Espresso Machines

A delicious espresso is not something that just magically appears it is a direct result of its ingredients, the quality of the espresso machine and the skills of the barista. Since many brewing techniques are subjective, you will need to develop your own skills to create an espresso that is pleasing to your palate. There is no substitute for knowledge therefore it is essential to acquire the basics of brewing a great espresso.

The primary ingredient of espresso is water therefore, the water you use should be filtered (conditioned) and pure, there should be no distracting taste or odor. If stale water is used it will produce a poor quality espresso with an objectionable taste. Always be certain the water is fresh and has not been sitting in you espresso machines water tank or reservoir for days if not weeks. Many people believe that by merely heating the water it will eliminate impurities and improve its taste, this is not the case. There is no substitute for quality water, not only will it enhance the taste of your espresso but it will extend the life of your espresso machine as well since it will be free of impurities and minerals that can create scale build-up in your machine. On other note it is ideal to have a brewing temperature of just over 200 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal taste.

The other essential ingredient of a great espresso is the quality of the beans. Here again there is no substitute for freshness and quality. For even the best beans will develop a foul taste if allowed to sit around and become stale. Ideally a dark roast is best suited for a quality espresso; the grind should be fine and no more than 10 days old. After this period of time ground coffee begins to loose its aroma therefore it s good idea not to purchase large quantities of coffee that will not be consumed within a reasonable period of time. Then again since all of our palates are different it will require sampling of different blends of beans until you find one that is suitable to your taste.

The last component to producing a great espresso is the espresso machine itself. It should be a quality machine from a reputable manufacturer and dealer. The espresso machine you choose should be able to supply water at the proper temperature that the oils, aroma and flavorful essence of the espresso coffee can be fully extracted. Another consideration is that is should have ample steam to properly froth milk for producing quality lattes and cappuccinos.

Over time as you fine tune your brewing skills and will master the techniques necessary to produce a great cup of espresso coffee. Some tips that will help you achieve that goal are; Make certain the machine is warmed up and you run through a shot of hot water to warm the machines dispenser. Make sure the grounds are properly tamped with enough pressure to compact them; tightly compacted grounds require a longer period of time for the water to run through therefore, you are able to extract the full flavor from the ground espresso. On other tip is to have your cup warmed that way your freshly brewed shot of espresso will not be chilled from a cold cup.

Remember quality ingredients, a few tricks of the trade, and it won’t be long before you are pulling shots like a master barista for that delicious cup of espresso.

Throughout your travels, you might see a coffee shop or espresso house on every corner. You may be tempted  to stop and order your drink, but the cost, the lines, and the inconsistency from location to location can be quite frustrating. There must be a easier and more cost efficient  way to get your espresso coffee the way you want it without the hassle. The answer is easier than you may think.

Considering your own espresso maker to brew espresso coffee at home has many advantages for espresso lovers. You can eliminate your daily trip through the drive through or fighting off crowds at your local cafe without giving up delicious, fresh brewed espresso. There are many good reasons for owning your own espresso maker, but when financial times are hard, savings can be substantial and a pretty big incentive.

Stopping at the local cafe or drive thru every day and spending a meer $3 will cost you more than $1000 per year. Should you have an adventurous palate and you order larger or more exotic coffee beverages and you could be spending 4, 5, or even 6 dollars per day. Purchasing your own espresso machine can result in an average cost per cup for as little as 50 cents. Even brewing twice or more a day, you could be saving more than $700 / $800  per year.

If you’re like me, you are happy with the thought of saving money. But, if you don’t have experience brewing your own specialty espresso coffee, you might begin to question whether those savings will leave you with a bad flavored, or weak espresso. Making a onetime investment in a quality espresso maker means you can learn to master brewing your own beans and take pride in providing yourself with delicious gourmet coffee drinks, not to mention your family and friends.

Once you’ve learned the basics of making espresso, you can then focus on the more complex coffee beverages that require somewhat more skill for brewing quality coffee beverages. Brewing specialty coffee at home give you control over the outcome of your beverage. You can customize your coffee drinks in unlimited ways.

You not only control the flavor, you also control the ingredients and their source. Free trade, organic, and local products are important to more and more people today. When you use your own espresso maker to brew at home, you can create a truly gourmet drink while maintaining any dietary or ethical guidelines that are important to you.

Making your own specialty coffee at home and choosing the beans and other quality ingredients means you can educate yourself further on brewing espresso coffee beverages. You have the ability to explore beans from different parts of the world and cultures as well as experiment with a variety of roasts.  You’ll be able to brew multiple types and blends of beans and directly compare them without having to spend $15 , $20 or more  for cups at a coffee shop.

Another advantage of owning your own espresso maker is sharing your love of gourmet, fresh brewed coffee. With such a low cost per cup, you’ll be able to serve delicious beverages to friends, family, and guests without worrying about breaking the bank. For the same price you previously paid a barista to make one cup of brewed espresso coffee, you can share with your entire dinner party while also showing off your newly acquired knowledge and skill.

Entertaining can be fun, but let’s not forget one of the best parts of owning your own espresso machine. Fresh brewed, hot gourmet coffee in your own home on a lazy weekend morning is now a reality. Enjoy your espresso in your slippers while you relax. You’ll never have to worry about  leaving for work early every day to stop for your morning java. Not only will you be saving time and money, but you’ll be enjoying espresso coffee exactly as you like it.

Whether you want to impress your guests or family with fresh,brewed gourmet coffee or treat yourself without leaving the comfort of your home, buying your own espresso machine is a great solution. With a new espresso machine in your kitchen, you can have your espresso and drink it too.

The BoschTASSIMO is not just another coffee maker. It’s a entirely new way to prepare a variety of your favorite hot drinks in the comfort of your own home or office. And it’s so simple to use.

With the Bosch TASSIMO machine and the TASSIMO Discs (T DISCs) you can make your favorite hot drink  when you want it. Quick and easy.

It’s truly a revolutionary machine. The same machine that makes a espresso and freshly brewed filter coffee from some of your favorite coffee or espresso brands, also makes real milk-based latte & cappuccino, cafe crema, tea, hot chocolate – something for the entire family. Each cup is freshly brewed to enjoy its true character and gives you the exceptional flavor you love, each and every time.

Not all espresso makers are the same, so you need to know what type of machine you have or wish to purchase.

If you already own a machine where you pour fresh water on top and then screw the lid down? Then chances are that you have a steam driven machine.
If your machine has a huge reservoir and makes all sorts of noises when you push a series of buttons that look like a computer panel, you have a pump driven machine.

The Grind

Coffee should be ground for your type of espresso machine.

Grinding for pump driven is slightly longer then a steam driven machine; the coffee must be a fine ground because steam driven machines don’t have as much “oomph” to push water through. The grind for pump driven model machines should be shorter, and therefore more coarse.

Other factors that make the difference are heat, humidity, and where your coffee is stored. Now, I’m not trying to bore you, but these items can be important if you are trying to achieve consistently perfect shots of espresso.

Pulling The Shot

Once you know what machine you have and the coffee is ground, it is time to pull shots.

• 1. The actual measure should be a tablespoon of espresso ground coffee for every 1 ounce of liquid. For you tekkies, that’s 7 grams per ounce.
• 2. Put the ground coffee in your portafilter.
• 3. Carefully tamp the ground coffee, and then wipe any excess grounds from the rim of the filter.
• 4. Place your filter in the group of the machine and place the shot glass or glasses underneath.

The Trick: Get an inexpensive timer or use your stopwatch (you know, the one you had to have for your New Years day resolution that your going to train with…) and learn to “time” a shot.

A good espresso machine should yield an ounce of liquid between 18-23 seconds. You can get away with a 17-second “sweet” shot but NEVER exceed 23 seconds. The longer, the more bitter…the shorter, the less flavor you taste. If your shots are pulling too quickly, it means your grind was too coarse. If the shot is too slow, then the grind was too fine.

Tips For Consistency

How do you get consistent shots?

•  Buy enough coffee for only one week. I know this may sound silly but coffee starts to “air” out after seven days. So as time goes by, the quality and flavor diminishes.
•  Keep the coffee in a sealed container of some type. Store in a cool dry place. Heat and humidity negatively affect coffee!
•  Try to grind the coffee yourself. The best thing to do is to grind the coffee right before you pull the shot and only grind enough coffee for an ounce or two. This will allow you to make any necessary adjustments to the grind for future shots. Grinding the coffee at home ensures that your coffee has that “just ground” flavor that you would experience at a coffee house.

A Work Of Art

Just how is it supposed to look and taste? The perfect shot has a sweet, yet intense flavor and it should have that beautiful caramel look at the top. There are 3 parts to a shot: the crema, the body, and the heart. The crema, which is the foamy part of the shot, should be sweet. The visual clues of the other 2 parts will help you understand how the shot will taste. As you are pulling the shot, notice how the layers seem to separate as the liquid gets to the “ounce” mark on the glass. It looks as if an artist was at work! And you are!!

About The Author

My name is Federico Neve. But please, call me Fred. You can contact me at: tmetravler@hotmail.com

I am an Italian-Amerian and I was practically breast-fed espresso. Currently, I work at a Starbucks in Florida as a barista! So, I have fun and the coffee drinks are on the house.  (Damn good deal for me..huh?!!) I love sharing coffee or espresso with friends across the world. I was in the Navy for 12 years and visited 47 countries. I’ve tried just about every type of coffee imaginable! I wish I could be there to show you how to pull a shot in person (and of course, share some stories!) If you have any questions…drop me a line and I’ll answer you by email.