by Ric Moretti
Anyone who has invested in a new espresso machine and is wondering why the end product doesn't live up to their expectations based on what they usually find at the local coffee shop should take a look at the coffee grinder they use to grind your beans.
Its quite common for individuals to buy an espresso machine without putting time and effort into choosing a grinder, or even worse they opt to use pre-ground coffee.
Why shouldn't we be using pre-ground coffee in our machine?
1. The biggest problem with buying pre-ground is that its not going to be as fresh as the coffee used by a Barista who has access to their own grinder. The methods used to pack coffee are actually pretty sophisticated these days but you still can't find a pre-ground product which will taste like one that's freshly ground.
2. The large packets of ground coffee you find in the supermarket are so large that the coffee will have deteriorated greatly from the time you open it and the time you have your last coffee make from the grounds in the bag.
3. You'll obviously be unable to adjust the fineness of the coffee to match the equipment you are using.
Coffee that has been ground too finely for your machine will make it difficult for the water to be pushed through the grounds and you'll have a machine that is under too much pressure and no coffee.
Pick up a packet of coffee that is too coarsely ground and the water that is pushed through it will be unable to pick up the subtle flavors of the bean and your final product will be without a crema.
The only option open to you if you want top quality espresso is to make an investment in a top class coffee grinder to complement your machine. A little research will ensure you get the best coffee grinder for your money, repaying you with good coffee for years to come.
Tags:
coffee,
coffee grinder,
drink,
espresso
June 18 2009 | espresso | No Comments »
by Ric Moretti
Individuals who are interested in coffee and who purchase an espresso machine for the home often wonder why the coffee it makes doesn't live up to the standards they get at the local coffee shop. If that's the case with you, you should examine the coffee grinder you use to grind up your coffee beans.
Its quite common for individuals to buy an espresso machine without putting time and effort into choosing a grinder, or even worse they opt to use pre-ground coffee.
Why shouldn't we be using pre-ground coffee in our machine?
1. There are various problems with this, perhaps the biggest is that its impossible for pre-ground coffee to be as fresh as that made by the Barista and his grinder. Coffee packing methods are actually pretty high-tech these days but you still can't find a packet of pre-ground which tastes anything like the fresh stuff.
2. Buying a large quantity of coffee that's already ground means it will degrade further before you get around to using it. By the time you finish the packet the coffee produced will be even more substandard than when you opened it.
3. Getting pre-ground means you don't get to choose the fineness of the coffee which is so important to final quality of your drink.
Coffee that has been ground too finely for your machine will make it difficult for the water to be pushed through the grounds and you'll have a machine that is under too much pressure and no coffee.
Coffee which is ground too course means the water which is pumped through it under pressure will be unable to pick up the flavors and you'll be left with a cup of insipid liquid without the famous espresso crema.
To get great espresso it always pays to make a financial sacrifice and buy the best coffee grinder you can find. Do your research on the Internet and find a grinder recommended by people who know what they are talking about.
Tags:
coffee,
coffee grinder,
drink,
espresso
June 18 2009 | espresso | No Comments »