What You Should Know About An Espresso
Monday, July 20th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
Your favorite coffee house probably serves it and many people claim to enjoy it, but does anyone really know what an espresso should taste like? The general consensus is that it should be flavored much like freshly ground coffee, yet still be extraordinarily sweet with a potent aroma. The thin layer of foam at the top of the cup (also known as crema) should have a dark brownish red color and should be smooth but also thick. In order to be considered perfect you should be able to enjoy the flavor straight with nothing added but it should be strong enough that it does not disappear into the milk. It is also said that for several minutes after it has been consumed there should still be a pleasant aftertaste on the palate.
If you are interested in brewing perfect espressos from home, then there are some interesting tips available. And, should any of these particular factors be left out, you will be left with a less than perfect tasting cup of hot coffee.
The first rule is rule is that the espresso blend should be fresh and it is recommended that it should be used within four days after roasting. And be careful because many times it will be roasted too dark resulting in a very bitter brew. So roast light in order to preserve the sugar and aroma.
In order to maintain perfect extraction of the coffee beans, a burr grinder is preferred. Also, do not just grind a bunch at one time; only grind to order ensuring freshness. The oils that are protected inside of the bean become exposed to the air, which then can become stale.
Training a barista (coffee bar server) is a serious business to many companies, especially when it comes to making perfect espressos. The instructions are very detailed and include the amount of time that the coffee should be ground (15 to 20 seconds) and only done when a shot has been ordered, to ensure freshness. Next comes tamping of the coffee that is in the porta-filter, done by pressing the tamper gently on the freshly ground coffee, something that is imperative for a properly made espresso. While the coffee is being tamped you should also be gently tapping the filter to ensure that the coffee will be evenly distributed. The entire process should only take about 25 to 29 seconds and you will have made the perfect cup.
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