Are You Sick Of Machine Espresso? 10 Inspirational Ideas To Bring Back Your Love
Are You Sick Of Machine Espresso? 10 Inspirational Ideas To Bring Back Your Love
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How Does Machine Espresso Work?
Machine espresso makes use of precise pressure and mind-blowing filter technology to make the perfect cup of coffee. What exactly is it?
In order to make espresso, hot water is forced under high pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to that of making drip coffee. However it is the pressure that makes the main difference.
The Group Head
The group head is the portafilter that you place in the espresso maker when making it. It disperses water into the portafilter, and regulates the pressure during the extraction. There are several different types of group head, each with their distinct advantages and disadvantages. Some are specifically designed for stability in temperature, while others are specifically designed to handle pre-infusion. Others are made to control the lever. There are some that include a mix of features, like the E61 that is the standard choice for many baristas due to its capacity to provide multiple benefits in one package.
As you can see in the image above the group head comes with several notches to put your portafilter, then twist it with your hands to secure it. There is also a rubber gasket which is located inside the notches and helps create the seal when you insert your portafilter into the machine. The notches permit precise placement of your portafilter. This is vital for a consistent extraction.
The group head does not just allow the portafilter to be inserted easily however it also keeps the temperature at a constant level. It does this by circulating hot water through the brew container and around the portafilter to ensure that it's always at the right temperature for extraction. It is important to note that even a tiny differences can make the distinction between a great and a excellent espresso.
The Pump
Contrary to manual piston machines that use a lever to pressurize water, the rotary espresso machines use motorized pumps to supply the nine atmospheric bars of pressure necessary to extract espresso. The pressure builds by drawing tap water from a reservoir and pumping it through a heat exchanger prior it is shot through the ground coffee inside the group head.
Pumps tend to be cheaper than piston-driven machines, and they tend to last longer, but both types of machine can degrade with overuse and insufficient cleaning. Pumps are also more complex mechanically, which can increase prices of even simple models.
Some espresso machines use steam pressure instead of a pump in order to brew espresso. This can lead to over-extraction as the boiler that makes steam also heats the water to boil. They also have to constantly rebuild their pressure between cups. This takes energy and time.
A majority of espresso machines use a vibration or rotary pump, which has a vibration model that uses a vibrating disc that generates the pressure, and the rotary model pushing hot water through the grounds under high speed. Both machines can make excellent espresso however rotary machines tend to be more quiet, durable and less likely to break down.
The Boiler
The boiler is the component which heats the water to the ideal temperature to extract. The steam that is produced reaches the portafilter, which contains ground espresso beans and is then funneled down into the cup. During this process the steam creates enough pressure to push the grounds of the coffee through. This results in a whipped-up the top of the espresso. This is the hallmark of a great espresso.
There are three types of espresso makers, and they differ in the kind of pump they use and the degree click here of heat that the coffee is. There are a variety of ways to control the strength of the brew and the size of the cup that can be made by the machine.
The first espresso machines were steam-types. The earliest espresso machines were steam-type machines. The coffee tasted bitter and burnt. This is why the Milanese manufacturers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni developed the modern espresso machine.
The most popular espresso maker is a semi-automatic machine with an electric pump. These are the images people have when they think of an espresso maker. Semi-automatic machines require you to grind and tamp the beans by yourself however the pump controls the water flow and pressure. This is a great compromise between the human touch and the mechanised quality.
The Filter
Espresso machines usually have a filter that separates the coffee grounds from the hot water. The filter is also an essential component of the machine's temp control, since it stops overheating.
It also improves flavor as a filter lets you enjoy a longer bloom time. This allows the beans to release their flavor and gives an opportunity for better extraction.
It is important to remember that even the finest filter can make a bad cup of coffee. The quality of the beans and the extraction process, remain vital.
It's in this area that the magic happens. This is the reason why espresso tastes so delicious. The grouphead (also called the brewhead) is where you put the portafilter, the thingy used to place the grounds of coffee into when making espresso.
Steam-driven espresso machines use hot water heated in an airtight container to produce steam. The steam then moves hot water through the grounds of coffee under high pressure. These machines are cheaper and easier to maintain than pumps-driven models. They are however limited in their ability to create the perfect brewing conditions as they only operate with 1-1.5 bar of pressure. The perfect shot requires 9-10 bars.
In recent years, compressed air pump-driven espresso machines have become more popular. They make use of an air compressor to push hot water across the ground and are much more mobile than electric steam-driven espresso machines.