How to Make the Perfect Espresso
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.
Shopping for an Espresso Machine? Here's a selection at affordable prices:
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DeLonghi EC155 Espresso Maker List Price: $140.00 Sale Price: Too low to display Used From: $79.99 Average Rating:   |
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The DeLonghi Espresso Maker has a patented dual-function filter holder for use with ground espresso, this unique filter mixes air into the brewing process to produce a perfect crema. Distinguished by it's caramel color, the crema is the essence of authentic espresso... |
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Mr. Coffee ECM160 4-Cup Steam Espresso Machine List Price: $39.99 Sale Price: $34.06 Used From: $31.99 Average Rating: |
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Makes delicious espressos, cappuccinos, and lattes. Powerful milk frother. 4-Cup capacity: 20-ounce. Per shot. Removable drip tray. Easy to pour decanter. Removable frothing aid. On/off indicator light. |
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DeLonghi BAR32 Retro Pump-Driven 35 ounce Espresso Maker List Price: $210.00 Sale Price: Too low to display Used From: $63.00 Average Rating: |
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DeLonghi is proud to present this unique and popular BAR32 Retro Pump-Driven 35 ounce Espresso Maker. Just a few of it's features include pump driven, makes coffee in mug-size or smaller cup-sizes, brews standard or with pods... |
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Capresso 303.01 4-Cup Espresso and Cappuccino Machine List Price: $100.00 Sale Price: $59.95 Used From: $50.00 Average Rating: |
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Experience the full taste of espressos, cappuccinos and lattes. The Capresso 4-Cup Espresso and Cappuccino Machine features an exclusive Coffee/Steam Selector that makes it easy to control both brewing and steaming, allowing the user to adjust coffee strength to their personal taste... |
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Saeco 4045 Vienna Plus 15-Bar-Pump Super-Automatic Espresso Machine, Silver List Price: $700.00 Sale Price: $556.39 Average Rating:  |
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The Vienna's put Saeco's patented removable brew group technology into an easy-to-use interface. You can now make espressos, cappuccinos, lattes, and tea all from one machine that grinds, tamps and brews gourmet coffee... |
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Tags: aribica coffee beans, caffeine, coffee, espresso, espresso machine
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August 13 2008 10:25 am | espresso