How to Make Espresso
Espresso is one of the purest forms of coffee, and enjoyment of this drink is almost a religious experience for coffee fanatics. Here’s how to make espresso on your own like a pro.
Materials
Roasted espresso beans
Espresso grinder
Espresso machine
Purified water
Tamper
Demitasse cups
Procedure
Remember, if you’re a beginner, there’s a chance that you won’t make your espresso exactly right. It might take you a few tries, but keep at it and you’ll definitely get the right brew.
espresso making
Choose what kind of roast you want to use. Types of roast go by region. For example, Southern Italy favors dark roasts while Northern Italy go for lighter roasts.
Get roasted beans as fresh as you can get them. The more recent their roast dates, the better. Maximum amount of shelf time for those beans should be three weeks from their roast date.
Grind the beans with an espresso coffee bean grinder for best results. A good grinder makes all the difference between an excellent espresso and an espresso tasting like bitterness and sediment.
Use only purified water, as mineral and pollutants can cause the espresso taste to change. Heat it to 90 degrees Celsius. Don’t use boiling water as this also causes a change in the taste of espresso.
For a single shot espresso, use seven grams of ground coffee, or 1/4 ounce for dry volume. For a double shot, use 14 grams.
Put the coffee grounds into the portafilter of the espresso machine using a tamper, an instrument used to compress the coffee grounds to create a resistance that will force water through the grind. Too little resistance and espresso becomes weak or watery. Too much resistance will result with a bitter espresso.
Seat the demitasse cup under the brew basket. Turn on your espresso machine and wait for 20 to 25 seconds to make one or two ounces of espresso. The hazel brown foam or cream at the top of the coffee is your indicator that your espresso is done.
Serve immediately.