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Espresso is the star of the coffee world! Wrapped in a smooth crema, this small black coffee has a beautiful aromatic power. It owes this to the extraction method traditionally used to prepare an espresso in the rules of the art. It is necessary to use a specific coffee machine, capable of producing very hot water. Under the effect of the pressure, this water will quickly pass through a bed of coffee. It is this express infusion that will give all its flavors to the beverage, without loading it with caffeine.
Baristas all over the world compete to make the best espresso ever. But there's no reason why you can't try it yourself. So, how do you go about making a good espresso? What are the rules for making a successful Italian-style coffee? Here are 5 essential tips to prepare your espresso with a machine.
When buying a coffee machine, it is important to check that it can reach a pressure level between 7 and 15 bars. It is under the effect of this pressure that the water will be propelled through the ground coffee. This extremely fast infusion will allow theextraction of the aromas and oils contained in the ground coffee.
For a balanced and creamy espresso, the ideal setting is between 7 and 9 bar. A lower setting will result in under-extraction of the coffee. Without sufficient pressure, the water will not be able to pass through the grind with sufficient force to extract the aromas and oils. This will result in a coffee with little flavor.
But be careful, because on the other hand, too much pressure can burn the coffee and give it a very bitter taste that is not always to everyone's taste. It is therefore important to find the right balance by setting the pressure of the coffee machine to 9 bars.
To prepare a good espresso, you need 7 g of ground coffee per person. This is the perfect amount to make a good black coffee. But beyond the quantity, the quality of the grind is very important. A coffee that is too coarsely ground will let the water pass through too quickly. The result? A tasteless coffee, without much interest. On the other hand, a very fine grind would result in a too slow extraction and therefore a risk of greater bitterness.
To avoid these inconveniences, remember that most packages of ground coffee carry recommendations as to the type of preparation recommended for the proposed grind. Moreover, if you decide to grind your coffee yourself, you should know that most coffee grinders have an adjustment system that allows you to obtain the desired grind. This way, you can make your coffee according to the desired method of preparation: percolator, Italian coffee maker, piston coffee maker or other.
To prepare an espresso with a coffee machine, it is also very important to choose the variety of coffee used. A mixture of Arabica and Robusta will produce a well-balanced and richly flavored beverage, whether you use pods, beans or ground coffee. In Italy, Robusta is the basis for the preparation ofespresso.It is this variety that gives it its characteristic color and foam.
Another important element when preparing an espresso with a coffee machine is the water temperature. For an ideal extraction, it should be between 85°C and 95°C. Please note that we are talking about the hot water circulating in the machine and not the temperature of the espresso. In the cup, the coffee cools down quickly. You can drink it without the risk of burning yourself.
The temperature of the water used to prepare an espresso will play a determining role in the quality of the drink. If it is too hot, it can burn the grind, which can alter the taste of the coffee and make it bitter or even astringent. And it would be a shame to miss out on the delicious flavors, but also the benefits of this beverage when properly prepared.
To enjoy a good espresso, the extraction time should not exceed 25 to 30 seconds, including 5 seconds of pre-infusion. Beyond this time, the coffee will become more bitter and the amount of caffeine will be greater. An espresso is characterized by its rich aroma and low caffeine content. Its full-bodied taste and highly concentrated appearance have nothing to do with the amount of caffeine it contains.
Moreover, it is this speed of extraction that will allow the formation of a smooth foam on the surface of the cup. It comes from the oils contained in the coffee beans. In addition to caffeine, a small black coffee contains many interesting components for the health, in particular antioxidants, real allies against many cancers. Green coffee naturally contains chlorogenic acids. The roasting process produces melanoidins, resulting from the fusion of sugars and amino acids.
When you prepare your espresso according to the rules mentioned above, you will generally obtain a beautiful dark colored beverage, topped with a generous foam. Don't be confused by the very small amount of beverage obtained.
Indeed, what also characterizes a successful espresso is that it is only about 25 to 30 ml of liquid. That's not a lot, but it's more than made up for by the full-bodied, concentrated taste of the espresso. It's precisely this intensity of flavor that delights the most ardent coffee lovers. And the good news is that this small, tightly-packed black coffee does not expose you to too much caffeine. But you still have to drink it in moderation!
For those who appreciate less intense flavors, it is possible to lengthen the espresso by simply adding hot water. This will allow you to enjoy the diluted flavors. It is better to do this than to prepare a longer coffee. Why? Simply because the more water that passes through the filter, the more caffeine the drink will contain.
So now it's up to everyone to get started! All that's left to do is follow these 5 tips for making espresso with a coffee machine.
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