All baristas have their own method when making and serving coffee drinks. Here?s my method?
Everything starts with water. Coffee grounds, regardless of quality, cannot overcome using poor water. The water must be fresh and very hot at near boiling. It may sound strange, but water can become stale due to inadequate filtering and cleaning.
The coffee is next. I recommend choosing aribica regardless of whether it is from Brazil or somewhere else. It is best self-roasted or purchased not too many days after it is delivered. You always want the coffee to have a lovely, ?fresh food? aroma.
The second category of coffee, robusta, is much easier to grow and more resistant to disease, but also has less flavor and more caffeine. It is best used as a quick energy fix and not for a the finer coffees like espressos meant to be enjoyed and savored.
The coffee should be finely ground in burr grinders for a dark roast, either Viennese or French referring to the ground color. Burr grinders are preferred here b/c of their pyramid shaped teeth between two plates that grind the beans, whereas blade grinders simply chop rather than grind.
With burr grinders, the distance between the plates determines the granule consistency. A powdery consistency is too fine whereas a small-gravel size is too large. A sand grain-sized granule is a just right. Be sure the grinder is not exposed to air any longer than necessary or the coffee will oxidize and take in odors. Neither is beneficial to any good cup of coffee.
Finally, a good espresso is made in a quality, clean machine with quality meaning one that generates heat by a boiler or a thermoblock and can produce pump pressure of nine bar or higher. Try to avoid the cheaper machines that use steam to create pressure.
Now, let?s move onto the process?
Be sure to warm up the machine prior to using it by running good water through the machine. Now, turn the machine on, let the water warm up slightly before running a cup through without coffee to allow the machine to flush itself. Add the grounded granules and pack it down slightly. You should feel some spring to the grounds, but the coffee should not loose. Insert the hopper into the machine and place an espresso cup at the outlet. Start the machine and wait just a few seconds for the thin stream to flow. Add extra time for a double shot of espresso.
As you see, it is a fairly straightforward process. A great espresso is all about using quality ingredients, using a clean machine and not burning the roast.
About the Author:
Johnathan Bakers publishes largely for http://www.coffee-espresso-maker-tips.com , an online site covering information on coffeemakers . You can come across his comments on
automatic coffeemakers over at http://www.coffee-espresso-maker-tips.com.
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August 13 2008 | espresso | No Comments »
For so many of us, coffee is the critical fuel that gets us going each day. Even I agree that it takes no less than two cups of coffee before I am fully alert and can properly perform my daily duties.
Coffee, containing caffeine, is a stimulant (also called xanthine alkaloid) and is found in the coffee bean and the tea leaf. As one of the most consumed drinks by adult people throughout the world, it provides awareness to the brain that spreads throughout the entire body.
Do you like to brew your own coffee? There are two primary methods of preparing your own coffee. One using a coffee machine and the other using an espresso machine. Espresso machines are really the preferred method for most coffee drinkers. They cite the robust flavor and decreased brewing time as reasons.
An espresso machine can come in lots of different sizes: you can buy a small one for your home, or watch a barista use a larger machine in a coffee shop. These machines all do basically the same thing: they shoot streams of hot water through concentrated ground coffee, and the end result is a tiny shot of frothy espresso.
Besides drinking straight espresso, you can mix it with frothed milk, cream, or water to make other drinks Many professionals prefer espresso machines because the flavor and intensity of the coffee remains intact. Other coffee makers that brew the coffee produce a more diluted drink than espresso, but it preferred by people that do not want to mix drinks, don’t want a drink as strong as espresso, or are looking for a simple, hot drink.
Variations of Espresso - The various types of espresso machines available produce many different taste and intensities of espresso, regardless of the exact production, the result is still identifiable as the basis for high quality coffee beverages.
Lots of different kinds of coffee flavored drinks have been developed, and many of them have enjoyed great popularity in recent years. One of them is the Caf Latte, which pairs espresso with milk. A cappuccino does the same thing, but tops it off with froth; a cortado is just a plain shot of frothy espresso.
Mocha a cafe latte with chocolate syrup added. The same technique as the mocha can be used to a turn a cafe latte into different drinks by adding vanilla, amaretto, caramel, or other flavorings and syrups.
Espresso is a popular beverage that is enjoyed all year round. With new flavors and techniques being introduced all the time, you will have fun seeking out your favorite blend.
Enjoying your own Home Espresso Machine is practical and very affordable with Espresso Makers to fit every budget. Get the latest Espresso Machine Reviews at Home Espresso Machine.
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June 23 2008 | espresso | No Comments »