Waking up to a good cup of drip coffee is fine, but wouldn't it be better if you could achieve the perfect espresso without leaving the house?
Espresso requires practice and care to brew properly. Without the right methods, it can come out thin or bitter.
Baristas have hours of daily practice and top-of-the-line equipment at their disposal, but we don't think it takes an expensive device or training to make a decent cup.
Kaleena Teoh, co-founder and director of education for Coffee Project New York, shared her expertise to help you master the process and brew espresso like a professional, regardless of your setup.
Read more: I Tried a $140 Espresso Machine That Pulls Creamy Shots and Is Slimmer Than a Blender
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The basics of espresso
Espresso is a precise brewing method, not a drink. Pamela Vachon/CNET
"The word 'espresso' itself is not just a drink, it's actually a brewing method that involves pushing hot water through a compacted puck of coffee," Teoh said, which can be accomplished through a machine with a boiler, or manually, as in a stovetop espresso pot. It requires a specific pressure and temperature calibration, but a high-end machine isn't necessary.
"The two most important things are the machine's ability to maintain pressure and temperature as you pull the shot," she said. In most models for home use, you may not be able to make any adjustments, but gauges or displays that indicate pressure and temperature can be reassuring.
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