Espresso making is not an easy job. You need practice and professional guidance too if you want to pull out the best espresso shots. Also, there’s no one particular method of using an espresso. You can either prepare it on espresso makers or even opt for alternatives like Moka Pot, Aeropress or the French Press method.
It all depends on your preference and convenience, as to which way to opt for.
On the other hand, you have varieties of machines under the ‘espresso makers’ too.
You may say ‘ugh, like what!’.
What I actually mean is that – even in the espresso makers, you have choices like manual/lever espresso, automatic, semi-automatic, and the super-automatic systems.
How to Use an Espresso Machine
I would get to the basics, and explain how to use an espresso machine. Our aim is not only to make perfect coffee, but also to get the perfect extraction done. The success of the espresso is highly based on this one factor, which is built by regular espresso making only. So, keep the espresso brewing!
Espresso is made using fine ground coffee, mixed with a small amount of near boiling water. Whenever you brew or make espresso, the caffeine level remains the same for all cups. Also, the taste of espresso is stronger than most of the other coffee shots.
So, if you find it bitter, you can add some milk into it and adjust the taste as per your need.
No matter how many espresso-making techniques and alternatives you try – it never matches the Espresso made on a professional espresso machine.
Know Your Espresso Parts and Their Purpose
List of the terms that we may use during the Espresso making are:
- Group Head
The cylindrical disc-shaped element where the portafilter locks into. It also helps with distributing hot pressurized water required for the espresso preparation.
- Steam Wand
It’s a metal tube that releases out the steam generated in the espresso machine. Removes the residue particles out.
- Portafilter
This is where all the magic happens! It features the filter basket that contains the ground coffee. Moreover, it’s the same place from where hot water passes through from the group head.
- Tamping the Grounds
Espresso Tamper or a plunger is used for tamping or pressing the coffee grounds. It helps in better extraction of the coffee flavor.
- Warming Rack
This feature is found only on commercial espresso machines. Used for placing the mugs, so that they remain warm before the espresso is poured into it.
Using an Espresso Machine for Brewing
You can prepare an authentic espresso by following the 9 easy steps explained below:
- Take the portafilter out and wipe it with a soft clean cloth to get rid of any unwanted coffee residue.
- With the help of the coffee bean grinder, pull out some coffee bean ground into the portafilter.
- Before you reattach the portafilter back on the espresso, discharge the group head and remove the low-temp water that could be resting inside the water line.
- Level the coffee grounds with your finger, and clean out the ground particles from the edge of the portafilter.
- Take out the espresso tamper, and press the ground coffee in an even manner.
- Now, you can reattach the portafilter back on the espresso maker.
- Start brewing your coffee.
- Note down the time taken by the machine to fill up the espresso cup.
- Place the coffee on a saucer, with a spoon beside. Serve.
That’s how you do it! Did you try making espresso after reading this guide? How did it turn out? You can send in your replies in the comment section, and also let us know what makes Espresso a special drink for you.
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