How to Make Espresso
Do you envision making delicious and authentic tasting espresso from home? Now you can with products like the KitchenAid® Burr Coffee Grinder and KitchenAid® Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine! Find out what espresso is and the steps to make smooth lattes, rich Americanos and tasty cappuccinos from home.
What is Espresso?
Espresso gets its name from its brewing method, which creates delicious full-flavored coffee. From the Italian phrase for “press through”, this beloved, efficient process involves high pressure, precise timing, and calls for a very finely ground bean.
How to Make Espresso
Some beans are specifically roasted for espresso, but you can choose just about any coffee bean, provided that it's ground correctly. Follow these instructions to make your own espresso at home:
1. For fresh results, grind your beans immediately before brewing. The KitchenAid® Burr Coffee Grinder has 70 precise settings for a wide variety of grind sizes - everything from Espresso, to French Press or Drip Coffee.
2. When using the KitchenAid® portafilter, use the single wall basket type for freshly ground whole bean coffee. The double wall basket is for coffee that comes pre-ground. A single shot calls for between 10 and 12 grams. Use 18 to 20 grams for a Doppio, or double. Follow the dose selection below to help you make your espresso:
Single wall 1 shots 10 - 12g Freshly ground whole bean coffee
Single wall 2 shots (Doppio) 18 - 20g Freshly ground whole bean coffee
Double wall 1 shots 10 - 12g Pre-ground coffee
Double wall 2 shots (Doppio) 18 - 20g Pre-ground coffee”
3. Once you have the right dose, turn on your KitchenAid® Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine and Milk Frother Attachment. When lights on the machine stop blinking, it’s ready to use. Dual, Smart Temperature Sensors actively communicate with each other to ensure optimal temperature. The fast-heating, thermocoil technology heats water up to the ideal brewing temperature in less than 45 seconds.
4. Before adding your ground coffee, don’t forget to rinse the instruments. To rinse the group head, place a container under the head. Toggle the Mode button to select Espresso. Toggle the Dose button to one and press the start/cancel button. The machine will flush water through the group head and automatically stop when the cycle is complete.
5. Tamp the portafilter to level the ground espresso bed. The 58-millimeter commercial grade portafilter maintains optimal heat through extraction, and is designed with two recessed spouts to enable a flat base for easier, more stable tamping. Attach the portafilter and twist to lock into place. Toggle the Mode button to Espresso. Select your preferred dose, then Press the start/cancel button to run.
6. For optimal espresso, brew between 20 and 30 seconds. Experiment to find your favorite flavors by adjusting your grind size and tamping pressure. Now you should have a rich, piping hot shot for sipping, or to create a delicious espresso drink with!
7. To make what is traditionally known as an espresso, simply serve one shot in a small cup. For a double shot, or Doppio, serve double the amount using the two-shot setting on your machine. An Americano is an Espresso with hot water. Cappuccinos are half steamed milk, half espresso with froth on top. Lattes are mostly steamed milk with espresso and froth, while a macchiato is simply a single or double shot of espresso with a dollop of frothed milk added on top.
Ready to turn your kitchen and countertop into your own personal café? Explore the complete KitchenAid coffee collection, as well as other coffee recipes to inspire your making, today at KitchenAid.com!
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