15 Pinterest Boards That Are The Best Of All Time About Machine Espresso
15 Pinterest Boards That Are The Best Of All Time About Machine Espresso
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How Does Machine Espresso Work?
Machine espresso makes use of precise pressure and amazing filter technology to make the coffee we love. How exactly does it work?
To make espresso hot water is forced under high pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee. However the pressure is the primary difference.
The Group Head
The group head is the portafilter that you insert when brewing espresso. It is responsible for dispersing the water into the portafilter before controlling the pressure of the extraction. There are several different types of group heads, each with their own advantages and drawbacks. Some focus on temperature stability, some on pre-infusion features, and others are designed to control the lever. There are also some that contain a variety of features, such as the E61, which is the standard choice for many baristas for its ability to offer multiple perks in one package.
As you can see in the photo above, the group head is fitted with a variety of notches. You place your portafilter in these notches and then twist the head to lock it. There is also a rubber gasket which is located inside the notches, which helps create a seal when you insert your portafilter into the machine. The notches permit precise placement of your portafilter. This is crucial to ensure a consistent extraction.
The group head does not just allow you to place your portafilter easily, but it also maintains the same temperature. This is achieved by cycling hot water around the portafilter and through the brew-basket, ensuring that the temperature is constant to extract the coffee. This is important because even a small difference in temperature can make the difference between good and great espresso.
The Pump
The motorized pumps used in espresso machines rotary provide nine atmospheric bar pressure required to extract espresso. This differs from manual piston machines that use a lever. The pressure is created by drawing tap water from a reservoir and pumping it through a heat exchanger prior to it is shot through the ground coffee in the group head.
Pumps tend to be less expensive than piston-driven models, 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 raise the price of even the most basic models.
Some espresso machines make use of steam pressure instead of a pump for brewing espresso. This can lead to over-extraction as the boiler that makes steam also warms the water to boil. These machines also have to constantly rebuild their pressure between cups. This requires energy and time.
Many espresso machines utilize a vibration or rotary pump, with a vibrating model that uses a vibrating disc to generate the pressure, and an rotary model that pushes hot water through the grounds at high speed. Both machines can produce excellent espresso, however rotary machines are more stable, quieter and less likely to fail.
The Boiler
The boiler is the part that heats the water to the ideal temperature for extraction. The steam that is produced reaches the portafilter, which contains the ground espresso coffee, and is then funneled down into the cup. The steam creates enough pressure to push the coffee grounds through. This results in a layer crema that is then poured over. This is one of the main characteristics of a good espresso.
There are three kinds of espresso makers, and they differ in the type of pump they employ and the degree of heat that the brew is. There are various ways to control the amount of brew, as well as the size of cup that can be produced by the machine.
The first espresso machines were steam type. They utilized one boiler to create both steam and brew however the pressure they were able to produce was very low - just two bars of atmospheric pressure maximum. The coffee tasted bitter and burned. The modern espresso machine was invented by the Milanese makers Luigi Bezzerra & Desiderio Pavoni.
The most popular espresso maker is a semi-automatic one with an electric pump. This is what people envision when they think of an espresso maker. Semi-automatic machines require you to grind and tamp your beans yourself however the pump controls the flow of water and pressure. This is a fantastic compromise between human control and mechanised reliability.
The Filter
Typically, espresso machines use filters that separate the grounds of coffee when they pass through the hot water. The filter is also an important component of the temperature control system as it keeps the machine from overheating.
It also improves flavor, as it can allow for a longer bloom time. This allows the beans to release their flavors, and allows for better extraction.
However, it is important to keep in mind that even a high-quality filter can result in a poor cup of coffee, because the quality of the beans and extraction is important.
This is where website the magic happens, it's what makes an espresso really taste great. The grouphead, also called the brew head, is the place where the portafilter (the thingy you put the ground coffee in) sits when you're making espresso.
Steam-driven espresso machines make use of hot water that is heated inside an airtight container to create steam. The steam then pushes hot water through grounds of the coffee under pressure. They are less expensive and easier for the owner to maintain than pumps-driven models. They are however limited in their ability to create the ideal conditions for brewing, as they operate with 1-1.5 bar of pressure. The perfect shot requires 9-10 bars.
In recent years, compressed air-driven espresso machines have become more popular. They make use of an air compressor to push hot water across the ground. They are also more mobile than steam-driven electric espresso machines.