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Espresso machines: History Of Development
The introduction of Starbucks and other retail coffee shops has increased the popularity of espresso makers in the past few years. Many of us seek a way to create those wonderfully drinkable Italian creations without the need for a barista.
All the way back in 1901 the world was introduced to the first espresso coffee machine. Through the years several models have come and went. Common to almost all models, however, is the portafilter system. The portafilter is a small wire basket that holds the coffee grounds you are using. Also popularly found on espresso coffee machines are steam wands which are used to steam milk and then froth it for specific coffee beverages.
There are several variations of the espresso maker as discussed below. Each have their own pros and cons and the usage is dependent upon what each person prefers.
Piston: The famous espresso coffee maker manufacturer Gaggia has roots in the creation of the piston driven coffee machine. Founder Achille Gaggia invented his creation in Italy in 1945. His coffee machine is easy to use and employs a lever mechanism to force hot tap water through the coffee grounds. This coffee machine is the basis of the popular term "pulling a shot" because of the repeated pulling action of the handle that is required. The piston driven espresso coffee machine comes in two main forms, the manual and the spring driven version. A manual espresso coffee maker simply requires the hot water to be forced through the grounds by means of pulling the lever. The spring driven alternative requires tension to be put on a spring which builds the proper pressure that is needed.
Pump: Pump espresso makers work by using a motor to build up force to brew the coffee. This style is the popular option for most coffee shops. Business grade coffee makers generally hook right in to the locations plumbing to attain the water needed, but smaller versions for home use come with a built in area to hold water. The ones used in coffee shops tend to work faster then the ones you will find in homes.
Steam: Steam driven espresso makers are just as simple as they sound. Steam pressure builds to push the water through the coffee grounds and it is about as simple as that. The first espresso coffee machines created employed this type of functioning and because they require no moving parts are still used today because of the cheap manufacturing process.
Air Pressure: Air pressure espresso makers are hand held and pump highly pressurized air into a chamber to get the result that you want. These only make one cup of coffee at a time however. The commonly known name for this style of coffee machine is Handpresso, created by Nielsen Innovation in 2006. The product hit stores shelves soon after in 2007 and has gained much popularity.
If you are looking to add an espresso coffee maker to your home or business you can see that you have a lot of options. The setting and frequency in which you will be using the coffee maker should be a big factor in your purchase decision. The price range on espresso coffee machines are vast and brand and ability play a huge role in the sticker price. All will give you the same result in the end, great espresso drinks.
About the Author Before buying an Italian espresso maker, it is vital to do some research and testing if possible. Italian espresso machines can vary greatly in price and quality.
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