Review on STARESSO Portable Espresso Machine: Rich & Thick Crema, Ground Coffee & Nespresso Pods, Mini Coffee Maker for Travel, Camping, Office & Home Use by Derek Wagner

This makes real espresso pretty easy considering I only have house roasted beans and Baratza Encore. After three attempts and only trying espresso from reputable coffee shops, I got shots that tasted about the same. You won't cram more than 10g of coffee in this thing, and the basket is pretty difficult to clean, but the results are very good. I use 10g of coffee and about 38g of water. I do a few squeezes until I feel resistance, wait 35 seconds and squeeze the rest. I'm very impressed with the quality of the drink that comes out. There is no doubt that this is a 'real' espresso or not and given my modest equipment I think the results are very consistent. Home espresso machines for true fans tend to be over the top with ridiculously expensive grinders and machines, but that comes very close to the relative cost of peanuts. too, but then again you do a real espresso (for one) for $50 so I won't complain. I run my baratza on the best setting and I think any finer setting will likely clog up a little or end up making it harder to pump the shot. The only downside is that the basket is quite difficult to clean. I can't think of any other good way than scooping the leftovers into your trash with a spoon. It can be difficult to serve more than a few guests, but no worse than most disposable pot or aeropress kits. Even a French press or a Chemex will not brew enough coffee to serve more than 3-4 people.