10 Healthy Professional Espresso Machine Habits
How to Build a Professional Espresso Machine
This is a great choice for cafes and coffee shops which want to draw customers who are passionate about barista and espresso. It's an official machine for the World Barista Championships, and it shows.
It comes with a water reservoir so that the barista only has to refill it during their shift. The machine is equipped with a tea hot water tap and steam wands that cool-touch.
Water
A commercial espresso machine has to produce a high volume of espresso based drinks in an efficient manner. That's why they are typically built from stainless steel which is more durable and resistant to scratches and break. These espresso machines are easy to maintain and clean.
A high-quality machine should have a separate shut-off valve to the water pipe to prevent the accumulation of limescale. This will ensure that any repairs are isolated to the affected machine components and won't impact the rest of your operation.
Check your water and ensure it's being treated correctly. Remineralize water that has been distilled by adding a few minerals. It can enhance the taste and reduce its erosive properties, however it could also cause damage to certain machines. This is because the remineralized water will cause the boiler sensor to believe that the machine is fully stocked, but it's not. This can cause overheating and even damage to the machine.
Grinder
The grinder is a crucial component of an espresso machine that works. It grinds a raw bean and transforms it into finely ground coffee that is then placed into the filter basket, resulting in an excellent extraction.
Commercial-grade espresso machines usually come with a built-in grinder that can be programmed to grind various sizes of drinks, which ensures the same results every time. Super-automatic machines go further and automate the entire process, from brewing to grinding and dispensing. These machines are often praised during Lab tests for their ease to use.
A semi-automatic or manual espresso machine requires more involvement from the barista but the quality of the final result is usually worth it. This model was awarded an award known as the Good Housekeeping Coffee Award in 2022 for its intelligent dosing system, which measures and delivers the correct amount of coffee each time. coffeee.uk features an low-pressure pre-infusion system for well-balanced extraction, as well as an milk frother that created rich, thick steamed-milk during our tests.
Temperature
Temperature is a major factor in espresso. If the water temperature is not at its ideal level, it can cause extraction to be impeded and could result in bitter cups.
Fortunately, high-quality espresso machines include tools that allow you to keep your water at the correct temperature. A PID monitors and regulates temperature of water. Another option is making use of a double boiler. This lets you use a single boiler to tea and steam while the second one heats water to the right temperature for brewing.
Carles explains how these systems can be beneficial for both large businesses and baristas working from home. They make it easier for beginners to get the perfect espresso drink because they are able to maintain an exact temperature and eliminate some of the variables that can alter the flavor profile. It also makes it easier for experienced baristas to get their shots exactly the way they want them.
Pressure
The pressure that an espresso machine is using also affects the quality of the coffee it makes. Many espresso drinkers notice that their drinks taste different depending on the amount of pressure they use, even if all other elements remain the same.
In general, most commercial-grade machines use nine bars of pressure to brew espresso. They also tend to be pump-driven instead of steam-driven. Although high-pressure machines are offered, they require a group head that is more sophisticated to handle the increased levels of pressure.
While some espresso machines advertise 15 or 18 bars of pressure in their machines 9 bars are typically considered to be the standard when it comes to making consistently great espressos. The higher-pressure machines tend to be more affordable and are designed for home use.
In comparison, 9 bar of pressure is four times higher than the pressure that is exerted by your car tire. The greater the pressure that a professional espresso machine is able to apply and the more effective it will be at extracting flavor from your favorite coffee beans. It's worth investing in top-quality machines that can produce the highest quality results.
Barista Skills
A barista needs to be able take orders and process them quickly and accurately. 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 can include recognizing regular customers, working efficiently to resolve issues, and being positive and helpful even when faced with difficult situations.
A strong ability to multitask is a must for baristas as they might be required to take orders and operate the cash counter and also communicate orders to their coworkers and take phone calls at the same time. This skill allows them to keep orders moving quickly to the customer and allows them to have an enjoyable time in the coffee shop.
It is essential for a barista to be aware of the various kinds of drinks that can be made by an espresso machine. This can be accomplished by researching the different kinds of coffee, testing them in person, and watching videos on the internet. Many baristas find it beneficial to attend classes offered by various organizations.