10 Meetups About Machine Espresso You Should Attend
10 Meetups About Machine Espresso You Should Attend
Blog Article
How Does Machine Espresso Work?
The machine espresso makes use of precision pressure, and a filtering technology that is amazing to create the coffee you enjoy. What exactly is it that makes it work?
Espresso is produced by pushing hot water under pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee. However the pressure is the main 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 the water into the portafilter, and controlling the pressure that results from the extraction. There are numerous kinds of group heads each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some are designed for the stability of temperature while some are built to handle pre-infusion. Others are built to control the lever. Some are a combination, such as the E61. This is a very popular choice for baristas since it provides multiple benefits in one package.
As you can see in the picture above the group head is fitted with several notches. You place your portafilter into these notches and turn the head around to secure it. A rubber gasket is located in the notches to create a seal as you insert your portafilter. The notches on the head permit an exact placement of the portafilter, which is necessary to ensure a consistent extraction.
The group head not only allows you to put in your portafilter easily however it also keeps an even temperature. It does this by circulating hot water through the brew container and around the portafilter, ensuring that it's always at the correct temperature to extract. It is important to note that even a few degree differences can make the distinction between a great and a excellent espresso.
The Pump
Motorized pumps in espresso machines that rotate provide the nine atmospheric bar pressure required to extract espresso. This differs from manually operated piston machines that employ levers. The pressure builds up by drawing tap water from a reservoir and pumping it through a heat exchanger prior to being shot through the ground coffee inside the group head.
Pumps are generally less expensive than piston-driven machines, and they tend to last longer, but both types of machines may get damaged through overuse and lack of cleaning. Pumps are also more complex mechanically, which can raise the price of even the simplest models.
Some espresso machines use steam pressure instead of a pump for brewing espresso. This could lead to over-extraction since the boiler that makes steam also heats the water until it comes to a boil. In addition, these machines frequently have to rebuild their pressure between cups, which requires time and energy.
A majority of espresso machines use a vibration or rotary pump, which is a vibration model using a vibrating disc to generate the pressure, and the rotary model pushing hot water through the grounds at high speed. Both types of machines can make excellent espresso, but rotary machines are quieter and more durable than vibration pumps.
The Boiler
The boiler is the element that heats water to the ideal temperature for extraction. The resulting steam reaches the portafilter that contains the ground espresso and is then pumped into the cup. During this process, steam causes pressure to push through the grounds of the coffee. This results in a whipped-up top of the espresso. This is a sign of a great espresso.
There are three kinds of espresso machines, each having different types of pumps and brew temperature. There are also different ways in which the brew could be controlled as well as the size of the cup that the maker can create.
The first espresso machines were steam-types. They had one boiler to create both brew and steam, but the pressure they could produce was very low - just two bars of atmospheric pressure, at most. This led to the coffee tasting burnt and bitter. The modern espresso machine was invented by the Milanese makers Luigi Bezzerra & Desiderio Pavoni.
The most commonly used espresso machine is a semiautomatic with an electric pump. These are what people imagine when they think of an espresso maker. With a semi-automatic machine you need to grind the beans and read more tamp them yourself but the pump provides regulated water flow and pressure. This is an excellent compromise between human touch and the mechanized accuracy.
The Filter
Typically, espresso machines utilize a filter to separate out the grounds of coffee as they move through the hot water. The filter is also a vital element of the temperature control system, because it stops the machine from overheating.
A filter also improves flavor as it allows for a longer flowering phase. This helps the beans release their nuances and gives the chance for better extraction.
However it is crucial to remember that even a high-quality filter can produce a bad cup of coffee, since the quality of the beans and extraction is vital.
It's in this area that the magic happens. This is the reason why espresso tastes so good. The grouphead (also known as the brewhead) is where you put the portafilter - the thingy that you put the coffee grounds in, while making espresso.
Steam-driven espresso machines make use of hot water that is heated inside an airtight vessel to create steam. The steam then moves hot water through the grounds of coffee 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 capacity to create the ideal conditions for brewing because they operate at 1-1.5 bars of pressure. However, the perfect shot requires 9-10 bar.
In recent times, espresso machines powered by a compressed air compressor have become increasingly popular. They make use of an air compressor to force hot water through the ground and are much more mobile than electric steam-driven espresso machines.