1. HEART OF THE MACHINE
A pump makes the water move inside the coffee maker. First, the liquid goes from the reservoir to the boiler, and from there to the needle, where it penetrates the capsule. When you select whether to use more or less water, the machine sends corresponding programmed amounts, to make the coffee short or long
– (Victor Beuren/Strange World)
2. HOT BLOCK
The boiler has the mission of heating the water (because nobody deserves cold coffee). Also called a thermal block, it raises the temperature to up to 90ºC before sending the water to the needle. There, the liquid comes out with high pressure (15 to 19 bar), necessary to give the coffee creaminess.
– (Victor Beuren/Strange World)
3. ONE PUNCH
The needle varies by model and brand, but its function is the same: to penetrate the aluminum of the capsule and open the way for the hot water to come into contact with the powder and start to fall, already in the form of coffee, into the cup.
– (Victor Beuren/Strange World)
– (Victor Beuren/Strange World)
MAGIC POWDER
The capsules come with roasted and ground coffee, ready to receive hot water. At the bottom, there is a paper filter, which does not allow the powder to fall into the cup.
THE CONTROVERSY
Capsules generate a lot of garbage: 7 thousand tons discarded per year in Brazil. Almost everything goes to landfills, as the habit of recycling this type of waste is not widespread. Brands like Nespresso and Dolce Gusto have collection points, and reusable aluminum capsules already exist. Just put ground coffee in it and insert it into the machine.
– (Victor Beuren/Strange World)
READER QUESTION Ramon Ternorio, via Instagram
CONSULTANCY Pedro Feliu, director of the coffee business unit at Dolce Gusto
SOURCES Gadget Daily, Dolce Gusto and Nespresso