The proliferation of coffee shops on every street corner may be quite obvious to most people. Indeed, coffee shops have come a long way, now brewing different types of coffee beans into a number of coffee concoctions that people enjoy. Espresso is one of the most popular choices for people to order and savor in coffee shops, although the cost can become quite exorbitant for the frequent visitors. Espresso machines are used to produce the traditional Italian coffee drinks, often prepared by trained baristas to balance the flavor, aroma and acidity of the espresso. The popularity of the said drink may be the reason behind the presence of espresso machines not only in coffee shops but in more and more coffee lovers’ homes.

Heavenly Espresso

Perfect espresso captures the richness of the coffee beans, preserving its robust aroma and flavor with the right acidity, bitterness and punch. Traditionally produced using lever-style espresso devices, there are now countless varieties of espresso machines that will suit every consumer’s needs and budget to produce a flavorful shot of espresso. Rich, almost syrupy espresso may then be taken as is or may be used as the base for almost all coffee concoctions.

What Espresso Devices do

Espresso machines are specially designed to capture the full flavor of coffee in one shot. Freshly ground coffee is put into a metal filter basket which is then tamped or compressed to make a dense coffee puck. Pressurized water of the proper temperature is then forced into the coffee puck, and secured by a locked portafilter. Most machines available also have steam wands to steam and froth milk for espresso beverages such as lattes and cappuccinos. Although initially manufactured for commercial use, espresso machines have found their way into more and more homes, with smaller versions of the larger commercial machines.

Types of Espresso Machines

There are different types of espresso machines that can satisfy the needs, whims and budget considerations of consumers. Stovetop espresso makers and steam espresso pots are considered little, portable machines that can produce a rich espresso. Piston-driven espresso makers, the original blueprint for current espresso machines, are also popular since they can produce high quality espresso and may be decorative showpieces that add a homey touch to country kitchens. Traditional pump-driven espresso makers which inspired commercial espresso machines are also popular, practical and affordable choices. For those who are after comfort and quickness in preparing their espressos, semi-automatic or automatic espresso machines are equipped with water pumps and manually controlled grind, brew and tamp levers. Super automatic espresso machines, although expensive, may be the best choice for people who lack the time or expertise to make the perfect espresso. These devices are self-contained, and only require owners to fill the water reservoir and the bean hopper. The amazing machine will do the rest of the work in brewing the perfect cup of espresso every time.

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Ever wondered what the secrets are to making an Espresso as good as the coffee house baristas do? Well stay with me a while and I will give away some of their trade secrets so you too can master the art of making a great cup of espresso.

The most important ingredient in making a good tasting espresso is to use pure fresh filtered or rain water. Regardless of what quality coffee grounds you use it won’t override the associated taste of poor water. For most of us chlorine and other chemicals in our tap water will put us at a real disadvantage. It might surprise some to know water can get stale so make sure it hasn’t been sitting around in plastic containers or in the fridge for too long before you use it.

To make a new brew of espresso remember to use very hot water with an optimum temperature of around 203F (95C) or nearly boiling water. If you don’t want to get too technical using a thermometer, just switch the jug off as the water is starting to boil and then count to ten. That has always worked for me.

Of course the next most important ingredient is the coffee. These days there is an abundance of choice and sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. I like to be a little adventurous and try coffees from different countries all over the world. Each one has its own unique flavour. Some I like and some I don’t go back for a second go.

One of my favorites is Arabica coffee which comes from the high country in Brazil or Bogota. Some people like to roast the green beans themselves while others are content to buy them freshly roasted. Either way it is important to make sure the beans are fresh and have a good aromatic smell to them.

Also Robusta is one you might like to try. This variety has more caffeine but is a little less full bodied flavour than Arabica. Generally it should be used for those quick pick-me-up cups but it’s not at all suitable for an espresso that is to be savoured.

Once you start exploring different types of coffee, blending is something you might like to try your hand at. A blend of 70% Arabica and 30% Robusta is a great favorite of mine because it takes away the heavy chocolate taste of the Arabica and gives a mellower and more creamy texture to the brew. Women more often enjoy this blend as it is milder in flavor and is not such an assault on the taste buds. In Australia you can find this blend already ground in the MAP brand (red packet).

From personal experience let me tell you adding a grinder to your kitchen appliances will open up a whole world of espresso coffee tasting for you. Being able to buy beans of any type and bring them home and finely grind them yourself is essentially a defining experience.

Another important point is that the quality of the espresso machine you buy will of course affect the quality of the espresso coffee it produces. Here I should remind you to look for a machine that is easy to clean and maintain as well as one that generates heat by boiler or thermoblock and is capable of producing pump pressure of 9 bar or better. A thermoblock heats water as it passes through the machine on the way to the pump. For a really professional and satisfying brew it is best to avoid the cheaper units that rely on steam to create pressure.

Now that we know all that we are ready to make a top cup of espresso. For the best results pre-warm the equipment by running clean water through the machine is a good idea. Then when you turn the machine on, let the water heat, before running a cup through with no coffee to warm the surfaces and flush the system.

Next you can add the freshly ground espresso roast and then tamp it down slightly with the back of a spoon, just like you would in a tobacco pipe till you feel some springiness - but the coffee shouldn’t scatter about.

Then put the hopper in the machine and place a warmed espresso cup at the outlet. Now comes the good part, start the machine and in about five seconds you will have a steady stream of beautiful espresso coffee. For a double shot it will take about 20 seconds to complete.

Making cappuccino is easy this way as all you have to do is warm half a cup of milk in the microwave for about 90 seconds, froth it with the wand and add it to the espresso. If you are like me and love the froth use full cream milk rather than reduced fat milk as it froths better. To make it just like a bought one, sprinkle some cinnamon over the top. However if you really want to create a sensation you could shave some chocolate or sprinkle cocoa on the top. For the sweet tooth you will probably need a teaspoon of sugar.

In a nutshell the secret to making a good cup of espresso at home that tastes just like one from your favourite coffee shop is to start with good quality coffee, keep your equipment nice and clean, use fresh water, don’t burn the roast and make sure you grind it properly.

Enjoy.

 

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Coffee drinks are quite the rage these days and the espresso and latte are among the favorites. Sure, you can get them at the local coffee house, but why not save some money and make them yourself?

Here’s some tips on foolproof methods to the best espresso drinks around.

First off, you want to start with a good quality machine. If you are serious about your espresso, you need to spring for the best machine you can get. One thing to look for in a quality machine is to make sure it has a built in grinder as the grind of the beans is key to good coffee.

When you grind your beans for espresso or latte drinks, make sure you give it a good medium to fine grind. If they are too course the drink will be very weak, on the other hand if you grind the beans to fine the drink will taste bitter. A little bit of practice makes perfect!

To brew your espresso should only take 15 to 20 seconds. While your drink is dripping out into the cup, a foam should form on the top. When you see that the water coming out is a whitish brown color it’s time to stop and reap the rewards.

The output should yield 1 ½ fluid ounces. If you have made more than that then your drink may be bitter.

Now that you have your perfect espresso drink, you can use it to make a latte. Lattes are great and can be flavored to taste like the ever popular mocha latte.

A latte is really espresso and frothed milk along with the flavoring. So to make a mocha latte, you will mix in chocolate syrup.

Start with a coffee cup and our about 1 3/4 ounces of choclate syrup into the cup. Next add 2 ounces of espresso and then top that with the steamed milk. Now stir the drink from the bottom so that the syrup mixes in. You can get fancy and put a smidge of whipped cream on top and even some choclate shavings if you have them. Enjoy!

Lee Dobbins is a writer for Online Gourmet Foods where you can
find out more about gourmet foods and coffee.

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