Great Espresso starts with great water. The first thing an operator should do is test their water to find out the hardness. Water hardness is measured in grains per gallon, a grain is (64.8 milligrams) of calcium carbonate dissolved in 1 US gallon of water (3.785412 L). Espresso is 85-96% water and that water is extremely important to drawing out the flavor of those expensive coffee beans.
But what determines the taste of a great tasting espresso? Crema! Crema is the flavorful, aromatic, reddish-brown froth made when air bubbles combine with fine-ground coffee’s soluble oils. The strong presence of crema in an espresso shot indicates a quality, well-ground coffee and a skilled barista (professional coffee maker). Crema, compared to drip coffee, helps give espresso a fuller flavor and longer aftertaste. The key to creating that perfect crema is tailoring the hardness of the water and Pentair/Everpure working directly with Specialty Coffee Operators and Espresso Equipment Manufactures developed working solutions to take care of espresso water regardless of the number of grains of hardness at an operators location.
The ESO7, 9607-25 (ESO stands for Espresso, the 7 just means the size of the filter cartridge) is a three-in-one system providing filtration, scale prevention and buffering/softening of the water. The water retains enough mineral to bring out the espresso flavors. The ESO7 will take care of up to 5,300 grains of hardness or at 8 grains of hardness will generate 511 gallons of espresso before it will need to be changed. Need more capacity than that and more ability to work with the hardness of the water you want for your espresso?
The Claris XXL, 4339-14, unit will give you the same great 3 in 1 filter but also give you the ability to generate 2,910 gallons of espresso, (at 10 grains of hardness) but also has an adjustable DUOBLEND™ bypass valve that allows for a more precise adjustment of carbonate hardness. Either system is quick to install, easy to handle and fast to service. Not sure how hard your water is? Confused about what system would help “perfect” your crema? We can help! Call us at 800-942-7873. We are happy to answer all your question.
Did you also know that Espresso is 90% water! It is a key essential ingredient in espresso preparation. So having a water filtration system becomes a must, especially in areas with hard water. Not having filtered water will affect the taste of your espresso as well as the lifespan of your equipment. 
