How To Make A Good Espresso

What is an Espresso?

An Espresso is a strong black coffee which is made by forcing steam through ground coffee beans.

Espresso Recipes

ESPRESSO	DOPPIO	LUNG
RISTRETTO	MACCHIATO	CAFE CREME
CAFE NOISETTE	CORTADO	CAPPUCINO
DRY CAPPAUCINO	AMERICANO	AFFOGATO
BREVE	MMOCHA BREVE	MOCHA
CAFE CON HIELO	CAFE BOMBON	CON PANNA
FLAT WHITE	BLACK EYE	LATTE
GALLEO	DOUBLE LATTE

 

Tips before you started

This again will change slightly depending on where you drink your coffee but let’s say you want to make the perfect espresso at home. Most of them are just the same as making any other coffee but espresso does have certain special requirements.

Water

• The quality of your water will effect how your espresso tastes. You can test the hardness of your water by buying a kit from most hardware stores
• Treat the water if necessary

Grind

• For an Espresson the coffee grinds need to be very fine.
• Particles need to be around the same size as salt
• Ground coffee will clump together

Dose

• For a double shot of Espresso it is recommended you use between 18-21 grams of ground up coffee
• The more coffee you add will change the taste and intensity of the coffee.

Tamp

• This is compacting ground coffee in order to restrict water, forcing the coffee and water to interact.
• A firm level Tamp is necessary to even extraction

Temperature

• Water heated to 195-2015 degrees Celsius
• Your Espresso Machine should enable you to change temperatures
• Lower temperatures draw out more brightness
• Higher temperatures will improve the roast

Yield

• With Espresso coffee this is measured in coffee input and beverage output, however with brewed coffees this is measured by coffee input and water output.
• 30gram yield is a safe place to start.
• The density of an espresso can change due to the gases trapped in the creama which can make it fluffy.
• Always have a decent cap of crème say ½ inch or so and a total mass of 30-40 grams for 2 ounce shots, but these can be adjusted to suit your tastes

How to make an Espresso

1. Fill the machines reservoir with cold, filtered treated water
2. Turn the machine on so it has time to heat up to the desired temperature, this could take between 15 to 45 minutes depending on the machine you use at home.
3. Run the machine for a few moments with an empty portafilter in the group head
4. Grind a few beans so the coffee clumps nicely together and seems powdery
5. Use 18-21 grams in the portafilter.
6. Time to tamp make sure you focus on pressing evenly use your finger tips check that the bed is level
7. Return the Portafilter to the grouphead and begin the brewing process
8. Begin Infusion and brew at your required yield.
9. Pour and Enjoy