So you've taken the plunge and bought yourself an espresso maker - but the espresso still isn't as good at what you buy at the coffee shop. There could be many reasons for that - among them the simple fact that practice makes perfect - but one major factor that affects the coffee made in an espresso maker is - fanfare, please! - the coffee.
The pure and simple fact is that most coffee sold in the grocery store is not suitable for use in an espresso maker. So how exactly do you go about choosing the best coffee to use with your new espresso maker? Here's a quick, step-by-step guide and look at how different types and grinds of coffee will brew up in your espresso maker.
Pre-ground Coffee
Maxwell House, Folgers, Hills Bros - these are the names that most people know well. They are not designed for an espresso maker. The grind of the coffee is vital to making good espresso, and most ground coffees on your supermarket shelf are ground to be used in a drip coffee maker. The grind is far coarser to allow for the water to filter through more quickly than it will in an espresso maker.
There are a few exceptions to the rule. Illy makes preground coffee specifically for making espresso, and you can count on good quality and the right grind. You'll also find a few imported brands on the shelves that are ground for espresso. Ignore any can that promises 'espresso roast'. There is no such thing. Look for the words 'espresso grind' on the coffee label, but be aware that pre-ground coffee goes stale quickly. Keep your eye on the expiration date for best results.
Roasted Coffee Beans
The best espresso is made from freshly ground beans and a good quality espresso maker. That said, there is no real rule of thumb for the type of beans and roast that you should choose for use in an espresso maker. It's very much a matter of taste. In general, there are two types of coffee beans - Arabica and Robusto. Arabica beans are cultivated at higher altitudes than Robusto beans. Robusto beans have more caffeine and are consequently more acidic. Most connoisseurs of coffee prefer Arabica beans for making espresso in an espresso maker since it results in a less bitter shot.
Aside from the type of bean, there are many variables to coffee flavor, a great many of which have to do with where the coffee is grown, ( or even how clean you keep your espresso maker ). Some of the most well-known types of coffee include Hawaiian Kona and Jamaican Blue Mountain, two types that have acquired a cult following for their very distinctive flavors brewed from your favorite espresso maker. One of the new pleasures that you'll find with your espresso maker is trying different types and blends of coffee beans to find the ones that you like the best. In fact, coffee tasters have identified no less than 800 'flavors' in coffee making.
The roast will affect the flavor of your coffee as much as the type of bean that you choose. Coffee is roasted by exposing green coffee beans to high temperatures then cooling them quickly. The longer and hotter the process, the darker the roast it produces. Many people believe that the darker the roast you use in your espresso maker, the more 'authentic' your coffee will be. The truth is that very dark roasts may have more 'burnt' and less coffee flavors than a lighter roast. Many people prefer a medium dark roast for their espresso, as it produces a full-bodied, rich coffee with little bitterness or burnt flavor.
Grinding Your Own Coffee for your Espresso Maker
The grind of your coffee is one of the most important factors in making good espresso in an espresso maker. The beans should be finely and evenly ground, almost a powder. You won't get that fineness and consistency with an inexpensive blade grinder which basically smashes the coffee to bits. If you're truly serious about coffee, invest in a high quality burr grinder to go with your espresso maker.
The pure and simple fact is that most coffee sold in the grocery store is not suitable for use in an espresso maker. So how exactly do you go about choosing the best coffee to use with your new espresso maker? Here's a quick, step-by-step guide and look at how different types and grinds of coffee will brew up in your espresso maker.
Pre-ground Coffee
Maxwell House, Folgers, Hills Bros - these are the names that most people know well. They are not designed for an espresso maker. The grind of the coffee is vital to making good espresso, and most ground coffees on your supermarket shelf are ground to be used in a drip coffee maker. The grind is far coarser to allow for the water to filter through more quickly than it will in an espresso maker.
There are a few exceptions to the rule. Illy makes preground coffee specifically for making espresso, and you can count on good quality and the right grind. You'll also find a few imported brands on the shelves that are ground for espresso. Ignore any can that promises 'espresso roast'. There is no such thing. Look for the words 'espresso grind' on the coffee label, but be aware that pre-ground coffee goes stale quickly. Keep your eye on the expiration date for best results.
Roasted Coffee Beans
The best espresso is made from freshly ground beans and a good quality espresso maker. That said, there is no real rule of thumb for the type of beans and roast that you should choose for use in an espresso maker. It's very much a matter of taste. In general, there are two types of coffee beans - Arabica and Robusto. Arabica beans are cultivated at higher altitudes than Robusto beans. Robusto beans have more caffeine and are consequently more acidic. Most connoisseurs of coffee prefer Arabica beans for making espresso in an espresso maker since it results in a less bitter shot.
Aside from the type of bean, there are many variables to coffee flavor, a great many of which have to do with where the coffee is grown, ( or even how clean you keep your espresso maker ). Some of the most well-known types of coffee include Hawaiian Kona and Jamaican Blue Mountain, two types that have acquired a cult following for their very distinctive flavors brewed from your favorite espresso maker. One of the new pleasures that you'll find with your espresso maker is trying different types and blends of coffee beans to find the ones that you like the best. In fact, coffee tasters have identified no less than 800 'flavors' in coffee making.
The roast will affect the flavor of your coffee as much as the type of bean that you choose. Coffee is roasted by exposing green coffee beans to high temperatures then cooling them quickly. The longer and hotter the process, the darker the roast it produces. Many people believe that the darker the roast you use in your espresso maker, the more 'authentic' your coffee will be. The truth is that very dark roasts may have more 'burnt' and less coffee flavors than a lighter roast. Many people prefer a medium dark roast for their espresso, as it produces a full-bodied, rich coffee with little bitterness or burnt flavor.
Grinding Your Own Coffee for your Espresso Maker
The grind of your coffee is one of the most important factors in making good espresso in an espresso maker. The beans should be finely and evenly ground, almost a powder. You won't get that fineness and consistency with an inexpensive blade grinder which basically smashes the coffee to bits. If you're truly serious about coffee, invest in a high quality burr grinder to go with your espresso maker.
