Espresso.
Espresso is a method of brewing coffee that uses an espresso machine to force pressurised water through a finely ground, tightly packed bed of coffee. The resulting beverage is thick, creamy and concentrated, and can be consumed as is, or used as a base for long blacks, cappuccinos, lattes, flat whites and more.
What you’ll need for one cup
- Semi-automatic espresso machine (with portafilter)
- Espresso tamper
- Fresh coffee, fine ground for espresso (18g)
- Brew Water 28-36g/ml at 91-96˚C
- Espresso glass or cup
- Timer
- Overall Brew Time: 22-30 sec
How to make it
- Remove the portafilter from the group head – twist from right to left until it dislodges.
- Flush the grouphead for two to three seconds.
- Empty the portafilter (if it isn’t already empty) and make sure there isn’t any leftover residue or moisture.
- Measure up your coffee: use scales for exact results.
- Pop the coffee in the portafilter, level it out with a light shake or a dosing tool.
- Tamp the coffee: use a hand tamper to firmly compress the grounds and level them out. This will force out any air pockets and create a longer extraction process.
- Clean the rim of the portafilter and spouts, and purge the grouphead.
- Lock the portafilter into the grouphead by twisting it from left to right, and select the cup.
- As soon as the portafilter is in, start the water flow. You have three to five seconds to put the cup under the spouts.
- Keep an eye on the extraction time of your espresso – this will vary according to taste.
- When your espresso’s poured, stop the water flow.
- Clean your machine.
Cafetière.
The French Press brew method allows for more control and customisation in the brewing process, resulting in a richer and fuller-bodied flavour compared to drip coffee.
What you’ll need for one cup:
- Coffee: 15g/3 tbsp (coarse grind)
- Water: 325ml/1.5 cups
- French press
- Ketter
- Timer and scale
- Total brew time: 4:30 mins
How to make it:
- Prepare all ingredients and equipment
- Bring water to a boil and set it aside.
- Pour little hot water in an empty French press and rinse it. It helps maintain temperature during extraction. Optional step.
- Pour 3 tablespoon of ground coffee into the French press and add little water to wet the coffee grounds for 30 seconds. Gently stir everything with a chopstick. Cover with the lid to maintain temperature.
- Add remaining hot water into the French press and push the plunger until it touches the water but do not plunge yet.
- Set timer & allow coffee to steep for 3 minute 30 seconds.
- Gently push the plunger all the way down to filter the grounds from the coffee.
- Immediately pour in a cup and enjoy. If you are making a large batch, decant your coffee otherwise, if it sits for too long in your French press it will turn bitter.
