How to Brew Espresso Coffee at Home

Key Takes

• Espresso is a rich and intense coffee drink that can be enjoyed on its own or as the base for many other coffee recipes.
• To make espresso at home, you will need an espresso machine, a grinder, a tamper, a portafilter, a scale, a timer, and some coffee beans.
• Hamlet sells high-quality coffee beans from Coopers coffee roasters, as well as various coffee accessories to help you brew the perfect espresso.
• The basic steps to make espresso are: grind the beans, dose the grounds, tamp the grounds, lock the portafilter, start the extraction, and enjoy your espresso.

Introduction

Espresso is a rich and intense coffee drink that can be enjoyed on its own or as the base for many other coffee recipes. Espresso is made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee beans at high pressure, extracting the most flavour and aroma in a short time. Espresso is also characterized by a thick layer of crema, which is the foam that forms on top of the brew.

To make espresso at home, you will need some equipment and ingredients, such as:

• An espresso machine. This can be either a manual, semi-automatic, or fully automatic machine, depending on your preference and budget. An espresso machine will heat the water and pump it through the coffee grounds at the right pressure and temperature.
• A grinder. A grinder will allow you to grind your coffee beans to the optimal size for espresso. The grind size affects the extraction rate and the flavour of your espresso. A fine grind will result in a stronger and more bitter espresso, while a coarse grind will result in a weaker and more sour espresso. You want to aim for a medium-fine grind that is consistent and uniform.
• A tamper. A tamper is a tool that helps you compress the coffee grounds into a compact puck in the portafilter. Tamping ensures even extraction and prevents channeling, which is when water flows through cracks or gaps in the puck and produces uneven or weak espresso.
• A portafilter. A portafilter is a metal basket that holds the coffee grounds and attaches to the group head of the espresso machine. The portafilter has holes at the bottom that allow the water to pass through the coffee puck and into your cup.
• A scale. A scale will help you measure the weight of your coffee grounds and your espresso output. Measuring by weight is more accurate and consistent than measuring by volume or time. The ideal ratio of coffee to water for espresso is usually between 1:1.5 and 1:2.5, depending on your preference and bean type.
• A timer. A timer will help you monitor the duration of your extraction. The ideal extraction time for espresso is usually between 25 and 35 seconds, depending on your grind size and dose. A shorter extraction will result in a sour and under-extracted espresso, while a longer extraction will result in a bitter and over-extracted espresso.
• Coffee beans. Coffee beans are the most important ingredient for making espresso. You want to use fresh and high-quality beans that suit your taste and roast level. Hamlet sells three types of coffee beans on its online store: Brazilian, Colombian, and Ethiopian. Each type has a different flavour profile, roast level, and origin. The Brazilian coffee is described as "nutty, sweet, and low in acidity", the Colombian coffee is "fruity, floral, and balanced", and the Ethiopian coffee is "complex, bright, and aromatic". The coffee beans are sourced from Coopers coffee roasters in Marlow, who are committed to sustainability and quality. Coopers works with farmers and cooperatives around the world to ensure fair trade and ethical practices. Coopers also roasts the beans in small batches to preserve freshness and flavour.

Steps

Now that you have all the equipment and ingredients ready, you can follow these basic steps to make espresso at home:

1. Grind the beans. Use your grinder to grind your coffee beans to a medium-fine consistency. You can adjust the grind size according to your taste and extraction time. A finer grind will result in a stronger and faster extraction, while a coarser grind will result in a weaker and slower extraction.
2. Dose the grounds. Use your scale to weigh out the amount of coffee grounds you want to use for your espresso shot. The standard dose for a single shot is about 7 grams, while for a double shot it is about 14 grams. You can also experiment with different doses according to your preference and bean type.
3. Tamp the grounds. Use your tamper to press down firmly on the coffee grounds in the portafilter. You want to apply even pressure and create a smooth and level surface. The ideal pressure for tamping is about 30 pounds of force. You can check your tamping by holding the portafilter upside down and seeing if the puck stays intact.
4. Lock the portafilter. Attach the portafilter to the group head of the espresso machine and make sure it is locked securely. You want to do this as quickly as possible after tamping to prevent the coffee from losing freshness and flavour.
5. Start the extraction. Place your cup or glass under the portafilter and turn on the espresso machine. The water will start flowing through the coffee puck and into your cup. Use your scale and timer to measure the weight and duration of your espresso output. The standard output for a single shot is about 30 grams, while for a double shot it is about 60 grams. The standard extraction time is about 30 seconds, but you can adjust it according to your taste and grind size.
6. Enjoy your espresso. Once you have reached your desired output and extraction time, turn off the espresso machine and remove the portafilter. You should see a thick layer of crema on top of your espresso, which indicates a good extraction. You can enjoy your espresso as it is, or use it as the base for other coffee drinks, such as cappuccino, latte, or mocha.

Tips and Tricks

Here are some tips and tricks to help you brew the perfect espresso at home:

• Use fresh and filtered water for your espresso machine. The quality and temperature of the water affect the flavour and extraction of your espresso.
• Clean your equipment regularly and thoroughly. The espresso machine, grinder, portafilter, tamper, and cup should be free of any residue or oil that can affect the taste and quality of your espresso.
• Preheat your equipment and cup before brewing. This will ensure that your espresso stays hot and does not lose flavour or crema.
• Experiment with different variables and settings. You can try different types of coffee beans, roast levels, grind sizes, doses, outputs, and extraction times to find your ideal espresso recipe.
• Use Hamlet's coffee accessories to enhance your espresso experience. Hamlet sells a range of coffee accessories on its online store, such as mugs, cups, saucers, spoons, filters, grinders, kettles, and scales. These products are selected to help you get the best out of your coffee at home. Some of the brands featured are Hario, Fellow, Wilfa, and Loveramics.

We hope this guide has helped you learn how to brew espresso coffee at home using Hamlet's coffee beans and accessories. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us or visit our website. Happy brewing!