Coffee is a hot topic this holiday season, and if you’re like millions of Americans, who are not quite sure of how to make a latté or a mocha, buying a coffee machine for yourself or a loved one will not be an easy task. However, by doing a little homework, you can match the perfect brewer with your taste, time and style.

“There are literally hundreds of coffee brewers available on the market today,” said Randy Pope, director of the BUNN Beverage Technology Center. “Some machines brew an amazing cup, while other machines may be visually appealing but only produce an average-tasting cup. Certain equipment specifications can make all the difference in giving you that perfect, flavorful cup.”

Keep these tips in mind when selecting a coffee brewer:

•The pod brewer. As the newest brewer on the market, this machine is popular with people running out the door, couples who prefer different kinds of coffee, or for those who don’t need to make a whole pot of coffee for themselves. It’s really quick (most pod brewers make a cup in about one minute) and gives you a lot of options. A pod brewer is great for someone looking for one cup, fresh each time.

•The auto-drip brewer. For those who entertain, have a large family, or consume several cups of coffee a day, the traditional 10-cup brewer may be the best route. Look for one that keeps water at a consistent 200°F and utilizes a “cupcake” or flat-bottom filter to ensure the grounds are evenly distributed. The brewer should make a full pot of coffee in less than eight minutes. Most coffee makers take too long to brew and over-extract flavor from the ground coffee, a process that produces a bitter taste.

•The espresso brewer. Look for machines that heat water to about 90°C (194°F). One of the key measures of an espresso machine is the amount of pressure it can generate to push the water through the coffee granules. As a rule of thumb, the pressure should be nine bars (130.5 PSI) in the better machines.