The new Baby Gaggia

When it comes to coffee the Italians are way ahead of anyone else and the short dark shots of espresso coffee are a part of the daily routine of life.

While Starbucks and other coffee shops are two-a-penny, and although they do have their place, what they all seem to lack is the atmosphere of an Italian cafe.

And atmosphere is not all they lack - if you ask for an espresso in any of the coffee shops you're more than likely to receive it in a paper or Styrofoam cup, and in Italy that would never do!

The solution lies in investing in your own espresso machine - that way you can have a perfect espresso every time; but then there are espresso machines and espresso machines, so which should you choose?

The answer for many people is the Baby Gaggia, a compact unit that has been manufactured by the Italian company since 1977. It is at the top end of the espresso market and pump driven, which means that the water is delivered to the coffee at a correct and uniform pressure, essential for a good espresso.

The machine is easily filled from the top, preferably with filtered water to avoid limescale, and can be used with pods or ground coffee. The advantage of the pods is easy - no mess from the coffee grounds. However, they are more expensive and mean you have less choice when it comes to selecting your coffee - preferably Illy or similar, although Alto Grande from Puerto Rico is excellent, as is Blue Mountain coffee from Jamaica.

If you're starting out it is better to buy your coffee pre-ground for an espresso machine, but if you do later decide to grind your own - and it is difficult to beat the smell of freshly ground coffee - you should buy an upmarket burr-type grinder. The problem with blade grinders and the cheaper burr grinders is that they produce an inconsistent grind which doesn't work well in an espresso maker.

The Baby Gaggia is a solid machine that performs well. Although it will require some maintenance from time to time - like all espresso machines - it has recently been updated and looks good in any home, not to mention providing you with perfect coffee every time.

More about the Baby Gaggia espresso maker or prices in US$ here