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.

All the way back in 1901 the world was introduced to the first espresso coffee machine. Through the years several models have come and went. Common to almost all models, however, is the portafilter system. The portafilter is a small wire basket that holds the coffee grounds you are using. Also popularly found on espresso machines are steam wands which are used to steam milk and then froth it for specific coffee beverages.

There are several variations of the espresso maker as discussed below. Each have their own pros and cons and the usage is dependent upon what each person prefers.

Piston: The famous espresso maker manufacturer Gaggia has roots in the creation of the piston driven coffee maker. Founder Achille Gaggia invented his creation in Italy in 1945. His maker is easy to use and employs a lever mechanism to force hot tap water through the coffee grounds. This coffee machine is the basis of the popular term “pulling a shot” because of the repeated pulling action of the handle that is required. The piston driven espresso maker comes in two main forms, the manual and the spring driven version. A manual espresso coffee machine simply requires the hot water to be forced through the grounds by means of pulling the lever. The spring driven alternative requires tension to be put on a spring which builds the proper pressure that is needed.

Pump: The pump style espresso coffee 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: Steam driven machines work just the way the sound. Water is forced through the coffee using steam pressure. The very first espresso coffee makers were steam powered and is still used today in low end coffee makers used in homes. They are still used because of the cheap manufacturing cost and lack of need for moving parts.

Air Pressure: Air pressure espresso coffee machines are hand held and pump highly pressurized air into a chamber to get the result that you want. These only make one cup of coffee at a time however. The commonly known name for this style of coffee maker is Handpresso, created by Nielsen Innovation in 2006. The product hit stores shelves soon after in 2007 and has gained much popularity.

As you can see, when shopping for espresso coffee makers, you have many options to choose from. What you choose is mainly based on the application for which you will be using the product since some types work better in a business setting and others are targeted for home use. Prices vary greatly for each type and are dependent upon the brand and other factors. All create a great tasting cup of coffee though.