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In contrast to popular thought, there are various ways to be an espresso lover you don’t need to spend a costly manual machine and manage the art of brewing in a good shot.
You can make espresso using an espresso machine. Or you also can try it out without it by other methods. Now, let’s read about the basics of espresso and how to make espresso at home.
How do you make a shot of espresso at home?
To make an exact Italian shot of espresso at home, you have to own an espresso machine. Espresso machines come in some types, including manual machines (that you do everything by yourself) and automatic or capsule machines (that you just need to press buttons and they do the rest).
Whereas baristas normally favor manual machines for their master brewing skills to make the perfect espresso, beginners should pick up automatic or capsule machines to achieve consistent results.
Related Post: Best Rated Nespresso Machine: Review and Buying Guides
How to make a cup of espresso with an espresso machine
Step 1: Grinding and measuring coffee beans.
You should adopt dark-roasted coffee beans to make a good espresso. Then, you use a quality grinder to grind coffee beans for one or two shots.
A shot of espresso will averagely demand from 6 to 8 grams of ground coffee. It should be about 15 grams for two shots.
It is highly recommended to use very finely ground coffee, so go on and operate the finest setting on the grinder machine.
Step 2: Distributing and tamping down a shot.
When you have had the right amount of coffee grounds, you need to distribute fine-ground coffee evenly in the portafilter with a finger.
Then, the tamper is used to press down on ground coffee. The result is a tight disk of the ground in the portafilter.
Step 3: Pulling a shot
Before conducting, you can operate the espresso machine shortly without a portafilter for clearing the ground head. Next, you attach the portafilter tightly into the machine, arrange an espresso cup underneath, and begin a shot.
The machine normally should be ready for about 30 seconds. Yet it will take some practice with an exact machine and many taste try-outs to get the best result.
The resulting shot should not look too light or dark, the mouth taste should not feel too acidic or too bitter, and should appear a fine layer of frothed crema staying on top of the espresso.
Related Post: The Best Semi-automatic Espresso Machine
How to make espresso without a machine?
Despite technically untrue espresso, you still can have espresso-like drinks by adopting other methods. Below are some preferred methods to prepare espresso at home that you don’t need a machine:
Brewing espresso on the stove using a Moka pot
Brewing espresso on the stove using a Moka pot
Also known as a stovetop espresso method, the Moka pot can make a strong, espresso-style coffee by passing pressurized, steaming water through the ground.
Similar to espresso, the rate of coffee and water is roughly one of two. It is a well-known and modest option for homemade espresso. Here are the steps:
- Fill the ground chamber with hot water up to the fill line.
- Fill the meta filter basket with fine-ground coffee, assure it is even but do not compact it, and clear away the border of the metal filter basket. Put it into the base compartment and twist in the spouted top.
- Put the Moka pot on a stove with an average heat. Take the pot away from the stove after hissing, bubbling sounds appear (approximately 5-minute waiting).
- Directly pour into an espresso cup
Brewing espresso with an AeroPress
Brewing espresso with an AeroPress (1)
With portableness and lightweight, AeroPresses are a quite new cooking appliance that makes espresso by pushing down a plunger to produce trapped air pressure, forcing fine-ground coffee through a filter, and pouring it into an espresso cup.
The AeroPress does not brew espresso, but it can make a strong, rich drink that is quite close to espresso. Here is what you need to know about an AeroPress:
- Wet the filter and the plastic cap with pre-boiled water, then discharge the water.
- Screw on the filter cap onto the chamber and position firmly over a coffee cup.
- Pour finely ground coffee into the chamber of the AeroPress, then pour pre-boiled water and whip.
- Use a plunger and push it down gently until the plunger touches the coffee ground.
Brewing espresso with a French Press
Brewing espresso with a French Press
Whereas an AeroPress is a great pick-me-up for making espresso-style coffee, French press holders can try out to create their own version.
Remember that the French press often needs a coarse grind and cannot reach pressure like espresso, so it is likely to make weaker coffee than the aforementioned suggestions.
- Take out the French press cap and put two tablespoons of ground coffee (dark roast) into the carafe. (While fine ground coffee is best for espresso, it can be quite challenging a French press because it may produce over-extract coffee.)
- Pour a small amount of very steamed water (about 200°F) onto the grounds in the glass carafe for them to bloom. Allow the coffee to bloom for around 25-30 seconds, then add the rest of the steaming water.
- Hold the cap tightly onto the cylinder of the French press followed by the plunger pull up completely.
- Let your espresso immerse for about 4 minutes. You can wait longer, but remember that coffee liquid may over-extract.
- Gently push the plunger down with distributed pressure. When you press the plunger down the cylinder for a half, pull it all up and do it again all the way until reaching the bottom.
- As the plunger stays in the base position, pour the espresso-style drink into a cup.
Brewing espresso using soluble coffee or Nescafe
Similar to soluble coffee, soluble coffee espresso is made using brewed coffee which is in a dehydrate and powder form.
If you want an espresso cup, but don’t have to spend on additional devices, you can choose instant espresso from any brand such as Nescafe. You can combine a teaspoon of instant coffee with one-fourth cup of hot water, blend, and drink.
Remember that the resulting espresso will not have a strong taste and full flavor as true espresso.
Brewing espresso with a Keurig
Whereas a Keurig cannot make the needed pressure to brew espresso, there appear a lot of “espresso-like” Keurig pods and makers available in supermarkets that will offer a stronger and richer shot than your current coffee.
If you’re craving your K-cup but also desire a pod espresso-style machine like an Espresso machine, you should think about the Instant Pod coffee machine.
Brewing espresso with a Keurig (2)
Last Words
Now you know the way of making espresso at home with an espresso machine. It will become easier as you do some practice.
You also don’t need to worry as you don’t have an espresso maker. There are several methods for you to pick the most liking to produce a cup of espresso-style coffee.
If you have any questions about the topic “how to make espresso at home”, please contact us soon via the article’s comments.
Thank you for reading!
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