At its core, the machine uses a heating block or a small boiler to heat cold water. Once the coffee grounds are loaded into the portafilter and tamped firmly, the extraction switch is activated. The machine’s internal pump then forces the heated water through the compacted coffee puck at a certain pressure (typically up to 15 bar or higher), extracting a cup of espresso rich in crema within 20–30 seconds.
Afterward, you can switch to steam mode and use the generated steam to heat and froth milk, creating milk foam.