Have you recently bought a coffee machine but don’t know the basics of espresso brewing? Coffee making may be as complex as wine, but you can do it with these helpful tips and tricks! Practice makes perfect.
The coffee bean doesn’t need to be marketed as espresso, it just needs to be a flavour you may like! Choose a fresh coffee bean with strength and taste that suits you.
How do you know if it’s fresh and ready to roast? Here’s a hack: place coffee beans into a zip lock bag overnight, and press out the air before sealing it. If the bag is inflated the following day, your beans are in the clear. Use the coffee within a few weeks, as this will guarantee its taste being at its best. Want to know more? Here’s the ultimate guide to coffee beans.
You might not think it, but using a good grinder defines the taste of coffee beans when expresso brewing. There are so many types of grinders, including blade grinders, burr grinders, hand grinders, and electric grinders.
Coffee beans are best when they’re ground finer than table salt, so what grinder should you buy? The Electric Coffee Blade Grinder is a great mid-priced item. Its compact, durable stainless steel has five automatic grinding settings and is easy to clean too.
If you’re looking for a more professional grinder, consider the LA POVONI Jolly Dosato Lusso Grinder. It has a higher bean capacity of 250g, and can easily grind beans with its moving grinder wheel. All in all, deciding on the grinder is ultimately a personal choice.
Yes, the temperature of the water when espresso brewing is important. The hotter the water is, the faster coffee can be extracted. This can make the taste stronger as it extracts more caffeine, however, 70ºC-80ºC is a happy medium!
The portafilter is a small yet crucial part of the espresso brewing process. A tamper is used to evenly press coffee beans into the portafilter, and you can use your fingers to level it. This ensures there are no gaps for water to seep through.
After you’ve put enough pressure, you can attach the portafilter to your coffee machine and start your shot! 24-30 seconds is the recommended time for pulling each shot, and as a beginner, you can time this until you’re comfortable.
Image Source: Coffee Species
Once you’ve figured out how to get the perfect ratio of coffee, frothing milk is the next best thing for espresso brewing. Generally, you can start with full cream milk, but you can choose oat, almond, or soy if you wish!
Once heated, place the steam wand against the wall of the pitcher. This will create a whirlpool. Keep an eye on this, as you want silky smooth texture, not bubbles. The trick is to keep the wand just below the surface. With practice, you’ll refine your technique. Here are some great coffee courses for aspiring baristas!
Cleaning the coffee machine is essential to preventing mould! First, clean the basket and filter with dish soap and water. Fill the reservoir with water and white vinegar, running it through a drip cycle for a deep clean.
Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse the machine twice with water. Don’t forget to clean removable parts with water and wipe the exterior!
At Boutique Coffee we supply only the best-quality coffee machine range, and you can rent these for your workplace! Your staff will work more effectively and happily, so feel free to contact us today for a personalised special offer.