12 Companies Leading The Way In Machine Espresso
12 Companies Leading The Way In Machine Espresso
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How Does Machine Espresso Work?
The machine espresso is made using precision pressure, and a filter technology that is mind-blowing to create the coffee you love. What exactly is it that makes it work?
Espresso is created by forcing hot water under high 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 that is inserted when you are making espresso. It is responsible for dispersing water into the portafilter and then controlling the pressure of the extraction. There are a variety of group heads each with distinct advantages and drawbacks. Some are specifically designed for temperature stability while others are built to handle pre-infusion. Others are built to control the lever. Some are a combination, like the E61. This is a popular choice among baristas because it offers multiple advantages in one package.
As you can see in the above photo the group head comes with many notches in which you can place your portafilter and twist it by hand to lock it in. A gasket made of rubber is positioned within the notches to create a seal when you insert your portafilter. The notches permit precise placement of your portafilter. This is essential for an even extraction.
The group head not only allows you to put in your portafilter easily but also maintains the same temperature. It does this by circulating hot water through the brew basket, and around the portafilter, ensuring that it is always at the right temperature for extraction. It is important to note that even a slight variation can mean the difference between a good and excellent espresso.
The Pump
In contrast to manual piston machines which rely on a lever to pressurize water, the rotary espresso machines use motorized pumps to supply the nine atmospheric bars of pressure required for espresso extraction. This pressure is generated by pumping water through a heat exchanger and then through the ground coffee.
Pumps tend to be less expensive and last for longer than piston-driven machines. However, both kinds of machines may degrade due to excessive use and poor cleaning. Pumps are also more complex mechanically, which could increase the cost of even simplest models.
Some espresso machines use steam pressure instead of a pump to make espresso. The downside is that the boiler that produces steam also increases the temperature of the water to the point of boiling, which can lead to excessive extraction. Additionally these machines are often required to rebuild their pressure between cups, which requires time and energy.
A large majority of espresso machines employ a rotary or vibration pump. A vibration model uses the vibrating disk to create pressure, while a rotary model pushes hot water through the ground at high speed. Both models can produce an excellent espresso, but the rotary models are quieter and more durable than vibration pumps.
The Boiler
The boiler is the one that heats the water to the right temperature to extract. The steam created will eventually reach the portafilter, which contains the espresso coffee grounds. It is click here then funneled into the cup. The steam creates pressure to push through the coffee grounds. This creates a layer crema that is then poured over. This is one of the hallmarks of a great espresso.
There are three kinds of espresso makers. They differ in the type of pump they employ and how hot the espresso is. There are a variety of ways to control the brew as well as the size of the cup that can be produced by the machine.
The first espresso machines were steam-type. They utilized only one boiler to make both brew and steam, but the pressure they could produce was not very high - two bars of atmospheric pressure maximum. The coffee tasted bitter and burnt. The modern espresso machine was created by the Milanese makers Luigi Bezzerra & Desiderio Pavoni.
The most well-known espresso machine is a semiautomatic model 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 the beans by yourself The pump, however, regulates the flow of water and pressure. This is a fantastic compromise between human control and mechanized reliability.
The Filter
Typically, espresso machines employ filters that separate the grounds of coffee when they pass through the hot water. The filter is also an essential component of the machine's temperature control, as it prevents overheating.
It also aids in flavor, as a filter allows for a longer bloom phase. This allows the beans to release their flavor and gives an opportunity for better extraction.
However, it is important to remember that even a good filter can result in a poor cup of coffee as the quality of the beans and extraction is still crucial.
This is where the magic happens, it's the thing that makes an espresso really taste great. The grouphead (also called the brewhead) is where you place the portafilter, the thingy that you put the coffee grounds in, when making espresso.
In the steam-driven espresso machine hot water is heated in an airtight container to produce steam, which is then pushed through the grounds at high pressure. They are less expensive and easier for the user to maintain than pumps-driven models. However, they are not as efficient in their ability to provide the ideal brewing conditions, since they operate at 1-1.5 bars of pressure, while the perfect shot requires 9-10 bars.
In recent years, compressed-air-pump-driven espresso machines have become more popular. They use an air compressor to force hot water through grounds and are more portable than steam-driven electric machines.