5 Laws That Can Help The Machine Espresso Industry

How Does Machine Espresso Work?

Machine espresso uses precision pressure and mind-blowing filter technology to make the delicious coffee we enjoy. But how exactly does it work?

To make an espresso, hot water is pushed under pressure through finely ground coffee. The process is similar to that of making drip coffee. However, the pressure is the main difference.

The Head of the Group

As the name suggests the group head is where you place your portafilter when making espresso. It disperses the water into the portafilter and regulates the pressure during the extraction. There are many different types of group heads each with distinct advantages and disadvantages. Some are designed to provide stability of temperature while others are specifically designed to handle pre-infusion. Others are built to control the lever. There are even some that include a mix of features, such as the E61 one, which is to be the most popular among baristas due to its capacity to offer multiple perks in one package.

As you can see in the above photo the group head is fitted with several notches. You place your portafilter in these notches, then twist the head to secure it. A gasket of rubber is situated within the notches to create a seal as you insert your portafilter. The notches allow for an exact placement of the portafilter. This is crucial to ensure a consistent extraction.

The group head not only lets you to insert your portafilter easily however, it also keeps the same temperature. It does this by cycling hot water through the brew basket, and around the portafilter, making sure that it is always at the correct temperature to extract. It is important to remember that even a tiny deviation can make the difference between a good and a excellent espresso.

The Pump

Motorized pumps in rotary espresso machines provide the nine atmospheric bar pressure needed for espresso extraction. This differs from manually operated piston machines that employ a lever. The pressure is created by drawing tap water from a reservoir, and pumping it through a heat exchanger prior to it is shot through the ground coffee inside the group head.

Pumps tend to be less expensive and last longer than piston-driven machines. However, both types of machines may degrade due to excessive use and insufficient cleaning. Pumps are also more complex mechanically, which could increase the price of even the simpler models.

Some espresso machines do away with the pump completely and utilize steam pressure to make espresso. The drawback of this is that the boiler that produces steam also raises the temperature of the water to the point of boiling and can result in over-extraction. Additionally these machines typically have to rebuild their pressure between cups, which requires time and energy.

A majority of discount espresso machines machines utilize either a vibration or rotary pump. A vibration model employs a vibrating disk to generate pressure, while a rotary model pushes hot water through the ground at a high speed. Both models are capable of producing excellent espresso coffee Machine with milk frother, however Rotary machines are quieter and more durable than vibration pumps.

The Boiler

The boiler is the part which heats the water to the ideal temperature for extraction. The resulting steam reaches the portafilter which holds ground espresso beans and is then pumped down into the cup. During this process, the steam creates pressure that pushes through the coffee grounds. This results in a crema on the top of the espresso capsule machine. This is one of the main characteristics of a great espresso.

There are three distinct types of espresso machines, each having different types of pumps and brew temperature. There are different ways to control the amount of brew, as well as the size of cup that can be made by the machine.

The earliest espresso machines were steam types. They utilized only one boiler to make both steam and brew, however the pressure they were able to generate was low - only two bars of atmospheric pressure at most. The coffee tasted bitter and burned. The modern espresso machine was developed by the Milanese makers Luigi Bezzerra & Desiderio Pavoni.

The most well-known espresso maker is a semiautomatic machine that has an electric pump. These are the images people have when they imagine an espresso machine. Semi-automatic machines require you to grind and tamp the beans yourself The pump, however, regulates the water flow and pressure. This is a great compromise between the human touch and the mechanized accuracy.

The Filter

Typically, espresso machines employ filters that separate the coffee grounds as they pass through the hot water. The filter is also a vital component of the machine's temp control, as it prevents overheating.

A filter also helps with flavor since it allows for an extended flowering time. This allows beans to release their flavor and gives an opportunity for better extraction.

However it is crucial to keep in mind that even a great filter can produce a bad cup of coffee, as the quality of the beans and espresso coffee machine for home extraction is still crucial.

This is where the magic happens, it's what makes espresso taste great. The grouphead, often referred to as the brew head, is where the portafilter (the device you put the coffee grounds into) is placed when making espresso.

Steam-driven espresso machines make use of hot water heated in an airtight container to produce steam. The steam then pushes hot water into the grounds of coffee under high pressure. These machines are cheaper and easier for the user to maintain than pumps-driven models. They are however limited to create the ideal conditions for brewing as they only operate with 1-1.5 bar of pressure. 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 push hot water into the grounds and are much more portable than electric steam-driven machines.