Espresso Coffee Maker

Espress yourself…

Often known as "pulling" a shot, making an espresso is widely considered an art form, much like that of artisan baking - it's no mistake the two go hand in hand - and a professional or trained operator of an espresso coffee maker is known as a barista.

Pulling the shot

The term itself derives simply from the act of pulling the lever found on most espresso coffee makers. The metal filter basket is filled with either one shot (7-10 grams of coffee) or a double shot (12-18 grams). The espresso coffee is then compressed with about 30 lbs of force to create a tightly packed wad. The temperature, as well as the pressure of the water, must be precise in order to avoid an overly bitter or sour taste. Quality espresso coffee makers have temperature control systems that maintain the heat of the water.

The result

Ultimately, this careful, 20 to 25 second process yields a thick, syrupy form of coffee. Many people prefer to maintain the temperature of the espresso by having it poured directly into a preheated shot glass. Many people doctor their espresso in much the same way as you would a typical cup of coffee - with cream and sugar - but some prefer to take it straight up. One variation on the espresso is the "Americano" which is simply half espresso and half hot water.

Types of espresso coffee makers:

Steam espresso coffee maker - just like it sounds, this type of espresso coffee maker operates solely on steam pressure. It is much like the stovetop espresso coffee maker.

Piston-driven espresso coffee maker - this is the archetype of the contemporary espresso coffee maker. Most are used merely as showpieces today because of the difficulty of operation.

Pump-driven espresso coffee maker - this is by far the most popular design used in coffee bars today. The motor-driven pump eliminates the use of physical force in the process.

Automatic espresso coffee maker - these espresso coffee makers are programmed to allow a specific amount of water to flow through, after which the pump is turned off automatically and the brew pressure is released through a valve.

More information on espresso machines