The process involves forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans at a high pressure. The resulting concentrated coffee beverage forms the basis for numerous popular drinks, from lattes to Americanos.
Proper extraction yields a rich, flavorful liquid. Mastering this technique unlocks the potential to create caf-quality beverages at home and control coffee strength and flavor profiles. Historically, innovations in machine design have significantly impacted the accessibility and quality of this foundational coffee preparation method.