Tis the season for visiting family and friends and celebrating the holidays together. Whether you are hosting a get together or you are going to someone else’s home, chances are delicious food and great beverages are involved.
Coffee and tea are popular beverages to serve to guests. It’s always nice to offer something else for your guests to enjoy. How about a cup of freshly made espresso?
When I think of espresso makers I think of ones that resemble the photo at the top of this post. The kind that look like regular coffee machines.
Recently IMUSA USA asked if I’d like to review one of their espresso makers. Since I love coffee and coffee drinks (espresso, latte, cappuccino…) I was thrilled about the opportunity to review the espresso maker.
I was a bit surprised when it arrived and looked nothing like what I had expected. What I received was something that resembled a funky looking tea pot.
My husband knew exactly what it was, but he said it was a coffee maker. He said his mother had the same kind of coffee maker. I told him it was to make espresso, but he insisted you could use it to make coffee too (you can).
Here is information about the IMUSA GlobalKitchen Aluminum Espresso Maker
- Made of Aluminum
- For Stovetop Use
- Brews in just Minutes
- Cool Touch Handle & Knob
- Flip-up Top
- Sizes: 3 & 6 Cup
I didn’t receive any instructions with the product so I had to Google it. What I found was that it’s super easy to use.
First and foremost you need to take it apart. The bottom unscrews from the top. Inside the bottom portion is a piece that look like a strainer. You will need to wash it out thoroughly before using it.
Fill the bottom portion up with water, making sure to stop before you reach the steamer hole on the side. The steamer hole (for lack of a better description) looks like a screw with a washer at the end.
Put the strainer back on top of the bottom section then fill the strainer portion up with loose, fine ground coffee. You can play around with the type of coffee you use and the way it’s ground. I didn’t have any lose coffee so I slit opened two single serve coffee “cups” and put them in the strainer.
Next you need to screw the top piece on to the bottom piece.
Put the espresso/coffee maker on your stove top on a medium heat. Make sure the handle is not directly over the heat source so it doesn’t get hot or melted.
It takes a bit but eventually the water will start to boil. As it boils it travels up a “tube” and comes out on top where the coffee collects in a “reservoir”. When it starts to pour out of the spout quickly turn the stove off and let it continue to release the coffee until it stops.
To serve simply pour a small amount into an espresso cup (if you want to drink it as espresso) or fill a cup up half way with the coffee and top it off with some plain hot water for a regular cup of strong coffee. Prepare and enjoy like you normally would.
Looking at this unassuming aluminum thing you wouldn’t think it woudl work, but it does! I was pleasantly surprised when I saw coffee spewing out of the top of the espresso maker.
I’ve used this a few times and used it to make both espresso and coffee. It does make a great cup of espresso and a nice, rich cup of strong coffee. I’m surprised at how simple and easy it is to make espresso without the need of a high priced piece of machinery.
Best of all you don’t have to spend a small fortune. The IMUSA GlobalKitchen Aluminum Espresso Maker is available at Target and other retail location. It has a suggested retail price of $13.99 for the 6 cup maker and $10.99 for the 3 cup maker.
IMUSA USA also has recipes you can make with the espresso maker. You can find them here – IMUSA USA Recipes. I found one for a mocha espresso. Yummy!
This would make an wonderful, and affordable, gift for the coffee lover in your life this holiday season.
To learn more about IMUSA USA visit www.IMUSAUSA.com. You can also find the brand on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube.
IMUSA is giving away an IMUSA product – a different one each day for 25 days. Check them out on social media for your chance to win.
Kimberly
*I received a free product sample to review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and not influenced in any way. IMUSA USA will provide the prize.
@mulysa32 says
I love the quality taste of an espresso w out the high price tag! I can drink perfection in the comfort of my own home!
Adrianne B says
I’d like to win this for myself to use in my home. It would be nice to have an espresso after dinner every once in a while!
Kimberly Schotz says
If I were to win this would be a gift for my son.
Candice says
I would love to keep it. I would love to be able to make coffee shop quality drinks at home to save money.
Allison Downes says
I would love to have something like this for myself! Sounds like they are having a cool promotion for the holidays. Thank you for sharing this.