9 . What Your Parents Taught You About Machine Espresso
How Does machine espresso (https://yoursocialpeople.com/story3340699/how-Machines-espresso-Altered-my-life-for-the-better) Work?
Machine espresso uses precision pressure and incredible filter technology to produce the delicious coffee we enjoy. How does it work exactly?
Espresso is created by forcing hot water at high pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to making drip coffee. However the pressure is the primary difference.
The Group Head
The group head is the portafilter you insert when brewing espresso. It disperses water into the portafilter, and regulates the pressure of the extraction. There are many different types of group heads each with distinct advantages and disadvantages. Some are focused on temperature stability, whereas others on pre-infusion features, and others are designed to control the lever. There are even some that come with a range of features, like the E61 that is the standard choice for many baristas due to its ability to offer multiple perks in a single package.
As you can see in the image above, the group head has a number of notches. It is possible to place your portafilter in these notches, then twist the head to lock it. There is also a gasket of rubber that is a part of the notches to help create a seal when you insert your portafilter into the machine. The notches on the head allow for an exact positioning of the portafilter which is essential to ensure an efficient extraction.
The group head not only allows you to insert your portafilter easily however it also keeps a constant temperature. This is done by cycling hot water around the portafilter, and through the brew-basket, ensuring that the temperature is constant to extract the coffee. It is important to realize that even a slight deviation can make the difference between a decent espresso machine and a great espresso.
The Pump
In contrast to manual piston machines which rely on a lever that pressurize water, Rotary espresso machines rely on motorized pumps to supply the nine atmospheric bars of pressure necessary for espresso extraction. The pressure is created by pumping water through a heat exchanger and then through the ground coffee.
Pumps tend to be cheaper than piston-driven machines and tend to last longer, however both types of machine can become damaged due to excessive use and poor cleaning. They also make mechanically complex and can lead to the cost of even the simplest models.
Some espresso machines make use of steam pressure instead of a pump to brew espresso. The drawback of this is that the boiler that produces steam also raises the temperature of the water until it reaches boiling which can cause excessive extraction. These machines also have to continuously rebuild their pressure between cups. This requires energy and time.
Many espresso machines make use of a vibration or rotary pump, with a vibrating model using a rotating disc that generates the pressure, and rotating models that push hot water through the grounds under high end espresso machine speed. Both machines produce great italian espresso machines but rotary machines are more stable, quieter and less likely to break.
The Boiler
The boiler is the part which heats the water to the ideal temperature for extraction. The steam created gets to the portafilter which is the container that holds the espresso coffee grounds. It is then poured into the cup. The steam causes pressure to push through the grounds of the coffee. This produces a layer of crema on top. This is a hallmark of a great espresso.
There are three different types of espresso machines, each with distinct pumps and brew temperature. There are different ways to control the strength of the brew and the size of the cup that can be produced by the machine.
The first espresso machines were steam-types. They used only one boiler to make both brew and steam, however the pressure they were able to generate was low - only two bars of atmospheric pressure at the most. This resulted in 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 maker is a semiautomatic machine with an electric pump. These are the images people have when they think of an espresso maker. Semi-automatic machines require you to grind and tamp the beans by yourself, but the pump regulates the flow of water and pressure. This is a great compromise between the human touch and the mechanised accuracy.
The Filter
Espresso machines typically have a filter that separates the coffee grounds from the hot water. The filter is also an important component of the temperature control system since it helps prevent the machine from overheating.
It also enhances flavor as a filter allows for a longer bloom phase. This allows beans to release their flavors and provides an opportunity to improve extraction.
However it is crucial to remember that even a top filter can result in a poor cup of coffee, because the quality of the beans and extraction is vital.
It's in this area that the magic occurs. 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 grounds of coffee into when making espresso.
In a steam-driven espresso machine, hot water is heated in an airtight container to produce steam, which is then pushed through the grounds under high pressure. These kinds of machines tend to be less expensive and easier to maintain than pumps-driven models. However, they are limited in their ability to provide the ideal brewing conditions, as they only 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 utilize an air compressor to push hot water through the ground. They are also more mobile than electric steam-driven espresso machine coffee machines.