9 Things Your Parents Teach You About Machine Espresso
How Does machine espresso (just click directorydepo.com) Work?
Machine espresso utilizes precise pressure and mind-blowing filter technology to make the coffee we love. But how exactly does it work?
Espresso is created by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee however the main difference lies in the pressure.
The Group Head
The name implies, the group head is the place you put your portafilter in when brewing 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 distinct advantages and disadvantages. Some are specifically designed for stability in temperature, while others are built to handle pre-infusion. Others are made to control the lever. There are some that include a mix of features, such as the E61, which is to be the most popular among baristas for its ability to provide multiple benefits in one package.
As you can see in the photo above the group head comes with many notches in which you can place your portafilter before twisting it by hand to secure it. There is also a gasket of rubber that resides inside the notches and helps create the seal when you insert your portafilter into the machine. The notches on the head allow for an exact position of the portafilter which is crucial to ensure an even extraction.
In addition to allowing you easily place your portafilter in, the group head is responsible for maintaining a consistent temperature. It does this by cycling hot water through the brew container and around the portafilter, ensuring that it is always at the right temperature for extraction. This is important because even a small espresso machine difference in temperature can make the difference between a good and great espresso.
The Pump
The motorized pumps in rotary espresso machines provide the nine atmospheric bar pressure required for espresso extraction. This differs from manually operated piston machines that employ a lever. This pressure builds up by removing tap water from a reservoir, and pumping it through a heat exchanger before it is shot through the ground coffee in the group head.
Pumps are generally less expensive than piston-driven machines and tend to last longer, although both types of machines can become damaged due to excessive use and poor cleaning. Pumps are also more complicated mechanically, and can add to prices of even simplest models.
Certain cheap espresso machine machines can eliminate the pump completely and utilize steam pressure to make espresso. This can cause over-extraction because the boiler that produces steam also heats the water to boil. These machines also have to constantly rebuild their pressure in between cups. This takes energy and time.
Many espresso machines use either a vibration or rotary pump. A vibration model uses a vibrating disk to generate pressure, while the Rotary model pushes hot coffee through the ground at a rapid speed. Both types of machines can make excellent espresso, but the rotary pumps are quieter, and more durable than vibration pumps.
The Boiler
The boiler is what makes the water warm to the right temperature for extraction. The resultant steam then reaches the portafilter containing the ground espresso and is then pumped into the cup. During this process the steam causes enough pressure to push the coffee grounds through. This results in a crema on the top of the espresso. This is the hallmark of a great espresso.
There are three kinds of espresso machines, each having a different type of pump and the temperature of the brew. There are various ways to control the brew and the size of the cup that can be produced by the machine.
The earliest italian espresso machine machines were steam type. They had one boiler to make steam and brew, however the pressure they were able to generate was low - only two bars of atmospheric pressure, at most. This led to the coffee tasting burnt and bitter. The modern espresso machine was designed by the Milanese makers Luigi Bezzerra & Desiderio Pavoni.
The most well-known espresso machine is a semiautomatic with an electric pump. When people think of espresso machines, they think of these machines. With a semi-automatic espresso machine, you must grind the beans and tamp them yourself but the pump is able to regulate the flow of water and pressure. This is a great solution that combines human control with mechanized accuracy.
The Filter
Espresso machines usually have a filter that separates the grounds of the coffee from hot water. The filter is also an essential component of the machine's temperature control, since it helps to prevent overheating.
Filters also aid in flavor as it allows for a longer flowering phase. This allows the beans to let their nuances out, and allows for a better extraction.
It is important to keep in mind that even the finest filter could result in a poor cup of coffee. The quality of the beans as well as the extraction, remain vital.
This is where the magic happens, it's the thing that makes an espresso really taste great. The grouphead, sometimes called the brewhead, is where the portafilter (the thingy you put the ground coffee in) sits when you're making espresso.
In a steam-driven espresso machine, hot water is heated in an airtight tank to produce steam, which then pushes the hot water through the grounds with high pressure. They are less expensive and easier for the owner to maintain than pumps-driven models. However, they are not as efficient in their ability to create the ideal conditions for brewing since they are only operating at 1-1.5 bars of pressure. However, 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 through the ground. They are also more mobile than steam-driven electric espresso machines.