I recently set up my home espresso machine. I am not an espresso novice, but this is the first machine I’ve had in my own kitchen. Based upon careful research, I selected the best machine I could find. And by “careful research”, I mean to say that I got a good deal on a good-looking machine. Fortunately for me, it is also an excellent machine that offers great performance, especially for a countertop model. It has a 15-BAR pressure pump and high quality brass hadware inside. The sleek, retro styling and small size are nice bonuses, in my opinon. I have a Francis!Francis! X3.
To be successful like Starbucks you have to think like a Starbucks. They've created a
revolution in the way coffee is perceived in the context of our culture, and in a world where "public space"
is vanishing, they provide a nice hang out for everyone who can't get into bars. They're a part of modern life, along
with laptops and cell phones. The way the get you to pay $6 for a cup of coffee, milk and cocoa powder is genius. I do
it, you probably do it, and we secretly LOVE to pay that much. Let's face it, you could make this stuff yourself (if
you don't mind doing without steamed milk) but you don't because damnit, you've earned an expensive hot frothy,
sugary.... ahhhhh (in Homer Simpson voice).
Ahhh, crema. The coffee shop on my corner won't serve espresso without its perfect crown of crema (a good way to determine if your coffee shop is worth its beans). There's even a site with amazingly 
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