Pulling the Perfect Espresso shot from your Espresso Machine

Espressos are becoming increasingly popular. People are even buying espresso machines for their homes as much as they buy television sets. But what exactly is an espresso? Espressos are strong coffee shots made by applying heat and pressure through the coffee grind. Some of the popular espresso variants include cappuccino, mocha latte and café latte which are espressos blended with other beverages typically to dilute the level of caffeine. The word espresso literally means “extracting coffee” which is done easily using espresso machines. This article offers some tips on how to pull the perfect espresso shot from your espresso machine First is the coffee. It is, of course, the most important ingredient in making espresso shots. Espresso coffee is made by using any kind of coffee beans. You should invest on the best coffee you can find to achieve the best shot. Buy enough coffee for a week ( be sure to keep them in an airtight container) because the beans start to air after a week and lose its taste. Different espresso variants like the cappuccino and mocha latte are made not by using different kinds of beans but by combining different espresso shots and beverages. Be sure, however, to use a fine coffee grind (where the texture is smooth to the touch but not too thin) because the texture of the ground affects the taste of the espresso. The pour from the espresso machine should take around 25 seconds, not too slow and not too quick, to produce a coffee that is neither too watery nor too thick. Otherwise, reset your espresso machine to achieve the perfect thickness for your espresso. Different espresso machine also contributes to the taste of the coffee. While some relatively expensive machines provide better espressos, you are unlikely to get a brew that can equal those served at restaurants or made by industrial grade espresso machines. The portafilter and the cups should always be kept hot. Do this by placing them on the hot plate found at the top of the machine. If your cup is cold, the coffee you will be serving will be lukewarm so do not stack them two cups high. Clean them every night and soak the portafilter in a hot water to remove the coarse coffee granules. The crema, this is a foamy cream formed on top of the coffee as it trickles down to the cup. It should be rich, creamy, and golden in color and without bubbles. It must also be thick and must hold a teaspoon of sugar for a second or two before it sinks slowly.