Specialty Coffee Industry Blog — Espresso Technician
Understanding Espresso Machine Configurations
Auto-Volumetric Espresso Technician
A “configuration” is the way the machine operates, or the way the barista interacts with the machine to produce espresso. More manual configurations allow baristas closer engagement with brew parameters like pre-infusion and pressure.
What is Pre-Infusion?
Espresso Technician Pre-infusion
Pre-infusion refers to the process of gently soaking the puck of ground coffee in your portafilter before applying the full desired brewing pressure.
How Long Does It Take For An Espresso Machine To Heat Up?
In heat-exchange and multi boiler espresso machines, it generally takes at least 30 minutes for the machine to be fully warmed up so that the boilers, all piping and tubing, and the group head reach a temperature that would produce consistent and excellent espresso.
What is La Marzocco Auto Brew Ratio (ABR)?
ABR Espresso Technician La Marzocco
La Marzocco ABR (Auto Brew Ratio) is a proprietary advancement in espresso machine electronics. Auto Brew Ratio uses precision scales built beneath each group of the machine. The Auto Brew Ratio scales are incorporated into the espresso machine’s electronics system and provide the barista a new level of consistency, by giving control over beverage mass.
Understanding La Marzocco Steam Wand Tips
Espresso Technician Steam Wand Tips
If steaming milk is either happening too slowly or faster than you can control, you may be able to improve the experience by switching the steam tip. The larger holes a steam tip has, the quicker it will steam and froth milk. Steam tips with smaller holes tend to allow for greater user control.