COVID-19 continues to alter the way we work, shop, and get our coffee. As a result, you might be wondering if there is a way to make your favorite espresso drink without going out and putting yourself at risk. If this sounds like you, then good news! There is definitely a way to make coffee shop-ready espresso at home. Read on to find out how.
Pick Your Beans
When you next venture out to buy coffee supplies, don’t be afraid to get picky about your beans. All the fancy methods in the world won’t matter if you have low quality coffee. But which beans are best for making espresso? Intriguingly, the answer may lie in geography. In the world, there are different regions known for their distinguished coffee. Many countries in Central and South America are home to coffee farms, as is Ethiopia and the Philippines. Beans from these farms, when not mixed with beans from others, are known as single-origin coffee beans. When compared to coffee blends, they boast a much richer brew.
Pay Attention to Bean Freshness
Once you’ve chosen your beans, it’s crucial that you don’t jump to grinding and brewing right away. In most cases, to get the best taste, professional coffeemakers will let beans sit for a few days. This gets rid of carbon dioxide trapped within the beans and results in a better flavor. Despite this, the amount of time you need to let your beans rest may differ depending on the coffee’s packaging. Some brands will print roasting dates on the packaging itself. When in doubt, you can check for this date.
Equipment
No matter which beans you choose, having the right equipment is vital. Fortunately, there are machines dedicated solely to making espresso. If you are looking to buy one, we suggest checking out these Italian espresso machines!
How to Make Espresso
Now, for the fun part: how to make espresso at home! To start, you’ll need to know how to dose your coffee grounds and measure grind size. Let’s break that down a little. For dosing, it is best to break out a scale that measures in grams. For a double shot of espresso, you’ll want to measure out 13-18 grams of ground coffee. Then, you’ll want to make sure your grind size is perfect. This will be a very finely ground coffee. If you need help visualizing this, YouTube provides some excellent examples. For the next part, you’ll need your espresso machine’s portafilter. Fill the portafilter with the 13-18 grams of coffee and then tamp down evenly. Then, lock the portafilter back into place, and start the machine! If the machine takes drastically longer or shorter than 30 seconds, the grind of your beans might be either too coarse or too fine.
Want More?
Did you enjoy learning how to make espresso? We hope that with some experimentation you can make the perfect cup. Would you like to receive more life advice? If so, check out our other blog posts today!
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