Tips on Brewing Espresso

When it comes to brewing the perfect shot of espresso, there are a few non-negotiables. Much of espresso brewing is an art, allowing you to use your creativity. However, still other components of brewing a shot of espresso are a science that need to be adhered to for the perfect shot. Here we go!

• First of all, make sure that you are brewing within the right timeframe. A double shot of espresso should brew within 25 seconds, so if that is not the case, adjust your grind consistency.
• Next, your home espresso machine should be brewing at around 190°, and it should yield a 160° shot of espresso that is perfect for drinking.
• The ideal shot of espresso is extracted at around nine bars of pressure, though many home espresso machines have the maximum capacity of 15 to 19 bars of pressure.
• Last of all, your perfect shot of espresso will be signified by a beautiful crema on top. Until that time, practice makes perfect!

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Cortado Coffee: What Is It?

Cortado coffee is a traditional beverage that is often found in Portugal, Spain, and Latin America. The word cortado means shortened in Spanish, so you can expect a shortened version of an espresso drink with this brew.

To make cortado coffee, start out by brewing a fresh shot of espresso, and then steaming milk on your home espresso machine. Add a small amount of steamed milk without foam to the espresso to complete the drink, which should overall range from 5 to 7 ounces.

This is a smaller version of a regular espresso beverage, and it also makes it easier for you to taste the richness of the espresso itself. This drink has many different versions, so you may be able to find it made with condensed milk or even a dash of cream!

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A Condensed Espresso History

In late 1800s, fresh brewed coffee was called Café-espress because it was made expressly for the individual who ordered it. This means that the beans were freshly roasted, freshly ground, and freshly brewed directly before drinking.

As time passed, people began to have less time to wait for their coffee to brew, similar to our society today. This caused the need for an espresso machine that would brew quickly and accurately. The first attempt was made in 1896 at the World's Fair, and it used steam to brew up to 3,000 cups per hour. Unfortunately, direct contact with steam cause the coffee to taste poor and bitter.

The solution came in 1901 when the first espresso machine was invented by Luigi Bezzara, and then manufactured in 1905 by Pavoni, the founder of the famous La Pavoni machines today. Now you know who to thank!

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Are Super Automatic Espresso Machines a Good Choice?

If you are considering what type of espresso machine to purchase for home use, super automatic espresso machines are more popular than ever!

Choosing a machine for home use provides you with the option of manual, semi-automatic, or super automatic. Super automatic machines are often more expensive because they work with a one touch system, so the machine will grind, dose, tamp, and brew for you within moments. This is something preferred by people who do not have experienced barista skills and who also want to save time in brewing.

If you have a question about the durability of these types of machines, they are actually made of premium materials, like stainless steel, and they often use two different heating systems so that there is no downtime between brewing and steaming to create your beverage. Super automatic espresso machines are built to last!

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What is a Tamper?

If you have a manual or semi-automatic espresso machine, then you have the opportunity to use a tamper. This is a device with a flat end made of wood or stainless steel used to apply pressure to the fresh espresso grounds in the portafilter.

It is recommended to tamp the fresh espresso with 40 pounds of pressure, and you can practice this by pressing down on a bathroom scale to see what 40 pounds of pressure feels like. Use this pressure when you tamp the fresh espresso grounds to create a puck that has an even distribution of pressure for the extraction process.

You can practice your tamping skills by checking how long it takes the espresso shot to brew. An ideal shot should brew within 25 seconds, so adjust your methods accordingly!

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How To Keep Espresso From Tasting Bitter

If you are freshly brewing your espresso at home, then congratulations! Still, you may have come upon the issue that your espresso is brewing with a burnt and bitter taste, so what are you to do?

First of all, make sure that you are brewing with completely fresh and cool water. If you are brewing with water that has been sitting in the machine for several days, it will affect the taste of your brew.

Next, make sure that you have invested in a quality machine. If you bought a cheap espresso machine from Wal-Mart, you may want to invest in a more premium brand that produces specialized espresso machines for a few hundred dollars.

Last of all, make sure that the espresso shot is brewed within 25 seconds. If it brews too short or too long, then check the grind consistency because that could affect the flavor and taste!

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All About Espresso

Espresso is a rich and complex beverage, but how much do you know about this brew?

The word espresso was said to have been derived from the Anglo-American word "pressed-out". The word espresso is used for this rich brew in many Latin-based countries, like France, Portugal, and Spain. Espresso became popular in the United States in the 1990s with the rise of the coffee house, which was said to have originated as a trend in Seattle.

If you are interested in enjoying an authentic shot of espresso, then why not try an Affogato? This is the Italian word for "drowned". Basically, it is a serving of vanilla gelato "drowned" with a fresh shot of espresso. Delicious!

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What Are The Benefits of a Superautomatic vs. a Traditional Espresso Machine?

If you are trying to decide between a traditional and superautomatic espresso machine for home, office, or commercial use, they each have their own benefits.

When it comes to a superautomatic espresso machine, so many people choose this because of the utter convenience. It will create an entire drink for you with the touch of a button, and it also works fast and consistently. You also have the opportunity to program the drinks that you like for the machine to remember. This is an ideal machine for a larger office break room setting because it will dispense drinks easily and in a timely manner.

A traditional espresso machine is perfect for any espresso connoisseur who wants more control in the production of their espresso. You will have to grind your beans, tamp the espresso, and brew the espresso product. However, you have the opportunity to alter your grind consistency, brew time, tamping, and other factors to create an espresso that is just right for you!

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Tips You Need To Know To Brew The Best Espresso

If you want to brew the best shot of espresso every time on your home espresso machine, here are the secrets you need to know:

• The perfect shot of espresso should brew in around 25 seconds, and if it doesn't, then check your grind consistency.
• It is best to use filtered or soft water to prevent scale and buildup in your machine. It is not recommended to use distilled water because it has distortions of the mineral composition.
• Always use freshly roasted espresso beans, and they will go stale within 10 to 14 days.
• For espresso, it is ideal to use a conical burr grinder for an even and thorough consistency.
• Brew your fresh espresso grounds right away because they will begin to go stale and oxidize within 30 seconds.

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State-of-the-Art Delonghi Coffee and Espresso Machines

Delonghi is a trustworthy coffee and espresso company that produces premium machines. One thing to keep in mind about Delonghi machines is that they will offer advanced brewing features because this company is always working to update their brewing technologies.

If you are looking for a convenient semi-automatic espresso machine for home use, then consider the Delonghi BAR32. This is a small and compact machine that is adaptable to ESE espresso pods for more convenient brewing. This machine guarantees a silky and perfect crema atop your espresso with every brew through the use of the Sempre Crema Filter.

Delonghi also offers machines that are in combination, like the Delonghi BCO120T Combination Machine that can brew both coffee and espresso. This is perfect to save money on purchasing two different machines, and it also offers the Vario System Flavor Selector to allow you to adjust the brew strength of your espresso!

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Checklist For Purchasing a Home Espresso Machine

If you are about to bring home your own espresso machine, you may feel like a proud parent! However, it is still important to keep in mind what to look for in purchasing your home espresso machine.

1. Price: Determine your budget, and this will help you decide what features you would like in your home espresso machine. You can purchase a premium home espresso machine for a minimum of $600, and it will be super automatic with a variety of features.
2. Brewing Preference: It is helpful to determine what type of drinks you want to brew, like cappuccinos, mochas, or just plain espressos. This will also help you decide whether or not you would like a machine with adjustable brew strength and coffee dose at the touch of a button.
3. Manual or Super Automatic: This depends on your expertise, but many amateur baristas do like to use a manual espresso machine to have more control over their brew. Otherwise, many people prefer a super automatic espresso machine for the ultimate convenience.

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Is Coffee or Espresso Better?

Coffee and espresso are two incredibly popular drinks, and they definitely are vital to many Americans on a daily basis. Which one do you prefer?

If you are a coffee drinker, there are many convenient brewing options available to you. You can use the home drip brew method, the vacuum brew method, a percolator, or even the French Press. Many coffee connoisseurs prefer the use of the French Press because the brew is extracted for four minutes, resulting in a richer and fuller coffee product.

When it comes to espresso, home espresso machines are more affordable and convenient than ever. They are quite easy to use, even for beginners. There is also the option of the stovetop espresso maker available to you. This is often called the Moka Pot, and it will allow you to quickly brew fresh espresso directly on your stove.

Regardless of your preference, coffee and espresso are both delicious drinks that will help you make it through the day!

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Learn Italian Coffee Terms

Italy is the birthplace of espresso, and there are many customs that surround espresso drinking in this country. If you want to sample delicious flavors and tastes, then you need to learn how to order your brew like the Italians do:

• Caffe: This is a simple shot of espresso.
• Caffe Americano: This is a weaker version of espresso, similar to a filtered American coffee.
• Caffe Latte: This is the traditional version of a latte.
• Caffe Freddo: This is iced coffee that is perfect for any hot day!
• Caffe Macchiato: This is espresso with a splash of steamed milk.
• Cappuccino: This is espresso with steamed milk, and it is traditionally only drunk in the morning in Italy.
• Caffe Marocchino: This is a sweeter treat, which is espresso with a splash of steamed milk and cocoa powder.

Italy has so much to offer when it comes to espresso, so be bold and try something that you may have never tasted before!

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Does Italian Espresso Taste Different Than American Espresso?

As a coffee connoisseur, you probably have your espresso enjoyment down to a science, including just the exact consistency in how you brew your shot. However, you may be interested to find that although Italy is the birthplace of espresso as we know it, the American espresso we enjoy is much different than the original!

Italian espresso is darker and smokier, and they often use a small amount of Robusta beans within their grinds. Robusta beans are seen as the cheaper filler beans, and Americans are more likely to use Arabica beans from Hawaii, Africa, or Indonesia. The reason for this is that these beans provide a much smoother and milder flavor, as opposed to the darker and more burnt taste of Italian espresso.

Italian espresso roasters also prefer to roast their espresso beans much darker than American roasters do. They truly like a smoky and dark flavor, which is why they continue on in the roasting process until the roast has a much deeper texture. For us Americans, we definitely like a milder and smoother taste to our espresso, which is how it has been commercialized in our country.

Either way, I can tell you that I am always up for an espresso any time, from coast to coast!

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Top 3 Coffee Brewing Methods

These are all methods that you are probably familiar with, but how do you know what is the best of the best?

First of all, we have to take into consideration a traditional drip brewed cup of Joe on a home coffee maker. This is a very popular coffee brewing method, but it also is in question because it does use paper filters. Paper filters separate the essential oils from the final brew product, so your cup of Joe will not taste as full or rich as it could.

Maybe you should consider brewing your coffee with a French Press? This is an alternative method of coffee brewing that uses hot (not boiling) water added to fresh coffee grounds. You can allow this to steep within your French Press for four minutes, and then plunge down the press to push the coffee grounds to the bottom so that you can enjoy your final brew. This cup of Joe does have the essential oils within it, and you will definitely notice a difference in your flavor profile. I told you so!

And last of all, we cannot neglect a great espresso. Home espresso machines are becoming very popular, and an ideal espresso should brew within about 25 seconds. When you brew your espresso, you will want to look for a rich brown crema on top to signify the highest quality.

I would not say that one of these methods is better or worse than the rest because I am all for any way that you can enjoy some premium Java. Which one do you prefer?

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What Is an Espresso Machine?

You may be all about your daily espresso, but do you know exactly how an espresso machine works? The first thing to remember is that there are automatic and semi-automatic models. The semi-automatic models will cause you to do a little more work, but they will also allow you to have more control of your brew. The automatic models are more geared toward commercial settings, but they are also preferable for home use because they will give you impeccable quality and keep you from running to Starbucks. They may be an investment, but they will save you money in the long run!

Espresso machines work with a pump to pull water out of the heating chamber, and this will give the water pressure needed to extract the espresso through the fine grounds within the filter. Interestingly enough, the first espresso machine was used in Milan, Italy, in the early 20th century. However, it didn't become popularized until the 1940s when steam was developed to be used to pump the water through the espresso for extraction. Espresso machines also work with measured bars of pressure as well as a pressure gauge control to keep the heater engaged if the pressure becomes too low during use. The pressure will be a component in pushing the water through the espresso grounds for a premium extraction.

Finally, when you are brewing your espresso with your espresso machine, make sure that the extraction is for no longer than 25 seconds. This is the ideal time for brewing a fine espresso shot, and you will have the rich crema on top to prove it!

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What Do You Know About Coffee?

You may feel like you are well acquainted with your morning cup of Joe, but I have some awesomely fun facts about Java to share with you that you may have never heard before.

Did you know?

• In ancient times, grooms in Turkey were required to vow to their new wife that they would always give her coffee, or else they would get divorced!
• Your body can only absorb up to 4 cups of coffee at once, and the rest is dispensed as waste.
• Japan is actually the third largest coffee consumer in the world, and they use coffee grounds for beauty treatments, like bathing and skin care.
• The name "coffee" was actually originally used for wine because it looked black from dark berries, and it was then substituted when coffee was used instead of wine to stay awake in religious all night prayer meetings, and the name stuck with it.
• Olympic athletes can only drink up to 5 cups of coffee because their urine is tested for specific amounts of caffeine, or else they will be disqualified.
• Espresso has one third of the caffeine of a regular cup of Joe.
• We all refer to coffee beans as "beans", but they are truly berries.

How many of these fun facts did you already know? There is truly so much more to your daily cup of Joe than meets the eye!

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How Do You Make Turkish Coffee?

This is a global coffee flavor that you must try, and it is surprisingly easy to make Turkish coffee! You will need a small Turkish coffee pot that has a handle that you can hold over your stove.

• Begin by adding water to the Turkish coffee pot.
• You will then add very finely ground coffee, even finer than an espresso grind.
• Add these fresh grounds to your water, and heat over your stove on medium heat, stirring well until it comes to a boil.
• Serve immediately in small Turkish coffee cups that hold about 2 ounces. The grounds will sink to the bottom of the cup.
• After the grounds have sunk to the bottom of the cup, you can drink the delicious brew, but don't drink the coffee grounds sitting in the bottom!

The coffee grounds that remain in the bottom of your cup after drinking were often traditionally used to tell your fortune by flipping over your cup to see what pattern it makes. Either way, I can tell that a delicious cup of Turkish coffee is in your future!

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Which Saeco is Best For You?

Firstly, let's discuss how important it is to have your own home espresso machine. If you do the math on buying a $3 latte every day for a year, then you have already spent $1000. That is just a modest estimation, so think of putting that lump sum toward your home espresso machine and avoiding all lines at Starbucks, as well as being able to perfect your latte art and create new cappuccino ideas.

Now that we have that settled, Saeco is a completely advanced company that has so many automatic espresso machines to offer. The Saeco Spidem Villa has an adjustable conical burr grinder and even uses the OptiDose technology to customize your exact taste and strength consistency that you would like for your brew. The Saeco Royal is a wonderful semi professional model, and you can use the programming technology to save the data for each person's specific coffee drink that they love to enjoy. The Saeco Talea has a built-in grinder, and it uses the Saeco Milk Island, which will allow you to automatically froth for expert microfoam production. It includes a motorized drip tray and the SBS Saeco Brewing System. Lastly, you should totally check out the Saeco Incanto Sirius, which is my personal favorite, and it has an advanced touch screen LCD display so that you can easily brew anything that comes to your mind. It offers the Rapid Steam System so there is absolutely no down time from your brewing to your frothing, which can be annoying with other espresso machine varieties. It gives you easy programming options and uses the pre-infusion Aroma System as part of the extraction process to give you the best crema. That is a lot to think about...

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How To Use a Moka Pot

If you have not yet stumbled across the fun brewing option of a Moka Pot, then I am about to rock your coffee loving world. The Moka Pot is a truly simple contraption that involves upper and lower chambers that are separated by a coffee filter basket. You will fill the lower chamber with water, and then attach the filter basket, which you will then fill with fine espresso grounds. You can place the Moka Pot directly on your stove over a low to medium heat, and you will hear it begin to bubble as the water is forced up through the grounds into the top chamber. You will know it is done when the bubbling sound begins to cease, and your top chamber is filled with your coffee product. Your final resulting brew will range from the taste of espresso to Turkish coffee, and all you have to do is sip your Java and enjoy. Mmm...

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Your Espresso Machine is Worth the Investment!

Today, class, we will be doing a math lesson. If you are drinking a $3 latte every day, and so is your significant other, then we are looking at a $6 a day coffee habit, on the modest side. Multiply that for your whole year, and that is over two grand, which can buy you two or three very snazzy espresso machines. Hmm… are we letting coffee houses get the best of us? It may seem like a little chunk of change to buy your first pro espresso machine, but from there, you are set in the coffee savings plan. Not to mention all of the popularity you are gaining with your new latté art designs. Am I right? Class dismissed.

The Science Behind Your Roasted Espresso Beans

As you are sipping your daily latte, you may be totally unaware of all of the scientific discoveries that it took to give you the flavor you are so enjoying. And, no, I am not joking! The fine art of roasting the espresso beans itself stems from the scientific process of the sugar being steamed to the proper temperatures to truly caramelize the bean and give it the bold and rich flavors that make it so popular. If you are looking to perfect your home espresso brewed drinks, then consider the science behind what you are doing, and choose the best espresso beans out there. It is more than the thought that counts- it is the art and craft behind your drink!

A European Coffee Service

If you have ever visited a fine café anywhere in Europe, then you may have been surprised to see the lack of to-go cups along with the masses of people sitting and enjoying their coffees. Gasp! Americans are known for being on the move, so it would only seem fitting that we need to take our coffees with us too. I have to offer to you that if you are looking to really experience and savor your brew, then take a tip from the Europeans and have a few minutes of quality time with your daily coffee drink. Or an hour. Or two.

The New Trend of Home Brewed Coffee

Another great trend that is on the rise is that of brewing your coffee in your own home. It seems that due to these economic times, many people are turning to their own barista skills to save some money by creating their coffee and espresso drinks at home. I think it goes deeper than that in the way that coffee drinkers are finally recognizing the need for quality control in their own coffee and flavor value. That means home is the place to be! Your perfect cup of joe needs to be nurtured and cultivated to its premium taste, and who better to do it than you? My name is Chuggin McCoffee, and I approve of this message.

May the Best Barista Win!

Have any of you crazy coffee lovers out there checked out this years World Barista Championships? They are going on as we speak, and you can catch it streaming live on the web, post haste! What you will see are some impressive coffee and espresso brewing skills that may blow your mind. The individual competing has to make four espressos, four cappuccinos, and four signature drinks in 15 minutes- do not try this at home! You will also see some intense creativity, like last years winner, who flambeed a chocolate mousse and blueberry espresso signature drink table side for the judges. I am awed, inspired... and a little jealous.

Which Coffee Bean is Best?

If you are a daily coffee hound, you may have picked up that there are two main species of the coffee plant producing beans out there. Yes, sir, you are correct- they are Arabica and Robusta. Let me break this down for you real quick like, and tell you that the better bean of higher caliber is the Arabica bean because it is grown in more delicate climates and has more care in the harvest. It does have half the caffeine content of its Robusta brother, but it is what you will find hitting all the bold tones in your gourmet coffee roasts. Robusta is mainly a cheap mixer for commercial coffee to conserve costs, so one friend to another, I am telling you that Arabica beans cannot be beat. Don't say I didn't warn ya!