Nespresso, Coffee machines, Coffee makers and plungers

The first coffee machine for making espresso coffee was demonstrated in 1884 in Italy. The inventor named his new coffee machine the “New steam machinery for the economic and instantaneous confection of coffee beverage, method”.

The espresso coffee machine has three parts: the boiler, a group head and a portafilter. The boiler builds up steam keeping the machine at the right pressure. Nozzles in the group head connect to a pipe running through the boiler from the mains letting water drips through the coffee beans and infusing with the oil.

The steam is directed via a separate jet in the coffee machine to heat up the milk for cappuccino.

• Allows a customised cup of coffee
• Different coffee varieties can be produced by changes of temperature and pressure
• Makes cappuccinos and lattes
• Can experiment with bean blends

Coffee tamper - for firmly pressing grounds.

Coffee grinder - grinding coffee beans fresh allows the coffee flavour to be released instantly. Once ground the flavour tends to fade over time.

Coffee was originally made by simply boiling the beans in water followed by infusing coffee beans in a clean sock about 125 years ago.  Soon after, the coffee percolator and the metal coffee filter were introduced. In 1908 paper coffee filters were invented in Germany which allowed a finer filter. Drip brew coffee makers were patented in 1954 and began to replace the coffee percolator.

Water drips through the ground coffee, absorbing its oils and essences, and seeps through the bottom of the filter. The used coffee grounds are retained in the filter with the liquid dripping into a coffee pot.

• Light flavour
• Can be kept warm and always available
• Can be programmed

Coffee grinder - grinding coffee beans fresh allows the coffee flavour to be released instantly. Once ground the flavour tends to fade over time.

Milk frother - turn your coffee into a cappuccino with this clever tool.

The design of the Moka Pot allowed coffee drinkers to prepare coffee similar to that of a coffee machine at home for the first time.

The element heats the pot, causing the steam to pass upwards through the coffee grounds, collecting the coffee essence from the oil, and rising up and out of a tube.

• Produces rich, aromatic coffee
• Can be used without electricity
• Simple to use

Coffee grinder - grinding coffee beans fresh allows the coffee flavour to be released instantly.  Once ground the flavour tends to fade over time.

Milk frother - turn your coffee into a cappuccino with this clever tool.

The first coffee press was a metal or cheesecloth screen attached to a rod that users would press into a pot of boiling water. The coffee press has had several changes over the years.  Its popularity increased after Michael Caine ground and pressed coffee in the film The Ipcress File.

Coffee is brewed by placing the ground coffee in the empty beaker and adding hot water (not boiling). The coffee is left to brew for two to four minutes. When the plunger is pressed it traps the coffee grounds at the bottom of the beaker, leaving the coffee to be poured into a cup.

• Strength of coffee can be altered to suit tastes
• Can be used for cold press coffee
• Convenient
• Doesn’t take up much space,
• Easy to wash and put away
• Various sizes available

Coffee grinder - grinding coffee beans fresh allows the coffee flavour to be released instantly.  Once ground the flavour tends to fade over time.

Milk frother - turn your coffee into a cappuccino with this clever tool.