Modern man has long been adapted to the world of smart gadgets. Probably for this reason, more and more people prefer technical innovations when arranging their everyday life. That is why the task of technical equipment of the kitchen is considered by many to be extremely urgent today. In its interior, one of the central places is deservedly occupied by a coffee maker.

Currently, it is not difficult to buy a coffee maker: in stores, their assortment is very diverse both in terms of model range and price.

However, despite the richness of the assortment of coffee makers, it is often rather difficult to choose a model that would suit you in all respects. In order not to subsequently have to be disappointed, before buying an attractive gadget, you should understand the types and models of coffee makers and find out how an espresso coffee maker differs, for example, from a geyser, and what kind of coffee you can make by purchasing a certain model.

Features of the models

The variety of types and models of coffee makers characteristic of today is due to the fact that, on the one hand, they differ significantly from each other in terms of the technological solution that ensures the extraction of coffee, and, secondly, in the breadth of their inherent functional set.

Among the main types of coffee makers are traditionally distinguished:

• plunger;
• geyser;
• drip;
• espresso.

An espresso coffee maker, or a compression coffee maker, is in high demand today, which is explained by a number of its advantages. They are due to a successful technologically verified solution: in it, aromatic coffee is obtained by heating water by increasing the pressure and then passing it through the ground coffee. Interestingly, when water passes through coffee, it is super-intensively saturated with the coffee substance. According to this indicator, the espresso coffee maker surpasses other types of similar devices by an average of 7-10%. For this reason, coffee made in an espresso machine is distinguished by its incomparable aroma, exquisite taste and delicious crema.

Espresso coffee makers are divided into 2 types:

• steam rooms, in which steam injection during boiling water provides the required pressure;
• pump pumps, in which the required pressure is provided by a special pump.

Depending on the coffee brewing method used in the coffee machine, espresso coffee makers are usually divided into such varieties as:

• carob;
• combined;
• automatic.

Rozhkovy coffee maker differs in that to prepare it for work, it is necessary to pour the calculated amount of coffee into a special horn. Next, you need to tamp the poured coffee. At this stage, high-quality manual work is required, since the coffee in this case needs a tamp of medium density, and not a weak or super dense one. It should be remembered that the degree of tamping of the coffee directly affects the taste of the prepared beverage. The combined coffee maker is good, first of all, because it allows you to prepare coffee either by means of a drip method or by means of an espresso. These kinds of coffee makers for the home are often chosen by coffee gourmets who are always ready to spend extra time to prepare their favorite drink.

Insofar as combination coffee maker combines two different devices, each of them requires special care. In addition, the preparation of coffee also requires additional effort: for a drip device, one coffee grind is needed, and for an espresso, a completely different one. At the same time, it should be noted that the time spent on preparatory and maintenance work is fully paid off by the result obtained: in a combined coffee maker, if you have certain skills, it is quite possible to prepare exactly the drink that gives you true pleasure.

Automatic coffee maker- this is a home lifesaver in almost all situations. The model for brewing espresso, operating in automatic mode, does all the operations independently: the coffee beans are ground, the required number of portions is formed, the coffee is brewed, unnecessary residues are discharged into a special container, and, if necessary, the entire device is rinsed. It takes no more than 40 minutes to prepare 1 cup of a drink, which is an indicator of a coffee machine that is far from an express type.

Advantages and disadvantages

Many people think that the automatic espresso machine has undeniable advantages over combined gadgets and espresso machines. Indeed, among the obvious advantages of automatic espresso coffee makers, users usually include:

• an impressive set of various functions;
• quality characteristics of the resulting coffee;
• ease of use.

Among the functions characteristic of espresso coffee makers, the most popular are the adjustment of the number of cups to be prepared in 1 cycle of operation, the function of selecting the coffee strength, changing the grinding mode of coffee beans, adjusting the brewing mode taking into account the hardness of the water used, rinsing the pipes supplying to device water.

The high quality of the drink prepared in the espresso machine is ensured by the fact that the coffee is ground immediately before the drink is consumed, as a result of which caffeine and all essential oils are fully preserved in it.

As a result, the prepared drink preserves the richness of the unique bouquet of aromas for a long time.

The ease of use characteristic of automatic espresso coffee makers is a consequence of the fact that at all stages the coffee preparation process is carried out in a fully automated mode, which eliminates the need for tireless control or intervention by humans. In addition, operating the device does not require the development of any special skills. However, it must be admitted that in the presence of obvious advantages, automatic espresso coffee makers also have some disadvantages. Among their disadvantages, the most often noted is the manufacturer's requirement to regularly carry out preventive cleaning with means specially designed for this type of operation, as well as a rather high cost.

The most reliable and high-quality models should be chosen, taking into account not only the ratings of manufacturers and their products, but also the advice of practicing masters and experienced coffee lovers. Based on the "price-quality" ratio when comparing the models under consideration, one should pay attention to such specific functions as the presence of a multi-stage adjustment of the strength of the drink in the device, the possibility of changing the temperature regimes of the brewed coffee and the number of espresso cups per 1 grind, and also take into account the characteristics of the model, related to its dimensions - standard in size, mini or ultra-compact.

Principle of operation

The pump-operated espresso coffee maker is a rather complex technical device equipped with an electromagnetic pump and a thermoblock. The pump operates in a predetermined mode, providing an increase in pressure up to the parameters specified by the manufacturer. Coffee in such a coffee maker is prepared at the optimum temperature, so both nutrients and flavors are retained in the drink. It is not difficult to learn how to use the pump model: it has a built-in coffee grinder and an automatic cleaning system, which greatly facilitates both the operation of the device and its care.

In an automatic coffee maker, you can usually brew not only espresso, but also other coffee drinks: cappuccino, latte, mocha.

If you are a lover of cappuccino, then you should pay attention to the presence in the model of special nozzles for cappuccino coffee and steam pipes. The espresso machine allows you to prepare a cappuccino with excellent milk froth. For the lover of mocha coffee, the espresso coffee maker will be an indispensable assistant in the preparation of a classic mocha, which includes espresso, hot chocolate, hot milk and milk froth.

How to choose: model reviews

Among the espresso models, pump models are considered more modern, but it should be borne in mind that they can differ significantly from each other. When buying a pump-action coffee maker, experts often advise paying special attention to characteristics such as

• the material from which the horn is made (taking care of the quality of coffee, you need to choose not a plastic, but a metal horn);
• the presence of valves that provide pressure relief (this guarantees the safety of the user during work);
• the presence of an automatic shutdown function in case of overheating;
• the presence of the function of automatic cleaning of the coffee maker.

Since there are quite a lot of espresso coffee makers on the modern market, only those who have the necessary information can decide which one is the best. If you want to make the right choice in terms of technology, you need to study the characteristics of specific coffee makers and find out what the rating in the top lists is for the models you like. At the same time, one should not forget that the quality of coffee makers, like other products, largely depends on the manufacturer. For example, Italian products are distinguished by their amazing multifunctionality, while German products are of the highest quality, which is manifested even in the smallest details.

In the morning ... But there are also coffee lovers who not only serve the whole day in the morning, and they are so used to their favorite drink that they cannot. For them, they came up with portable coffee makers, with which you can easily use it anytime, anywhere. Watching today's top!

1

This coffee maker got the first place, firstly, for its novelty (it went on sale only in May), and secondly, for its unique concept "all-in-one". It does not need to be charged, it has no power supply, no USB or electronic components. It looks like a thermos cup, and the "filling" allows you to prepare aromatic fresh coffee anywhere: just pour the beans into the mill, brew boiling water through a filter, then remove this filter - and you have a cup of invigorating drink in your hands.

2

The pioneer of portable coffee makers (was released back in 2009), the invention of the Mypressi company looks quite conceptual: a "ball with a handle" and legs, thanks to which the coffee maker's bowl is tilted. The dimensions of the "Twist" are scanty, but both the cartridge and the pneumatic mechanism are placed inside. One cartridge is designed for 8 cups of aromatic espresso.

3

A significant plus of this coffee maker, which outwardly resembles a tourist thermo mug, is the ability to independently adjust the temperature of the drink using a special wheel. By the way, you can drink coffee right away, without waiting 15-20 minutes - for the eternal "rush"! And in addition, the mug is designed so that no coffee spills out of it. Continuous benefits!

4

Finally, we move on to the undisputed market leader in portable coffee makers, HandPresso. The first model we presented is a coffee maker for motorists. It is powered by a cigarette lighter, and the espresso preparation time in it is only 2 minutes!

5

A pocket coffee maker with hand pump, the first in its class. It uses only poured coffee (according to the ESE standard). Convenient, compact, functional - just a classic of the genre!

6

Do you prefer ground coffee instead of pills? The Handpresso company has a device for this case too - meet the Handpresso Wild Domepod. Coffee is poured here and rammed into the filter and the taste of the finished drink, of course, differs from espresso from, say, the previous model.

7

A hand-held portable coffee maker that is pressurized according to the principle of a pump, which means that it does not need batteries or the mains. It works on both coffee pills and ground coffee. The result is an excellent espresso with a persistent foam.

8

The anodized aluminum alloy body allowed Alocs to launch a very lightweight yet durable model. The fine filter retains the original mild coffee taste.

9

It was created specifically in case there is no coffee machine or even an electric kettle at hand. Lunar has created a device that makes espresso right in the microwave! Outwardly, this is the custom of a mug with a small superstructure. So far Piamo is only a concept, but there would be an idea ...

10

Released by Delta Cafes, it is fundamentally different in appearance from other portable coffee makers, more like a portable toaster with a handle than a thermos. The novelty did not gain wide popularity, not even because of its massiveness - 3.5 kg, but because it worked only on tablets from the same company. Do not do like this.
So, dear coffee lovers, now your favorite drink is always with you!

Espresso is perhaps the most popular beverage made from coffee beans. His homeland is Italy. The word "espresso" means "quick (cooked)". To appreciate the fullness of aroma and taste, espresso must be drunk immediately after preparation.

Espresso machines: 100 years of triumph

When preparing, certain conditions must be met: a standard portion of 30 ml must be prepared in 25-30 seconds, at a pressure of 9 atm and a temperature not higher than 92 degrees Celsius. Only in this case the coffee does not lose its valuable taste, and only then can it be called espresso. What distinguishes espresso from other coffee drinks is its characteristic caramel-brown froth that covers the entire surface of the cup. Espresso has a rich taste and does not contain harmful coffee oils. For a standard 30 ml beverage, you need about 6.5 grams of coffee powder. Some gourmets prefer softer or stronger espresso, so the amount of coffee powder can vary from 5 to 11 grams. In order to make a quality espresso, you need a special coffee maker. The usual one is simply not designed for this.

Of course, the quality of the coffee beans, as well as the degree and freshness of its grinding, affects the taste of the drink. The coffee must be ground just before preparation. The ideal grind for espresso should be “coarse”, meaning it should be grains, and uniform. A millstone coffee grinder will help to obtain such a grinding, since it is almost impossible to achieve grinding uniformity with a knife.

What are coffee makers for? They help to significantly simplify the process of making coffee, in addition, they save time, and most importantly, they allow you to prepare drinks that cannot be brewed by hand - espresso and cappuccino.

How to choose a coffee maker? This question causes troubles for many. For people with no experience in machine-made coffee making the right choice is a serious problem. In fact, there is nothing complicated here: you just need to know how coffee makers differ from each other, and what indicators affect their cost. But before we conduct a "comparative analysis", let's make a small excursion into history

For many years, until the beginning of the 19th century, mankind was content with only one, classic, way of making coffee, which came from the ancient Arabs. Water, along with crushed coffee beans, was poured into a Turk (cezve), which was buried in hot sand. When the liquid boiled, the Turk was quickly taken out. The Turk was a metal, usually copper, vessel with a narrower neck and a thickened bottom. Therefore, when the liquid boiled, a cork of coffee powder formed in the upper part of the Turks, due to which the aromatic substances did not leave the prepared drink. This method is still used today, but instead of the hot sand of the Arabian desert, they use a "sand bath" - a box with sand and an electric spiral inside.

A device that allows you to prepare coffee in a way different from the classic one was designed by Parisian Jean Baptiste de Belloy in 1800. This was the first filtration (or drip) coffee maker. It consisted of a vessel for water and a vessel for the finished drink, between which there was a cloth filter with ground coffee beans. Water, heating up in the first vessel, passed through the ground coffee and accumulated in the second in the form of a finished drink. However, in the process of slowly, drop by drop, seeping through the filter, the water cooled down, so the vessel with the finished coffee also had to be heated. In 1819, the design was improved: two containers were placed one above the other, and a filter with coffee powder was placed between them. Water was poured into the lower container, after which the coffee maker was put on the fire. When the water was heated, the device was turned over and the water flowed down through the filter. In 1908, cloth filters were replaced with paper filters.

In 1827, the first geyser (or percolation) coffee maker was designed by the Frenchman Jacques Augustin Gande. It consisted of a vessel for water, which at the same time served as a receiver for the finished drink, a container with coffee powder and a tube connecting these vessels. Boiling, the water displaced by the steam rose through the tube and, passing through the layer of crushed coffee beans, returned back to the original container. Then the cycle was repeated. It should be noted that the temperature of the water during the preparation process reached 100 degrees Celsius - as a result, the coffee lost its aroma.

In the 30s of the XIX century, a vacuum coffee maker appeared in Europe. This device consisted of two vessels located one above the other and connected to each other: coffee was poured into the upper one, and cold water was poured into the lower one. The lower vessel was heated over a fire, and the water, turning into steam, rose into the upper one, with coffee powder. Then the heating was stopped, and, due to the pressure drops, the brewed drink was "drawn" back into the lower vessel. Vacuum coffee makers are not used these days.

In 1901, thanks to the efforts of Luigi Bezzer, a device appeared, consisting of a boiler and a mechanism, in which there was a filter with coffee powder. Water, boiling in the boiler and turning into steam, passed through this filter, settling in the cup in the form of a ready-made drink. 1901 can be considered the year of birth of the espresso coffee maker. Until 1961, the design was constantly changing and improving, until it acquired this form: with the help of an electric pump, cold water is pumped through a special tube through a boiler with hot water, in which it heats up to an optimal temperature of 88-92 degrees Celsius, and then enters the filter with ground coffee. Thanks to such a device of the coffee maker, the drink retained the entire gamut of aroma without loss.

Espresso coffee makers (they are also called holder or carob) continue their evolutionary path today: modern devices are the most complex designs that, in addition to the espresso itself, are able to prepare other drinks based on it, provide boiling water for tea, and froth milk for making cappuccino. The principle of their operation remains the same: cold water passes through the pipe system through the water heated in the boiler. Heated in it, it passes under pressure through the ground and lightly compressed coffee powder, falling into the cup in the form of a finished drink.

Holder coffee makers are usually divided into manual, semi-automatic and automatic. In manual coffee makers (they are called levers, from the English "lever" - lever), the pressure of water on the coffee powder in the holder is created manually, using a lever that actuates a spring mechanism with a piston. In automatic and semi-automatic devices, the water passing through the holder is controlled by automation; - you only press buttons. In semi-automatic models, the spill button is pressed twice: the first time to start the beverage preparation process, and the second time when the cup is full. In automatic models, the button is pressed once, and the amount of water to be poured is programmed in advance. That is, press the button and as much coffee is poured as needed. Some automatic coffee makers can keep track of the amount of coffee dispensed by storing the data in an electronic memory. Many modern models are structurally adapted to filling two cups at once from one dispensing unit. And this knot in some models is adjustable in height, which makes it possible to use cups of different heights.

An important point to pay attention to is the material of the horn. According to gourmets, the plastic cone gives the drink a sour taste, so it is wiser to choose a metal one.

After each cup of espresso prepared, the holder should be cleaned and refilled using the supplied measuring spoon. Cartridge coffee makers are also equipped with special pushers for tamping coffee powder in the horn. The density of the coffee mass is an important indicator. The taste and quality of the prepared espresso depend on the skill of tamping coffee powder into the holder.

Espresso machines can be structurally different. Cup panel, cappuccino maker, insert into the cone under the pods - these options, depending on the model, may be present or absent. The body of the coffee maker can be plastic or metal. Heating of cups can be passive, from the heat of the boiler, or active - electric or steam. The cappuccinatore can be built-in automatic or manual (special attachment for the steam tap).

Combined coffee makers (espresso harvesters) combine a coffee grinder and a coffee maker in one housing. These are essentially two devices in one: coffee beans are poured into a coffee grinder and ground, and the finished powder is poured into a horn installed directly in the coffee grinder. After filling, the horn is taken out, the coffee powder is tamped by hand and transferred to the coffee maker.

As already mentioned above, the coffee grinder must necessarily be a millstone. In some models of coffee makers, coffee grinders have ceramic burrs - this increases their service life and reduces noise during operation.

Modern espresso harvesters allow you to prepare several portions of espresso at the same time. In some models, portions are prepared at the same time, that is, the integrated coffee grinder grinds the beans into two portions at once, in others in turn: the first portion of coffee is brewed, while the grinder grinds the second.

What and how much?

Many companies are engaged in the production of carob coffee makers: Bosh, Siemens, AEG, and of course Saeco. The cost of such devices, depending on functionality, can vary from 4-5 thousand rubles to 30-40 thousand rubles.

Lever coffee makers were common in the 60s - 70s of the XX century. Nowadays this "noble antiquity" is not often met. And, frankly speaking, they are not cheap. So, the lever Gaggia Achille coffee maker, measuring 20 × 56 × 31.5 cm, weighing 9 kg, with a 0.8 liter water tank and a Pannarello nozzle for making cappuccino, will cost about 20 thousand rubles. And the Micro Casa A Leva S1C model, and even more expensive, at 25-30 thousand rubles. It should be especially noted that coffee makers are not just coffee makers, but works of art are full participants in the coffee ceremony.

With semi-automatic and automatic coffee makers, things are easier. Many manufacturers of household appliances are engaged in their production, as mentioned above. Consider a couple of "popular" models in different price categories.

The Saeco Giro Odea coffee maker can be purchased for 22 thousand rubles. This is a device with dimensions of 29 × 38.5 × 37 cm, weighing 8.5 kg, with a 1.5 l water tank, with the possibility of simultaneous preparation of 2 cups of coffee, with a built-in burr coffee grinder, a container for ground coffee 180 d and a cup holder. Features of the model: ceramic millstones of the built-in coffee grinder, the ability to adjust the height of the dispensing unit, which allows you to use cups of different heights; the presence of a "fast steam" system, which in a matter of seconds switches the boiler to the steam dispensing mode.

The DeLonghi EC 750 I coffee maker can be purchased for 10-12 thousand rubles. This is a 1.1 kW device, weighing 6.3 kg. Features: coffee and steam thermostat, milk tank, removable drip tray, automatic start function.

A Krups XP4000 coffee maker with an aluminum thermoblock, a power of 1200 watts, can be purchased for only 6 thousand rubles. The coffee maker is equipped with a panel for warming cups, a cappuccinatore, a holder with three replaceable filters (for one and two cups, and for ESE portioned coffee), a removable 1.2 l water tank and a drip tray.

The history of espresso coffee is the history of improving the coffee machine outstanding single inventors, world famous and small companies. Bezzera, La Cimbali, Rancilio, Faema, Saeco, Jura, DeLonghi and many others have written their pages in the history of espresso. Espresso has taken 113 years to reach space since Luigi Bezzer's invention of the espresso machine. So...

1901 LuigiBezzera(Luiggi Bezzera) patented a new waymaking coffee using a combination of water and steam. Bezzerait was necessary to shorten the time for workers' coffee breaks. For this, he and. It is no coincidence that the name given to the coffee made by the machine is espresso from the Italian "urgent, fast"

1905 (1903?) Desiderio Pavoni bought Bezzer's patent. He began experimenting with the temperature and pressure of water and steam when making coffee. A pressure of 8-9 bar gave the best result.Pavoni became the first manufacturer of espresso machines that could be used in cafes.

1906 The first is shown at the International Exhibition in Milan.

1912 La Cimbali is founded, which manufactures high-end espresso machines.

1922 The year the espresso coffee machine business began to expand.

1927 The emergence of espresso in the United States. The Royal Café of New York (NYC's Regio's Bar) has acquired a La Pavoni car. The two-group machines installed then can be seen to this day.

1927 Roberto built his first La Regina coffee machine, which did not fundamentally differ from the La Pavoni coffee machines, but its advantage was the elegant Belle Epoque design, which was to the taste of the restaurateurs of the time.
1932 La San Marco pioneered the Deco style of espresso machines with the La San Marco 900. Each manufacturing company considered it its duty to follow this style. The style lasted until the 50s.

1936 Founding of the Simonelli company, which later began to produce medium to high capacity espresso machines.

1937 The Swiss company JURA Elektroapparate AG is founded.

1938 M. Cremonesi develops a piston pump that delivers hot, but not boiling, water to coffee powder under pressure. The piston pump completely solved the problem of the burnt coffee taste typical for Pavoni machines.

1946 Faema is founded by Ernesto Valente.

1947 First modern espresso machine a: Giovanni Achilli Hajia Ave Presents "Gaggia Crema Caffe machine". It was the first machine that supplied water to coffee in a metered dose and at a pressure of 8 bpap and above, was easy to operate and had a low cost for commercial use.

1948 Gaggia is incorporated.
1949 Giovanni Gaggia (Gaggia)begins to produce coffee machines under its own brand. The Classica, a bar machine, enters the market. Real espresso as we know it is starting to spread widely around the world.

1950s. Piston espresso machines with two controlled springs and controlled pressure flooded the market.

1956 (circa) "Gaggia Gilda", a home-use, double-arm, single-group piston machine, is developed.

1958 La Marzocco Crema Espress is released, a single lever espresso machine.

1961 Faemareleases a revolutionary car,. All the achievements of engineering in the field of espresso preparation are concentrated in the machine. The machine had a heat exchanger, electricrotary pump and internally heated brew group. also inThe "Elektra Micro Casa a Leva" and "La Pavoni Europiccola" espresso machines for home use are launched.

1966 Alfred Peet opens Peet's Café, the first café in Berkeley, California, which became the inspiration for the founders of Starbucks.

1974 Pavoniintroduces the concepts of "constant steam" and "coffee maker". The "La Pavoni Professional Lever" espresso machine for home use is launched on the market.

1981 ANDtalianSergio Zappella and Swiss engineer Arthur Schmed set up Saeco S.r.l.

1982 Foundation of SCAA, original name of the organization "Specialty Coffee Advisory Board" or "SCAB". Soon they changed their name to a more euphonic one.

1983 Beginsthe Starbucks era... Its founder Howard Schultz traveled to Italy and became interested in the espresso culture. The Italian espresso standard goes global.

1985 Saeco introduces the first fully automatic espresso machine, the Superautomica, for home use.

1985 Starbucksinstalled their first espresso machine in a store in Seattle.

1989 Acorto created the first fully functional and commercially viable automatic espresso machine. It had such innovative features at the time as an integrated milk cooling system and frothing.

1990 De Longhi launched the first series of Bar coffee machines (the De "Longhi brand itself appeared in 1975, when Giuzeppe De'Longhi created his first oil heater and depicted his name on it). Offered the" Rocky Burr Grinder "- a coffee grinder that blurred the lines between commercial and home appliances.In 1990, Jeff Kennedy and Italian Andrew Meo partnered with the Espresso Company Milano (ECM). The ECM Rocket E61 enters the market - a breakthrough in the segment of carob espresso coffee makers for home use.

1996 A cappuccino maker appears in coffee machines - a device for automatically frothing milk.

1999 Saeco International Group acquired control of the Italian company Gaggia S.p.A.

2001 JURA launched the IMPRESSA F90, the world's first internet-enabled consumer coffee machine.

2007 The company appears, which has received all the rights to produce cars under the Rocket brand.

2009 Saeco was acquired by Philips.

2014 Philips | Saeco launches into the market Saeco GranBaristo Avanti HD8969 1sta coffee machine that can be controlled from a tablet computer.

The first coffee machine in space: 24.11.14 arrived at the International Space Station coffee machine.

Based on materials from http://coffeeclub.ru, http://evolutsia.com, http://irvispress.ru, news agencies,companies' own websites

Allowing the coffee lover to make good espresso coffee literally wherever hot water is available - what could sound more appealing? It seems that this is how the creators of the portable coffee maker reasoned, for the operation of which only ground coffee and hot water are required (the pressure in the device is created using a mechanical pump button).

Frankly, we also fell under the charm of this simple gadget and happily jumped at the opportunity to test it with our own hands: we had a noname device at our disposal, which can be found on various trading platforms under different brands. Our copy did not have any identification marks such as a logo or model number at all.

Specifications

Equipment

The coffee maker is delivered in a regular blue cardboard box, without any identification marks. To protect the box from possible damage that it may receive during the postage process, the parcel is additionally packed in a regular corrugated cardboard box.

Opening the box, inside we found:

• the coffee maker itself;
• measuring spoon-tempera;
• rubber anti-slip ring nozzles;
• storage bag made of synthetic fabric;
• instruction manual.

At first sight

Visually, the coffee maker gives the impression of a high-quality made and not so cheap appliance. We tried to put ourselves in the place of the buyer, who first opened the box with the package, and listened to our feelings. The feeling turned out to be positive: the device looks solid and does not raise questions like: "Have I bought some nonsense again?"

The main material from which the coffee maker is made is matte plastic. The elements that will most often come into contact with the hands have a soft-touch coating, which is not only pleasant to the touch, but also prevents slipping. Let's take a closer look at each of the available elements.

The main part of the coffee maker is a central unit with a pressure button. There is a rough grip area on the back of the compartment. The button has a soft-touch coating and can be locked by turning it clockwise while pressed. Thanks to this, the device takes up less space during transportation, and it will be much more difficult to accidentally break the protruding button. The label on the button explains the rules for blocking and unblocking.

The pump button is equipped with a spring that returns it to its original position. It is pressed with a tangible, but not excessive effort.

From above (if we consider the coffee maker in working mode), a hot water tank is attached to the main unit, which is a plastic cup with a rough soft-touch coating in the grip area. The bowl is fastened to the central block by means of a threaded connection, by turning it a few degrees clockwise. A rubber gasket can be seen at the junction with the central unit to prevent leaks. There is a Max mark on the inside of the glass, allowing you to measure the required amount of water (80 ml).

From below, a container for ground coffee and a nozzle spout are sequentially attached to the coffee maker. The coffee hopper repeats the functionality of a conventional filter in a carob coffee maker. The only difference is that the main material is plastic, and only the filter part with holes is made of metal.

The spout is also equipped with a metal filter and is screwed to the center unit. During the installation of the nozzle, the filter is automatically clamped between the central unit and the nozzle, additionally pressing the coffee, and rubber gaskets ensure a tight connection.

It is worth noting that the gaskets of the coffee maker are non-removable, which means you don't have to worry about getting lost. On the other hand, the question of replacing them in case of wear remains open.

Finally, the last element of the coffee maker is the coffee glass. It looks exactly like a hot water tank: a plastic glass with a soft-touch coating in the grip area. However, unlike a reservoir, the glass simply "snaps" to the coffee maker: no tightness is required here, and therefore, a threaded connection is not needed. It sounds logical, but in practice, the user will have to spend some time to remember which side to "push" and from which side to "twist".

The scope of delivery also includes a plastic measuring cup for ground coffee, which also serves as a tempera. When the coffee maker is not in use, it is stored inside the coffee glass. To store the coffee maker itself, you can use a special bag with self-tightening ties, which resembles tourist bags for tents and equipment in its appearance and synthetic material.

The hot pink rubber rings, which can be worn over the gripping areas of the glass and water tank, serve multiple functions. Firstly, they provide additional grip between the hands and the elements of the coffee maker. Secondly, they make the appliance look more "cheerful". Thirdly, they make the coffee maker more visible, and therefore, it will be more difficult to accidentally forget or lose it, for example, in the forest.

Having twisted the coffee maker in our hands and assembled and disassembled it a couple of times, we were satisfied: all the necessary manipulations turned out to be intuitive, the device is assembled and disassembled easily, nothing loosens and does not jam.

Instructions

The coffee maker manual is a small brochure printed in three colors (black, blue, red) on thin glossy paper. In total, there are five main European languages ​​(including English), each of which accounts for five pages. The Russian language, of course, was not found.

Obviously, the developers did not want to bore the user with a long and tedious description, so the main part of the instruction consists of an illustrated "comic" - fifteen pictures with captions describing the entire sequence of steps for making coffee.

For more information, here you can find technical data, a listing of the coffee maker's components, cleaning instructions and safety instructions. Everything turned out to be simple and clear. It will take no more than 3-5 minutes to study the instructions.

Control

The only "control" of the coffee maker is the pump button. In the "assembled" state, it is retracted into the body of the device. In order to remove it, it is enough to scroll the button counterclockwise, after which it will slide out of the case (the button itself is spring-loaded). Then we press this button, building up the pressure. The first few taps will go without noticeable effort. Then the button will begin to be pressed with a noticeable (but small) force, and the finished coffee will flow from the spout of the coffee maker.

Press the button until the end of coffee preparation - until all the water has been poured through the coffee maker. To remove the button back, click on it and turn it clockwise in the clamped state.

Exploitation

Before the first use, the developer recommends rinsing the coffee maker by performing two full cycles without using coffee. There is no need to perform any other actions, and even these seemed superfluous to us: we just rinsed all the elements under running water. The food plastic from which the coffee maker is made did not emit foreign odors.

The process of operation (preparation of coffee) implies the sequential performance of the following actions:

• we completely disassemble the coffee maker (remove the cup from the coffee maker, unscrew the spout, remove the filter, remove the water tank);
• fill the filter with ground coffee using a tempera measuring spoon;
• we tamp coffee with her own help;
• we put a filter with coffee on the main unit;
• we wind the nozzle-spout on top, thereby additionally pressing the coffee;
• pour hot water (boiling water) into the water tank;
• carefully screw the tank onto the main unit;
• release the pump button lock;
• we place the spout over the glass and begin to gain pressure by pressing the pump button;
• after 5-6 clicks, ready-made coffee will pour out of the spout;
• keep pressing the button until all the water is poured through the coffee maker.

Looking ahead, we can say that everything worked out great from the very first time. There were no difficulties neither with the preparation for use, nor with the preparation of the coffee itself: the coffee maker lies in the hand "like a glove", is easily disassembled and assembled and delivers extremely positive emotions during operation.

Care

Caring for a coffee maker involves cleaning all elements from dirt and residues of ground coffee. To do this, you need to disassemble the coffee maker, rinse it under running water and dry it. The outside of the case can be wiped clean with a dry or damp cloth. Do not use a dishwasher.

Naturally, you will have to wash the gadget after each use (just like a regular espresso machine). However, we think that nothing terrible will happen if the appliance is washed not immediately after use, but a little later (for example, upon returning home, if the coffee maker was used where there are difficulties with running water).

Practical tests

During the testing process, we prepared coffee in our espresso maker and compared the result with coffee brewed in a conventional coffeemaker. We also measured the objective characteristics of the device:

• the water tank capacity was 80 ml
• the filter holds 9.5 grams of medium ground coffee

Attempt one: brewing coffee with default settings

First, we decided to make coffee based on the “settings” provided by the manufacturer - standard portions of coffee and water.

The cooking process took about 30 seconds, during which we pressed the pump lever about 25 times. The volume of the finished drink was 67 ml (13 ml of water got stuck inside the coffee maker during the preparation process).

Immediately after making the coffee, we measured its temperature. If you fill the water container with boiling water and use the appliance at room temperature (air temperature about 22 ° C), then the temperature of the finished drink will be 67-69 ° C.

The coffee was nice looking (the crema was especially good), but not too strong. However, it is not surprising when you look at the standards for making espresso. You can drink such coffee, but we confess that we did not get any special pleasure from its taste.

During the operation of the coffee machine, the spent coffee has turned into a compressed "tablet".

Result: good.

In order to understand how the result obtained corresponds to the classic espresso, we turned to the standards of the Italian National Institute of Espresso (Espresso National Institute).

The first thing that catches your eye is the discrepancy between the recommended weight of coffee and the volume of water. 80 ml is a whole three servings of espresso, which will require about 20 g of ground coffee. Well, our 9-10 grams, which fit in a coffee maker, corresponds to about 35 ml of the finished drink.

Attempt two: reduce the volume of water

After preparing the first test portion, we immediately decided to repeat the experiment, reducing the volume of water by about half. Taking into account the fact that some of the water remains inside the coffee maker, we took 44 ml of boiling water and did not lose: from this amount of water we got 34 ml of coffee - almost as much as we wanted to get.

The temperature of the finished drink this time turned out to be slightly lower and amounted to 60 degrees. This is slightly lower than the recommended 67 ± 3 ° C, but if you remember that the finished coffee loses part of the temperature, heating the body of the coffee maker and the glass itself, then you can close your eyes by a few degrees of difference.

It took a little less time to cook a smaller portion than a full one - about 25 seconds.

Result: good.

We subjectively assess the quality of the finished drink as good (implying that the ideal espresso is the one that is prepared on a special calibrated coffee machine). Our coffee turned out to be very similar to real espresso - strong, aromatic and with a pretty crema, without unnecessary bitterness or sourness.

conclusions

It is clear that the device, the cost of which does not exceed $ 40, makes no sense to compare with professional coffee machines. We won't even try to do it. In this case, it will be much more interesting and informative to evaluate the price-quality ratio, and for this parameter, a portable espresso machine makes an extremely positive impression.

Judge for yourself: for frivolous, in general, money we get a portable compact coffee maker capable of dispensing a drink commensurate in quality with what inexpensive home coffee makers of the "amateur" level offer. At the same time, the question of who will win in the blind tasting remains open (we have come across inferior quality coffee from coffee makers that cost over $ 200).

The pros of a portable espresso machine are obvious. No electricity required. No consumables required. There are no difficulties in leaving. All you need is ground coffee and boiling water.

The only and obvious disadvantage of the device is the need to get boiling water for its operation.

When can we have boiling water, but not have access to a coffee shop where fresh coffee is brewed? Of course, primarily during travel and business trips. It is easy to boil water in the parking lot during a hiking trip. Car enthusiasts can get boiling water using a car boiler. Hot water is usually available in inexpensive hotels and hostels (but good coffee is very rare there).

At the same time, in ordinary urban conditions it is easier to go to a coffee shop. Of course, the most economical can arm themselves with a thermos, ask to fill it with boiling water in the nearest cafe and make coffee with their own hands in the fresh air. Then, however, you will have to return to the cafe again - to rinse the coffee maker under running water ...

Maybe a portable coffee maker will come in handy in the office? But if there is a kettle for boiling water, then why not buy a small electric geyser coffee maker?

In general, we did not manage to come up with a single adequate scenario for using this device in the city. Therefore, the need to purchase such a portable coffee machine needs to be carefully considered. Despite the fact that the device looks tempting and has an impressive user rating of 4.8 stars out of 5, it has every chance to go to the far box.

pros

• high build quality
• decent quality of the finished drink
• no consumables