Commercial Coffee Brewers Key Terms

Learn the terms you need for commercial coffee and espresso machines

Commercial coffee and espresso machines have become key ingredients to a successful food service business for many people, but learning the terms you need to navigate the many types of coffee brewers available is no easy task. Because coffee brewing has a long and international history, there are many terms reflecting the various ways coffee can be brewed and served. Successful coffee shops generally offer a number of options for not only the type of coffee being served, but also the brewing style used to make it.

Espresso

Espresso is the name for a type of coffee prepared by boiling water at hot temperatures and brewing the coffee by shooting steam through fine grounds. Espresso is an Italian term, but the brewing technique has become ubiquitous in coffee shops around the world because of the rich and unique flavor of espresso.

Cappuccino

Cappuccino is a type of espresso drink that can also be made using commercial espresso machines by combining espresso, steamed milk and frothed milk to create a light, sweet coffee beverage. Because of the strength of espresso, cappuccino is a popular way of preparing espresso, served hot or on ice.

Carafe

A carafe typically refers to a glass container with a flared lip for pouring, and may also be referred to as a decanter when built with a lid. In coffee brewing, the carafe is the glass pitcher used with drip methods of brewing to collect coffee and then serve. Carafes are also commonly used with other types of beverages.

Percolator

A percolator is an older method for brewing coffee that involves forcing boiling water up and over coffee grounds so that the coffee is brewed by the boiling water circulating throughout the grounds. In percolation, the coffee grounds serve as a porous substance through which the water passes, and a percolator allows the brewing coffee to recirculate through the coffee grounds as part of the brewing method.

Drip station

A drip station is a contemporary device for single-cup coffee brewing that uses the drip method, common in coffee machines for home and commercial use. A drip station provides space for several single cups to be brewed through a drip at the same time. This method has become increasingly popular among small, boutique coffee shops as an ecologically friendly alternative to more standard brewing methods.

Airpot

An airpot is a type of container for storing and serving coffee that uses a spigot directly from the pot. Airpots typically hold several cups of coffee and offer easy transporting and storage, as well as the ability to serve coffee without pouring using the air pumped spigot device.

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