Espresso Maker - A Must-Have For Home Baristas
Espresso is a robust dark-brown, dark-colored drink made by forcing hot water through tightly packed, finely ground coffee. It is the base of many popular cafe drinks.
A barista, also referred to as an "espresso maker", controls many factors to make a great cup. These include the temperature of the water, its pressure, and how tightly the coffee is packed.
Origins
The espresso maker is a device that pushes small amounts of near boiling water under a high pressure through finely ground coffee beans. The resultant drink is stronger than drip coffee, more concentrated and served in smaller cups. This is a great choice for those who want an incredibly strong cup of coffee but need it fast!
The first espresso machines were developed in the 19th century. The coffee industry was huge in the 19th century but brewing took too much time. Impatient people everywhere were hungry for a quick cup!
In 1884, Angelo Moriondo from Turin patented the first coffee machine. It was named after him and read "New steam machinery for the economical and instantaneous production of coffee beverages Method A. Moriondo."
Luigi Bezzerra, Desiderio Pavoni and other Milanese manufacturers improved and adapted this machine. italian espresso machine introduced the portafilter as well as numerous brewheads, as with other innovations that are still associated with espresso makers today. The Ideale was their machine that was popular with the crowd at the 1906 Milan Fair. Nine out of 10 Italian homes have Moka Pots. Moka Pot.
Variations
The flavor of espresso is more intense than coffee, which is why it is a great match with milk and other ingredients to create cafe favorites like cappuccinos and lattes. Its strong flavor is evident in recipes for baked goods as well as marinades and other dishes.
There are four main types of espresso maker: manual lever semi-automatic, automatic and super-automatic machines. Each uses a distinct method of extracting the espresso.
A manual lever machine operates using a mechanical piston to push water through the ground. It's a great alternative to human control and mechanized precision. You still have grind, tamp and pull the shot by hand but you'll have more control over temperature and pressure.
Moka pots, another manual espresso maker, work similarly to modern espresso machines, which are powered by pumps. In an airtight, sealed tank, boiling water, the steam produced by the boiler creates steam. The steam is forced into a basket of ground coffee and through an iron filter into the top cup. These machines are cheaper, however, they only produce 1-1.5 bars of steam pressure. This is not enough to make espresso.
Ingredients
Espresso makers can aid baristas in the home to make popular coffee drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. You can also add flavored extracts or syrups to espresso shots to create an indulgent drink like the espresso martini.
For a great espresso drink you'll need high-end beans, fresh milk and sugar. Look for coffee beans specifically labeled for espresso, and then grind them up finely to ensure a consistent extraction. Try various roasts until you discover the one that matches your taste.
You'll also need a burr grinder that grinds the beans into a uniform texture. The espresso machine has an in-line portafilter to hold the grounds, as well as the tamper, which is used to pack the coffee in a tight manner.
Finally, you'll need a set of espresso cups and a steamer or a frother to make the silky aerated milk that is characteristic of espresso drinks. Some machines come with steam wands that are built-in which makes this process easier and quicker. You'll also have to regularly descale your machine by running water and vinegar solution through the system.
Techniques
Espresso brewing relies upon creating pressure to quickly extract powerful flavors from finely-ground, dark-roast coffee packed tightly into a "puck." This method of brewing creates the strong coffee shot referred to as espresso. When espresso is properly brewed it will have a rich crema that sits on top.
Contrary to the Moka Express that uses heat to purify water through coarsely ground coffee, the majority of espresso makers utilize highly pressurized water that is forced through small grounds using high heat. This creates an espresso-like beverage that can be diluted with milk or water to make other drinks such as lattes or cappuccinos.
While the Moka Express is a basic and low-cost device, other espresso machines are more complex, expensive, and offer an array of beverages. The most well-known lever machines are Italian-designed machines that employ a spring-loaded arm to dispensing hot cylinder water into the portafilter. A barista using such a machine is able to control when to pull the shot, adjusting variables such as the size of the grind and the temperature of the water by shot to get the best results. These machines were essential in bringing espresso into greater recognition throughout Italy and Europe.
Equipment
A good espresso maker has the ability to extract soluble and insoluble solids from tightly packed, finely ground coffee. This process is made much easier by the use of pressure and controlled variables, such as temperature and grind size. Then there's the taste, which is dependent on various factors, including the beans as well as the manner in which they're handled, as well as brewed.
There are many different kinds of espresso machines, but the semiautomatic is most commonly used. It makes use of an electric pump to force the water through the grounds. The user can also do the grinding and the tapping. These machines are typically the most affordable but aren't as reliable as a spring piston or other manual designs.
The lever models that are more expensive come with the calibrated cylinder which does all the work. These are a bit more tolerant than spring piston machines, but still require some skill to use properly. These machines require a lot more maintenance. It is necessary to heat up the portafilter and take apart the portafilter and the piston each time.