So much easier to stay caffeinated...

Jason and I have wanted a home espresso machine for quite some time, but it always seemed like too frivolous a purchase. I even had the perfect machine in mind, made by an Italian company called Gaggia.

Somehow my sister read my mind, because she not only bought us an espresso machine for Christmas, she bought us the exact make and model that had been on my wish list for about four years! It was clearly meant to be, because I had never had a conversation with her about wanting an espresso machine.

Anyway, the machine has been put to almost daily use since we opened it. I thought I'd provide a little show-and-tell:

The lovely Gaggia Classic

The espresso is packed into this device that looks like a giant spoon,
which latches onto the underside of the water dispenser

The espresso is brewed into this brewing pitcher. Here I'm making a double shot; the espresso itself is a rich dark brown color, which is topped by a paler "foam" called crema.

Milk is steamed separately using the steam wand on the side.

The steam wand not only heats the milk (I bring it to 150 degrees),
it also produces a really nice foam.

To make a latte, I spoon the foam on top of the espresso,
and then pour the hot milk into the mug.

Voila!