Five Professional Espresso Machine Lessons From The Pros
Five Professional Espresso Machine Lessons From The Pros
Blog Article
How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine
This is a great option for cafes and coffee shops who want to attract customers who are passionate about espresso and barista abilities. It's the official barista machine for World Barista Championships and it really shows.
The barista can refill the reservoir of water throughout their shift. The machine has hot water for tea and cool-touch steam wands.
Water
A commercial espresso machine should be able to produce large quantities of espresso-based drinks with efficiency. That's why these machines are generally constructed from stainless steel, which is more robust and resistant to breakage and scratches. Stainless steel espresso machines also make it easier to keep clean and maintained.
Additionally, a top quality machine will have a separate shut off valve for the water line in order to prevent the formation of limescale. This will ensure that any repairs are made to the affected parts of the machine and won't affect the rest of your operation.
When selecting your water make sure you test it and treat it properly to get the best results. For example the distilled water can be restored by adding a tiny amount of minerals back into it. This can reduce its anti-erosive properties as well as improve its flavor, but it can also damage some machines. This is because the remineralized fluid will cause the boiler sensor to believe that the machine is full when it is not. This can cause the machine to overheat and cause damaged.
Grinder
The grinder is a crucial component of a successful espresso maker. It is used to take a raw, unground bean and turns it into finely ground coffee that can be properly placed into the filter basket to produce an excellent extraction.
Commercial-grade professional machines include a grinder that can be programmed to accommodate different sizes of drinks. This ensures consistency in results each time. Super-automatic espresso machines take this one step further by automating and programming the entire process from brewing to dispensing. These kinds of machines are able to score high scores in Lab tests due to their hands-off simplicity of use.
A manual or semi-automatic espresso machine requires more involvement from the barista, however the quality of the end result is often worth the effort. This model won the Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its intelligent dosing mechanism that measures and dispensing the correct amount of coffee every time. It also comes with a low-pressure pre-infusion system that allows for balanced extraction and the milk frothing wand, which performed well in our tests for producing rich, thick steamed milk.
Temperature
When it is about espresso temperature, it plays a significant influence on the taste and quality of your espresso. If the water temperature is not at the right level, it can cause extraction to be hindered and may even result in bitter cups.
High-quality espresso machines come with tools that help you maintain the right temperature of your water. A PID monitors and regulates the temperature of water. Double boiler systems are a second method to do this. One boiler can be used to heat water and steam for tea, while using the other to heat water to brewing temperature.
Carles explains how these systems can be beneficial for large corporations as well as baristas who work from home. They can make it much easier for beginners to determine the ideal espresso since they can keep an accurate temperature and avoid all the factors that can alter the flavor profile. It helps experienced baristas to get their shots exactly the way they would like them.
Pressure
The pressure an espresso maker uses is another factor that influences the quality of the coffee it produces. Many espresso drinkers have noticed that their drinks have a distinct taste differently based on the pressure used, despite the fact that other factors remain constant.
In general, most commercial-grade machines utilize nine bars of pressure to brew espresso. These machines are also likely to be pump-driven rather than steam-driven. While higher-pressure machines exist but they usually require a here more complicated group head design to take on the higher pressures.
While you may see some espresso machines that advertise 15 or even 18 bars of pressure, nine bars are generally considered the gold standard for consistently great brews. These machines that are higher pressure tend to be cheaper and designed for home use.
In comparison, 9 bars of pressure is four times greater than the pressure applied by your car tire. The greater pressure an espresso maker that is professional can apply, then the better it is in bringing out the flavor of your favorite coffee beans. For this reason, it's worth investing in a high-end machine that will deliver the best possible results.
Barista Skills
Baristas must be able to accept orders from customers quickly and efficiently. This is particularly important during busy times in the coffee shop. Excellent customer service skills are also important for building relationships with customers as well as increasing the sales of the coffee shop. This could include recognizing regular customers, working effectively to resolve issues, and being positive and helpful even in difficult situations.
Baristas often need to be capable of multitasking, as they must take orders and operate a cash register and share orders with colleagues, and answer telephone calls all at once. This skill allows the customer to enjoy a pleasant coffee shop experience by ensuring that orders get delivered quickly.
It is essential for baristas to be knowledgeable about the different styles of drinks that can be made by an espresso machine. You can get acquainted with the various kinds of espresso by studying about them, experimenting with them in person, and watching online videos. Baristas often find it beneficial to attend classes on the topic, which are provided by several organizations.