Espresso Yourself
While I am not a barista, here is a method for making espresso that a barista taught me.
The Necessary Ingredients
- My first instinct was to start with the “best” coffee I could find. Wrong. Everything with coffee start with the quality of the water, and it is doubly true with espresso. If the water is stale no quality of coffee or filtering will overcome bad-quality of water. Personally, I use fresh filtered, not bottled, and very hot, 203 F (95 C).
- Now select your coffee. There are two types cultivated commercially, arabica and robusta. Robusta has more caffeine but less flavor and is not as widely available. Contrary to popular belief, espresso has less caffeine than light or medium roasted coffee used for everyday. The darker the roast the less caffeine that remains. Espresso is about flavor, not a shot of adrenaline. Arabica is your bean of choice, and select beans grown at high altitudes, typically any coffee produced in Central or South America. Purists will demand that roasting your own coffee is the only way to really do espresso. Hey, I barely have room for the appliances on my counter now. So, unless you are uber-crazy about this then choose a company, like Cafe Britt,
- You may not be roasting your own beans but do buy whole beans and grind these yourself. Blade grinders are acceptable for course grinds, but use a burr grinder for espresso. The grounds should be fine to have as much surface area as possible in contact with the water. Burr grinders are more expensive (in the United States burr grinders cost approximately twice, or more, as much as a blade grinder), but considering the investment made in the espresso machine are simply a financial add-on.
- Experimentation with the grind is required to master the grinder you have chosen. If your grind is like sand or gravel it is not fine enough. If powdery then this is too fine. Like baby bear in the children’s story, you want them “just right.” Also, brew your espresso within minutes of grinding. Exposure to air (oxidation) causes a loss of flavor.
- And finally, choose an espresso machine that uses a boiler or thermoblock to heat water. Avoid a machine that relies on steam to produce pressure. Instead, choose one that produces pump pressure of 9 bar or better. I cannot explain all the technical aspects of these qualities but being an engineer is not required in making great espresso.
- It has been said that cleanliness is next to Godliness. Whether true or not, a clean espresso machine is essential. You should thoroughly clean your machine between uses and it will render good service to you.
The Process
- Warm your machine by running clean, fresh water through to the cup without any coffee in the holder. This flushes the system and heats the internal parts.
- Next, place your coffee into the holder and slightly pat it down. Again, pack it “just right,” not too tight, but not where the grounds easily move around either. Replace the holder on the machine, ensuring it is well secured.
- Place your warmed cup under the spigot and start the machine brewing.
Have the BEST cup ever!
J. Lance Curtis
The Coffee Drinker
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14 Responses to “Espresso Yourself”
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I’ve never been a big espresso drinker, but I ‘d like to try yours. You really know your coffee. Making espresso has become an art.
I never would have though that so much goes into the perfect cup of coffee.
I like to drink coffee a lot i made makes both hot and cold coffe but i likes hot coffee most. I make coffee with milk and never use water in it just hot milk and add coffee powder in it shake it well. It gives really good teste and reduce my work strees and feels fresh and energetic.
I’ve been denying it for awhile now, I need a new espresso machine. The extra expense for a better machine with a boiler or thermoblock to heat water is worth it in the long run. I didn’t know there was such a thing as packing the coffee grounds too tight.
That’s good information Lance.I myself don’t drink Espresso coffee.I don’t think so its available here In my country.About water you are absolutely right.Lot of depends upon quality of water.I guess we here get Arabica coffee only.At list i haven’t seen robusta type here in market.I will try your few tips noted above for fresh coffee.Thanx!
I’ve yet to be brave enough to give espresso at home a whirl - I stick to the coffee shops for that. For some reason, I thought it was more difficult than that - I’d definitely have to use bottled/filtered water for it. Our tap water is fine for a lot of things, but coffee isn’t one of them, so I’m thinking it’s DEFINITELY not good for espresso!
i am very fond of coffee and I really thank you for this information. I like both hot and cold but the taste of hot coffee is awesome.
I agree that the water quality makes a huge difference in the final taste of the espresso. I start noticing a difference in flavor when my fridge water filter is close to needing changed.
I’ve never been a big espresso drinker, but I ‘d like to try yours. You really know your coffee. Making espresso has become an art.
Espresso drinks sound very good so i might start drinking them.
i agree with the quality of water and beans needs to be fresh.I am pretty sure you know about your coffee.And i am sure I would be a big espresso drinker sooner than later.
after all what u said i have really got a lot of good knowledge about coffe and i think instead of drinking of at cafe coffee day i should try urs .i knew less about coffee but now i hav lerned more..thnks …
I like Espresso coffee. Last week, I bought a Esperesso machine so that I can enjoy Espresso everyday!
Hey!! this is the good tip to have fresh water and hot to get the best taste of coffee.
i had never given a thought about this before.surely follow this tip……..bye