Basket
The Basket (also known as the portafilter basket) is a part of the portafilter, where ground coffee is placed to allow hot water from the Espresso machine to pass through and create the Espresso.
This is an essential component of an Espresso machine, shaped like a metal funnel with a flat bottom and numerous small holes. The primary function of the basket is to hold the finely ground coffee, allowing hot water under high pressure to permeate and extract a rich Espresso. The size and shape of the basket will vary depending on the type of machine and the Espresso brewing method.
During the Espresso brewing process, the ground coffee is placed into the basket, then tamped tightly before the portafilter (handle) is attached to the machine. After each use, the basket needs to be cleaned and maintained regularly to ensure the best coffee quality.