In this article we will look at the top three Espresso Machines for Cuban Coffee.
- Breville offers precision grinding and customizable settings, making it ideal for Cuban coffee enthusiasts.
- De’Longhi EC155 is a budget-friendly option with a compact design, yet it does not compromise on quality.
- L’OR Barista, renowned for its durability and consistency, provides a professional-grade espresso experience.
What Makes Cuban Coffee Unique?
Cuban coffee, or Café Cubano, is renowned for its bold flavor and robust strength. The secret lies in the unique preparation process and the type of coffee beans used.
Traditional Preparation Method
Cuban coffee is brewed using a Moka pot or an espresso machine. The coffee is then mixed with a sugary foam called espuma. This foam is made by vigorously mixing the first few drops of coffee with sugar, creating a creamy texture. At the end of the article I will post the perfect recipe Cuban Coffee.
Special Coffee Beans
Another factor is the use of dark roasted coffee beans. These beans are roasted until they reach an oily, dark brown color. This roasting process brings out the coffee’s natural oils, resulting in a rich and intense flavor.
Key Features To Look For In An Espresso Machine For Cuban Coffee
Here are the key features to look for when choosing an espresso machine for making Cuban coffee.
1. High Pressure Pump
A high-pressure pump is essential for extracting maximum flavor. The pressure should be at least 15 bars. This ensures the water passes through the coffee grounds effectively. A high-pressure pump is crucial for that authentic Cuban coffee taste.
2. Consistent Temperature Control
Temperature control is vital. Consistency in temperature ensures the coffee is brewed perfectly every time. Look for machines with digital temperature control. Some models offer PID controllers for precise temperature regulation. Consistent temperature control helps in achieving that rich, bold flavor Cuban coffee is famous for.
3. Quality Portafilter
A quality portafilter is important for even extraction. Stainless steel portafilters are durable and maintain heat better. Choose a machine with a commercial-grade portafilter. This guarantees a balanced extraction, which is key for strong Cuban coffee.
4. Steam Wand
A powerful steam wand is necessary for frothing milk. Cuban coffee often includes a layer of frothy milk. Look for an espresso machine with an adjustable steam wand. This allows you to create the perfect froth for your coffee.
5. Easy To Clean
Choose a machine that is easy to clean. Removable parts make maintenance simpler. Machines with a self-cleaning function save time and effort. Keeping the machine clean ensures the coffee tastes fresh and the machine lasts longer.
1. De’longhi Dedica Maestro Plus Espresso Machine
This machine blends advanced technology with user-friendly features, making it ideal for both novice and experienced coffee enthusiasts.
Compact Design And Build Quality
The De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus Espresso Machine is known for its sleek stainless steel body and compact countertop fit. With a 3.4-pound capacity and 13.7-pound item weight, this machine is both lightweight and durable. Its compact design ensures it fits snugly on any kitchen counter, saving valuable space without compromising on performance.
This machine’s robust build quality guarantees long-lasting use. The stainless steel material resists wear and tear, ensuring your espresso machine stays in top condition for years. Its elegant design also adds a touch of sophistication to any kitchen decor.
The user-friendly interface includes intuitive buttons and a clear display, making it easy to operate. Even those new to making espresso will find the machine simple to use, thanks to its straightforward controls and clear instructions.

Advanced Brewing And Extraction
The De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus Espresso Machine excels in brewing and extraction. It features a 15 bar professional pump for consistent brewing pressure. This high-pressure pump ensures the coffee grounds are evenly saturated, resulting in a rich and robust flavor.
Another standout feature is its pre-infusion low pressure and 9 bar high-pressure extraction. The pre-infusion process gently moistens the coffee grounds before the full pressure is applied, enhancing the extraction process. This method ensures a more balanced and flavorful espresso shot.
The machine also includes a thermoblock heating system, which heats water to the optimal temperature quickly and efficiently. This system ensures that every cup of espresso is brewed at the perfect temperature, enhancing the overall taste and quality.
Customizable Steam And Milk Texture
The De’Longhi Dedica Maestro Plus Espresso Machine features an automatic steam wand for microtextured milk foam and latte art. This feature allows users to create café-quality milk foam for lattes, cappuccinos, and other milk-based drinks.
The steam wand is fully adjustable, enabling you to customize the texture of your milk. Whether you prefer a creamy latte or a frothy cappuccino, this machine can deliver the perfect milk texture every time.
Additionally, the machine includes several preset milk options, making it easy to achieve the desired froth level. Users can also manually adjust the steam settings for even more control over the milk texture.
With its advanced milk steaming capabilities, this espresso machine is perfect for those who enjoy experimenting with different milk textures and creating intricate latte art.
2. L’or Barista System Coffee And Espresso Machine
This versatile machine excels in delivering rich, bold flavors that coffee lovers crave. Equipped with advanced features, it ensures a premium coffee experience. Let’s dive into what makes this machine stand out.

Multi-beverage Brewing Flexibility
The L’OR Barista System Coffee and Espresso Machine offers unparalleled brewing flexibility. It is compatible with both coffee and espresso capsules, allowing you to switch between different types of beverages seamlessly. Whether you need a quick espresso shot or a full-bodied coffee, this machine has got you covered.
Key features include:
- Dual capsule recognition technology
- Adjustable cup sizes
- Simple one-touch operation
This machine can brew up to six different cup sizes, ranging from a small espresso to a large coffee. It also comes with a milk frother for making lattes and cappuccinos, adding to its versatility.
Here’s a quick comparison of the cup sizes:
Beverage | Size (ml) |
---|---|
Espresso | 25 ml |
Lungo | 110 ml |
Americano | 150 ml |
Coffee | 230 ml |
Sustainable And Wide Capsule Selection
The L’OR Barista System takes sustainability seriously. The machine is designed to use capsules made from sustainable aluminum and eco-friendly packaging. This not only ensures great taste but also reduces environmental impact. The wide selection of capsules offers various flavors and intensities, making it easy to find your perfect cup.
Benefits of using sustainable capsules:
- Reduced carbon footprint
- Recyclable materials
- Maintains coffee freshness
The capsule range includes options like:
- Classic Espresso
- Rich Lungo
- Bold Ristretto
Each capsule is hermetically sealed to preserve the aroma and flavor, ensuring a consistently delicious coffee experience. This approach aligns with the growing trend of eco-conscious consumption, making it a responsible choice for coffee enthusiasts.
High Pressure Brewing For Bold Flavor
The L’OR Barista System is equipped with 1450 watts of power for high-pressure brewing. This feature is essential for extracting the rich, bold flavors characteristic of strong Cuban coffee. The high-pressure pump ensures that the coffee grounds are thoroughly saturated, resulting in a robust and flavorful brew.
Advantages of high-pressure brewing:
- Enhanced flavor extraction
- Crema-rich espresso
- Consistent quality
With a maximum pressure of 19 bars, this machine ensures that every cup is as strong and aromatic as possible. This high-pressure system is what gives Cuban coffee its distinctive, intense flavor. The machine’s ability to maintain consistent pressure throughout the brewing process guarantees a top-notch coffee experience every time.
For those who love their coffee strong and full of character, the L’OR Barista System Coffee and Espresso Machine is an excellent choice. Its powerful brewing capabilities make it a standout in the world of home espresso machines.
3. Breville Bes870xl Coffee Maker
This machine combines advanced features with user-friendly operations, making it ideal for both beginners and seasoned baristas. Let’s delve into the specifics that make this machine exceptional.
Integrated Grinder For Fresh Espresso
The Breville BES870XL Coffee Maker includes an integrated grinder, which is essential for creating fresh and flavorful espresso. A built-in grinder ensures that coffee beans are ground just before brewing, preserving the coffee’s rich aroma and taste. With its intuitive grind size dial, users can customize the grind size to achieve the desired strength and texture.
The grind size dial offers a range of settings, allowing you to find the perfect grind for your Cuban coffee. Freshly ground coffee beans enhance the flavor profile, making each cup a delightful experience. This feature is particularly useful for Cuban coffee, known for its strong and bold flavor.
- Customizable grind size for precise flavor control
- Built-in conical burr grinder for consistent grinding
- Hands-free operation with the included cradle
Investing in a machine with an integrated grinder simplifies the process, saving you time and effort. Enjoying a cup of Cuban espresso becomes a seamless experience with freshly ground coffee each time.

Optimal Water Pressure For Extraction
One of the standout features of the Breville BES870XL Coffee Maker is its ability to maintain optimal water pressure during extraction. The machine uses a pre-infusion function that gradually increases pressure, ensuring even extraction of coffee grounds. This results in a balanced and flavorful espresso, essential for making strong Cuban coffee.
The digital temperature control (PID) ensures the water temperature is precise, enhancing the coffee’s extraction process. Proper temperature control is crucial for extracting the full flavor profile from the coffee beans.
- Pre-infusion function for even extraction
- Precise temperature control with PID technology
- Consistent and balanced espresso shots
Maintaining optimal water pressure and temperature allows the Breville BES870XL to produce high-quality espresso consistently. This makes it an excellent choice for anyone seeking to enjoy strong and rich Cuban coffee at home.
Manual Microfoam Milk Texturing
The Breville BES870XL Coffee Maker includes a steam wand that allows for manual microfoam milk texturing. This feature is perfect for creating the creamy and frothy milk essential for Cuban coffee. The steam wand provides control over the milk texture, enabling you to create coffee art and enhance your coffee experience.
Manual milk texturing allows you to achieve the perfect consistency, whether you prefer a thick and creamy texture or a light and frothy one. The steam wand also helps in creating intricate coffee art, adding a professional touch to your homemade coffee.
- Steam wand for precise milk texturing
- Create coffee art with ease
- Perfect milk consistency for Cuban coffee
With the steam wand, you can experiment with different milk textures and create a unique coffee experience every time. The Breville BES870XL makes it easy to enjoy a café-quality Cuban coffee in the comfort of your home.
How To Brew The Perfect Cuban Coffee Using An Espresso Machine
The unique blend of rich flavors and the potent kick of Cuban coffee calls for a machine that can handle the task. Below are the steps on how to brew the perfect Cuban coffee using an espresso machine.

How To Make The Perfect Cuban Coffee
Equipment
- Stovetop espresso maker (Moka pot)
- Espresso cups
- Small mixing bowl (for the espuma)
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Espresso coffee
- 2 ounces Water
- 1 to 2 teaspoons Sugar
Instructions
- Fill the bottom chamber of your Moka pot with water, just below the safety valve.
- Add finely ground espresso coffee to the filter basket, packing it lightly and evenly.
- Assemble the Moka pot and place it over medium heat to start brewing.
- While the coffee brews, add sugar to a small bowl. Once the first drops of coffee appear, pour them over the sugar.
- Vigorously mix the coffee and sugar until it forms a thick, creamy paste (known as "espuma"). Once the rest of the coffee has brewed, pour it over the espuma, stir well, and serve in espresso cups.
Prepare Your Espresso Machine
Ensure your espresso machine is clean and ready for use. Fill the water reservoir with filtered water. Use fresh, finely ground coffee beans for the best flavor.
Making The Espresso
Follow these steps to make the espresso:
- Place the ground coffee into the portafilter.
- Tamp the coffee evenly.
- Insert the portafilter into the machine and start the brewing process.
Creating The Espuma
Espuma is the sweet foam that tops Cuban coffee. To make it:
- Place a few teaspoons of sugar in a small cup.
- Once the first drops of espresso start brewing, collect them in the cup with sugar.
- Stir vigorously until you achieve a thick, frothy mixture.
Combining The Espresso And Espuma
Pour the rest of the brewed espresso into the cup with the espuma. Stir well to blend the flavors. Serve immediately.
Tips For The Perfect Cuban Coffee
- Use freshly ground coffee beans for the best taste.
- Ensure the sugar is well-dissolved for a smooth espuma.
- Experiment with sugar levels to suit your taste preference.