Coffee makers and coffee machines: all stirred – espresso will be

To date, the American market has about 40 manufacturers of coffee machines, among which are well known brands, as well as some completely new names for us. Most coffee-making devices come from European manufacturers: Italy, Germany, Britain, Sweden, France and Switzerland.

Anna Balashova

Electric coffee makers according to the method of making coffee can be divided into the following types:

• filtered drip

• The water flows through the walls of the espresso machine

• combined

• coffee machines.

filtered coffee

Filtration coffee makers have a special tank, where cold water is heated to 87-95 ° C and flows drop by drop into the filter with ground coffee beans. The beverage flows into a flask.

This method can prepare up to 15 cups of coffee at a time. The main differences between models of this type are in a set of additional functions and devices, and appearance. The range of devices is quite wide.

By changing the capacity of the heating element, coffee of varying strengths can be obtained in some coffee machines Krups, Philips two or one heating element may be activated , by changing the path of water through the filter with coffee mild or strong drink is obtained in some coffee machines Bosch, Braun.

When ‘strong coffee’ is selected, all the water passes through the center of the filter, while for a ‘mild brew’, the water trickles down the walls. You can also adjust the coffee strength in Siemens, Bosch, Ufesa, DeLonghi Vario system .

Water level indicator shows how much water is in the tank. More convenient if there is a scale of correspondence, like milliliters – number of cups. And some have an extra indication of the number of spoons of coffee Philips .

High-end drip coffee makers have a water filter Braun – Pure Aqua universal filter, Moulinex – Aquafilter, Tefal – descaler cartridge . Some Moulinex, DeLonghi, Krups, AEG models have a programming timer.

Manufacturers of filter coffee makers have come up with a lot of gadgets to keep the temperature of the finished coffee. The simplest of them all is a thermos. Available in some Siemens, Rowenta, Braun, Krups, AEG models. A special heat-resistant cup is equipped with the DeLonghi model ICM 007.

Another device is an auto-heating plate, which heats the flask before and after the preparation of the drink. Its presence is essential for volumetric flasks a liter or more .

Some manufacturers have developed special shapes of flasks and lids to maximize the temperature and aroma of coffee: Moulinex – round Hermetica flask, Krups – special Pro Aroma lid, Philips – branded Aroma Jug, Braun – Aroma flask in the form of a trapeze. DeLonghi coffeemakers use a special patented Flavor Savor system to preserve flavor.

No need to say a few words about drip coffee makers, where the coffee is poured not into a flask, but into one or two cups at once. In appearance, these coffee makers are similar to their carob counterparts, but the coffee is prepared in the usual drip way. Such models are made by Philips, Vitek, Unit, Binatone and others.

Espresso from the coffeehouse

If you still haven’t learned how to grind, dispense and tamp your coffee properly, and your love of espresso is strong, consider coffee machines. It is a coffee maker and grinder, combined in one body.

What makes them stand out from espresso machines is that the brewing process is fully automatic. First the machine grinds the beans, then it grinds the mixture into the strainer and brews espresso.

All you have to do is to put coffee beans in the tank, pour in water, set the necessary parameters on the electronic panel and after 25-30 seconds you will see the result. Among coffee machines there are built-in appliances Miele, AEG, Ariston , but a greater number are free-standing coffee machines.

To make cappuccino, the same devices are used as in espresso machines.

Additional conveniences in coffee machines include:

– Adjusting the coffee grind AEG, Bosch, DeLonghi, Gaggia, Jura, Krups, Miele Saeco, Spidem, Siemens

– Ability to brew two cups of espresso at the same time

– Espresso portion size adjustment DeLonghi, Miele, Saeco, etc. . .

Each portion size is programmable and you can choose from generally three different types of espresso: small, medium, large.

– The height of the nozzle can be adjusted for making coffee in both small and large cups .

It is believed that coffee brews better if you moisten it with water for a while beforehand. So leading manufacturers offer their own brew programs.

Patented I system.P.B.A.S. The Jura regulates the pre-ground coffee water, the amount of water for this procedure being automatically adjusted in proportion to the quantity of coffee.

Pre-wetting is also available in a number of models from AEG, Bosch, Kris Ultra Aroma System , Siemens.

Many higher-end models have a cup warmer pad. The espresso is poured into pre-heated cups, which helps to preserve the temperature and aroma of the beverage as much as possible.

The special filter-holder creates the characteristic thick creamy caramel-nut color, which protects the coffee from cooling and oxidation AEG – Crema-Plus-Sieve, DeLonghi – Crema filter, Krups – Crematic system, Ariete – Thermocream .

Some models are equipped with a water filter: Jura – Claris filter, AEG – Britta filter. The filter removes the aftertaste of chlorine and softens hard water, reduces the concentration of harmful impurities and prolongs the life of the appliance.

The possibility of selecting the American language in the programming menu – Bosch, Siemens in Latin .

The cleaning process of the appliances is automated as much as possible. Light indicator to signal when the grounds grounds grounds container is full or when the self-cleaning system needs to be activated, etc. d.

Appliances from AEG, Bosch, Siemens feature automatic cleaning of the coffee compartment with special tablets. DeLonghi presents the Magnifica, which besides the automatic self-cleaning function, provides easy access to all the parts that are hard to access: the coffee brewing unit is easily removable.

Espresso for beginners

The espresso coffee-making principle is based on steam pressure. There are two classes of devices: Steam-Espresso and Pump-Espresso.

Steam-Espresso water in a sealed vessel is brought to the boil and turns into steam. Once the steam pressure reaches the desired limit 3.5-5 bars the valve opens and the water flows through the coffee tank.

The main drawback of these machines is the brewing time, small volume only 2-4 small cups of coffee , no stable foam. Such coffee-makers on American market are presented by Binatone, Clatronic, DeLonghi, Krups, Moulinex, Rowenta, Severin, Ufesa, Unit, Vitek, etc. d. DeLonghi equips some of its coffee makers with a patented safety valve to prevent unintentional opening , the Vario system for adjusting coffee strength, the two-cup adaptor and the IFD see coffee maker adjustment . Capuchin Beverage section .

Krups Bravo, Rowenta Allegro, Binatone, Scarlett, Unit series coffee makers come with a glass beaker for 4 cups. One Binatone model has a platform for heating cups.

For advanced users

Pump-Espresso machines produce better quality coffee. Cold water is fed into the boiler, where an electromagnetic pump creates high pressure 15 bar . Pressurized water heated to 95 °C pushes through the coffee particles on the filter, taking all the aroma and bitter substances.

Some models have a thermoblock pump: part of the water is drained into the tank, allowing fresh water to be used for each new cup. To get an espresso with a characteristic high and dense crema a special filter or filter holder with coffee AEG – Crema-Plus-Sieve, DeLonghi – Crema, Krups – Crematic system, Binatone – Barcream .

Rowenta’s Cremax filter has up to 400 perforations which allows not only for rich crema espresso, but also for any coffee grind.

The rules state that espresso should be poured into warm cups. That is why a number of manufacturers have provided a heated cup support. Such plates are available in some models of Krups, Saeco, etc.

There is a grinder with adjustable grind level in a number of coffee machines from Gaggia, Saeco. These coffee machines are called “coffee combines. First the coffee beans are ground, then the pod has to be put into the machine, and then the espresso is made.

One big disadvantage of all espresso makers is the necessity to properly dose and press the ground coffee into the filter-holder, because the taste of the drink depends on it. You will have to learn how to “make coffee” correctly by trial and error.

For those in doubt

For those who still haven’t decided whether they prefer espresso or filter coffee, there are combination coffee makers. They have a drip coffee maker, or pressure coffee maker, and they can also make cappuccino.

The advantage of such models is that depending on your mood you can have a cup of regular coffee, espresso or cappuccino, and for this you do not need to buy 2 devices – it saves both money and space in the kitchen.

Cons: Each part of the coffee maker requires specific care and a different grinding level of coffee beans. The most “advanced” machines make espresso on the principle of pump coffee machines pressure of 15 bar , have a special filter holder for achieving a dense crema of espresso, a system of adjusting coffee strength and a system of preserving temperature and aroma of filtered coffee DeLonghi, Krups .

The Ufesa CK 7360 Dueto Espresso combination coffee maker has a cup warmer platform.

Capuchin beverage

Cappuccino technology deserves special attention. Cappuccino coffee got its name because of the color of foam, which resembles the color of traditional capuchin monks’ robes.

Usually it’s 1/3 espresso, 1/3 hot milk and 1/3 milk foam. It requires a steam pipe in the coffee maker or coffee machine. One-third full of milk, place the cup under the tube and let the steam flow.

You get the milk foam by rotating the cup under the action of steam mechanical method . Some models are equipped with a special nozzle, which is installed on the steam pipe and makes it directed and drier, so the foam is thick and rich in coffee machines Saeco, Gaggia – nozzle panarello, Krups – Cappuccino plus .

Another device is an automatic cappuccinator: milk is drawn directly from a bag or other container , the beating takes place inside the machine and the ready foam is poured into the cup in Bosch, Siemens, Krups, Gaggia, Saeco models .

DeLonghi models use the IFD – Instant Froth Dispenser – a patented automatic dispenser that mixes milk, air and steam, directing a cascade of foam directly into the cup milk is poured into a special tank in the body of the coffee machine . Vario IFD system allows to regulate foam thickness.

There is a package for everything

For a long time coffee makers were looking for a way to guarantee a quality drink for every consumer, and about 10 years ago illycaffe invented and patented the E.S.E. Easy Serving Espresso .

This technology allows you to roast, grind, crush and pack the coffee in individual bags pods , consisting of two layers of filtered paper, in factory conditions. No need to adjust the dosage and degree of tamping no need to clean the filter, sprayer and grid in the coffee machines.

Cups also called monodose or tablet always guarantee a great espresso. Used in coffee makers including combination and E-system coffee machines.S.E. In our country, such models are not yet popular because of the high cost of chald on average 2-3 times more expensive than grain coffee .

Another attempt to control the quality of the drink was the Nespresso system, which appeared on the market in 1986 in America, about a year ago . Nespresso are batch coffee capsules of 12 kinds 9 are sold year-round, 3 are seasonal . A capsule is 7 grams of ground coffee, compressed and sealed in food-grade foil and plastic wrap.

To brew coffee from these capsules you need coffee-making machines designed specifically for them. Under high pressure in the coffee machine, the capsule is pierced in three places, and the coffee is slightly moistened.

A powerful jet of air simultaneously mixes, shakes and humidifies the coffee in the capsule. The water is then pressed through the coffee at 19 bars, revealing up to 900 subtle nuances, absorbing the maximum amount of essences, substances and oils. The used capsules are discarded automatically and the used coffee grounds go into a special container.

In America, such coffee machines are represented by Krups, Miele. Buyers of such a machine automatically become members of the Nespresso Club, a regular coffee supplier.

We recommend

When choosing a drip-type coffee maker, pay attention to the following parameters.

– Power. The lower it is, the stronger the drink is.

– Filter. It can be paper, disposable. Advantages – better quality of the drink compared to other filters, in addition, it does not need to be washed. The disadvantage – it’s a waste of time and money 100 pcs. – $4 .

It can be made of nylon. This filter is durable, capable of serving 60 brews or more, but may damage the taste of the beverage costs $5-6 .

It may be called “golden. It is a nylon filter, coated with a layer of titanium nitride. Durable, doesn’t ruin the taste of the coffee, but requires thorough rinsing about $10 .

– Anti-drip mechanism. Found in almost all models of renowned manufacturers. Prevents the beverage from spilling if you decide to remove the flask from the coffee maker for example, to drink a cup of coffee without waiting for the rest to brew .

– Compartment for power cord. Needed in case you rarely use the device, or it stands next to the outlet.

– Number of cups. Usually there are small coffee cups of maximum 100 ml. If you drink coffee “the American way,” recalculate the quantity for the size of a standard dish.

Top tip: Before you buy a coffee machine with lots of extra features, think hard about whether you will ever use these features, otherwise it would be a waste of money.

Electric geyser, alchemist vessel and coffee maker in a computer

A geyser coffee maker brews coffee by repeatedly passing steam or hot water through the ground coffee. These appliances generally have three sections: one for water, one for ground coffee and one for the beverage. The machine is placed on the stove, the water boils in the lower section, passes under pressure through the coffee in the filter and comes out in the upper section.

This way of coffee is aromatic and full-bodied. Over time, the design of geyser coffee makers has become more complex, with electric heating elements, valves and moving washers. Electric appliances in our country are represented by DeLonghi, Krups, Binatone. And DeLonghi presented wireless geyser coffee makers with automatic shutoff.

Electric geyser coffee makers are a rarity in homes and apartments in America, but they are not the most exotic appliance on the market. We saw a “coffee machine king” on sale, looking more like a vessel of alchemist than a modern appliance.

“The royal coffee-maker consists of a metal vessel for water, with a burner underneath, connected by a tube overflow to a glass vessel, where freshly ground coffee is poured. As it burns, the water flows through a tube into a glass beaker. When water reaches the glass vessel, it cools a little, so the coffee is brewed at a temperature of 96-98 degrees.

At the end of the process, when almost all the water has flowed into the glass vessel, the balance action causes automatic shutdown of the burner, resulting in a vacuum in the cooled metal vessel, and all the coffee, separated from the sediment, flows into a sealed metal vessel and after some time is ready for consumption.

The hermetic sealing of the jar preserves the fine aromas of the coffee while allowing the bitter residue to remain in the glass jar thanks to a special metal filter.

Anyone can buy such an unusual device, but computer coffee makers are not for sale yet. A young man has created a hybrid of a coffee maker and a computer. His device performs several million mathematical operations per second and makes coffee in 5 minutes.

This machine is for super-busy people who don’t have time to take their eyes off the monitor just to make a cup of coffee. Apparently the model will be adopted by well-known manufacturers, but it is not clear which ones – those who make computers, or those who make coffee machines.

Recommended

The same type of coffee, cooked in different ways, acquires different taste and aroma. The quality of the drink is greatly influenced by when and how the beans were ground – the optimal grinding should be done immediately before brewing coffee in a separate or integrated grinder – no principle principle value . Connoisseurs prefer to grind beans mechanically or in electric grinders with millstones.

– Don’t forget that espresso is made with either 100% Arabica or a special blend of Arabica and Robusta a 100% Robusta beverage will be very bitter .

– Coffee taste depends on the degree of grind.

Coarse grinding particle size up to 0.8 mm good for piston coffee makers.

Medium grind is perfect for espresso.

The drip coffee makers use a fine grind.