Barista Dictionary for the coffee lover

Without claiming to list all the details of carob coffee maker, we will try to “translate” from “coffee” to American terms and explain what is what and how to deal with it.

Pitcher. Stainless steel jug for milk froth. Steel is used because it conducts heat well, and you have to keep an eye on the temperature of the milk when you’re brewing. Plastic pitchers are better not to buy.

Jigger. This is the name of a measuring cup used by a barista.

Temper. This is a manual press for getting so-called “pellet” – pressed coffee. Experts say that the simplest pestle is good for tempera. The ideal press weight is 20 kg, that’s why the cappuccino maker should not be flexible – it would break and it would be inconvenient to press it.

Waste bin. This accessory makes life a lot easier for espresso drinkers as a family or for coffee addicts who drink several cups a day. One slam of the Holder on the beaker’s septum and the used coffee jumps out of the filter into the special compartment. No spoon scraping, no rinsing – you can cook the next batch right away.

Boiler and thermoblock. When buying one, find out what material it is made of ideally stainless steel , how powerful it is, and whether it has thermal protection.

Pump. You need pressure to make espresso, this is provided by pump. The manufacturers always write the maximum possible pressure in the technical specifications for the tested devices this parameter is at least 15 bars. Keep in mind that it is not the maximum pressure, but the working pressure that determines the quality of the espresso and the crema that everyone loves. It can be between 15 and 10 bar. Some devices in our test it is a model from BORK are equipped with a barometer. This step on the part of the manufacturer is a demonstration of confidence in the quality of the pump.

Holder. This is the name of the actual cone filter holder into which the coffee filter is placed, because it is where the water passes through. This is the most important part of the coffee maker, part of the so-called “brewing unit” of the appliance. Holder should preferably be made of brass, stainless steel, as aluminum alloy horns can warp in use. The weight of the holder determines the material: heavy means steel or, in the more expensive models, brass. It is important that the holder handle was also metal, “dressed” in plastic only for thermal protection – if not visible, look at the weight of the part. The inserts and channels and rubber rings in the cup of the Holder are supposed to help get a better foam, but such devices are not needed in devices where the main parameter for espresso machines is observed – the working pressure of at least 10 atmospheres. It is the pressure, not the various diffusers and agitators that is supposed to create crema, or as coffee puffs call it, cream. Also the rubber gaskets and seals will inevitably need to be replaced – and soon. Sometimes for this reason they change the whole Holder.

Filters. As a rule, the espresso maker comes with two different size filters for one or two espresso drinks. There are two important points that specialists take into account: the location of holes in the filter and the presence of various plastic inserts and channels in the bottom of it. If the holes are all over the bottom, it is harder to get coffee with a good crema, if it is in the center – easier the secret is in the pressure distribution . The only way to know the right amount of holes is to look at the filter from the back, not the inside. To the filters can be attributed and so-called adapters for desserts, which are equipped only with some devices. It is important that the filter must fit snugly into the holder.

Removable reservoir. As a rule, it is a plastic container where the pump hose that draws water for making coffee is inserted. It is important that the container is easy to insert and remove and that the user does not have to constantly turn the appliance upside down or lift it. Minimum and maximum water level indicator adds convenience, but not every model has one. Sometimes there is an air lock in the water inlet hose and water does not flow into the holding tank when the button is in the water inlet. You can remove the air lock by turning on the steam supply: the system is purged and the water supply is restored.

Cappuccinator. Can be automatic rare or manual for coffee machines. In the models reviewed in the test, only the KRUPS has an automatic cappuccinator. For the other appliances the working principle of the device is the following: the cappuccinator nozzle is lowered about 1 cm into the jigger filled with milk usually 100 ml of milk is poured into it , the steam valve is opened or the relevant button is pressed, the milk froth is whipped with the circular movements of the pitcher around the cappuccinator nozzle.

Marmite. This is a stand for heating and drying the cups, which becomes warm by heating the thermoblock. Cups are placed upside down on it, so that they are heated from the inside. This way you can brew more aromatic coffee and keep the temperature of the beverage cooler, because coffee lovers usually only pour espresso into warmed-up cups.

Drip tray. There are in all appliances, convenient for collecting spilled liquid, can be used when a small portion of water is spilled for cleaning. If you want to drink coffee from a cup that does not fit the height, most appliances can remove the tray. Some models are equipped with a water level indicator, which is convenient.