Those simple pleasures, like perfectly brewed coffee and creamy espresso, help us get through the dreary doldrums of winter. These cold months, when many of us are cooped up indoors, are as good a time as any to perfect your home barista skills.
We've discussed the nuances of brewing drip coffee, and hopefully, you're using the golden ratio to really nail it. For espresso drinkers, the measurements are equally important, though they differ a bit from those used for American-style drip.
The good news is that when it comes to making espresso, you don't need a fancy, commercial-grade machine since espresso is all about technique. If you hone your measurements and brewing skills, you can pull high-quality shots, even with a basic model.
As a budding coffee connoisseur looking to level up my skills, I asked an expert about the do's and don'ts of brewing espresso at home. Kaleena Teoh, co-founder of Coffee Project New York, generously shared her thoughts, tips and common mistakes to consider when packing pucks and brewing espresso.
Espresso basics
Splurged on an espresso machine? Make sure you're getting the most out of it with these essential tips. Hispanolistic/Getty
"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 home-use models, you may not be able to make any adjustments, but gauges or displays that indicate pressure and temperature can be reassuring.
Read more: I Tried a $140 Espresso Machine That Pulls Creamy Shots and Is Slimmer Than a Blender
Ensure you're closely following the manufacturer's process, which may include preheating the water before brewing. Ensuring that your espresso machine is clean is also essential for quality control, as regularly brushing grounds from the portafilter loading point and periodically flushing with hot water are crucial steps to maintain optimal performance.
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