 Essenza Espresso Machine in Piano Black/Aeroccino In-Pack For a limited time only, receive a $50 Nespresso Club Credit good towards the purchase of espresso capsules and accessories when you purchase any Nespresso Espresso Machine $299 and up! Just mail in the rebate form below! Click here for more details an… |
How To Make A Great Espresso!
Every barista (professional maker of coffee drinks) will have his or her method. Here’s mine… It all starts with water. No coffee grounds, no matter the quality, can overcome an association with poor water. It must be fresh and very hot. Yes, even water can get stale, thanks to mildew, poor cleaning practices, and inadequate filtering. The optimum temperature is 203F (95C), nearly boiling.
Next comes the coffee. Select arabica – whether from Brazil, Bogota, or elsewhere, grown above 3000 feet (915m) and delivered fresh for roasting. Either self-roasted or bought within a few days after, the coffee should have that ‘fresh food’ smell.
Robusta – though easier to grow and more disease resistant – has more caffeine and less flavor. It should be reserved for those quick pick-me-up cups, not used for an espresso to be savored.
Finely ground in burr, not blade, grinders the roast should be dark – French or Viennese. The name refers to the color, not the origin. Blade ‘grinders’ actually chop, not grind. Burr grinders have pyramid shaped teeth on two plates that grind the beans between them.
The distance between the plates determines the fineness of the granules. Sand grain-sized is good, powder is too fine, and small-gravel too large. Of course, the grind should not be exposed to air any longer than necessary. Coffee, like any food, will oxidize and absorb odors from the air. Neither is conducive to a good cup.
And, last but not least, a good espresso requires a clean machine of good quality. ‘Good quality espresso machine means: generates heat by boiler or thermoblock and is capable of producing pump pressure of 9 bar or better. A ‘thermoblock’ heats water as it passes through the machine on the way to the pump. Avoid the cheaper units that rely on steam to create pressure.
Now you have the basic elements. Next comes the process.
Pre-warm the equipment by running good water through a clean machine. You can turn the machine on, let the water heat, and run a cup through with no coffee to warm the surfaces and flush the system. Add your ground roast and pack down slightly, as you would pipe tobacco. Just as with pipes, you should be feel some springiness, but the coffee shouldn’t scatter.
Insert the hopper in the machine firmly and place a warmed espresso cup at the outlet. Start the machine and in about five seconds you should have a thin, steady stream. (About 20 seconds for a double shot.)
For a cappuccino, warm half a cup of organic milk in the microwave about 90 seconds, froth, and add to the espresso. Garnish to taste with cinnamon, nutmeg or chocolate. For those who like it sweet a little organic sugar goes a long way.
Simple, straight forward, and easy. Start with good ingredients, keep your equipment clean, and don’t burn the roast. The result? A great cup!
Costumer Reviews Nespresso Essenza D90
Living in Italy: ALL ITALIANS have this machine
By K. R. Warmkessel (Genova, Italy)
I live in Italy and I have to say that after being in Italy for 7 years, I finally discovered how to make the perfect cappuccino at home. This makes a cappuccino exactly how I would get it at my neighborhood coffee bar. The machine makes a dense rich espresso with a nice cream on top and the aeroccino makes a perfect thick foam. The aeroccino also heats the milk to the perfect temperature and clean up is super quick. The machine is little in size which is a plus in a tiny Italian kitchen. At first I wasn’t so convinced on being committed to buying only Nespresso capsules, first for the price and second for the quality of coffee. Then I recalculated that I spend 1.10 euro at the bar every morning compared to .34 euro to make it at home….hence a definite savings. Plus the quality of coffees they offer (12 varieties in total) happens to be excellent! I’ve noticed that all of the Italians here also have this espresso machine in house. So if the Italians say it’s good, and they’re passionate about their food and drink, it’s got to be good. I’ve owned several machines over the years and this one is truly THE BEST!!
Best espresso ever
E. Neely (Corvallis, OR USA)
I love the Nespresso system, it takes the guess work out of making great espresso and tastes fantastic. This system is so fail-proof my 8 year-old begs to make my morning cup!
