

Holding with both hands will help you feel the temperature, as you do not want it to be piping hot. Hold the pitcher with both hands and insert the wand.Blow some steam off the steamer to get rid of condensed water, and fill your pitcher to about a finger or two below its spout.The best milk is full-fat cow’s milk, but you can also use non-dairy alternatives such as almond or soy milk. Luckily, the process isn’t as complicated as you may think. Whether you are a flat-white addict or you enjoy its bigger cousin – the infamous latte, you cannot make a good cup of espresso with milk if you don’t master the art of milk frothing first. The perfect extraction starts with a rich and dark brew that turns lighter and lighter and ends with a creamy and golden foam (crema) that sits on top. Once you get a good idea about how the extraction of espresso should look like, make that as a standard that you will use to adjust the grind, dose, and tamp, to ensure the same brew, every time. Tip: Even If your machine comes with pre-set times, set the timing manually, play around with the settings, and find out what works for you the best.

Your kitchen timer (or the timer on your phone) can help you ensure that each next shot will be pulled precisely like the last one. The best shot is achieved in about 25 seconds of extraction, on average, but bear in mind that this depends a lot on your machine. This is especially important in the beginning when you are still trying out different techniques and perfecting your espresso-brewing skills. You will hit your ideal brew ration only if you time your shots. Ideally, you should also run your espresso cup under hot water just before the extracting begins. Just run the espresso maker without the portafilter to purge any unwanted particles.įor the absolute best espresso shot, your group head should be rinsed before brewing not only so it gets cleaned, but also to preheat it. The group head (where you insert the portafilter) should also be rinsed before every use. It is also recommended that you rinse the portafilter with hot water from the machine just before adding coffee to it to ensure that there aren’t any residues left behind. Your machine needs to be cleaned regularly, ideally every day. Make sure always to use the same grind, dose, tamp, and brew, for best results. Whatever type of coffee you choose, whatever dosage you are comfortable with, the most important thing is to be consistent. Pulling the perfect espresso shot is something that comes with practice, but there are some must-know espresso-making tips that every barista-wannabe should take advantage of.
