Understanding Portafilters
A portafilter is an essential component of an espresso machine that holds the coffee grounds during the brewing process. It is a metal handle with a basket at the end, where the coffee grounds are packed. As the hot water is forced through the portafilter, it extracts the flavors from the coffee grounds, resulting in a delicious cup of espresso.
What is Backflushing?
Backflushing is a process that is recommended for cleaning the portafilter to maintain the quality of your espresso shots. Over time, coffee oils and residue can accumulate in the portafilter, affecting the taste of the espresso and potentially clogging the machine. Backflushing removes these build-ups, ensuring that your espresso machine operates at its best.
The Backflushing Process
To backflush a portafilter, you will need the following:
- A blind filter basket
- Espres
