Better Espresso Drinks Than Starbucks, At Home!

Now doesn’t that look heavenly? That beautiful cloud of frothed milk sitting on top of luscious, deep dark espresso. I mean who doesn’t love espresso coffee drinks?!?! Well then check this out – I made this at home, this morning and I have one every single morning just like this – unless I am having a Greek style coffee frappe, which is a whole other adoring post of its own! I have this great little stovetop espresso machine and it makes better espresso drinks than Starbucks and I can have one whenever I want for FREE.
I really do adore my caffettiera! I have always loved espresso drinks, whether they are lattes, cappuccinos, café au lait, café con leche, Cuban coffee, Turkish coffee, Greek coffee or just plain ‘ol espresso. I always wished I could make them at home, as I don’t have a disposable coffee spending account. So a few months ago Roberto bought me this little beauty, a Bialetti Moka Express, 6 Cup and my life has never been the same! Now I can make my own espresso drinks at home without the expense of a huge espresso machine that is too complicated for my brain in the morning, BEFORE I have had my coffee (seems counter-intuitive to me – give complicated machines to people to make coffee, that they NEED coffee to understand how to work the darn thing!)
This little wonder is so easy to use, that you won’t believe making espresso is so easy and inexpensive! These things are on the stovetops of nearly every person living in Italy as people in Italy are as addicted to coffee as I am and Italy IS the coffee capitol of the world! So if you are like me, and love espresso drinks but don’t have the money to go get one everyday or buy a big expensive machine, all you need is a little stovetop espresso maker and a good milk frother you are GOOD to go, in minutes without complicated pre-coffee technology!
Now for the frothy goodness. My mom bought each of us a Shin Bistro Milk Frother By Bodum and I use it every morning to top my espresso for the perfect Cafe con Latte. For all you health concious people, you will be happy to know that skim milk (I like using organic milk) froths the best in this particular frother. Again, simple technology, the pump, full of little holes, pushes air into the milk frothing it up to triple its original mass. I just throw it in the microwave for 30 seconds and pour it on top of my espresso and voila! Pure Coffee Perfection!
If you are into entertaining, your guests or even your family and friends will love being treated to a wonderful espresso drink. It really lends an air of sophistication to your parties and will certainly be appreciated! There will never be any doubt after that as to whether or not you are a foodie!
As for the coffee, I usually order it from Lisabeeen. She ships it right after she has roasted it and by the time it gets to your house, your beans are perfect and ready to be ground up and put in your new caffettiera!








Peter - July 2, 2007 at 7:05 pm
Well Jenn, you can now add “barista” to your job description. What a lovely cuppaa’joe..but don’t drink that in the afternoon, the Italians will scoff at you!
As for the Greek cafe frappe, now you got me wondering…it needs a kick in the &%#*!
Cynthia - July 2, 2007 at 9:00 pm
I am definitely getting one of these! Thanks Jenn. Roberto, you rock!
The Leftover Queen - July 2, 2007 at 9:55 pm
HaHa, Peter! Well my Italian at home never scoffs at me and I am not worried about the rest of them!
You must know all about frappes. They are the ubiquitous Greek drink! Maybe you should post the recipe!
Cynthia, you totally should! I swear you will never regret it!
Minik Kus - July 2, 2007 at 10:51 pm
Hey,
It is terrific! I’ll definitely buy one of these stovetop espresso makers and milk frother thing
Thanks for the links
By the way, now you’re living in Ocala which is located between Gainesville (I live in here) and Orlando (my blog parthner lives in here). Maybe one day, we can arrange a meeting
Thanks for your nice comment!
Kat - July 3, 2007 at 1:23 am
I’ve been wanting to get a Bialetti for awhile now, hopefully I’ll be able to get one soon…the cappucinos are calling
Katiez - July 3, 2007 at 4:30 am
When we live in Andorra I always had a ‘cortado’ or an ‘espresso cut with milk’ I don’t know how they did it but it was the best I’ve ever had. Like in Italy every cup of every kind of coffee is made fresh. It had to be the machine. Someday, I’m going to get one of those…
In Andorra/Spain no one can go more than 2 hours without a coffee. The public bus from Andorra to Barcelona, a 3 hour trip, stopped halfway for coffee. No kidding! not a ‘bus’ stop, just a coffee stop!
Sylvia - July 3, 2007 at 8:40 am
I love expresso and I have a bodum too,better than starbuck is the coffe,capuccino,etc…made in home.
The Leftover Queen - July 3, 2007 at 8:48 am
Hi Minik! I am so happy to know some food bloggers in FL – and so close by! We should definately get together soon and talk food! I am sure I could learn a lot from you guys!
Hey Kat – yes, the Cappucinos are always calling me, and when they do – you must heed the call!
Katie – That is so funny! I love that they had to stop to get coffee. I can totally relate. I limit my coffee intake, but if I gave myself a long leash I would be just the same!
Hi Sylvia! I bet they have great espresso in Argentina! But even so, at home is so much better!
Figs Olives Wine - July 3, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Love stove top espresso! I just had to make myself one after reading this!
The Leftover Queen - July 3, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Hey Amanda! Aren’t the just the BEST!?
Christine - July 3, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Your froth is so perfect! Now I’m going to have to go and get one of these…
Lakshmi - July 4, 2007 at 12:32 am
Hi Jenn, I am a coffee lover and I almost tasted that espresso virtually. The froth is so perfect!
Amanda - July 4, 2007 at 11:19 am
I have a few of these little beauties. I was lucky enough to be given one when I was just 18. At the time I didn’t drink coffee and didn’t have a clue what to do with it. Fast forward a few years and I was over the moon that I could make my own real coffee just like I could buy in the fancy coffee shops which I have to say there weren’t many in England then. My original one is still going strong and I’ve been using it for over 16 years now. Well done for bringing it to attention because you really don’t need a stupidly expensive machine this does just as good a job if not better and it’s things SLOW which I also love… Sorry I’m waffling – I was just so pleased to see this on your blog.
The Leftover Queen - July 4, 2007 at 12:09 pm
Hi Christine, I promise you will not regret it, that milk frother makes great foam, espeically with skim milk.
Hi Lakshmi! That was my point for posting this, it looks so good, even in the picture!
Hi Amanda! Wow, 16 years! That is so great to hear! Yes, I agree there is no need for super expensive machnes – especially for amateurs like myself. Driniking these espressos everyday is like my little ritualistic self-indulgence! I am happy to see others that are as adoring of a good espresso drink!
Tarrant - July 4, 2007 at 7:25 pm
I make such a mess and it takes me so long to make coffee drinks at home. Maybe someday I will try again. In the meantime, I am about to give our espresso machine to a friend.
I have tagged you to learn 8 random thing about you… http://retro-food.com/2007/07/04/random-facts/
sognatrice - July 15, 2007 at 8:50 am
I myself need a good frother. Ah the quest for the ultimate cappuccino…it’s a tough job but somebody’s gotta do it
The Leftover Queen - July 15, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Hi Tarrant! Thanks for tagging me! I have done the 8 random things meme already! But you should try one of these little stovetop beauties – they are amazing!
Sognatrice! It is a job I do not mind!