Hi, all!
I basically only drink Americanos when I am out. I quite enjoy Starbucks's Americano, and I've also had them at many local joints and have been doubly pleased with the taste of the result.
However, as most of you probably already have, I've begun to add up the Starbucks and coffee-house bills with shock. I think I want to try to reproduce (well, as closely as possible) a coffee house Americano at home.
I don't necessarily need the very best in terms of milk frothers, etc. I really just want a machine capable of producing good espresso for use in an Americano. I would probably use it daily, so quality is probably pretty important. However, price is also a great obstacle! :(
Is there any coffee maker (they tend to be a bit cheaper than espresso machines and the like) that is capable of making good espresso? Or perhaps a french press?
I am open to any and all suggestions.
Also: what brand of espresso makes the best? Illy? LaVazza? I just ordered some espresso from Intelligentsia Coffee here in Chicago, which is reputed to have the very best coffee anywhere. Perhaps that shall be the answer to my question.
Thanks so much!