Are you a coffee fan? Be sure to visit the Coffee Forum at http://www.DiscussCoffee.com today!
A person who operates an espresso machine for a living is called a barista. Similar to artisan baking, the knowledge and skill required to make the best espresso beverages is considered to be a craft in Italy. Increasingly, baristas in America are being recognized as such too.
When one makes a shot of espresso, it is called pulling a shot. This is because the traditional espresso machine that is used requires the barista to pull a long handle in order to produce a shot. For a single shot of espresso, between 7 and 10 grams of finely ground (almost a powder) coffee is needed. For a double shot, between 12 and 18 grams are used. A single shot of espresso is 30 ML of liquid, a double shot is 60 ML.
Before the espresso can be brewed, it must be tamped. To tamp espresso, the barista must compress the coffee gounds into a dense puck. When the brewing process starts, nearly boiling water (90 degrees Celsius) gets pressured though the coffee. Espresso is the result.
If the water is too cool, the espresso will be sour. If the water forced through the coffee is too hot, the beverage will be bitter. The best espresso machines control the temperature of the water, ensuring that it is always within a couple degrees of the ideal temperature.
This brewing process extracts and emulsifies the oils in the ground coffee, producing a thick, rich beverage. A shot of espresso takes approximately 25 to 30 seconds to go through the ground coffee puck and into the waiting cup sitting below the espresso machine. This is an ideal zone, and water pressure, tamping and fineness of the grind can all have an effect on this time zone. The cup that one drinks espresso out of is called a demitasse cup, and is best when pre-heated.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Espresso Makers 101 - a Guide to Espresso Makers and Machines
- Overview of Espresso and Espresso Machines
- The Abosolute 10 Greatest Tips for Purchasing a Home Espresso Machine
- Espresso Machines
- Home Espresso Machines 101
- How We Can Get Original Taste of Espresso Coffee
- Automatic Espresso Machine Review Helps You Buy the Right Machine
- Espresso Coffee Machines 101
Single Serve Coffee Makers - We've Come A Long Way Baby
By: sparro | 22/11/2009If you are considering a Single Serve Coffee Maker to help make your life easier then I will assure you you are making the right decision. Not only does the coffee taste great and allow you to drink different flavors for each cup but man, read this exerp below from a book I found that discribes what meathods to use for the perfect cup. Thank God for innovation!
Single Serve Coffee Makers - The Modern Household Coffee Maker
By: sparro | 20/11/2009Why buy a single serve coffee maker? The reasons are numerous but I will try and explain in this article to convince you. I have owned a Keurig single serve coffee maker for over a year now but prior to that I tried several different 10 cup makers trying to solve little annoying issues that we all experience.
Terrific Coffee News
By: Eddy Case | 20/11/2009Hot drinks : some perspectives on home brews 45 bill cups of coffee and tea were consumed in united states in the home in the past year According to Tns data, forty five billion cups of tea and coffee were consumed in the home during the past year. Without doubt some of the current year's total will be being enjoyed while reading this feature. clearly most of what is being drunk by the general population will have been purchased at one of the major multiples, however a fair bit...
Mexican Coffee – An Absolute Treat
By: Chris Cornell | 18/11/2009Mexican Coffee is an absolute treat when flavored with cinnamon, chocolate or vanilla. Fresh or whipped cream can be added to make it more delightful beverage. Although easily made out of a few ingredients and through a few steps of recipe, it is not available as widely as any other coffees in the market.
Jamaican Coffee
By: Chris Cornell | 18/11/2009A normal Jamaican Coffee has spicy aroma and is light-bodied with a well-balanced flavor. Not only it is one of the oldest grown coffees, it is also one of the most favored coffees to date.
Traditional Sumatran Coffee - Simply Irresistible
By: Chris Cornell | 18/11/2009Coffees of Sumatra is one of the traditional coffees available presently. Definitely one of the most best-selling coffees, they are among the heaviest, smoothest and most complex coffees in the world.
Burr Coffee Grinder
By: Chris Cornell | 18/11/2009Equipped with the latest technology, grinding one’s coffee is no longer hard especially when one wants to guarantee the freshness of one’s coffee over a period of time. Since technology becomes obsolete fairly fast, coffee grinders can be pretty inexpensive and even built-in for some of the coffee makers or espresso machines.
Kona Gold Coffee
By: Chris Cornell | 18/11/2009It originates from the Kona district of Hawaii. Kona coffee has been grown for centuries, since the 1800’s and is renowned for the unique and distinguished coffee taste and aroma. Interestingly, it is said that the Gold Coffee Company, roasts the Kona coffee manually instead of using automated equipment.
What is Espresso?
By: Jennifer Harris | 19/12/2007 | CoffeeWhat is espresso? It is a concentrated coffee beverage that is brewed by forcing extremely hot water (but not boiling) under very high pressure through finely ground coffee beans. The coffee is ground so small, it's almost a powder...
What is Cappuccino?
By: Jennifer Harris | 19/12/2007 | CoffeeWhat is cappuccino? Many people confuse this coffee drink with a caffe latte, another form of Italian coffee found at most coffee houses in America. The main difference between the two is that a caffe latte has twice the amount of milk...
Top Reasons Why I'm a Coffeehouse Lover
By: Jennifer Harris | 19/12/2007 | CoffeeThere are many reasons I'm a coffeehouse lover. First and foremost, I'm a writer. To me, there is nothing more relaxing and conducive to creative juices flowing than sitting in a comfortable, overstuffed chair with a hot cup of coffee or tea...
Mr. Coffee - the History and Background of the Mr. Coffee Company
By: Jennifer Harris | 17/12/2007 | CoffeeIn the 1970s and 1980s, you'd have been hard pressed to find a household that didn't have a Mr. Coffee machine in it. Introduced to the market in 1972, Mr. Coffee was the first drip coffee maker specifically made for home use. Joe DiMaggio, former baseball star, was the first spokesperson for the brand...
Folgers Coffee - the History and Background of the Folgers Coffee Company
By: Jennifer Harris | 17/12/2007 | CoffeePart of Proctor and Gamble, Folgers Coffee is one of the biggest brands of coffee in America today. Founded in the 19th century in San Francisco, California by J.A. Folger, it took the United States (the largest coffee market in the world) by storm. In 1963, Proctor and Gamble acquired the company...
Espresso Makers 101 - a Guide to Espresso Makers and Machines
By: Jennifer Harris | 17/12/2007 | CoffeeBelieve it or not, there are eight different types of espresso makers. The first, and most common one to find in homes in Spain, Portugal and Italy, is the stovetop espresso maker. There are three chambers, the top holding the ground coffee...
Espresso Machine 101 - a Guide to Making Espresso
By: Jennifer Harris | 17/12/2007 | CoffeeA person who operates an espresso machine for a living is called a barista. Similar to artisan baking, the knowledge and skill required to make the best espresso beverages is considered to be a craft in Italy. Increasingly, baristas in America are being recognized as such too...