What to Look For in a Barista Espresso Machine
The espresso machine is one of the most complicated coffee machines available. It is made up of three major components. The bottom contains the water and the middle the filter-basket.
This machine was a huge hit and helped to popularize the prosumer (home barista) espresso market. Its features include a low pressure pre-infusion as well as the 2.2L boiler, and brewing pressure of 9 bar.
Pressure
If you're a coffee lover, you'll realize that the pressure of your espresso machine is a crucial element in the quality of your beverages. Whether you're looking for an even layer of crema or right balance of acidity and flavor The pressure of your espresso maker is crucial to making good espresso.
BARs (Barometric pressure) is the force your espresso machine exerts on the grounds of your coffee while delivering high-pressure water. 9 BARs means that your espresso machine is forcing heated water through the ground coffee at a a rate of nine times the current atmospheric pressure.
The pressure of your espresso machine is crucial because it allows the water to pass through the coffee grounds at the right speed and with the right intensity. If the pressure is too low, the flavors and oils dissolved won't be properly extracted. If the pressure is too low, the dissolved flavors and oils will not be extracted correctly.
You can regulate the pressure of your espresso maker by adjusting the screw on the espresso pump. Commercial machines and some of the top-end home machines have rotary pumps that are adjustable. For the more affordable home machines that use a vibrating pump, adjusting the pressure is difficult without involving DIY hacks. However, companies like Cafflano are developing technology that uses Pascal's Principle to maintain pressure inside the portafilter throughout the fermentation process.
Temperature
Temperature is one of the most important elements in a perfect espresso shot. The water that is too hot can scorch the grounds of the coffee, resulting in bitter brew. The ideal extraction temperature is about 200 degrees Fahrenheit which allows the water to extract all the desirable coffee flavors without scalding the grounds or over-extracting.
The top espresso machines have a thermoblock or thermocoil that warms the water and keeps it at a constant temperature throughout the entire extraction process. The Breville Barista Express has a PID system (Proportional Integral Derived) that continuously monitors and adjusts the temperature. This ensures that the brewhead stays at the correct temperature for extraction.
Many coffee enthusiasts know that the temperature of your espresso maker is an important factor to brewing a high-quality cup of coffee. The ideal brewing temperature for espresso is between 190 and 196 degrees Fahrenheit. In order to get this temperature, your machine should have a high-quality thermoblock or thermocoil and the boiler must be sized to the correct size.
It is also important to pre-heat your espresso maker, portafilter, and cup prior to making shots. The failure to preheat is one of the most common errors made by beginner espresso makers. It is advisable to read your espresso machine's instructions before you begin using it for the first time.
Grind
A barista espresso machine must also provide a variety grind settings to give you the most control over your final cup of coffee. Some machines come with an analog gauge that looks cool and can help you develop your brewing capabilities. It is recommended to maintain the pressure of nine bars throughout the brewing cycle. While this machine does not hit machines coffee that target, it is close enough and will serve you well.
Another wonderful feature of this machine is a built-in burr grinder. This feature is ideal for those who are new to the field because it avoids the need to purchase an additional grinder. The stainless steel conical grinder comes with 18 settings, ranging from "coarse to fine."
The grinder isn't the same as a stand-alone unit, but it's a good start and will put you on the path to brewing quality espresso shots. It's easy to clean and you can stop the grinder in the grinding process to avoid accumulating an overwhelming amount of grounds on your portafilter while it's being tamped.
This gorgeous and practical machine will allow you to feel like a barista from your own home. This is a great option for those who want to recall the thrill of pouring microfoam in their morning cup of coffee and locking the portafilter into the grouphead's head and then tamping with precision. A bean-to-cup machine is a great option for those who want convenience.
Water
Water is a challenging thing to master. Finding the right balance is vital. Too much can cause mineral deposits to form inside your machine. But too little can result in an espresso cup that is weaker.
The ideal espresso water has the lowest alkalinity and hardness level. This is best accomplished by using an water filter system that removes chlorine and puts back in a small amount of total dissolving solids (TDS) to add calcium and magnesium to the mix. This will help you achieve a good balance between acidity and hardness, and prevent the necessity of decalcifying.
Using a high-quality filter water is vital to your machine's long term health and the flavor of the coffee it makes. Descaling products must be regularly used according to the hardness and use of your machine. These products are available in tab, liquid or powder form at the majority of 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 more sophisticated than other beginner machines which are targeted at coffee enthusiasts who wish to perfect their technique and improve their craft. The thermocoil heating mechanism with a built-in PID controller centered on the actively heated group head makes it simple to regulate your brewing temperature. This is a major advantage over other models at the entry level that require much time "temperature-surfing" to ensure consistent espresso shots.