THE HAMMACHER SCHLEMMER INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES THE BEST AUTOMATIC ESPRESSO MACHINE.

New York, NY, October 1st, 2008 - Hammacher Schlemmer announces the selection of The Best Automatic Espresso Machine chosen from a field of leading espresso makers for the superior espresso and froth it produced, its ease of use, and features.

The Hammacher Schlemmer Institute conducts systematic testing of leading products, often working in concert with experts, independent laboratories, or consumer panels to analyze results and determine which products are "The Best".

The Institute commissioned the proprietor of an award-winning coffee roaster in Chicago to test and rate leading models and, according to the expert, the Best Automatic Espresso Machine consistently made caramel-colored coffee with a complex, sweet flavor, while other units produced bitter, watered-down espressos.

The Best Automatic Espresso Machine's steam wand created creamy, dense foam for topping a caffe macchiato, while competing models scalded the milk and produced runny foam. Unlike standard espresso machines with only one boiler, this advanced unit has two--one dedicated to making coffee and another for frothing--to ensure faster brewing and more authentic Italian coffee.

The Best Automatic Espresso Machine only requires that you fill it with coffee beans and water; it automatically grinds the beans, doses and tamps the precise amount of ground coffee, and brews up to two perfect espressos, one cappuccino, or one latte in under one minute.

"The Best Automatic Espresso Machine was very simple to set up and use," explained Tara-Ann Dugan, Product Research Manager. "While lesser units had confusing instruction manuals, the Best Espresso Machine's were simple to follow."

The Best Automatic Espresso Machine's superior features include a touchscreen control panel, a ceramic burr grinder that can be adjusted for different grinds, and a cup warmer. It is available from Hammacher Schlemmer for $2,100. For more information, please visit www.hammacher.com or call 1-800-543-3366.

About Hammacher Schlemmer
Hammacher Schlemmer is America's longest running catalog, offering the Best, the Only, and the Unexpected since 1848. The company provides unique products that solve problems or represent the only one of their kind, and backs its products by a rather famous Lifetime Guarantee of Complete Satisfaction. Hammacher Schlemmer's innovative offerings are available through its catalog, online at www.hammacher.com, and at its landmark store on East 57th Street in New York City.