Delicious coffee: does your coffee machine affect the taste?

Keep your water clean — remember filtration

Water is one of coffee's key ingredients, so its quality directly affects the finished drink's taste. It also matters to the machine itself. Hard water quickly leaves limescale inside the device. The effects are noticeable not only to connoisseurs but to occasional coffee drinkers too. Coffee made in an unclean machine can have a slightly bitter aftertaste and, in extreme cases, seem stale. Even the best beans cannot cover that unpleasant impression. Limescale also affects the machine's technical condition. Rubber seals can become damaged and brittle, making them less effective. This can mean the water takes longer to heat, increasing energy costs. If you do not use a filter, descale your machine regularly. To spare yourself laborious cleaning, remember to keep it supplied with fresh, filtered water.

Remove residues from previous brews

Many people forget how important it is to remove residues promptly after making drinks. Leftovers in the grounds container, bean hopper or water tank can substantially affect the flavour of subsequent brews. Pay attention to even the smallest components. Keeping the milk-frothing system and nozzle clean is particularly important. Regularly removing residues quickly becomes a habit, preventing build-up from spoiling the flavour of your drink.

Flavour and grind size

Modern coffee machines let you adjust many detailed settings, including grind size. Many coffee lovers stress that this determines the finished flavour. To draw maximum essence from the beans, choose the finest grind setting, while taking account of the particular drink you prefer. Do you love aromatic espresso? Make sure the beans are not ground too coarsely. Otherwise, the machine will not develop sufficient brewing pressure, and water will not flow evenly through the coffee. The result may taste noticeably sour. An overly coarse grind also reduces the drink's overall intensity. Sage The Barista Touch.

Using an espresso machine? Here is what to remember

Among popular coffee-making devices, the traditional espresso machine deserves special mention as an essential piece of catering equipment. It requires attention to small details if you want to preserve the quality of your drinks. Regular cleaning of the group head — where water flows directly onto the coffee — is very important. In an automatic machine, the equivalent part is the brew unit.

Espresso machines use a three-way valve associated with water flow through the shower screen onto the coffee. Some liquid remains in the circuit before reaching the drip tray. Unfortunately, coffee residues as well as water accumulate inside. Failing to remove these regularly significantly reduces drink quality. A home espresso machine should be cleaned at least weekly. In a café or restaurant, the portafilter should be thoroughly cleaned every day. Conti CC100 single-group espresso machine.

Coffee flavour and temperature

Brewing temperature also affects taste. Modern coffee machines make it easy to set the appropriate values. If the water is too hot or too cool, the drink's flavour will be disrupted. That is not the machine's fault: you control its settings. Arabica coffee, for example, tastes best at a slightly lower temperature.

Delicious coffee is not difficult to prepare, but you must get your machine ready properly. Keep each component clean so leftovers from earlier brews do not interfere with your favourite drink's taste and aroma.