Espresso Makers: Developmental History
The introduction of Starbucks and other retail coffee shops has increased the popularity of espresso coffee machines in the past few years. Many of us seek a way to create those wonderfully drinkable Italian creations without the need for a barista.
The espresso coffee machine was first invented in 1901 and since then there have been many versions to hit the market. Common mechanisms on an espresso maker include the portafilter which use a metal basket to hold the coffee grounds and a steam wand which can be used to froth and steam milk for drinks when needed.
There are several variations of the espresso coffee machine as discussed below. Each have their own pros and cons and the usage is dependent upon what each person prefers.
Piston: Achille Gaggia, the founder of the manufacturer Gaggia, created the piston driven espresso coffee maker in 1945. This type of machine is easy to use by way of a lever being pumped by the user to force hot water through the grounds. The term “pulling a shot” derived from the usage of this coffee maker since it requires pulling the lever multiple times to get the outcome that you want. There are two main types of the piston style machine, manual and spring driven. Manual requires the user to push the hot water through the grounds by simply pulling on the lever while spring driven requires the user to tension a spring which in turn builds the pressure needed to make the drink.
Pump: The pump style espresso maker works by way of a motorized pump that builds the energy needed to brew the drink for you. These are the most common style of machine found in coffee shops. Commercial grade pump machines attach directly to the plumbing in a building while cheaper home versions come with a built in hold reservoir. Commercial level espresso coffee machines are generally much quicker at fully creating the drinks then the home use versions.
Steam: A steam espresso machine is pretty straight forward in the way it works. Steam pressure is used to push the water through the grounds. This style of coffee machine was the mechanism used on the first ones created. The system works well too because this type is still used today. They are cheap to produce and require no moving parts making them ideal to market in the industry.
Air Pressure: Air pressure espresso makers are more commonly known as Handpresso makers. This name comes from the creater, Nielsen Innovation, who invented the product in 2006. It met fame in 2007 when it was first introduced in stores.
If you are looking to add an espresso 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 machine should be a big factor in your purchase decision. The price range on espresso 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.