How To Explain Machine Espresso To Your Grandparents
How To Explain Machine Espresso To Your Grandparents
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How Does Machine Espresso Work?
Machine espresso uses precision pressure and mind-blowing filter technology to make the coffee we love. What exactly is it that makes 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 main difference.
The Group Head
The group head is the portafilter is inserted when you are making espresso. It disperses water in the portafilter, and then controls the pressure of the extraction. There are various kinds of group head, each with their distinct advantages and drawbacks. Some are designed for temperature stability while others are built to handle pre-infusion. Some are designed to control the lever. There are also some that include a mix of features, such as the E61, which is considered to be the most popular among baristas due to its ability to provide multiple benefits in one package.
As you can see in the photo above The group head features many notches in which you can put your portafilter, then twist it by hand to secure it. There is also a gasket made from rubber that is a part of the notches to help create an airtight seal when you insert your portafilter into the machine. The notches allow for an exact placement of the portafilter. This is essential for a consistent extraction.
The group head not only lets you to put in your portafilter easily, but it also maintains a constant temperature. It does this by cycling hot water through the brew basket and around the portafilter to ensure that it is always at the right temperature for extraction. It is important to realize that even a tiny differences can make the distinction between a great and a excellent espresso.
The Pump
Motorized pumps in espresso machines rotary provide nine atmospheric bar pressure required for espresso extraction. This is different from manual piston machines that rely on a lever. The pressure is created by pumping water through a heat-exchanger and then through the ground coffee.
Pumps tend to be less expensive than piston-driven machines, and they tend to last longer, but both types of machine can be damaged by excessive use and inadequate cleaning. Pumps are also more complex mechanically, and can add to prices of even most basic models.
Some espresso machines remove the pump entirely and use steam pressure to brew espresso. This could lead to over-extraction since the boiler that produces steam also heats the water to boil. In addition these machines are often required to rebuild their pressure between cups, which takes time and energy.
Many espresso machines make use of an rotary or vibrating pump, with a vibrating model that uses a vibrating disc that generates the pressure and an rotary model that pushes hot water through the grounds under high speed. Both types of machine can make a great espresso, however the rotary pumps are quieter, and more durable than vibration pumps.
The Boiler
The boiler is the element that heats the water to the ideal temperature to extract. The steam that is produced reaches the portafilter containing the ground espresso coffee and is then pumped into the cup. The steam creates pressure to push through the coffee grounds. This creates a foam on top of the espresso. This is one of the main characteristics of a good espresso.
There are three types of espresso makers, which differ in the kind of pump they use and the degree of heat that the brew is. There are various ways to control the brew as well as the size of cup that can be produced by the machine.
The first espresso machines were steam-type. They used one boiler to create both steam and brew however the pressure they were able to produce was not very high - two bars of atmospheric pressure, at most. This led to the coffee tasting bitter and burnt. The modern espresso machine click here was designed by the Milanese makers Luigi Bezzerra & Desiderio Pavoni.
The most well-known espresso maker is a semi-automatic one that has an electric pump. When people think of espresso machines, they envision these machines. With a semi-automatic machine you grind the beans and tamp them by hand. However, the pump regulates the flow of water and pressure. This is a great compromise between the human touch and mechanized consistency.
The Filter
Espresso machines typically have a filter that separates the grounds of the coffee from the hot water. The filter is also a vital component of the machine's temperature control, as it prevents overheating.
It also improves flavor as a filter allows for a longer bloom time. This helps the beans to release their flavor and gives an opportunity for better extraction.
It is important to remember that even the best filter could result in a poor cup of coffee. The quality of the beans, and the extraction process are still very important.
It's here that the magic happens. This is the reason why espresso tastes so good. The grouphead, sometimes referred to as the brew head, is where the portafilter (the thingy you put the coffee ground into) is placed when you're making espresso.
In a steam-driven espresso machine, hot water is heated in an airtight tank to create steam. Steam then pushes the hot water through the grounds at high pressure. These machines are cheaper and easier to maintain than pumps-driven models. However, they are limited in their ability to provide the ideal conditions for brewing since they operate at 1-1.5 bars of pressure. The perfect shot requires 9-10 bars.
In recent years, compressed air-pump-driven espresso machines have been gaining popularity. They use an air compressor to push hot water into the grounds and are significantly more portable than electric steam-driven machines.