Machines
Best Espresso Machines for Beginners (2026)
Our top picks for a first espresso machine, from the easy Breville Bambino Plus to budget and all-in-one options, and how to choose.
Home espresso, made simple
Café-quality espresso in your own kitchen
Honest buying guides, step-by-step technique and simple recipes for home baristas, from your first shot to latte art.
Start here Latest guidesChoose
Buy the right gear once
Plain-English buying guides for machines, grinders and milk tools at every budget.
Brew
Pull a better shot
Dial-in, ratios, grind size and fixes for sour, bitter or watery espresso.
Enjoy
Make café drinks at home
Lattes, cortados, seasonal recipes and ideas for your home coffee corner.
Latest guides
Beans
Decaf Espresso: How Much Caffeine and the Best Beans
Decaf espresso is espresso made from decaffeinated beans. A shot usually has only a few milligrams of caffeine. Here is how decaf is made, how to choose decaf espresso beans, and how to dial them in.
Drinks
Espresso vs Coffee: Caffeine, Taste and Brewing Differences
Espresso vs coffee: both come from the same beans, but espresso is brewed fast under pressure with a fine grind, making a small, concentrated shot. Regular coffee is brewed slowly with more water. Here is how they differ in caffeine, taste and brewing.
Coffee gear
Miele CM6110 Coffee System Review
The Miele CM6110 is a compact super-automatic coffee system that grinds, brews and froths milk at the touch of a button. Here is what it does well, where it falls short, and how it compares with newer Miele models.
Caffeine & health
Decaf Coffee During Pregnancy: Is It Safe?
Decaf coffee is generally considered OK during pregnancy because it contains only a few milligrams of caffeine per cup, far below the commonly advised 200 mg daily limit. Here is what the evidence and health bodies say.
Drinks
Pumpkin Spice Latte at Home
A homemade pumpkin spice latte uses real pumpkin purée, warm spices and a little sugar heated with milk, then poured over espresso. Here is an easy recipe that takes about 10 minutes.
Gifts
Espresso Gifts Under $50
Great coffee gifts under $50 include a WDT tool, a spring-loaded tamper, a milk pitcher, espresso cups, a coffee book or a bag of specialty beans. Here are practical picks that espresso fans will use every day.
Gifts
Best Gifts for Espresso Lovers (Holiday 2026)
The best gifts for espresso lovers are tools that improve their daily shot: a good scale, a precision tamper, a WDT tool, fresh specialty beans or a grinder upgrade. Here are our holiday 2026 picks by budget.
Maintenance
How to Descale an Espresso Machine
To descale an espresso machine, run a descaling solution through the boiler, group head and steam wand, let it sit, then flush with fresh water at least twice. Here is how to do it, how often, and what to use.
Lifestyle
How to Set Up a Home Coffee Bar on Any Budget
A home coffee bar needs four things: a brewer, a grinder, a spot with power and water nearby, and storage for beans and cups. Here are home coffee bar ideas for every budget, from about $100 to a full espresso setup.
Drinks
What Is an Americano? How It Compares to Drip Coffee
An Americano is espresso diluted with hot water. It has a similar strength to drip coffee but a different flavor and body. Here is what it is, how it compares to regular coffee and how to make one.