What to Look For in a Barista Espresso Machine
The espresso machine is among the most complex coffee machines in the world. It is made up of three major components. The bottom holds the water while the middle is a filter-basket with a filter made of metal.
This machine was a huge hit and helped to popularize the prosumer (home barista) espresso market. Its features include a low pressure pre-infusion with the 2.2L boiler, and brewing pressure of 9 bar.
Pressure
If you're an avid coffee drinker, then you'll know that the pressure of your machine is a key factor in the quality of your drinks. Whether you're looking for a thick layer of crema or perfect balance of acidity and flavor, the pressure of your espresso machine is crucial to making good espresso.
BARs (Barometric pressure) is the force your espresso machine applies to the coffee grounds while delivering high-pressure water. espresso coffee machine is pushing heated water through the grounds of your coffee at nine times that of Earth's current atmosphere pressure.
The pressure of your espresso machine is vital because it's what allows the water to pass through the grounds of your coffee with the right speed and in the right amount. If the pressure is low, the oils and flavors will not be extracted correctly. On the other side, if the pressure is too high the water will be forced through the coffee grounds too fast and you'll end with a weak, over-extracted cup of espresso.
The pressure of your espresso machine can be controlled by adjusting the screw located on the espresso pump. Commercial machines and some of the top-end home machines use the rotary pumps, which are adjustable. For home machines that are less expensive that use a vibrating motor, it's impossible to adjust the pressure without DIY hacks. However, companies like Cafflano are working on technology that makes use of Pascal's Principle to maintain pressure within the portafilter during the making process.
Temperature
Temperature is one of the most important aspects in the perfect espresso shot. The water that is too hot can scorch the coffee grounds, resulting in bitter drink. The optimal temperature for extraction is 200 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows the water to extract all of the desired coffee flavors without burning the grounds or causing excessive extraction.
The best espresso machines include a thermoblock or thermocoil that will heat the water, and keeps it at a stable temperature throughout the whole extraction cycle. The Breville Barista Express, for instance, is equipped with PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) system that continuously monitors the temperature of water and adjusts if needed, ensuring that the brewhead stays at the perfect temperature for extraction.
Many coffee enthusiasts know that the temperature of your espresso maker is an essential element in making a quality cup of coffee. The ideal temperature for espresso is between 190 and 196. To achieve this, your espresso machine must have a good thermoblock or thermocoil and the boiler needs to be properly sized.
Additionally, it is important to preheat your portafilter, espresso machine, and the cup prior to making the shot. Beginners often make the mistake of not heating their machine prior to making a shot. It is advisable to read your espresso machine's manual before you use it for the first time.
Grind
A barista espresso machine must provide a variety grind settings to give you the greatest control over your final cup of coffee. Some machines include an analog gauge that looks cool and helps you develop your brewing capabilities. The goal is to maintain the pressure at nine bars throughout the entire brewing process. Although this machine can't reach this mark, it's close enough and will serve you well.
Another wonderful feature of this machine is a built-in burr grinder. This is a great feature for newbies to espresso as it will not require you to purchase a separate burr grinder. The stainless steel conical grinder comes with 18 settings that range from "coarse to fine."
This grinder isn't as powerful as a standalone, but it's a good start and will get you on the right track to creating quality espresso shots. It's easy to clean and you can stop it while grinding, which helps you avoid the creation of a mountain of ground that will fall over your portafilter while on its way to making tamps.
It's a beautiful and practical machine that lets you to experience the joy of being a barista at home. It's an excellent choice for anyone who wants to to revisit the memories of pouring the microfoam into their morning coffee by locking a portafilter to the grouphead, and tamping with precision. For those who want convenience, a bean-to- cup machine could be a better choice.
Water
Water can be a challenging thing to master. Finding the right balance is vital. Too much and it can cause mineral deposits to build up in your machine, but too small and you'll struggle to enjoy a satisfying cup of espresso.
The perfect water for espresso is low in hardness and high in alkalinity. This can be achieved with an effective water filtering system that removes chlorine and puts back a small amount of total dissolved solids (TDS) to add some calcium and magnesium to the mix. This will give you the right balance between hardness and acidity and will also prevent the necessity of decalcifying.
Using a high quality filtered water is crucial to your machine's overall health and the flavor of the coffee it makes. A descaling product should be regularly used, depending on the hardness and use of your machine. These products are available in powder, liquid and tab forms and can be found in many hardware stores.
The Breville Barista Express, a top-of-the-line home espresso machine designed to bring the café experience to your home. It is equipped with more advanced features in comparison to other machines for beginners and is geared towards coffee enthusiasts who want refine their techniques and perfect their craft. The thermocoil heating mechanism with integrated PID controller, centered on the actively heated group head makes it easy to regulate your brewing temperature. This is an advantage over other entry-level models which require you to spend lots of time "temperature-surfing" to get a consistent espresso shot.