An espresso machine is an appliance used to produce the traditional Italian coffee beverage called espresso. This has a steam wand which is used to steam and froth milk for beverages such as the cappuccino and latte.

The espresso machine works on the basic mechanism, that forces hot water to pass through coffee grounds under pressure. This can be accomplished in different ways, and is thus classified into four categories:

• Pump Espresso Machines, use a powered pump to produce required amount of water pressure, quite expensive, large, bulky and noisy, makes excellent espresso, commercial machines are of this type.

• Lever/Piston Espresso Machines, has a manual lever and piston to create pressure, a silent machine, has very few parts and needs low maintenance.

• Steam Powered Espresso Machines, uses steam from heated water to create the pressure, is a smaller machine having sleek design, is quick and easy to use.

• Moka Pots, are simple stove-top pots, that use water in the bottom half of the pot, which forces steam through the coffee into the top half of the pot and need very less pressure.

Espresso is said to be an entire approach to coffee cuisine, involving not only roasting and brewing method, but grind and grinder, a technique of heating and frothing milk, and a traditional menu of drinks.