12 Machine Espresso Facts To Bring You Up To Speed The Water Cooler
12 Machine Espresso Facts To Bring You Up To Speed The Water Cooler
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How Does Machine Espresso Work?
Machine espresso makes use of precise pressure and mind-blowing filter technology to make the delicious coffee we enjoy. What exactly is it?
Espresso is created by forcing hot water at high pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee, however the main difference lies in the pressure.
The Group Head
The name implies the group head is where you place your portafilter when making espresso. It disperses the water into the portafilter, and then regulates the pressure during the extraction. There are a variety of group heads each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some are designed for the stability of temperature while some are specifically designed to handle pre-infusion. Others are built to control the lever. Some have a combination, such as the E61. This is a popular choice among baristas since it provides multiple advantages in one package.
As you can see from the above photo the head of the group is fitted with a variety of notches. You place your portafilter into these notches and twist the head to lock it. There is also a gasket made of rubber that resides inside the notches and helps to create an airtight seal when you insert your portafilter into the machine. The notches permit precise placement of the portafilter. This is crucial to ensure an efficient extraction.
In addition to allowing you easily connect your portafilter, the group head is also responsible to maintain an even temperature. This is done by cycling hot water around the portafilter, and through the brew-basket, ensuring that the temperature is constant to extract the coffee. This is vital, because even a few degrees can mean the difference between good and excellent espresso.
The Pump
The motorized pumps that are used in espresso machines rotary provide nine atmospheric bars of pressure required to extract espresso. This differs from manual piston machines that rely on a lever. This pressure is generated by pumping water through a heat-exchanger and then through the ground coffee.
Pumps are typically less expensive than piston-driven machines and tend to last longer, but both types of machines could get damaged through overuse and lack of cleaning. Pumps are also more complicated mechanically, which could increase the cost of even most basic models.
Some espresso machines remove the pump completely and employ steam pressure to create espresso. The drawback is that the same boiler that produces steam also raises the temperature of the water to boiling, which can lead to over-extraction. In addition these machines typically have to rebuild their pressure between cups, which takes time and energy.
A majority of espresso best home espresso machine machines utilize an rotary or a vibration pump. A vibration model utilizes an oscillating disk to create pressure, while the Rotary model pushes hot coffee through the ground at a high speed. Both models can make excellent espresso, however rotary machines are quieter and more durable than vibration pumps.
The Boiler
The boiler is used to heat the water to the perfect temperature to extract. The steam produced will eventually reach the portafilter, which is the container that holds the espresso coffee grounds. It is then funneled into the cup. During this process, the steam creates pressure to push through the coffee grounds. This results in a layer of crema that is then poured over. This is a sign of a good espresso.
There are three kinds of espresso machines, each having distinct pumps and brew temperature. There are many ways to control the amount of brew, as well as the size of the cup that can be produced by the machine.
The first espresso machines were steam types. The earliest espresso machines were steam types. This resulted in the coffee tasting burnt and bitter. The modern espresso machine was created by the Milanese manufacturers Luigi Bezzerra & Desiderio Pavoni.
The most commonly used espresso machine is a semiautomatic with an electric pump. When people think of espresso machines, they imagine these machines. With a semi-automatic machine you have to grind the beans and then tamp them by hand. However, the pump controls the flow of water and pressure. This is a perfect solution that combines human control with mechanised reliability.
The Filter
Espresso machines typically have a filter that separates the coffee grounds from the hot water. The filter is also a crucial element of the temperature control system, because it stops the machine from overheating.
It also helps with flavor, as it can allow for a longer bloom time. This allows the beans to release their flavors and provides an opportunity for a better extraction.
It is important to keep in mind that even the best filter can result in a bad cup of coffee. The quality of the beans, and the extraction process are still crucial.
This is where the magic happens, it's what makes espresso taste good. The grouphead (also called the brewhead) is where you put the portafilter, the device which you put the coffee grounds in, while making espresso.
In an espresso machine that is driven by steam, hot water is heated in an airtight tank to create steam. Steam is then pushed through the grounds under high pressure. These machines are less expensive and easier for the user to maintain than pumps-driven models. However, they are not as efficient in their ability to create the perfect conditions for brewing, because they operate at 1-1.5 bars of pressure. However, the perfect shot requires 9-10 bars.
In recent years, compressed air-pump-driven espresso machines have become more popular. They utilize an air compressor to force hot water into the ground and are much more mobile than electric steam-driven espresso machines.