The Sage Advice On Machine Espresso From A Five-Year-Old
The Sage Advice On Machine Espresso From A Five-Year-Old
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How Does Machine Espresso Work?
Machine espresso utilizes precise pressure and incredible filter technology to produce the coffee we love. What exactly does it work?
Espresso is made by forcing hot water under pressure through finely-ground coffee. The process is similar to that of making drip coffee. However the pressure is the primary difference.
The Head of the Group
The group head is the portafilter you place in the espresso maker when making it. It is responsible for dispersing water into the portafilter and then controlling the pressure of the resulting extraction. There are numerous kinds of group heads each with its own advantages and drawbacks. Some are specifically designed for stability in temperature, while others are specifically designed to handle pre-infusion. Some are designed to control the lever. Some are a combination, like the E61. This is a popular choice among baristas since it provides multiple advantages in one package.
As you can see from the image above the group head is fitted with a variety of notches. The portafilter is placed into these notches and twist the head to lock it. A gasket made of rubber is positioned within the notches to create a seal as you insert your portafilter. The notches on the head allow for a precise position of the portafilter which is essential to ensure an efficient extraction.
In addition to allowing you effortlessly insert your portafilter the group head is also responsible for maintaining an even temperature. This is done by cycling hot water around the portafilter and through the brew-basket, ensuring that the temperature is constant for extraction. It is important to realize that even a few degree differences can make the distinction between a decent and a great espresso.
The Pump
Contrary to manual piston machines that use a lever to pressurize water, rotary espresso machines rely on motorized pumps to deliver the nine atmospheric bars of pressure needed to extract espresso. The pressure builds by drawing tap water from a reservoir, and pumping it through a heat exchanger prior to being pumped through the ground coffee inside the group head.
Pumps are generally less expensive and last for longer than piston-driven machines. However, both kinds of machines can degrade due to excessive use and insufficient cleaning. Pumps are also more complicated mechanically, which can increase the cost of even the simplest models.
Some espresso machines make use of steam pressure instead of a pump for brewing espresso. The drawback is that the boiler that produces steam also increases the temperature of the water until it reaches boiling, which can lead to over-extraction. The machines must also constantly rebuild their pressure in between cups. This requires energy and time.
Many espresso machines make use of an rotary or vibrating pump, which has a vibration model that uses a vibrating disc to generate the pressure and the rotary model pushing hot water through the grounds at high speed. Both types of machine can make excellent espresso, but the rotary models are quieter and more durable than vibration pumps.
The Boiler
The boiler is what will heat the water to the ideal temperature to extract. The resultant steam then reaches the portafilter that contains ground espresso beans and is then pumped into the cup. During this process the steam creates enough pressure to push the coffee grounds through. This results in a crema on the top of the espresso. This is a sign of a good espresso.
There are three types of espresso makers, and they differ in the type of pump they employ and how hot the brew is. There are different ways to control the brew as well as 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 types. The coffee tasted bitter and burned. This is the reason Milanese manufacturers Luigi Bezzerra and Desiderio Pavoni created the modern espresso machine.
The most well-known espresso maker is a semi-automatic one that has an electric pump. These are the images people have when they think of an espresso machine. With a semi-automatic machine, you grind best home espresso machine the beans and tamp them yourself but the pump provides regulated water flow and pressure. This is a great solution that combines human control with mechanized accuracy.
The Filter
Typically, espresso machines employ filters that separate the coffee grounds as they pass through the hot water. The filter is also an important component of the temperature control system because it stops the machine from overheating.
A filter also improves flavor, as it permits a longer flowering period. This allows the beans to release their nuances and gives the chance for better extraction.
It is important to keep in mind that even the finest filter can produce a bad cup of coffee. The quality of the beans, and the extraction process, remain crucial.
It's here that the magic occurs. This is the reason why espresso tastes so good. The grouphead, sometimes referred to as the brew head, is where the portafilter (the container you place the ground coffee into) sits when you're making espresso.
Steam-driven espresso machines use hot water that is heated inside an airtight container to create steam. The steam then moves hot water through the coffee grounds under high pressure. They are less expensive and easier to maintain than pumps-driven models. However, they are limited in their ability to produce the ideal conditions for brewing as they only operate at 1-1.5 bars of pressure. While the perfect shot requires 9-10 bar.
In recent years, compressed-air-pump-driven espresso machines have been gaining popularity. They use an air compressor to force hot water into the grounds and are significantly more portable than electric steam-driven machines.