Espresso is one of the most popular coffee drinks in the world. It’s a coffee lover’s dream come true! But, for many people, espresso seems like an elusive beast that they can’t quite tame. This article will give you some tips and tricks that will have you making great espresso at home in no time!
Gear Up
For a high-quality cup, you’ll need the right equipment. The people working at Brew Espresso Coffee know that people enjoy their brews much more when it’s made with good gear that ensures everything is up to their standards. Do some research and make sure your kitchen is fully equipped.
You’ll need an espresso machine, of course, but you’ll also need a good-quality burr grinder. If you don’t have a grinder, you can get by with pre-ground coffee, but it won’t be as fresh and the results won’t be as good. A tamper is also important – this is what you use to compress the grounds in the filter basket.
Clean The Machine
After every use, it’s important to clean your espresso machine. This will help ensure that each cup of coffee tastes as fresh as the last. It’s common knowledge that a functional appliance can boost your productivity, so make sure to do it right.
You’ll also want to clean the portafilter. This is the part of the machine that actually holds the coffee grounds. To do this, simply remove it and rinse it with warm water. Be sure to do this after each use as well.
Careful With The Dosing
Make sure you put in the right amount of coffee grounds. If you use too much, the coffee will be bitter. Too little and the coffee will be weak. The perfect amount of coffee grounds should yield a shot of espresso with a thick layer of crema on top.
For example, if you’re using a 20-gram dose, you should be able to get 40ml of espresso with a nice layer of crema. If you use more coffee, the shot will be darker and the crema will be thinner.
Tamp Evenly
The process of tamping your espresso is just as important. Here are the steps:
- Place your tamping tool on top of the portafilter.
- Slowly apply pressure to evenly distribute the grounds.
- Make sure the tamping is level so that water can flow through evenly.
If your espresso looks light or blond in color, that means you didn’t tamp evenly and water was able to flow through too quickly. If your espresso is dark or overly bitter, that means you tamped too hard and water couldn’t flow through the grounds. The perfect tamp will result in a rich, dark espresso with a thick layer of crema on top.
Mind The Timing
Make sure to brew your espresso within the first 30 seconds of the water hitting the coffee. If you wait too long, the coffee will be over-extracted and taste bitter. minding the timing is a key factor in making great espresso at home.
Espresso is beloved around the world and making it at home is fairly easy. Get good gear and keep it clean at all times. Be very careful when dosing your coffee and tamp it evenly every time. Finally, make sure that you brew it for just the right amount of time so it gives the perfect flavor!