Whether for breakfast or during the afternoon break, having a coffee is part of the daily life of most Brazilians. To help you make these moments even more pleasurable, we have already talked about methods of making coffee for beginners , now we are going to combine technology, practicality and taste. But in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the espresso machine is here to stay. And coffee capsules have become darlings in homes and businesses.
Let’s understand in this blog a little about each type of espresso coffee machine and the capsule system?
How Does The Espresso Machine Work?
Luigi Bezzera’s invention only became what it is today from 1969 onwards. Before that, impractical models responsible for low quality coffee were on the market. Pressure, so necessary in the production of the famous drink, was only introduced in 1946! It is a good thing that, nowadays, machines have evolved and meet all demands.
Every espresso machine, whether domestic or professional, works similarly. Yes, your homemade espresso is not much different from what you can buy at any coffee shop! Composed of the same items and producing quality espressos, the biggest difference between them is in the size of the machine.
Every espresso machine has:
Filter:
Filters water before it enters the machine, eliminating unwanted flavours.
Manometer:
It is used to check the boiler and water pressure, which must be between 8.5 and 9 atmospheres for a tasty coffee.
Electric Pump:
It is responsible for putting high pressure on the filtered water, which is split in two; one fills the boiler and the other is used to make coffee.
Copper Boiler:
As soon as the machine is turned on, part of the boiler is filled to a certain level with water, leaving room for steam. The water is heated to 90 °C with an electrical resistance and thermostats regulate the temperature of the steam, which must be kept close to 119 °C.
Extraction Group:
It is the removable compartment in which the ground and pressed coffee powder is placed and through which the pressurized water passes, which generates the espresso. A machine can have one to four extraction groups
More elaborate machines, especially professional ones, can also have a cup warmer and water and steam tubes. The heater keeps the dishes warm so they don’t chill the coffee. The water pipe is an outlet to obtain hot water for beverages such as tea. Finally, the steam tube extracts steam directly from the boiler and is used to bubble the milk, making the cappuccino froth.
Basically, the water passes through the boiler, where it is boiled. Then, tubes direct it to the electric pump, which “pushes” the water through the coffee with a pressure of at least 1.2 bar. It is this pressure that, strong as it is, manages to remove all the flavour and aroma of the coffee, being responsible for the famous and indispensable cream.
Types Of Espresso Coffee Machine
If coffee is the second most consumed beverage in the world, espresso comes to guarantee an even stronger and fuller experience. Espresso machines have been increasingly modernized and their functionality contributes to the interest in these machines. But how does each model work?
Manual Or Semi-Automatic Espresso Coffee Machine
The manual espresso coffee maker is a good option for those who are connoisseurs of coffee and also these machines. After all, they require specific care with the grinding and dosage of coffee. A semi-automatic espresso machine does not differ much from a manual one, it is a compromise between automatic and manual brewing.
Some functions of semi-automatic coffeemakers can also be regulated, such as pressure, preparation time and temperature. Although the semiautomatic one still requires measuring and compacting the ground coffee, the big difference between it and a manual espresso machine is that the former has a specific schedule for a certain amount of coffee – one or two cups, usually.
Automatic And Super-Automatic Espresso Coffee Machine
Autonomy and speed. Automatic and super-automatic espresso machines are widely used in commercial establishments. Even if the quality of the drink is a little vulnerable, these coffee makers have an efficient and easy-to-operate mill.
In these models, characteristics such as the volume of water and the pressure to which it is submitted are pre-defined. Super-automatic espresso machines are very powerful, and usually have the highest prices on the market.
Capsule Espresso Coffee Machines
Imagine making an espresso quickly, without the need to develop special skills. Capsule espresso coffee machines provide practicality and quality.
A capsule coffee maker works from pressure, like the other models, but does not require a coffee grinder, for example. There is no need to worry about the right dosage of coffee, or even the dirt of the powder after the espresso is ready. Both the right measurement and the water pressure and temperature are automatic.
