For making espresso and coffee drinks such as cappuccino and café latte at home, this set covers all bases--it even includes a book that explains coffee and cocoa and offers coffee- and cocoa-drink recipes. The compact (9-3/4 inches high by 9-3/4 inches wide by 8-1/2 inches deep) electric espresso machine works simply. Equipped with a tight boiler cap and valve for safety, it brews up to four cups of espresso in about five minutes. Just pour cold water into the boiler, spoon espresso-roast coffee (a 10-1/2-ounce can is included) into the filter basket, place the basket into the filter holder, lock the holder into place, and switch the knob to "brew." In about four minutes, espresso flows into a four-cup carafe that sits on the machine's drip plate: four demitasse cups and saucers, with four spoons, await. If cappuccino, café latte, hot chocolate, or other milk-based drinks are desired, turn the knob to "froth" and the machine's stainless-steel wand emits steam. Half-fill the frothing pitcher with cold milk (chocolate-flavored for hot chocolate), slip the rubber frothing tip on the wand, place the frothing tip just under the surface of the milk, and heat the milk while creating a foaming cap of froth: two cappuccino cups and saucers await. Pour a shot or two of brewed espresso into them, spoon milk and froth on top, and enjoy. --Fred Brack
