Espresso is significantly more difficult than most other coffee brewing methods but extremely popular. Believe it or not, there is a way to have a great coffee house style espresso or cappuccino at home!
Espresso is made by forcing approximately two ounces of water heated to two-hundred degrees through about one-half ounce of finely ground and packed coffee within thirty seconds. Making a good espresso requires patience and practice. There are many good brands of home espresso makers on the market today. If you choose to purchase one, read the instructions carefully and allow yourself time to practice. Very rarely does one make a perfect espresso the first time, but if you’re the kind of person who enjoys espresso or cappuccino, you’ll take the time to perfect your technique.
To make cappuccino, you’ll simply need to add steamed, frothed milk to your espresso. Learning to froth one’s milk to make a proper cappuccino will take far more practice than making the espresso. As with the espresso, the time you take to perfect your technique is well worth it.
When making espresso, keep several things in mind:
1. Your machine should always be clean before preparing a fresh cup.
2. Always use fresh spring water or filtered water. This will make a huge difference in flavor.
3. Always use the best coffee you can find. That canned stuff mixed with chicory that your parents brew should not even be allowed to breathe the same air as your espresso beans.
If you enjoy your morning cup (or pot) of coffee like I do, you’ll find this information very handy and worthwhile reading as it just may affect the quality and taste of you next cup of Joe. Sometimes the right cup of coffee in the morning can make the difference between a good day and a great day. Make your next one a great one!