Frequently Asked Questions

Popular FAQ's

• Do all filter machines produce the same results?

  The straight answer to this is no. The requirement to produce the very best brewing and extraction rate is a science and very few coffee manufacturers take note of this. Kenwood machines observe the precise measurements required to product the coffee of your choice to its optimum extraction ensuring that you get the very best coffee drinking experience.

  Some of these key factors are:

  • Using fresh water Filter coffee is 98% water so using fresh water is essential to the quality of your coffee. You should consider using filtered water which will also reduce the risk scale build up in your machine.
  • Using the correct coffee grind If grind is too small then water will pass through too slowly causing over extraction, coffee will taste bitter and thin. On the other hand if the coffee grounds are too large water will pass through too quickly and under extract, coffee will taste flat and weak.
  • The right amount of coffee To ensure that you brew a balanced cup of coffee you should use the correct proportion of coffee to water. More or less will result is a stronger or weaker coffee. The ideal ratio is 60g per litre of water. Typical 10 cup machine at 1.25litres will require 75g of coffee.
  • Correct brewing temperature The best temperature to brew coffee is between 92-96°. Too cold and the aroma compounds will not be extracted you won’t extract the full flavour of the bean. Too hot and over extracting will cause a bitter, astringent taste.

• How important is the type of coffee I use?

  The type of coffee is dependent on your own taste, Typically Arabica beans are better and more flavoursome than Robusta. However, the best coffee in the world will not taste to its fullest unless you obverse the points above (see question 4) Generally espresso and filter coffee

• So how do I make a cappuccino or latte?

  Coffee is such a versatile produce that it can be consumed in a various ways. Some of the most popular choices are based with milk and espresso coffee. Cappuccino is one part espresso, one part steam milk and one part frothed milk. Latte is one part espresso and two parts steamed milk. Most espresso machines have a steam function to aerate milk required to make frothed milk. In order to make a latte simply keep the steam wand submerged to the bottom of your frothing vessel; this will draw in less air and create less froth. Do the reverse if you require frothier milk.

• What is espresso coffee and how is it different from filter coffee?

  Espresso has one thing in common with filter coffee that being the bean but that is where their similarities end. Espresso is a concentrated coffee, extracted with pressured water forced through very finely ground powder. The result is small cup of coffee with a rich consistency, bittersweet taste and golden froth on top known as crema. It requires a minimum 9 atmospheres of bar pressure to extract the fuller flavour from espresso.

• What is filter coffee?

  Filter or drip coffee is made by hot water passing through ground coffee. Hot water is filtered solely under the pull of gravity. When water comes into contact with ground coffee, the flavours, colour and aroma from ground coffee are extracted and dissolved in the water, this is known as extraction.