Americans love their coffee. There is no doubting that fact. Independently owned coffee shops compete for the patronage of coffee lovers in small towns and big cities all across the country. Big names like Starbucks thrive off of convenience and access to a plethora of great roasts and bean sources to drive their brand. The strange truth is that there is enough room for both sides of the business to coexist with one another. That being said, coffee shops rely on a lot of machines and products that are specific to the market for coffee.
Perhaps the biggest contributor to coffee sales for independent businesses and bigger chains is espresso. For example, Espresso Makers in New York City go through bag upon bag of fresh ground espresso beans every day. They rely on espresso makers of every variety from manual to fully automated models that grind and compress an exact amount of beans. The majority of espresso makers found in coffee shops fall in between these two extremes and can require a lot of personal maintenance. Baristas rely on the expertise of distributors like Espresso RMI Inc for repairs to keep their espresso machines running.
Baristas play a number of key roles in the coffee industry as well. Often, Espresso Makers in New York City are a lot like product testers, trying out new roasts and techniques to find the best flavor and quality for their customers. Perfecting a pull of espresso is something that every barista practices, and the market is driven by customers who are willing to pay for quality. Another valuable role that baristas may play is that of an artist. Latte art has taken on a big role in many local coffee shops, even driving latte art competitions across the world. Having quality baristas who are passionate about coffee has played an integral role in shaping the way that people think of espresso.
The coffee market is way more complex than this, though. Every style of coffee preparation has its own niche market, and there are many styles. French press and pour overs are popular in more relaxed cafes where the customer can sit and read for a while. Drip coffee will always have a place with customers who are hurrying to and from work. Each of these different methods and machines is part of what make the coffee market so unique.
