How to Make Espresso
Espresso is the foundation of the most delicious caffeinated drinks, offering a bold and concentrated flavor that coffee lovers appreciate.
Whether you're using your home espresso machine or making espresso shots with manual methods, we’ll help you with the process to brew rich, flavorful shots at home.
Espresso Basics
Espresso is made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee under high pressure.
This process creates a small, intense shot of coffee with a layer of crema on top. To achieve the perfect shot, you need quality coffee beans, the right grind size, and an appropriate brewing method. Applying high pressure to your espresso grounds through a machine is the best method.
How to Make Espresso with a Machine
With your espresso machine, make espresso shots by following these steps:
1. Choose Fresh Coffee Beans
Opt for high-quality, freshly roasted beans to enhance your espresso flavor. Have fun taste testing your coffee with various coffee beans and then dive into espresso making with your favorites. Dark roasted beans are typically favored for espresso grounds.
2. Grind the Beans for Espresso
Espresso requires a fine and even grind, similar to table salt. Espresso grounds are not the same as coffee grounds, although both start with coffee beans. A burr grinder, rather than a blade grinder, will give you the absolute best results. Burr grinders help enhance the aromas and flavors of your coffee grounds.
3. Measure and Tamp
To make a double shot, aim to measure 18 grams of espresso grounds. Distribute it evenly in the portafilter and tamp firmly to create a uniform surface.
4. Brew the Espresso
Lock the portafilter into the machine and start the extraction process. Stand by as your machine pressurizes your espresso serving and delivers a delicious espresso shot to your espresso mug below.
5. Assess the Shot
A well-made espresso should have a balanced flavor and a rich crema on top. From here, you can enjoy your bold shot, or you can choose to enhance your espresso drink into a macchiato, cappuccino, latte, Americano, or your choice of any creative espresso recipes.
How to Make Espresso without a Machine
If you don’t own an espresso machine, there are alternative ways to make a strong coffee drink resembling espresso. These methods won’t give you the same espresso flavor a pressurized machine can deliver, but you might enjoy a similar result.
- Moka Pot – A stovetop brewer that produces concentrated coffee using steam pressure.
- French Press – While not traditional espresso, using a fine grind and longer steep time can yield a strong, bold brew.
Hand Brewing vs. Automatic Brewing
Whether you’ve decided to invest in an espresso machine or would like to try hand brewing methods, each has advantages and drawbacks. Be aware that true espresso requires concentrated pressure, so results are not the same when hand brewing.
Hand Brewing (Moka Pot or French Press)
- Pros: More affordable, portable, and requires minimal equipment.
- Cons: Lacks the high pressure needed for true espresso, resulting in an unauthentic taste and texture.
Automatic Brewing (Espresso Machines)
- Pros: Produces authentic espresso with crema, offers consistency, and allows for customization.
- Cons: Requires a higher investment for an espresso machine. Compare espresso machines to find the right fit for your kitchen.
Expert Espresso Tips
- Clean your machine thoroughly.
- Preheat your espresso mug and milk.
- Grind your espresso beans immediately before extracting.
Make Espresso with the Right Setup
If you’re all-in to create a new routine with home espresso, investing in a machine is worthwhile. For occasional espresso-like coffee, manual methods can still produce tasty, bold results. Explore different brewing styles to find what works best for your taste and budget!
Whether you use an espresso machine or a manual method, experimenting with grind size, brewing time, and coffee beans will help you refine your espresso-making skills, and your taste for espresso.