Under pressure.
A small machine. A precise ritual.
Explore how water, heat, and pressure become espresso.
FIG. 01 / Inside an espresso machineCutaway view
Sectioned metalWater / coffeeMoving flow tracers
THE PRINCIPLE
Heat. Then pressure.
The heater brings water to brewing temperature. A pump then pushes it through a tightly packed bed of ground coffee. The puck resists the flow: that resistance builds pressure and gives water time to dissolve coffee into your cup.