Best Espresso Machines |
|
|
Espresso coffee - often referred
to as Expresso is a very strong black coffee that you make only from 100%
Arabica Beans served in a small cup. Espresso forms the basis of many other
types of coffee such as Latte, Americano, Cappuccino etc... |
 |
|
The mark of a good espresso is the light brown caramel coloured
top - this is called the Crema and gives the espresso it's distinctive flavour,
then you have the almost jet black coffee layer. |
Making EspressoWith time and patience you will acquire the skill to make perfect
espresso every time.
To make the best espresso you need roasted
Arabica beans (100%) and they must be very finely ground and a good quality
machine capable of delivering high pressure hot water. (Lavazza have a good
quality product range.)
Put the ground espresso beans into the espresso machine and very
lightly press down (- see your machines manufacturers instructions). They key
to a good espresso Crema is the pressure of the steam and the steam flow rate -
so it is vital to have a good quality espresso machine.
|
Tip for espresso
machines - ensure that the water reservoir is fully topped up - this will
enable a larger pressure to build up and therefore will give better
espresso.
NEVER - reuse
Arabica grounds once it has been extracted otherwise you will have a very
bitter tasting coffee.
Don't spoil it by
adding milk and sugar!! This is a purists drink. |
 |
Instructions on how to make the best . .
.
Espresso: The basis for the following
drinks.
Use a very finely ground Arabica
bean, ensure that there is sufficient steam pressure as the extraction
should be quick otherwise you get a bitter tasting drink with little
or no crema (the caramel coloured layer) on the top. Toward
the end of the extraction the liquid becomes almost clear - if this
happens I recommend using more Arabica grinds or stopping the extraction
at the point the liquid starts to run clear. To create a double
espresso you use more espresso grinds but keep the same quantity
of liquid a true double is double strength not double the size.
Making Americano:
This is 1 shot of espresso mixed with hot water - milk can be
added to suit your taste.
Making Cappuccino:
One third Espresso then add one third hot milk and top with one
third frothy milk then on top of the frothy milk you put a generous sprinkling
of chocolate powder. (For the best results use a full fat milk and ensure it is
chilled before you start frothng it - the frothng is best done before the
espresso comes out of the machine to leave the greatest pressure of steam for
the espresso extraction - on some espresso makers this does not matter.)
Making Latte:
Served in a glass. Two Thirds milk and one third espresso - the
espresso is poured on the milk slowly to provide a dual layer drink - white at
the bottom then a brown turning black at the top layer over this. As you drink
it the layers remain and both get proportionally shorter so you are not left
with a layer of milk at the end.
Making Iced Latte:
The same as above but this is made with
chilled milk - a generous layer of ice cubes and the espresso is poured slowly
over this (you can cool the espresso first by pouring into a large glass that
has previously had a chilled liquid in it - this stops the ice from
disappearing. (This is my choice for the summer!)
Extras:For a change add a little
cinnamon or vanilla essence to the drinks above The milk could be coloured
easily with food colourings to add a degree of mystery. Put a scoop of hot
chocolate powder in the Americano to create a Mocha. |
|
To buy a good quality Pro espresso machine I would recommend the
following store.
|