We bring you a method that, more than a sensorial experience, looks like chemical laboratory equipment: Siphon.
The search for the perfectly brewed cup has been going on for a long time. As an example we have the Continental Balancing Siphon, illustrated in this article, which is nothing more than a fully automatic 19th century tabletop vacuum coffee maker. This type of coffee maker is also known as a vac pot, siphon or siphon coffee maker, and was invented by Loeff of Berlin in the 1830s.
These devices have been used for over a century in many parts of the world. The design and composition of the vacuum coffee maker varies, but in all it is a fascinating demonstration of physical principles in action. Although generally complex for everyday use, the vacuum device was valued for producing a tastier beverage and was popular until the mid-20th century.
One of the first variants of the technique, called the balance siphon or Belgian coffee maker, was to have the two chambers arranged side by side in a kind of device similar to a scale, interconnected by a tube. The coffee is placed in one chamber (usually glass) and the water in the other (usually ceramic). A lamp heats the water, forcing it to pass through the tube and into the other container, where it mixes with the coffee.
As water is transferred from one vessel to another, a balancing system based on a counterweight or spring mechanism is activated by the change in weight. This, in turn, causes the flame to go out. A partial vacuum is formed that siphons the ground coffee through a filter and returns to the first container, from which it is dispensed through a tap.
Experiencing the entire process awakens your senses, as you can observe art and science in action, giving even more excitement when tasting your cup of coffee. The aroma of the coffee is more intense as it is trapped within the mechanism that influences the flavor and produces a clean, crisp and vibrant tasting coffee. The drink resulting from this process has a marked sweetness, low acidity and no bitterness, characteristics that will also depend on the coffee that will be used in the preparation.
Gold-plated examples with Bacarrat crystal, reminiscent of the 1850s in Paris, when it was invented, are worth small fortunes today, but balance siphons can be found in online stores for more affordable prices.
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