Even moreso than coffee, espresso is the kind of drink that has an entire art and culture built up around it. Baristas and enthusiasts alike can often talk about the little tips and tricks that they’ve learned about brewing espresso for a very long time. The actual technique of brewing espresso is simple, but it’s playing with that art that makes it a lesson to learn over a long period of time. Let’s look at how to make espresso, and see if we can pull the technique out of the art, so you have a solid foundation of how to make it.
How to Make Espresso At Home
The best way to start is to get scientific. You’re going to want a solid baseline to begin experimenting with, and only once you’ve nailed that down should you experiment. A good place to begin is to say that a double shot of espresso should equal somewhere between 2 and 2.5 ounces, and should take about 20 to 25 seconds to extract. This is not a magic number – you may hear other people start at different places. But for our purposes, start here. Master pulling an espresso shot within these guidelines, and once you know by heart how to do it, and what it tastes like, you can begin testing other variations.
Home espresso machines are fairly simple to use, usually coming with clear instructions and simple machinery. There are a few tricks to keep aware of. Ideally, the machine should heat the espresso to about 190-195 degrees, the ideal temperature for coffee brewing of any kind. Cheaper machines may not quite get there, which will leave you with a somewhat weakened cup, but that can be managed if necessary. The best drinking temperature is about 160-165 degrees. To help it maintain that temperature, many professional baristas will heat the cup beforehand so it doesn’t suck too much heat from the espresso as it pours in. This is a good habit to get into.
How to Make Espresso Drinks
Your machine will probably have a steamer to steam milk, unless it’s a very basic machine. The addition of milk, steamed and otherwise, will allow you to make lattes, cappuccinos, and variations thereof. Depending on the drink it may ask for anywhere from 2.5-5 ounces of milk. The machine likely has a recipe book to help guide you.
How to Make Espresso without a Machine
If you don’t have an espresso machine, then you could also use a moka pot, which is a special stovetop device that will brew the coffee by forcing boiling water through a compact pack of coffee. It takes longer than a full machine, but it has a long history and can actually brew some pretty potent espresso. It’s much cheaper and easier to clean than a full machine, and so could be an excellent alternative.
There are many different plans to follow when learning how to make espresso coffee. By following any of them, you’ll be on your way to brewing a mean shot.