Coffee preparation with pressure

Portafilter machines are a popular choice for coffee lovers who want to customize their espresso. The first machine of this type was presented by Bezzera in Milan in 1906. However, the real breakthrough came with Achille Gaggia, who filed a patent in 1938 for a machine that forced water through the coffee grounds under high pressure.

The portafilter machine consists of a steam boiler, one or more brewing groups with a shower screen and the portafilter, which is filled with ground coffee. Extraction takes place at a pressure of 8 - 9 bar, creating an emulsion that produces the typical crema in the cup. This ensures a particularly intense aroma and a tasty espresso.

The fully automatic coffee machine was developed in the 1970s by Swiss engineer Arthur Schmed and significantly automated coffee preparation. The fully automatic machine takes care of all the steps: The grinding of the beans, the pressing of the coffee grounds, the extraction and the pouring of the coffee cake. The most important parameters, such as the amount of water, weight, grinding degree, pressure and flow temperature, are set in advance. This method makes for less effort when preparing coffee, but still offers consistent results.

At Thermoplan, we are fully committed to the development and production of fully automatic coffee machines. For over 50 years, we have been gathering experience and expanding our know-how in order to continuously perfect our machines. In doing so, we are always in tune with the fast-moving requirements of the catering industry. Speed and flexibility are extremely important here, as dozens to several hundred coffee drinks have to be served every day. A fully automatic machine offers decisive advantages: It prepares coffee drinks of consistent quality at the touch of a button, without the need for trained staff. Coffee drinks with milk are particularly popular these days, especially cappuccinos. Whereas with a portafilter machine, the milk foam has to be prepared manually by experienced baristas, Thermoplans fully automatic machines produce perfect milk foam at the touch of a button. As a pioneer of innovative milk foam technology, we launched the first fully automatic coffee machine that could produce both hot and cold milk foam in 2006. This pioneering function has since been integrated into all our successor models, including our current Black&White4 series.

The Black&White4 machines are modularin design and can be flexibly adapted to the individual needs of our customers. They range from compact solutions for low daily requirements, such as the Black&White4 neo with a capacity of 20 to 100 cups per day, to high-performance machines such as the Black&White4, which is designed for up to 500 cups per day.

A particular highlight of the series is our latest model, the Black&White4 CTS. This combines the advantages of a fully automatic machine with the artisan barista feeling. Thanks to its integrated steam lance, the milk can be frothed both automatically and manually - depending on the operator's preference and expertise.

Regardless of whether you use a portafilter or a fully automatic machine - the right pressure is crucial for good coffee. It influences the extraction of the ground coffee and therefore the aroma and taste of the drink. While a pressure of 8 - 9 bar is ideal for an espresso, a French press or a hand filter does not require any pressure. Cold brew, which is prepared using the full immersion method, does not require pressure either, but a long extraction time. This method ensures a particularly mild and less acidic coffee experience.