7 Step Guide For Making A Restaurant Quality Espresso At Home

Restaurants seem to serve the perfect espresso each and every single time, but it doesn't really have to end up in only restaurants and coffee shops. With the proper tools and knowledge, an ordinary Joe can also brew a great shot of espresso in the comfort of his own home.

So what is the secret to a restaurant quality Espresso. Follow these 7 steps and you can have a restaurant quality Espresso at home.

1. Choosing Coffee Beans

Espressos are basically from roasted coffee beans that have a fine grind and are brewed with very hot water under high pressure. It has a thicker consistency than drip coffee as it has more solids per volume. Serving size for espresso is measured in shots of 25 to 30 ml, which is around 1 fluid ounce. Due to the high-pressure brewing process, the flavor is concentrated. Most people can say that it is like the tequila of the coffee world - a strong brew that can be used as a base for other drinks like latte, cappuccino, macchiato, mocha, and so on.

2. Which Roast is the best?

The common misconception is that espressos come from dark roasts, which may be the case at first, but no longer nowadays. Some of the best espressos are made from medium or full city roasts. While it is a trend that is propagated in Southern Italy, as well as popularized by Starbucks and Peet's, dark roasts are mostly up to preference.

You must remember that once brewed, espresso is volatile as its chemical composition is complex and prone to oxidation. The most noticeable characteristic of an espresso is the Crema floating on top. It is mostly composed of vegetable oils, proteins, and sugars. Coffee connoisseurs kill for that stuff.

3. Grinding the Beans Right

Too small a grind size can result in over extraction of the beans where as if the grind size is too big, the hot water just will not be able to get enough flavor out of the beans. So grinding them right makes a big difference.

4. The Espresso Machine

First of all, you will need an espresso coffee maker capable of dishing out 9 bar of pressure. The pressure needs to be that high so that the hot water can extract all the coffee beans' natural flavors. This also changes the chemical composition of the coffee itself, turning it into a concentrate capable of packing a punch in flavor. The beans may be of any roast, but definitely must have a fine grind size as it will provide the most surface area for the water to extract the coffee.

Different types of espresso machines have their own specifications. They are either steam-driven, piston-driven, or pump-driven. The steam-driven machines were the first ones made and are now considered obsolete compared to pump-driven machines. The pump-driven is a refinement of the piston-driven, which was the origin of the crema. Steam-driven machines do not deliver enough pressure to form the crema, unlike both piston-driven and pump-driven. So, if you're buying an espresso machine, think pump-driven.

5. The Perfect Water Temperature

The water used should be around 185-203°F (80-95°C). Any cooler than that and you get sour coffee. Any hotter than that, and you get something that is more bitter than someone who lost all his money in a game of Blackjack. For most, 192°F (89°C) is the most ideal sweet spot as it gives the most balance of both coffee and roast flavors. The serving temperature is a lot lower at 140-160°F (60-70°C) due to the small serving size and the cooling effects of the pouring process.

6. Tamping

Tamping is the crucial process of compacting the ground coffee beans in the filter basket with a tamping device. Use the tamper to apply firm pressure. Make sure that it is just enough to hold the grind when the filter is turned upside down. However, don't make it too firm as it will only lead to a longer extraction time as you have turned the finely-ground coffee beans into a block. Tamping is necessary because you do not want coffee beans flying all around the place as the high-pressure jet of water hits them. The best tamper for the job are those that are slightly smaller than the filter basket itself and with a secure grip.

7. Storing The Beans

Roasted beans can quickly loose flavor if exposed to air and light. The best way for maximum freshness would be buying little quantities at a time and storing those in an airtight canister at room temperature.

Storing them in the refrigerator can definitely increase the life of the beans but with frequent opening and closing of the container can cause condensation which can have an effect on the beans flavor.

Take care of all the steps listed above and be ready to enjoy a restaurant quality Espresso in the comfort of your own home.