The Most Successful Professional Espresso Machine Gurus Are Doing Three Things
The Most Successful Professional Espresso Machine Gurus Are Doing Three Things
Blog Article
How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine
For cafes and coffee shops looking to attract customers with passion for barista and espresso skills, this is an excellent choice. It's the official machine used for World Barista Championships and it really shows.
The barista is able to refill the reservoir with water throughout their shift. The machine also comes with steam wands that cool-touch as well as hot water taps for tea.
Water
A commercial espresso machine should be able to create a huge amount of espresso-based drinks in a timely manner. This is why they are usually constructed of stainless steel, which is more durable and resistant to breaks and scratches. Espresso machines are also easier to maintain and clean.
Lastly, a good quality machine will have a separate shut-off valve for the water line to prevent the buildup of limescale. This will ensure any repairs are limited to the affected parts of the machine, and will not interfere with the other operations.
When choosing your water make sure you test it and treat it correctly to get the best results. Remineralize distilled water by adding a few minerals. This can negate it's negative erosive properties and enhance its taste, but it can also damage some machines. Remineralized wate makes the boiler sensor think that the machine is full, even though it isn't. This can lead to overheating and even damage to the machine.
Grinder
The grinder is a crucial part of a successful espresso maker. It is a process that takes a raw, unground bean and turns it into finely ground coffee that can be tamped into the filter basket to produce an excellent extraction.
Commercial-grade professional espresso machines usually include a built-in grinder that can be programmed to grind for various sizes of drinks, which ensures the same results every time. Super-automatic espresso machines take this one step further, automating and programmable the entire process from brewing to dispensing. These types of machines tend to earn high marks in Lab tests due to their hands-free ease of use.
Semi-automatic or manual machines demand more work from the barista, but the results are worth the effort. This model was awarded an 2022 Good Housekeeping Coffee Award for its smart dosing feature that weighs and dispensing the correct amount of ground coffee every time. It also has a low-pressure pre-infusion system to ensure an even extraction, as well as an ice cream wand that excelled in our test for producing rich, thick steaming milk.
Temperature
When it is time to make espresso temperature plays a huge impact on the flavor and quality of your shots. If the water temperature is not at a suitable level, it may cause extraction to be impeded and can even lead to a bitter cup.
Espresso machines of the highest quality come with devices that allow you to maintain the proper temperature of your water. A PID monitors and regulates the temperature of water. Another method is using a double boiler system. You can use one boiler to heat steam and water for tea, while using the second boiler for heating water to brewing temperature.
Carles explains how these systems can make a difference for large corporations as well as baristas who work from home. They make it easier for novices to determine the ideal espresso drink because they are able to maintain an accurate temperature and avoid all the variables that can throw off the flavor profile. It's also easier for baristas who have more experience to dial in their espressos exactly how they prefer.
Pressure
The pressure an espresso machine utilizes can affect the quality of the coffee it produces. Many espresso drinkers notice that their drinks taste different depending on the amount of pressure employed, even when all other factors remain constant.
Most commercial machines use 9 bars of pressure in order to make espresso. These machines also tend to be driven by pumps rather than steam-driven. While higher-pressure machines are readily available but they require a group head that is more complex to handle the increased levels of pressure.
While some espresso machines advertise 15 or 18 bars of pressure on their machines nine bars are usually considered to be the gold standard when it comes to making consistently great espressos. The higher-pressure machines tend to be more affordable and designed for home use.
To put 9 bar of pressure in perspective, it's more than four times the amount of pressure which is emitted by the air in your car tire. The greater pressure a professional espresso maker is able to apply, the better in bringing out the flavor of your favorite coffee beans. Therefore, it's worth investing in a premium machine that can deliver the most effective results.
Barista Skills
A barista must be able to take orders from customers quickly and accurately. This is particularly important during busy times in the coffee shop. Good customer service skills is also essential for building relationships with customers and increasing sales for the shop. This could include recognizing regular customers, working efficiently to resolve problems and being positive and helpful even when faced with difficult situations.
Baristas often need to be adept at multitasking as they are required to take orders as well as operate a cash register, communicate orders with coworkers and respond to phone calls all at once. This skill allows them to keep orders moving quickly to the customer and gives them a pleasant experience in the coffee shop.
It is vital for baristas to be able to prepare different drinks with an espresso machine. This can be mastered by studying the various types of coffee, trying the drinks in person and watching videos online. Baristas often click here prefer to attend classes on the topic, which are offered by many organizations.