Making a Great Espresso
How do YOU make a Perfect Espresso at Home?
The delicious sounds produced by the word, Espresso! The commonly known beverage amongst coffee drinkers, which is becoming increasingly more serious in the way it's produced. In other words, a serious espresso lover knows the proper equipment, measurements, time table, and grounds selection when the time comes to executing the perfect cup of espresso!
In my love of coffee, I've too also become very fond of espresso. I've had only a few amazing consumptions of the wonderful brew, and a couple want-to-be consumptions that left my head shaking. From my standpoint, an amazing consumption of espresso begins with a barista who believes they are in constant competition with the world in making the most flavorful cup.
This is my understanding of how to fascinate the taste buds with the ultimate taste of espresso at home. Quality beans, storage, recent roast date, exceptional grind texture, well maintained equipment, tamping, and a serious barista.
It starts with the proper, fresh, whole coffee beans, which means quality. Great quality beans, equals great flavor and crema of the espresso. After considering the quality, the storage is the next process. The ideal storage of fresh beans is in an airtight container, away from heat and light maintaining a constant temperature. Storing them in the freezer isn't necessary, but using them within a three week time span is. With this, the phenomenal roasted taste is of utmost importance. The roast date of the beans, which is typically located on the back of the bag, is vital when the taste is being recognized. Recognizing the grind of the bean has much to do with the outcome of the flavor. With coarse grounds, your espresso is more apt to have characteristics to that of being watered down and flat. Fine grounds may lead to a burned or ashy flavoring of your espresso. The ultimate flavor would be the product of grounds that are similar to that of flour with small portions of a salty texture added.
When it comes to the care of your porter filter and basket, keeping these clean of any old residue and dry is the best upkeep for flavor and aroma of your espresso. It is said that tamping can improve the extraction, flavor, and aroma of the espresso as well. If the process is done properly, when turning the basket upside down the grounds should stay in place.
Ratios are different according to taste buds. Some espresso drinkers prefer two parts dry coffee to three parts wet espresso, while others suggest 30mls to 30 seconds. Meaning if your espresso takes longer than 30 seconds to brew, the flavor and aroma may not be satisfactory. Indications of fabulous coffee are having the brew delivered to your cup of consumption enabling you to enjoy all the components of your coffee, including the crema. As your espresso is brewing, you may notice a select few drips followed by slightly viscous streams that may appear as though the streams are springing back up due to the oils in the beans.
Now for my curiosity, what are your thoughts?
- How important is the crema to you? Considering when purchasing espresso from most coffee shops in the U.S., most, if not all of the crema which contains much of the flavorful components is left behind in the initial container as it's poured into your serving cup.
- Do you prefer grinding the beans at home, or is pre-ground coffee okay?
- Is tamping coffee grounds an absolute must before brewing your espresso?
- What's your opinion on how and where to store your coffee beans?
- Do you believe that the temperature plays an important role in the storage of coffee beans?
