Alternatives

People have been drinking coffee for centuries. The espresso machine was invented in 1901. Many ingenious methods have been developed for making coffee by different cultures over the centuries. Here is a selection of alternative means for making coffee. Steamers – invented by Italians, of course – were the first machines which used a closed system. The high pressure inside brings out flavours effectively, but also makes the brew acidic. Their design is usually “retro” style. Filters had been regarded as the only means of making large quantities for a long time. Paper filters can absorb some of the oils which give coffee its characteristic flavour, which means that investing in metallic filters is a good idea. Cafetiére is a French invention which is becoming increasingly popular in Hungary as well. It has an internal filter to push coffee down. The temperature of the water should be 80-85 degrees. At this temperature, four minutes are required to make a cup. Turkish coffee is also made in the Middle East, North Africa and Greece. A mixture of finely ground coffee and sugar is added to boiling water. After heating to boiling point, the mixture is cooled down and heated up again. This process is repeated 2-6 times, producing very strong coffee which is usually served with water.