Essential Settings for Automatic Coffee Machines: How to Optimize Your Brew

Automatic coffee machines offer unmatched convenience for brewing the perfect cup of coffee at home. However, to achieve the best results, it's essential to master your machine's settings. Here's a practical guide on the key settings to consider to optimize your automatic coffee experience.

1. Coffee Grind

One of the most fundamental settings is the coffee grind. The appropriate grind depends on the type of coffee you're using and the strength you prefer in your cup. Here are some general tips:

• Espresso Coffee: For a perfect espresso, opt for a fine grind, almost resembling powdered sugar. This ensures optimal extraction in a short time. Specialty espresso coffees like Gesha may require a finer grind due to their complex flavor profiles.
• Long Coffee (Americano): If you prefer a long coffee or filter coffee, a medium to coarse grind works best. This allows water to pass through more quickly. Long coffees with bold flavor profiles like Kenyan SL28 & SL34 can benefit from a slightly finer grind to intensify fruity notes.

2. Coffee Quantity

The amount of coffee used in each brew can also be adjusted to achieve the desired strength. Automatic machines often offer adjustable quantity options. Here are some common settings:

• Espresso Coffee: For a standard espresso, use between 7 and 9 grams of ground coffee. However, some coffees like Pacamara, with their large beans, may require a slightly higher quantity for optimal extraction.
• Long Coffee (Americano): For a larger cup, increase the amount of coffee. Between 15 and 20 grams works well for a long coffee. Long coffees made from Gesha or SL28 & SL34 can benefit from a higher quantity to maintain flavor balance.

3. Water Temperature

Water temperature significantly impacts the extraction of coffee flavors. Automatic machines typically control this temperature, but some models allow for manual adjustment. Here are some tips:

• Espresso Coffee: The ideal temperature for espresso is usually between 195°F (90°C) and 205°F (96°C). This ensures optimal extraction of aromatic oils without burning the coffee. For delicate specialty coffees like Typica, staying in the lower range can bring out subtle notes.
• Long Coffee (Americano): For a long coffee, a slightly lower temperature may be preferable, around 185°F (85°C) to 195°F (90°C). Long coffees made from Gesha or SL28 & SL34 benefit from a lower temperature to preserve delicate aromas.

4. Pump Pressure

Pump pressure is crucial for extracting quality espresso. Most automatic machines maintain a standard pressure, but some offer customizable settings. Here's a general guide:

• Espresso Coffee: The ideal pressure for espresso is usually between 9 and 10 bars. This is the standard pressure for achieving a rich and creamy crema. For coffees with higher density, like Robusta, a higher pressure may be needed for full flavor extraction.

5. Impact of coffees varieties on Settings

It's important to note that each coffee has its own unique characteristics that can influence machine settings. Here are some examples:

• Gesha: This specialty coffee is known for its delicate floral and fruity aromas. To fully reveal these flavors, a fine grind and lower extraction temperature are often recommended.
• Pacamara: With its large beans, Pacamara may require a coarser grind to avoid machine clogging. A slightly higher extraction temperature can also help to extract rich chocolate and dried fruit notes.
• SL28 & SL34: These Kenyan varieties are renowned for their bright acidity and notes of red fruits. A medium to fine grind can intensify these flavors, while a moderate extraction temperature can preserve flavor balance.

At RoasterCup we concider that mastering these essential settings while considering the unique characteristics of each coffee, you can customize your home coffee experience and achieve results worthy of a professional barista. Take the time to experiment with settings to find the perfect balance between grind, coffee quantity, temperature, and pressure, and you'll be rewarded with a delicious cup of coffee every time.