Arabica |
A type of coffee species which grows generally above 3000 ft and produces a rich tasting bean relatively low in caffeine mostly grown in Latin America |
Automatic Machine |
A traditional espresso machine where the amount of water that is used to make the espresso is pre programmed |
Backflushing |
Where a blank filter is used to clean the grouphead on a traditional coffee machine |
Bean-to-Cup Machine |
A machine that offers a variety of preset black and white coffee options at the push of a button. Often used in self service situations. |
Blend |
Espresso is always a blend of different coffees where the roaster is looking for a specific end result with body, acidity and sweetness coming from the mix of different beans |
Blind Filter |
Used on your espresso machine to back flush. When used allows a build up of pressure in the grouphead which when released forces cleaner and water through the head and out into the drain |
Burrs |
The blades in a grinder that crush the beans to a uniform size suitable for the preparation of the coffee |
Crema |
The initial light coloured creamy liquid that comes out when making an espresso |
Cupping |
Coffee tasting to evaluate the characteristics within different coffees |
Degassing |
The time roasted beans need to release the CO2 trapped inside of the bean when ground, usually a few hours at most to rest and settle and give their best taste. |
Dose |
The amount of coffee put into the filter basket |
Espresso |
The small amount of coffee made by a machine forcing water through ground coffee under pressure |
Extraction |
The amount of coffee released from the beans, usually depends on the finess of the grind. |
Frothed Milk |
Milk that has been expanded by using steam. |
Grinder |
Machine used to crush beans to a size suitable for coffee making |
Grouphead |
Part of the espresso machine where the portafilter is attached to have water forced through the coffee |
Hopper |
Container attached to a grinder to store the whole beans until ready to grind |
Portafilter |
The handle with filter basket used to make espresso coffee |
Puck |
Coffee bean residue left in the filter basket after the extraction of the espresso |
Robusta |
A type of coffee species grown mostly in wet areas of the eastern hemisphere, high in caffeine and can be quite harsh to taste |
Steam Wand |
The pipe attached to the espresso machine used to heat and froth milk |
Steamed Milk |
Milk that has been stretched and heated using a steam wand |
Tamper |
Used to flatten, compress and remove the excess air from ground coffee when making espresso |