Coffee Makers - Terms Used

Coffee has a language of its own. Here are a few of the frequently used coffee machines terms.

Auto Frother
Device that automatically froths milk for cappuccinos and lattes.

Automatic Drip Coffee Machine
Machine that automatically heats water and filters it through the coffee.

Automatic Espresso Machine and Coffee Machine
Espresso maker featuring controllable, programmable coffee dosing.

Bean to Cup
Fully automated coffee making process. Machines with bean to cup capability do everything from grinding the beans to filling a cup with coffee.

Boiler
Steam machine inside coffee machine. Machines with larger boilers usually are more powerful and produce more hot water for beverages.

Boiler Element
Electric element that heats boiler in electric espresso coffee machines.

Cappuccino
Italian espresso based beverage.

Cup Warmer
Metal portion at top of espresso coffee machine where cups are placed for warming.

Dosing
Refers to either the number of grams of coffee per cup or the amount of brewed coffee per cup.

Espresso
Italian black coffee which preceded specialty coffees. Rich black coffee.

Filter Basket
Metal filter where grounds are placed for brewing.

Filtered Method
Process of brewing coffee with a filter, coffee is separate from the water.

French Press
Also known as plunger pot. A cylindrical coffee maker in which ground coffee is steeped then filtered. Coffee grounds are pushed to the bottom of the pot with the plunger. Coffee stays in the top of the pot.

Fully Automatic Espresso Machine and Coffee Machine
Machines which automatically manage the brewing process from coffee bean to fresh cup of coffee.

Grind
Process of preparing coffee beans for coffee brewing.

Group
Portion of espresso coffee machine that brews coffee.

Group Handle
Portion of espresso coffee machine that holds the filter basket that ground coffee goes into.

Heat Exchanger
Heats water for coffee without taking water from the boiler.

Hopper
Part of grinder that holds coffee beans.

Knock-out Box
Container used to knock the used coffee grounds from group handle.

Latte
Hot beverage made with one quarter coffee, three quarters of steamed, hot milk with little froth.

Mocha
Term used to describe hot beverage made from espresso, chocolate and milk.

Moka Pot
Classic Italian espresso-machine used on top of the stove.

Percolator
Coffee machine that continuously runs water through the coffee grounds to make coffee.

Pod
Self-contained, single serving unit of ready to use coffee.

Pour/Pour Speed/Pour Time
Amount of time required to pour coffee from group into cup. Should be 25 to 30 seconds for espresso.

Pump
Device that moves water through the coffee machine.

Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine and Coffee Machine
Machine without pre-set dosing capability.

Steam Arm/Wand
Metal tube delivering steam to froth milk.

Super Automatic Espresso Machine and Coffee Machine
Machine which automatically manages brewing process from coffee bean to fresh cup of coffee in addition to other features such as a water filter.

Tamping
Act of pressing ground coffee into filter basket.

Vacuum coffee machine
Machine using vacuum process to make coffee.

Traditional espresso coffee machine
Machine that is not a bean to cup automated model.

Water Filter
Filters contaminants from water for better coffee taste.

Water Font
Nozzle used to dispense water from machine boiler.

Water Softener
Filters lime and minerals from water, preventing build up of scales in the coffee maker. This is a must have for anyone using hard water.

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