For many of us, a cup of coffee is the magic potion that helps us stay energized throughout the day. Waiting in line for a premium espresso at a café is a daily ritual for some. Investing in an espresso machine skips the need for coffee-hunting every day. It lets you brew a perfect cup of coffee at the comfort of your home just the way you like it.
Explore the different tastes of coffee with a home espresso machine:
When it comes to coffee, preferences vary widely. Some like it with milk, some prefer it strong while some want it sugary. It takes few attempts to find out which one works for you. A home espresso machine helps you explore the world of coffee and you may end up with a new favorite. It is going to take more than a few attempts to master a cup of coffee but the efforts are worth it.
Tools and ingredients needed to brew an espresso:
- Quality espresso machine: Do thorough research online and shortlist one. Check out the features of each, see if it features a strong brew in a short period, and is equipped with a high-pressure piston. There are many good ones available under $1000.
- Coffee beans: Purchase dark-roast, premium grade coffee beans and store them in a cool, airtight container.
- Grinder: Espresso machines that are equipped with grinders are generally big. If your machine doesn’t come with a grinder, purchase a conical-shaped, slow-rotating burr grinder with a powerful motor. If the coffee beans aren’t ground well, the coffee won’t taste good.
- Water: As espresso comprises 95% coffee. Use pure water or soft water that has no chemicals and minerals in it for a smooth flavor.
How to brew an espresso?
There are 5 steps involved to make an espresso. Learn about how to make espresso in detail at MyFriendsCoffee. They are the best online resource for coffee lovers and include information on recipes, brewing equipment, brewing methods, etc. The steps to make espresso are as follows:
- Pull an empty shot to preheat your portafilter. Running hot water through it preheats the portafilter. It can take anywhere between 15 to 30 minutes.
- Grind your fresh beans just before brewing. See that its texture is like that of granulated sugar. Coarse texture makes the coffee watery and sour while if it is more powdered, the coffee has a bitter taste. It needs few trials to master this.
- Fill the portafilter with 14 to 18gms / 3 tablespoon of table grounds. Adjust the measurement based on how strong or light you want your coffee to be.
- Apply firm pressure and tamp the grounds in such a way it is evenly distributed.
- Insert the portafilter into the espresso machine’s head after placing a preheated cup underneath. A thin stream of coffee (with dark foam) is expelled for about 20 to 30 seconds. Remove the cup if you see the foam beginning to whiten.
Clean your espresso machine at least twice every month so that your espresso tastes excellent every time. With a home espresso machine, you get to enjoy a steaming cup of delicious espresso every morning and skip a trip to the local café.
