For many people coffee is more than just a part of their daily routine, it’s a personal ritual. And you know you’re a true coffee fan when you become picky with your beans and roasts. So, you might prefer the kick you get from espresso beans as opposed to regular coffee beans. But unlike regular coffee, espresso is prepared in a different way. That being said, if you want to get a taste of it whenever you want in your own home, you have to know how the whole preparation method goes.
What’s the Difference Between Espresso and Regular Coffee?
For all types of coffee beans, the roasting process is where the difference in taste, flavour and the choice of brewing method come. Coffee beans refer to any bean roasted and ready for brewing. You can choose from light-roasted, medium-roasted and dark-roasted beans. Espresso beans belong to the dark roast category, or beans that offer the least acidity with a fuller body.
Espresso beans are roasted longer and darker than the beans used for drip coffee. Espresso is a shot of concentrated coffee that’s made by forcing hot water at high pressure through finely-ground coffee beans. This definition of espresso is the simplest way to realise the main differences between espresso and coffee – the brewing process and the grind.
A coffee bean grinder and espresso coffee machine are essential for preparing coffee and espresso. The coffee grinder is used for grinding roasted coffee beans into smaller pieces. The size and shape of the grinds your brew with can have a huge impact on the way your coffee extracts. The most important step is to grind your coffee beans fresh before brewing, which will make your coffee taste great. You can get the best results and consistency with a dark espresso, French roast or certain blends.
Espresso is a great way to start your day energized or treat yourself to the rich caffeine flavour after a good meal. To enjoy a shot of espresso at home, it’s essential to find the right espresso coffee machine. There are several different espresso machines and the following are the most common ones.
Different Types of Espresso Coffee Machines
Espresso machines for home use are becoming more popular lately as many like to brew authentic espresso in their own kitchen. If you’re a coffee-lover, with a good machine, quality espresso coffee beans and a little practice, you can get your favourite coffee anytime you want.
Manual Espresso Coffee Maker
This type of coffee maker requires the person using it to add the water and the coffee grinds. If you want to take full control over your espresso brew process, then a manual espresso coffee maker is the best choice you can make. It offers a more artisan, tactile brewing experience and allows you to appreciate the process of making great espresso. Most of these coffee makers don’t require electricity, representing an energy-saving option, and can be used in remote areas or during power blackouts.
Semi-Automatic Espresso Coffee Maker
With this type of espresso coffee maker, you’ll need to turn the machine on, press a button and turn it off once the coffee has been made. Always make sure that the water reservoir is filled and there are sufficient beans within the grinder.
Fully Automatic Espresso Coffee Maker
This type of espresso coffee maker comes with a fully integrated water system and a coffee grinder. All you’ll need to do is push a button and the machine will take over from there. Programmable buttons are used to pre-set the volume and get your espresso shot.
You don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy a delicious espresso at home. The quality of the espresso beans and coffee grinder is what matters the most. Before purchasing your espresso coffee maker, consider your budget, cleaning and maintenance requirements and the amount of counter space available.
Some machines are small and compact, while others can be large and take more space in your kitchen. That being said, before choosing, consider your kitchen design. But if you have a unique open concept kitchen with a breakfast bar, any espresso machine can fit right in perfectly.
How to Make Perfect Espresso at Home?
Making espresso at home is a fun and enjoyable experience. The only way to improve your skills is to practice, taste and above all, be honest with yourself. Great espresso is complex, sweet, balanced and clean. Begin with getting to know your equipment and how much coffee do you need. To standardise your espresso, always stick to a common target dose.
Freshly ground beans produce a more flavoured and aromatic cup. Grinding your beans and storing them properly is the secret to producing an authentic espresso shot, regardless of the way you brew. A coffee grinder is one of the most commonly overlooked aspects of brewing espresso. Finding a suitable grinder for your brewing method is very important and can have a huge impact on the quality of your coffee.
Water quality matters as well when it comes to brewing your perfect espresso. When the water is clean, the coffee will taste better and proper filtration can prevent a build-up of calcium or other mineral deposits to your coffee maker. What’s more, espresso is a coffee that is brewed under pressure. The resulting brew is much more concentrated than regular coffee, with more potent flavour, more dissolved solids and more caffeine. All of it packed in a small cup.
The concentrated form of coffee can have many health benefits. For instance, espresso contains antioxidants that can boost the immune system and can even reduce the risk of heart diseases and stroke. To ensure your drink is 100% healthy, instead of regular white sugar, you can use xylitol powder as a healthier alternative.
