Machines, grinders, roasters - How are they made?

The first grinders go back to Far East: they were small kitchen utensils for quickly reducing spices to powder. It was not until the 18th century that coffee began to circulate widely in Europe, and then was discovered that spice grinders were not suitable for reducing coffee beans to powder.

This led to the need for real coffee grinders, although the date of their birth and the inventor are unknown. The only thing known is that they were produced in Turkey and imported to Europe. As far as Europe is concerned, the first coffee grinders originated in France in the 18th century and were works of art designed for the nobility of the time.

Coffee grinders used to be made of gold and silver, handmade by artisans, who finely decorated them to make them valuable objects. Things changed when coffee became affordable and entered the homes of ordinary people. Thus, coffee grinders made of wood, iron and tin were born.

To make them work, the crank was turned and the grinders were put into action, crushing the coffee beans, which fell into a special drawer. The invention of the first electric coffee grinder dates back to 1957, a real revolution even though ground coffee appeared in supermarkets shortly afterwards, as did espresso machines with pods and capsules.

Today, grinders and coffee grinders are only intended for bars, restaurants and shops that have a real passion for coffee or want to offer their customers new and different blends.

Espresso machine - History

Angelo Moriondo traces the invention of the modern espresso machine back to 1936 from Turin. The machine included the patented 'piston tap for espresso machine' method. Later Achille Gaggia acquired the patent and made some improvements, leading to the industrial production of the espresso machine, with characteristics that in many ways are still unchanged today.

It was only after the war that espresso machines became massively popular, even though the first models had already been on the market since 1902, following the invention of Giuseppe Bazzera from Milan. Finally, in the 1970s, espresso machines went from being found exclusively in bars and public shops to every home.

Coffee grinder for bars - Which one to choose
 

Grinding coffee with the right coffee grinder means improving the quality of coffee, which in this way ensures greater aroma persistence and a fresher taste. Using a professional coffee grinder requires practice and experience for the right setting of the instrument and should be chosen with care.Factors for the choice include the quantity of ground coffee to be produced and the distribution of coffee preparation over the day. It changes a lot between grinding 6 kilos per day or only in the morning. For this reason, coffee grinders for bars are divided into:

- Professional - High productivity tools for large quantities of ground coffee

- Prosumer - Suitable for baristas who grind very little coffee per day

- Domestic - Coffee grinders for small, domestic use

Espresso machine - Best suited for specialty coffees

Coffee machines have always reflected the lifestyle of Italians and is often an elegant and artistic object. We can say that there is a whole world behind the word espresso machine and the most suitable one for specialty coffees ensures an extraction capacity that leads to an excellent cup, enhancing the positive components of each blend.

The most suitable machine for speciality coffees should be chosen based on temperature and pressure, which influence the thermal stability of the machine and ensure flexibility in setting the water-related parameters. An excellent cup also requires:

- Ergonomics – Baristas must work in a safe, healthy, efficient and comfortable manner

- Easy access to machine components for maintenance and care of the equipment

In addition to the appropriate espresso machine, those who prepare speciality coffees must keep mignon grinders on the counter that are suitable for grinding coffee of a specific blend without changing the setting. Experienced baristas also use several grinders related to different type of coffees.
 

Portioli coffee machines

Portioli Group in 2013 created the Italian Group GIME Espresso Machine, which designs and sells professional coffee machines in Italy and worldwide. Each professional machine is designed and built in Italy by professionals and is a product that supports baristas in their daily work, always guaranteeing quality service.

Portioli bar machines are:

- Sinfonia - Elegance and latest generation technology

- Opera - Essential design with high performance

- Melodia - Elegant design and state-of-the-art technology in little size

The best coffee is born and brewed with the right tools and for this reason, Portioli Group invites you to find the professional espresso bar machine that best suits your needs to be matched with Portioli blends to give the customer a unique and engaging experience.