Coffee Machines – From Manual Steeping to Electric Pressure
Coffee machines come in a wide variety–from espresso makers to drip brew coffeemakers to French presses.
Perhaps the most widespread type of coffee machine is a drip brew coffeemaker. These coffeemakers adorn the counters of many a home, hotel and workplace kitchenette. Electric drip brewers use gravity. The coffee grounds are placed in a coffee filter, which can consist of paper or perforated metal. When the coffeemaker is turned on, hot water drips onto the coffee grounds, then flows out through the filter into the coffeepot below. Some coffeemakers are equipped with timers so that your morning coffee is waiting for you as soon as you step out of the shower! And others can even come equipped with coffee bean grinders.
A French press, also called a cafetiere, uses steeping. A French press looks like a small, narrow glass pitcher with a plunger. The plunger handle moves up and down through the lid. The base of the plunger is a nylon or metal mesh filter. Coffee grounds are placed in the bottom of the press, then the hot water is added. After steeping for four to seven minutes, the plunger is pushed downward. This strains the coffee and presses the grounds on the bottom; the coffee is then ready to be poured. Course coffee grounds, rather than fine, work best, as they’re less likely to sneak through the filter mesh. This coffee brewing style is called “total immersion brewing,” and it’s favored by coffee experts for preparing fine coffees at home.
An espresso machine uses pressure. Espresso machines are used in coffee shops, and special models can be purchased for home use. Espresso machines use a pressure between eight and nine atmospheres (scientifically denoted as 800-900 kPa) to force hot water through a lightly packed “puck” of fine coffee grounds. This process creates a crema, which is a layer of emulsified oil foam atop the espresso. This foam, along with espresso boasting one of the strongest flavors of all coffees, makes it a favorite amongst coffee aficionados. But it’s interesting to note that regular coffee contains more caffeine that espresso. Espresso is the foundation for many a coffee drink, such as mochas.
Regardless of which type of coffee machine is used, the ideal water temperature for brewing coffee is 93 degrees Celsius, or 199.4 degrees Fahrenheit. If the water is cooler, optimum flavor will not be released. And if the water is too hot, more bitterness will be extracted. Coffee lovers generally prefer a ratio of two tablespoons coffee to six ounces, or 180 millilitres, of water.
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