What to Look For in a Barista Espresso Machine
The espresso machine is among the most complex coffee machines in the world. It is comprised of three major components. The bottom houses the water and the middle the filter-basket.
This machine was a huge hit and helped spread the prosumer (home barista) espresso market. Features include a 2.2L steam boiler, low pressure pre-infusion and 9 bar pressure for brewing.
Pressure
If you're serious about your coffee then you're aware that the pressure of your espresso maker is an important aspect in how your drinks come out. You may be looking for a thick layer of crema or right balance of flavor and acidity The pressure of your espresso maker is the key to brewing perfect espresso.
BARs (Barometric Pressure) refer to the amount of force applied to the coffee grounds when your espresso machine is pumping out its high-pressure water. 9 BARs means that your espresso machine is forcing heated water through the coffee grounds at a rate of nine times the Earth's current atmospheric pressure.
The pressure of your espresso machine is crucial because it's what allows the water to move through the grounds of the coffee at the right speed and with the right intensity. If the pressure isn't sufficient the flavors and oils won't be extracted properly. If the pressure is too low, the flavors and oils that are dissolved won't be extracted properly.
You can regulate the pressure of your espresso maker by changing the screw of the espresso maker. Commercial machines and a few high-end home machines have rotary pumps that are adjustable. For the cheaper home machines, which use a vibrating motor, it is impossible to adjust the pressure without hacks. However, companies like Cafflano are working on technology that makes use of Pascal's Principle to create maintained pressure in the portafilter during the brewing process.
Temperature
The temperature is one of the most crucial factors to an excellent espresso shot. The water that is too hot can scorch the grounds of coffee, which can result in a bitter brew. The ideal temperature for extraction is about 200 degrees Fahrenheit which allows the water to extract all of the desirable coffee flavors without burning the grounds or over-extracting.
The top espresso machines have a thermoblock or thermocoil which is used to heat the water and keep it at a steady temperature throughout the entire extraction process. The Breville Barista Express, for instance, comes with a PID (Proportional Integral Derivative) system that constantly monitors the water temperature and adjusts it as needed, ensuring that the brew head stays at the right temperature to extract the coffee.
Most coffee lovers are aware that the temperature of an espresso machine is vital to brewing a great cup of coffee. The ideal brewing temperature for espresso is between 190 to 196 degrees Fahrenheit. To achieve this, you need an espresso machine with a top thermoblock, thermocoil and boiler that is sized correctly.
In addition, it's essential to heat coffee and espresso maker your espresso maker, portafilter and cup prior to taking the shot. Failure to preheat is one of the most common mistakes made by beginner espresso makers. It is advisable to read your espresso machine's manual before you begin using it for the first time.
Grind
A barista espresso machine must provide a variety grind settings for you to have the most control over the final cup of coffee. Some machines have an analog gauge which looks cool and aids you to improve your brewing skills. In the ideal scenario, you'll want to hit about nine bars of pressure and maintain that throughout the brew cycle. This machine is very close to the goal.
Another great feature of this machine is its built-in burr grinder. This is an excellent feature for espresso newbies because it will not require you to purchase an additional burr grinder. The grinder is a stainless steel conical device that has 18 settings from "coarse" to "fine."
It's not as effective as a stand-alone device, but it's a good start and will get you on the path to making quality espresso shots. It's easy-to-clean and you can put the grinder on hold during the process of grinding to avoid creating a mountainous amount of ground on your portafilter while it is being stamped.
This beautiful and functional machine will let you be a barista at your own home. It's a great choice for anyone who would like to be able to look back at the moments of pouring microfoam into your morning cup of coffee and locking a portafilter in the grouphead, and tamping with precision. If you're looking for convenience, a bean-to- cup machine might be the better choice.
Water
Water can be a challenging thing to master. The trick is to find the optimal balance. Too much caffeine can cause mineral deposits to build up in your machine. However, too little will result in a weaker cup of espresso.
The best espresso water has a low hardness and alkalinity level. This is best achieved by using an effective water filtering system that does away with chlorine and then adds an amount of total dissolved solids (TDS) to add some calcium and magnesium to the mix. This will result in an optimal balance between alkalinity and hardness, and will reduce the necessity to decalcify your equipment.
Using a high-quality filter water is essential for your machine's long-term health and the taste of the coffee it produces. Depending on the use and the hardness of your machine, you should make use of descaling products regularly. These products are available in powder, liquid or tab form at most hardware stores.
The Breville Barista Express, a luxury high-end home espresso machine, is designed to bring the café experience into your home. It is equipped with more advanced features compared to other espresso machines that are beginner-friendly, and is targeted at those who are looking to refine their technique and master the art of coffee. The thermocoil heating technology with integrated PID controller that is centered on the group head makes it easy to regulate the temperature of your coffee. This is an enormous benefit over other models that require you to spend longer "temperature surfing" to achieve a consistent shot of espresso.