Built-in coffee grinder
Having a built-in
coffee grinder in the device. This additional feature affects the cost, but it offers several significant advantages. Firstly, you can grind beans immediately before brewing — and as is well known, the tastiest coffee is considered to be freshly ground. Secondly, some coffee grinders allow you to adjust the grind size at your discretion; this will be appreciated by those who enjoy experimenting with different types of beans and brewing strengths. Thirdly, whole bean coffee is usually cheaper than factory-ground coffee; this is particularly relevant for cafes, bars, and restaurants where coffee drinks need to be prepared often and in large quantities. The grinder mechanism itself can consist of blades or be burr-type. The latter is more preferable, as it can have additional settings and grinds the coffee beans more thoroughly. Since burrs are the working part of the grinder and directly provide bean grinding, the properties of the material from which these parts are made are very important. Nowadays, there are two types of burrs you can find:
— Metal. The oldest, classic option, which hasn't lost popularity even today. The key advantages of metal burrs are high strength, reliability, and resistance to foreign objects; moreover, this option is somewhat cheaper than ceramics. However, there is an opinion that such burrs tend to give the beans an alien taste — especially after prolonged use (due to the strong heating
...of the metal). Such situations can indeed arise, but most often they have other causes: cheap low-quality materials in the construction of the coffee maker itself, negligent cleaning and maintenance of the mechanism, etc. Burrs are usually made from strong refractory materials that are nearly impossible to heat to a degree where they noticeably affect the taste of the beans during grinding. Therefore, most modern coffee grinders (including built-ins in coffee machines) are equipped with this type of burr.
— Ceramic. Burrs made from special high-strength ceramics. This is a relatively new option that is generally considered more advanced than metal: it is believed that ceramics in no way influence the taste of the ground beans. However, this is not so much due to the real properties of this material, but rather to the overall quality of the coffee makers themselves (they are generally more expensive than models with metal burrs). Additionally, a psychological factor plays a role: the taste perception of coffee is largely subjective. So the information that the beans were ground specifically by ceramic burrs can influence the attitude towards the product and the final impression of the ready drink. Nonetheless, ceramic burrs are quite popular among connoisseurs of high-quality coffee. Another advantage is that they are somewhat quieter than metal ones. However, it's important to note that such mechanisms are very sensitive to foreign objects (even small ones) and are not suitable for any products other than coffee.Modes
Programmes for the preparation of individual drinks provided in the coffee maker.
This list can include both the classic, most popular coffee and hot drinks (
espresso,
americano,
ristretto,
cappuccino,
latte,
latte macchiato,
hot chocolate), as well as more specific recipes:
espresso macchiato,
espresso lungo,
double espresso,
Flat White,
Long Black,
cream coffee, etc. Also, the design often provides for separate modes for obtaining
hot milk,
milk foam and
hot water. Here is a more detailed description of each of these options:
— Custom programme. A function that allows the users to create their own coffee recipes according to their preferences. In this mode, users can adjust key brewing parameters such as the degree of coffee grinding (with the availability of built-in coffee grinders in many machines), water temperature, water volume, operating pressure, and more. This feature allows individuals to effortlessly prepare their unique a
...nd personalized coffee with just a simple button press. Certain models even offer the ability to save multiple programs and user profiles, catering to multiple individuals with their own sets of recipes.
— Espresso. Classic Italian espresso is one of the most famous and popular coffee drinks. The standard serving volume is 35 mL, it is prepared from 7 g of coffee. Ideally, the drink should have a characteristic light crema. Such coffee has a rich taste and aroma, which is why many consider it perhaps the most “powerful” in terms of impact; however, espresso actually contains relatively little caffeine.
— Espresso macchiato. Espresso (see above) with added milk foam. Such a drink is similar to the cappuccino described below, but it has a smaller volume due to the smaller amount of milk — about 15 mL is added in traditional recipes.
— Espresso lungo. A variety of espresso (see above) characterized by a large amount of water (up to 60 mL instead of 35 mL), a long extraction time and, as a result, a higher caffeine content. In fact, lungo is a cross between classic espresso and americano.
— Double espresso. Also known as "doppio" (espresso doppio). The name fully corresponds to the essence of this drink: it is, in fact, two servings of espresso (70 g) in one cup. The amount of coffee when cooking is also taken twice as much — 14 g instead of 7 g.
— Ristretto. The strongest and most concentrated of the popular coffee drinks, also referred to as "short espresso". With the same amount of coffee (7 g), much less water goes to a serving of ristretto — about 20 – 25 mL.
— Flat White. Flat White is a drink hat consists of a double espresso shot blended with slightly frothed milk. Approximately 110 mL of milk is added to 60 mL of espresso, resulting in a total volume of around 170 mL. Compared to cappuccino and latte, a Flat White offers a more pronounced coffee flavor while still maintaining a smooth, milky aftertaste that is characteristic of this drink.
— Long Black. The Long Black is a drink that shares similarities with the Americano (see below). It is made by combining a double shot of espresso with hot water. However, there are two main differences: firstly, the Long Black uses a double portion of espresso, making it stronger and more concentrated than an Americano. Secondly, when preparing the drink, the espresso is poured into the water, rather than the other way around. This method helps preserve the dense and aromatic foam characteristic of espresso. The standard serving volume for a Long Black is approximately 120 mL.
— Americano. Americano is a drink made by diluting regular or double espresso (see above) with hot water. The typical ratio is between 1:2 to 1:4, resulting in a finished drink volume ranging from 110 to 240 mL, although other volumes and proportions are possible. The addition of hot water softens the intense flavor of espresso and helps to reduce any perceived bitterness, which some individuals may find excessive. While some traditional coffee enthusiasts may be skeptical of the Americano, it remains a popular choice due to personal taste preferences. Ultimately, the enjoyment of this drink is subjective and varies from person to person.
— Coffee crema. A "Black" coffee drink is prepared in a relatively large volume, similar to an Americano (see above), ranging from 180 to 240 mL. The key difference lies in the brewing method. Instead of adding water to pre-brewed espresso, the entire volume of water is passed through ground coffee. Additionally, the coffee used for this drink should have a coarser grind compared to espresso and espresso-based drinks. The term "crema" in the name refers to the thick, nut-colored foam that forms on top of the drink, which is particularly dense in this type of coffee.
— Cappuccino. Cappuccino is a coffee drink made with approximately 4 parts frothed milk to 1 part espresso, resulting in a final volume of around 150 mL. One of the defining characteristics of cappuccino is the generous amount of milk foam on top. The preparation process for cappuccino can vary, with options ranging from fully automatic to semi-automatic or even completely manual methods. For detailed instructions on how to prepare a cappuccino, please refer to the specific guidelines provided under the section "Cappuccino making."
— Latte. Latte is another espresso-based drink that includes both milk and milk foam on the surface. It differs from the cappuccino mentioned earlier in a few ways. Firstly, it has a slightly smaller amount of foam. Secondly, it is served in a special tall glass and typically enjoyed by drinking through a straw. Additionally, the volume of a latte can be larger, reaching up to 360 mL. One can also add various syrups to the drink to create unique flavors and taste combinations.
— Latte macchiato. A drink that has a similar composition to the latte mentioned earlier. However, it differs in the preparation method. In the case of a latte macchiato, instead of pouring milk into the coffee, the coffee is poured into the milk, but in a specific manner. The milk is first frothed, and then espresso is poured through the foam. This process creates a small mark or speck on the surface of the foam, which is why the drink is called "macchiato" meaning "stained" in Italian. A properly prepared latte macchiato has a layered structure, with the coffee on top and the thicker and cooler milk at the bottom.
— Hot chocolate. In this context, the term can refer to both traditional hot chocolate and a more affordable and easier-to-prepare alternative called cocoa. Traditional hot chocolate is made by melting solid chocolate into hot milk, while cocoa is made using cocoa powder and can be prepared with either milk or water. The specific methods of preparing hot chocolate in various coffee makers may vary, and it is advisable to refer to the specific instructions provided for each machine.
— Hot milk. A separate programme for heating milk — usually up to a temperature of about 65 °C. Milk heated to such a temperature is already perceived as hot, but it does not turn into foam, moreover, it acquires a sweetish taste. Such milk can be used both for preparing various types of coffee (the same cappuccino or latte), and as an separate drink.
— Milk foam. A dedicated program for preparing milk foam is available in coffee makers, particularly in models with automatic and semi-automatic cappuccino preparation (as mentioned below). This feature allows the machine to autonomously draw milk from an external or built-in container, froth it into foam, and dispense it through the spout. This program not only facilitates the creation of traditional cappuccinos but also provides opportunities for experimentation and the development of unique recipes. It enables users to add foam to drinks that may not have originally included it in their recipes, offering enhanced customization options.
— Hot water. A separate programme for heating water — usually up to a temperature of about 90 °C. Such water can be used both for making coffee (primarily Americano, see above), and for brewing various tea — classic, herbal, berry, etc.: for many of these compositions, the temperature of 90 °C is optimal.
Note that not all are listed above, but only the most popular programmes used in modern coffee makers. In addition to them, other recipes may be provided in the design — for example, cold brew, cortado (espresso and hot milk 1 to 1), etc.Coffee grinder capacity
The amount of coffee that can be loaded into the built-in coffee grinder at one time (see above). The
larger the capacity of the coffee grinder, the less often it will have to be “reload” and the more coffee can be prepared at one “filling”. For ease of evaluation, we recall that it takes 7 g of coffee to prepare one standard portion of espresso.
