A beverage cap with pressure-activated valve for use with filter presses having a hollow cylinder and removable piston that when pressed forces liquid through the cylinder and beverage cap into an open vessel. Such presses are particularly suited for coffee beverages, especially espresso. The beverage cap includes multiple protrusions that are discontinuous and distributed to improve filter support and distribute pressure more uniformly through the cavity and along the filter, thereby allowing use of thin paper filters and avoiding tearing or blow out. The beverage cap can include a removable valve insert that includes a valve body supporting a movable vale and support members that support the filter at a central valve region, further reinforcing the filter to avoid blow out of paper filters. The beverage cap can include a gasket to enhance air-tight sealing with the cylinder and can include multiple valves for use with oversized presses.

A coffee brewing mechanism includes a brewing module having a swing arm, a pot and a driving assembly. The pot is connected to the swing arm and is operable to swing back and forth between an ascending position and a press-down position. The driver assembly includes a link rod and a driving member, wherein one end of the link rod is connected to the swing arm and the other end is provided with a follower. A cam is connected to the driving member, has a working curve and is in rolling contact with the follower. The working curve is formed by connecting a first arc and a second arc, and a radius of curvature of the first arc is greater than a radius of curvature of the second arc.