Many of us are likely familiar with the traditional methods of brewing coffee. Several techniques exist, such as using a French Press, a Percolator, or a classic coffee machine. These methods enable you to easily prepare coffee in the comfort of your own home. However, crafting espresso at home without the aid of an espresso machine is an entirely different challenge.
What does espresso mean? Well, espresso is a method of brewing coffee that uses high water pressure and finely ground beans to make a small shot. It can be made with a wide variety of coffee beans. Most people use this espresso as a base for preparing other types of coffee such as latte, cappuccino, and more.
If you love espresso but don’t have an espresso machine, there is nothing to be upset about. You can still enjoy a rich shot of bold espresso using a coffee maker. In this article, we will show you an easy method of how to make espresso with a regular coffee maker.
How to Make Espresso with a Regular Coffee Maker
The precise volume of pressure requires to be applied to make a thick cup of espresso. Some other things that will determine the quality of espresso are coffee beans and the way they are roasted. We are going to look at some significant steps you can take to make a delicious cup of espresso with a coffee maker. So, this is the procedure you need to follow:
Step 1
Making espresso requires a lot of pressure that is not present in a drip coffee maker. The water tank of the coffee maker has to be ignored as its speed is very slow. To make a good cup of espresso, you need to heat the filtered water through the stove. Make sure the water is not too hot.
Step 2
Begin with inserting the filter into the coffee maker and run an empty shot for at least 15 minutes before planning to use it. This process will heat the machine and help you cook better than before and remove all the previous remnants.
Step 3
Now put the coffee ground in the filter. For the single shot of espresso, you need 7 grams of ground coffee bean. Always follow the scale to give the right quantity as it can greatly affect the quality, taste, color, and flavor of your coffee.
Step 4
Now place a cup below the machine and pour a little bit of the hot water into the coffee grounds. Then wait for 30 seconds to heat the machine somewhere between 90 to 96 degrees C. This will release some oil from the coffee ground. Then add the remaining water to the coffee ground as soon as possible. If you want your final espresso cup to be full of authentic flavors, you have to follow this temperature setting very carefully.
Step 5
In this way, espresso will start to accumulate in your cup in a short while. When you notice that the liquid is brewing into your cup has turned a little blonde, this is an indication for you to stop the machine.
Here is the process of single espresso. This way you can make more espresso as you can. Make sure the amount of ingredients is not wrong.
Tips to Make the Espresso Better
You can make some modifications to brew very strong coffee that will have a more intense flavor like an espresso shot. Here are some important tips that will improve your brew:
1. Customize the Amount of Water
You need to use less water than usual. The best proportion for brewing espresso in a coffee maker will be around 2 ounces of filtrated water per tablespoon of ground coffee. If that’s not enough, you have to experiment and add brewing proportions until it’s perfect. How much final proportion you will use, that will depend on you and your coffee preferences.
2. Choose the Right Grind
You probably don’t want it too coarse. Because, if the grind is too good, then the brew will take a little longer and the coffee will come out bitter. No one wants that. Use the correct grind size. Because ideal grind size will give you a perfect outcome.
Typically, the fine grind is best for espresso. But when brewing it in a regular coffee maker, a medium-fine grind will be appropriate for getting the best result.
3. Be Aware of the Temperature
The filtered water used to make espresso in a coffee maker may need to be heated when it is filled to reach the right temperature at the timer of making. The regular coffee makers do not always reach the correct temperature to make espresso. So, using warm water will ensure that the water heats up to the proper temperature to brew delicious espresso.
You should set your water between 195 to 205 degrees F so that it becomes the best taste as it goes through the grounds.
4. Use Bold Coffee or Espresso Blends
Looking for a real espresso flavor? Try a bold coffee blend. Few examples of blends that are good for espressos such as Italian, French, or Espresso. However, you can use the coffee roast as you like. Maybe you like light roast which makes quite an impressive espresso or you have tried a delicious medium roast and you like to taste a concentered version of it.
Another effective suggestion is to use Vietnamese coffee or Bustelo Coffee. These are international ground coffee which is very tasty.
What is the difference between Espresso and Coffee?
Many people have a misconception that the main difference between espresso and coffee is due to the bean. But the difference between them is in the way they are made. Espresso has well-rounded, roast, and full of flavor that many consider much bolder than usual coffee. In general, espresso requires a dark roast, fine grind, and high pressure to create a shot of it.
Conclusion
Espresso coffee is made using finely ground coffee beans. Boiled water is then forced to give these beans high-caffeine quantity espresso coffee. It is very important to keep the combination of coffee and water correct. Once you find the ratio of your choice, you can make espresso with your regular coffee maker at any time.
