The main difference between a cappuccino machine and an espresso machine lies in their functionality and the types of coffee they are designed to make:
- Espresso Machine:
- An espresso machine is specifically designed to brew espresso, a strong and concentrated coffee that is made by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans at high pressure.
- Espresso machines typically have a pump that generates the necessary pressure (usually around 9 bars) to brew espresso.
- They may come in different types such as manual, semi-automatic, automatic, or super-automatic, which affect how much control the user has over the brewing process and the convenience of operation.
- Cappuccino Machine:
- A cappuccino machine, on the other hand, is more of a general term that can refer to any machine capable of making cappuccinos, which are espresso-based drinks.
- To make a cappuccino, you need espresso combined with steamed milk and milk foam in specific proportions.
- Some cappuccino machines are simply espresso machines with a steam wand attached, allowing users to froth milk for cappuccinos and other milk-based drinks like lattes and macchiatos.
- Other cappuccino machines may be fully automatic or specialized machines that can prepare both espresso and milk automatically to make a cappuccino at the press of a button.
In summary, while both machines are designed to make espresso-based beverages, an espresso machine is specifically focused on brewing espresso, while a cappuccino machine usually includes the capability to froth and steam milk for preparing drinks like cappuccinos and lattes in addition to brewing espresso.