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Grinding degree. Choosing the degree of coffee grinding is crucial for achieving the desired strength and consistency of the final coffee. Different types of coffee drinks require varying degrees of grinding. For espresso and related drinks like cappuccino and latte, a fine grind is necessary. Turkish coffee requires an extremely fine grind, almost like "dust." Cream coffee and filter coffee are best with a medium grind, while a coarse grind works well for French press.
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Pre-wetting. One option available in some coffee makers is the ability to pre-moisten the ground coffee with hot water before brewing the drink. This feature allows users to customize the duration of coffee wetting, although there may be exceptions. Pre-wetting plays a crucial role in enhancing the taste and aroma of coffee, resulting in a more intense and flavorful beverage. Automatic coffee makers often include this feature.
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The strength of the drink. Coffee enthusiasts have the option to manually adjust the strength of their beverage. This adjustment can be achieved through various methods, such as changing the coffee-to-water ratio, adjusting the water temperature, or controlling the brewing speed. The number of available settings may vary, ranging from a basic choice between "strong" and "mild" to more advanced options. Regardless of the number of settings, this function allows
...individuals to personalize the taste of their coffee according to their preferences, providing additional customization features.
— Drink volume. Coffee makers offer the feature of selecting the desired volume of the final beverage according to individual preferences. Different models may have varying methods for making this choice. Some machines provide fixed settings (20 mL, 35 mL, etc.) from hich users can select their preferred option. Other models allow for manual adjustment of the volume, sometimes even allowing users to gauge it visually. This feature enables users to customize standard programs to their liking and provides opportunities for experimenting with unique recipes.
— Temperature control. Coffee makers offer the ability to regulate the water temperature for brewing coffee. The taste of the final beverage is heavily influenced by this factor. Higher temperatures result in a brighter and more intense flavor, but excessive heating (96 °C and above) can release compounds from the coffee that add bitterness. The optimal brewing temperature is generally considered to be within the range of 92 — 95 °C. However, coffee makers may provide a wider range of temperature adjustments. Some believe that even a difference of just 1 °C can significantly impact the properties of the coffee, making this adjustment essential for those who appreciate the subtle nuances of taste and aroma in their coffee.
— Steam pressure. Coffee makers offer the feature to adjust the steam pressure coming out of the panarello nozzle. This nozzle is used for frothing milk, especially when preparing cappuccino, as well as for heating milk. By modifying the steam outlet pressure, users can control the intensity of the steam and achieve varying foam densities. It also allows them to omit foam altogether if the intention is solely to heat the milk.
— Foam volume / density. For coffee and milk beverage enthusiasts, the ability to adjust the volume and thickness of the foam "cap" is highly useful. This feature is particularly valuable when preparing drinks like cappuccino, latte, and macchiato. The quality of the final beverage is influenced by the quantity and density of the foam. By customizing these parameters, users can tailor the drink to their personal taste preferences.
— Water hardness. Coffee makers offer the capability to adjust the settings based on the hardness of the water being used. Over time, the heating element of the coffee machine accumulates scale and requires regular cleaning or descaling. The rate of scale buildup increases with harder water, necessitating more frequent cleaning. However, the coffee machine evaluates the condition of the heating element not based on the actual scale amount, but by considering the water hardness setting and the duration of operation since the last cleaning. Therefore, it is crucial to correctly set the water hardness settings to receive timely notifications for descaling. Coffee machines equipped with this feature often include a water hardness indicator with four settings: very soft, soft, hard, and very hard.
