often installed in offices or shared facilities as they’re well-suited to places where no-one wants to take responsibility for clearing up and disposing of used grounds (which can actually be composted, if you’re a gardener).

Buying into a brand-name

Coffee machines may be a strong style statement in a kitchen, and many come in shiny chrome, bright colours or fashionable retro designs. If money’s no object, then £600 buys you a Bugatti, or a large professional-level device; £200-£300 or so buys a high-quality Italian creation from the likes of Gaggia, or De’Longhi , and £100-£150 is enough for a decent coffee machine from the usual mainstream brand-names in the kitchen appliance world. There are also plenty of good buys for under £100, including supermarket own-brand machines and the entry-level models from the ‘designer’ brands. Do your research online to pick out the best and the one most suitable for your needs.

However much you intend to spend – or end up investing – you could make your purchase less painful if you buy by credit card. This could be a way to help you spread the cost.

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