Fool Proof Tips On How To Make The Perfect Espresso

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The preparation of espresso-based coffee drinks is an art form. A person trained in this art form is called a barista. They can do amazing things with textured milk, almost like painting on the top of a coffee. But you can also become skilled in espresso coffee preparation, once you gain a solid understanding of espresso coffee, espresso blends, coffee varieties and the espresso equipment.

What exactly is espresso?

First of all, you need to know exactly what an espresso is: it is a coffee prepared with one to one-and-a-half ounces of the dark and bitter-sweet coffee, which is heavy-bodied and produces a brownish-red topping of crema. Crema is just a word for the emulsified oils of the coffee roast, produced by forcing the coffee through an espresso machine under high pressure.

The forced method of espresso preparation is what transforms the espresso bean or roast into a beverage that has a very specific feel, aroma, taste and density.

The other important characteristic that makes espresso what it is, is how finely the coffee has been ground. The finer the grind, the slower the espresso comes out of the machine. The say that the absolute best shot of espresso should take about 25 seconds for the water in the espresso machine to pass through the coffee.

When making espresso, remember:

It is vitally important when making an espresso coffee to never over-extract the coffee. To become a true barista of espresso you must learn to treat the espresso preparation as a ritual in itself. This means that you need to understand the difference between a good espresso and a bad one. You may be able to disguise a lesser espresso shot under a heavy head of frothed and textured milk, but it should always be your aim to prepare the best shot of espresso in the first instance.

You must also learn to seek out the best espresso bean. In short, espresso must become a lifestyle choice.

Espresso basics

The invention of the espresso goes back to 1903 and is attributed to one Luigi Bezzera who owned a manufacturing business and wanted to develop a way of brewing coffee faster. He added pressure to the brewing process and produced what he called the espresso coffee machine, which essentially means ?fast? in Italian.

What was discovered about coffee when brewed in this manner is that a faster brewing time produced a more intense flavor and aroma, because it bypassed some of the negative effects of over-extraction or over-brewing of coffee.

It is important to understand how to make espresso in order to produce a perfect shot. The two main differences between an espresso coffee and any other coffee is a matter of the fineness of the coffee grind and the fast brewing time. Also, the coffee beans used to produce an espresso coffee are roasted until they are dark in color and have an oily texture. It is this combination of oily coffee bean and pressurized brewing that makes the perfect espresso shot.