What to Look For in a Barista Espresso Machine
The espresso machine is among the most complex coffee machines on the planet. It is comprised of three major components. The bottom contains the water and the middle contains the filter-basket.
This machine was a huge success and helped popularize 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 are an avid coffee drinker, you'll realize that the pressure of your espresso machine is a key element in the quality of your drinks. If you're looking for an even layer of crema, or the right balance of flavor and acidity the pressure of your espresso maker is the key to brewing excellent espresso.
BARs (Barometric pressure) is the amount of force that your espresso machine applies to the coffee grounds while delivering high-pressure water. 9 BARs indicates that your espresso machine is forcing heated water through the ground coffee at a a rate of nine times the Earth's current atmospheric pressure.
The pressure of your machine is crucial because it allows the water to pass through coffee grounds at the correct speed and intensity. If the pressure isn't high enough the oils and flavors aren't extracted properly. On the other however, if the pressure is too high the water will be forced through the coffee grounds too fast and you'll end up with an over-extracted, weak cup of espresso.
The pressure of your espresso machine can be controlled by adjusting the screw that is located on the espresso pump. Commercial machines and top-end home machines have pumps that rotate with adjustable pressure. For the less expensive home machines, which use a vibrating motor, it's not possible to adjust the pressure with DIY hacks. However, companies like Cafflano are working on technology that makes use of Pascal's Principle to create maintained pressure within the portafilter during the fermentation process.
Temperature
The temperature is one of the most critical factors for the perfect espresso shot. If the water is too hot, it may scorch the coffee grounds and produce an over-extracted bitter drink. The ideal extraction temperature is about 200 degrees Fahrenheit, which allows the water to extract all the coffee's desirable flavors without scalding the grounds or over-extracting.
The best espresso machines will feature a thermoblock, or thermocoil that heats the water and keeps it at a steady temperature throughout the entire extraction cycle. The Breville Barista Express has a PID system (Proportional Integral Derived) that constantly monitors and adjusts the temperature of water. This ensures that the brewhead is at the right temperature for extraction.
The majority of coffee drinkers know that the temperature of the espresso maker is essential to making a great cup of coffee. The ideal temperature for espresso is between Fahrenheit between 190-196. To get this temperature, you need an espresso maker with a reliable thermoblock, thermocoil, and a boiler that is sized correctly.
In addition, it's crucial to warm your machine, portafilter, and cup prior to taking espresso. Beginner espresso makers often make the mistake of not preheating their machines. It is advisable to read your espresso machine's instruction manual before you begin using it for the first time.
Grind
A barista machine should offer you a variety of grind settings so that you can have the greatest control over your final cup of espresso. Some machines include an analog gauge that looks cool and can help you to improve your brewing skills. You should aim to maintain the pressure of nine bars throughout the entire brewing process. While this machine doesn't hit this mark, it's pretty close and will serve you well.
Another wonderful feature of this machine is a built-in burr grinder. This feature is ideal for novices because it doesn't mean the need for an additional grinder. The grinder is a conical stainless steel unit with 18 settings ranging from "coarse" to "fine."
This grinder isn't as powerful as a standalone unit, but it can help you get going in the right direction to creating great espresso shots. It's easy to clean and you can even pause it while grinding to avoid making a mountain of ground that can spill all over your portafilter on its way to tamping.
This gorgeous and useful machine will allow you to experience being a barista in your own home. This is a great choice for anyone who wants to relive the excitement of pouring microfoam into their morning coffee, locking the portafilter into the head of the grouphead and tamping it with precision. A bean-to-cup machine is a great option to those who prefer convenience.
Water
Water is a tricky thing to master. The trick is to find the right balance. Too much caffeine can cause mineral deposits to form inside your machine. But too little can result in an espresso cup that is weaker.
The ideal water for espresso is soft and high in alkalinity. This is best accomplished by using an water filter system that does away with chlorine and then adds back a small amount of total dissolving solids (TDS) to add some calcium and magnesium to the mix. This will create an optimal balance between alkalinity and hardness, and will help avoid the necessity to decalcify your equipment.
It is essential to make sure you use water that has been filtered to a high quality for the health and flavor of your machine. Descaling products must be utilized on a regular basis, depending on the hardness and use of your machine. These products come in powder, liquid and tab forms and are available at all hardware stores.
The Breville Barista Express, machine espresso a top-of-the-line home espresso machine is designed to bring the cafe experience to your home. It has more advanced features over other basic machines that are geared towards coffee lovers who wish to refine their techniques and improve their craft. The thermocoil heating technology with an integrated PID controller mounted on the active heated group head makes it simple to regulate your brewing temperature. This is a big advantage over other models at the entry level that will require you to spend long periods of "temperature-surfing" to get an even shot of espresso.