A Look Into The Future What Will The Machine Espresso Industry Look Like In 10 Years?
A Look Into The Future What Will The Machine Espresso Industry Look Like In 10 Years?
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How Does Machine Espresso Work?
Machine espresso employs precise pressure and mind-blowing filter technology to create the coffee we love. What exactly does it work?
In order to make espresso hot water is forced 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 where you place your portafilter when brewing espresso. It distributes water into the portafilter, and controls the pressure of the extraction. There are several different types of group heads, each with their distinct advantages and disadvantages. Some are designed to provide the stability of temperature while some are specifically designed to handle pre-infusion. Some are designed to control the lever. Some include a combination such as the E61. This is a favorite among baristas as it provides a variety of benefits in one package.
As you can see in the above image, the group head has several notches where you place your portafilter before twisting it by hand to secure it. There is also a gasket of rubber that is a part of the notches, which helps create a seal when you insert your portafilter into the machine. The notches on the head permit a precise placement of the portafilter, which is necessary to ensure an even extraction.
The group head does not just allow you to place your portafilter easily but also maintains the same temperature. This is accomplished by cycling hot water around the portafilter, and through the brew-basket, ensuring that the temperature is always at the right level to extract the coffee. It is important to note that even a few degree deviation can make the difference between a decent and a excellent espresso.
The Pump
In contrast to manual piston machines that use a lever to pressurize water, the rotary espresso machines use motorized pumps to deliver the nine atmospheric bars of pressure needed to extract espresso. This pressure builds up by drawing tap water from a reservoir and pumping it through a heat exchanger prior being shot through the ground coffee in the group head.
Pumps are typically less expensive than piston-driven machines, and tend to last longer, however both types of machines may get damaged through overuse and lack of cleaning. Pumps are also more complicated mechanically, which can raise prices of even simple models.
Some espresso machines can eliminate the pump completely and make use of steam pressure to make espresso. The drawback is that the boiler that produces steam also increases the temperature of water to boiling and can result in excessive extraction. The machines also need to constantly rebuild their pressure in between cups. This takes energy and time.
Many espresso machines utilize a vibration or rotary pump, which has a vibration model using a vibrating disc to generate the pressure, and the rotary model pushing hot water through the grounds under high speed. Both machines can make excellent espresso but rotary machines are quieter, more durable and less likely to fail.
The Boiler
The boiler is what will heat the water to the right temperature to extract. The resultant steam then reaches the portafilter containing the ground espresso coffee and is then funneled down into the cup. During this process the steam creates enough pressure to push the grounds of the coffee through. This produces a layer of crema that is then poured over. This is the hallmark of a good espresso.
There are three kinds of espresso machines, each with different pumps and brew temperature. There are a variety of ways that the brew may be controlled and the dimensions of the cup the maker can create.
The earliest espresso machines were steam-based. They employed one boiler to make steam and brew, but the pressure they could create was minimal - two bars of atmospheric pressure, at most. This led to the coffee tasting bitter and burnt. The modern espresso machine was designed by the Milanese manufacturers Luigi Bezzerra & Desiderio Pavoni.
The most commonly used espresso maker is a semi-automatic machine that has an electric pump. These are what people imagine when they imagine an espresso machine. With a semi-automatic espresso machine, you need to grind the beans and then tamp them by hand. The pump controls the flow of water and pressure. This is a perfect combination of human here control and mechanized consistency.
The Filter
Typically, espresso machines employ filters that separate the grounds of the coffee as they go through the hot water. The filter is also an essential part of the temperature control system as it keeps the machine from overheating.
Filters also aid in flavor as it allows for a longer flowering period. This helps the beans release their flavors and provides an opportunity to improve extraction.
It is important to remember that even the best filter can result in a bad cup of coffee. The quality of the beans, and the extraction process, remain crucial.
This is where the magic happens, and it's what makes espresso taste great. The grouphead, sometimes called the brewhead, is where the portafilter (the thingy you put the coffee grounds into) is located when you're making espresso.
Steam-driven espresso machines use hot water heated in an airtight container to make steam. The steam then pushes hot water into the coffee grounds under high pressure. They are less expensive and easier to maintain than pumps-driven models. They are however limited for creating the ideal brewing conditions as they only operate with 1-1.5 bar of pressure. The perfect shot requires 9-10 bars.
In recent years, espresso machines powered by a compressed air compressor have become increasingly popular. They utilize an air compressor to force hot water into the grounds and are much more portable than steam-driven electric machines.