A cup of Espresso can relieve you from stress & anxiety with ease. However, it’s unlikely that you’ll always feel the same to go towards your nearby coffee shop to have your Espresso. How about answering the question – how to make Espresso at home? So that you can enjoy your espresso hassle-free.
But the price is the biggest problem. A personal espresso machine costs hundreds of dollars that most people can’t & don’t want to have one. If you own an espresso machine, that’s awesome! Don’t feel sad if you can’t afford one as I have many alternatives for you & I’ll be discussing them in this article.
Besides the espresso machine, you can use AeroPress, Moka Pot & French Press to make Espresso like coffee. In this article, I’ll be writing four espresso guides for you. Three of them don’t require any espresso machine (commercial or personal). You can easily make your Espresso like coffee within seconds if you follow these guides thoroughly.
Definition of Espresso: Official & Practical Statement
Espresso is the result of high pressure of 7 to 10bars created by the espresso machine. This pressure makes such a concentrated beverage that you can taste 11oz of milk through 1 oz of Espresso. Along with the pressure part, water temperature plays a crucial role. You must have to set the water temperature at 195 degrees to 205 degrees Fahrenheit.
As you can imagine, how a perfect espresso should be prepared, let’s have a quick look at the Specialty Coffee Association of America’s official definition. According to them, Espresso is –
“..a 25 to 35ml beverage which is prepared from 7 to 9 grams (for single) or 14 to 18 grams (for double) of coffee through which water of 195 to205-degree Fahrenheit has been forced at 9 to 10 bars, and grounded coffee takes brew time of 20 to 30 seconds”.
In summary, Espresso is a highly concentrated coffee prepared from the superfine coffee ground by forcing 7 to 10 bars (640+ pounds) of pressure through clean & warm water.
Espresso & Health: What’s The Health Benefit of Drinking Espresso
If something is too good to taste, consumers will always question their hygiene & health concerning issues. For example, you can pick pizza – because it’s one of our favorite things, still people are coming up with new health concerns frequently.
Unlike pizza, Espresso comes with many health benefits with little to no disadvantages. It’s even considered to be healthier than regular coffee. Why? The regular coffee of 8 ounces contains 95 to 165 milligrams of caffeine, whereas 1 ounce of Espresso contains only 47 to 64 milligrams of caffeine.
Let’s have a quick look at other health benefits of Espresso:
- Improves Long-Term Memory & Increases Recalling Ability
- Improves Concentration at Work & Study
- Rich in Antioxidants Like Polyphenols, Hydrocinnamic Acids, and so on
- Improves Physical Strength and Helps With Longer Workout sessions
- Assists With The Digestive System
- Reduces Diabetes & Stroke Risk
- Enhances Mood: Helps With Overcoming Gloomy & Cloudy mood
That was some of the key points of the benefits of Espresso. Honestly, I can’t describe all of them in words. It’s just a healthy beverage that suits everyone, even people with controlled high BP.
How To Make Espresso At Home With An Espresso Maker: A 7 Steps Guide
Espresso Maker comes in two variations – Personal Espresso Maker & Commercial Espresso Maker. The key benefit of a commercial espresso maker is the ability to make several cups of Espresso at a time & comes with many advanced facilities. That’s why they cost thousands of dollars.
On the other hand, a personal espresso maker can brew one or two cups of Espresso at a time. However, you’ll have additional facilities like a coffee grinder, cup warming tray, steam wand, and so on. You can have shop-like Espresso sitting at home with your espresso maker – if prepared correctly & perfectly. You can take the help of a well-branded Espresso maker. De’Longhi EC155 15 Bar Pump Espresso and Cappuccino Maker will be a recommended one.
If you’re new to Espresso and want to know how to make Espresso at home with an espresso maker, then the following this guide will help you make the perfect Espresso at home.
Things you’ll need:
- Espresso Machine
- Ground Coffee – Dark Roasted Coffee
- Weight Scale – For Measuring Coffee Weight
Hopefully, you have managed to have all of them with you; let’s get started with our guide – How To Make Espresso At Home With An Espresso Maker: A 7 Steps Guide.
Step 1: Prepare Your Machine: Fill The Reservoir With Water
Besides pressure, heat plays a vital role in preparing Espresso. This heat is distributed to the water stored for making excellent espresso coffee. Fill the Espresso maker reservoir with 1 to 2 liter (according to your machine capacity) of cold water and start the machine.
Step 2: Heat Everything up: Machine & Water
As you have switched on the machine, have patience. This will take 15minutes to 45 minutes (depends on water level) to heat everything. The commercial machine will take even longer time than a personal Espresso maker.
Step 3: Prepare Your Shot & Portafilter
In Espresso, glass or cup is referred to as ‘shot.’ You have to set your portafilter and pour some hot water through it to the shot. In this way, the shot’s temperature won’t affect espresso taste as a sudden change in temperature can hurt Espresso’s taste.
Step 4: Prepare Your Coffee Beans
Take your espresso coffee beans or dark roasted coffee beans, and pour them into the grinder. After a few seconds of grinding, you’ll have fine ground espresso coffee beans. After measuring 18-20 grams of ground through the weight calculator – transfer them to the portafilter.
Step 5: Level Coffee Grounds With Tamper
First, clean the tamper thoroughly for avoiding unwanted coffee particles & dust. Use the tamper to tamp onto the coffee grounds of the portafilter. Make sure coffee is so tight that it won’t fall even if you hold the portafilter upside down.
Step 6: Place Your Portafilter & Shot
After doing all the hard work, now stick your portafilter inside the machine. Also, place your shot in the correct position.
Step 7: Enjoy Your Espresso
Here comes the waiting period. Wait for 28 to 30 seconds, and your Espresso will be ready for refreshing your heart & soul.
How To Make Espresso At Home Without An Espresso Maker
Having an espresso maker is excellent. As it costs hundreds of dollars, most of the people can’t afford to buy one. That’s why you might be wondering – how to make Espresso at home without an espresso maker & is it possible?
It is possible to make espresso-like coffee (not genuine Espresso) without an espresso maker. Though there are many alternatives available, I recommend – Aeropress, Moka Pot & French Press for making Espresso at home.
In the following three guides, I’ll explain the steps briefly so that you can make & taste the best possible Espresso like coffee within seconds. So let’s get started with our guides, shall we?
How to Make Espresso With An AeroPress: A 10 Steps Guide
AeroPress is an under $20 gadget that can assure coffee with 95% espresso taste. Using this machine is very easy & anybody can operate it little to no coffee brewing knowledge. Before starting the espresso brewing guide through Aeropress, let’s have a quick look at the things you’ll need while brewing a great cup of espresso coffee. Our Cuisinart DCC-3200 Perfect Temp 14-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker Review will help to choose the right maker for you if you want.
Things you’ll need to Make Espresso With An AeroPress:
- AeroPress
- Any Kinds Of Tamper
- Thermometer
- Ground Coffee – Dark Roasted Coffee
- Coffee Grinder
- Weight Scale – For Measuring Coffee Weight
- Kettle & Stove
Hopefully, you have managed to have all of them with you; let’s get started with our guide – How to Make Espresso With An AeroPress: A 10 Steps Guide.
Step 1: Assemble Your Gear: AeroPress Kit, Measuring Cup & Thermometer
The preparation part must be taken seriously, as you don’t want to be stuck in need of equipment. You’ll need the complete AeroPress Kit, a measuring cup & a thermometer. This thermometer is necessary as you know, heat plays a vital role in preparing Espresso & Espresso like coffee.
Step 2: Heat Up Water
With AeroPress, you’ll use preheated 1 cup of water (8 ounces). Use the thermometer for heating water to 195 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 3: Grind Freshly Roasted Coffee
Use any cost-efficient grinder you want, but I recommend using Burr Coffee Grinder. Measure around 28 grams of ground coffee and grind them at medium to fine settings.
Step 4: Place The First Filter At The Bottom
You’ll be given two filters with AeroPress. Use the first one at the bottom of the machine. This filter will do the extracting job making an excellent espresso-like cup of coffee.
Step 5: Add Ground Coffee To The Aeropress
As you have grounded coffee previously, pour them into the AeroPress. Make sure to give a
mild shake after pouring all of the coffee beans.
Step 6: Place The Second Filter & Tamp Tightly
Place the second filter just above the grounded coffee beans. You’ll have something like a sandwich – two filters in the outside & coffee in the middle. Now, use a tamper & make sure to tamp coffee tightly.
Step 7: Place The Aeropress On Top Of The Coffee Mug
After doing all these things, place the whole assembly on top of your coffee mug. Make sure to choose a sturdy cup that can withstand the pressure you’ll make creating your Espresso.
Step 8: Pour Hot Water & Wait
Now pour half-cup (4 ounces) of preheated water into the AeroPress. After doing so, please give it a quick stir & wait for 30 seconds.
Step 9: Use The Plunger To Plunge
After the waiting period is over, use the plunger to plunge gently. Don’t over-pressurized as it may break your coffee mug. Pressurize with a normal hand weight. After completing this process, remove the AeroPress from the cup.
Step 10: Enjoy Your Espresso
You may want to transfer your Espresso to your favorite coffee cup. After doing so, you can enjoy your fresh AeroPress-o coffee.
How To Make Espresso With A Moka Pot: A 8 Steps Guide
Moka pot is being used widely though the origin of this cookware is from Italy. It’s a simple & easy to use kitchen appliance. You can disassemble it easily to fill it with coffee grounds & water. After doing so, place it on the stove, and your Espresso like coffee will be ready within seconds.
I’ll be explaining these steps briefly in the following sections. Before that, let’s have a look at things you’ll need while brewing a fantastic espresso-like coffee with a Moka Pot.
Things you’ll need to make Espresso with a moka mot:
- Moka Pot
- Ground Coffee – Dark Roasted Coffee
- Coffee grinder
- Weight Scale – For Measuring Coffee Weight
- Kettle & Stove
Hopefully, you have managed to have all of them with you; let’s get started with our guide – How To Make Espresso With An Moka Pot: A 8 Steps Guide.
Step 1: Disassemble The Moka Pot
First, disassemble your Moka Pot. You’ll mainly be left with a water chamber (release valve), a filter basket, and the upper part of Moka Pot.
Step 2: Grind Freshly Roasted Coffee
Measure around 20 to 22 grams of freshly roasted coffee and grind them in very fine settings using Burr Coffee Grinder. Finely ground coffee helps with both AeroPress & Moka Pot.
Step 3: Fill The Water Chamber
Now fill the water chamber with water keeping a little space – don’t overfill. Overfilling can cause unwanted change to your coffee flavor.
Step 4: Fill The Filter Basket With Ground Coffee
Take your finely ground 20-22grams and transfer them to the filter basket. Give a mild shake after filling the basket but don’t pressurize it. Gently rinse with finger to wipe outer coffee beans & level them accurately.a
Step 5: Attach The Filter Basket & Reassemble Entirely
You’re almost set. Now attach the filter basket full of coffee beans to the Moka Pot. Also, reassemble it fully by attaching the upper part of the Moka Pot.
Step 6: Place The Moka Pot On The Stove
After reassembling the Moka Pot, it’s time to place it on the stove. Try keeping the handle at the corner part of your stove as it will prevent the handle from overheating. Set the stove temperature at medium setting.
Step 7: Wait For A Hissing Sound
Now it’s the waiting period. You’ll hear a hissing sound after some time, which means your Espresso is almost ready. Wait for a couple of more seconds, and you’ll see highly concentrated Espresso like coffee is filling the upper part of the Moka Pot.
Step 8: Enjoy Your Espresso
Finally, pour the Espresso to your favorite coffee cup & enjoy this mind refreshing highly concentrated coffee.
How To Make Espresso With A French-Press: A 7 Steps Guide
The French press is widely known for their ability to brew excellent French press coffee. But, do you know you can brew Espresso as well? Well, it may not taste like the perfect Espresso – but, it will come closer for sure. The key difference between French press coffee & Espresso is, you’ll be using a double amount of coffee ground for Espresso compared to French press coffee.
In the next & last guide, I’ll describe how you can have the best Espresso like coffee from a French press coffee maker. Before starting the guide, make sure you have these following stuff with you.
Things you’ll need to make with a French Press:
- 8-Cup French Press Coffee Maker
- Ground Coffee – Dark Roasted Coffee
- Coffee Grinder
- Weight Scale – For Measuring Coffee Weight
- Kettle & Stove
Hopefully, you have managed to have all of them with you; let’s get started with our guide – How To Make Espresso With A French-Press: A 7 Steps Guide.
Step 1: Disassemble The French Press
Like Moka Pot, you have to disassemble the French press as well. Give them a quick wash if you have prepared French press coffee earlier.
Step 2: Grind Freshly Roasted Coffee Beans
Measure around 28 grams of coffee beans and grind them well with Burr Coffee Grinder. Ensure your roasted coffee beans are dark, which indicates it to be Espresso coffee beans. Wait a few seconds to finish the grinding process.
Step 3: Add Coffee Ground
After grinding measured coffee beans (28grams), pour them into your French press. Unlike others (AeroPress & Moka Pot), you don’t have to shake your French press after pouring coffee beans.
Step 4: Boil & Add Hot Water
Use the kettle to boil water. After boiling is done, set it aside for 30 seconds so that it can release some temperature. Pour a little water into the French press and wait for a few seconds. Afterward, transfer the rest (1 cup) and don’t bother to stir it.
Step 5: Close The Lid & Wait
After doing these tasks, now close the lid and make sure it’s entirely airtight. After waiting for four minutes straight, gently press the plunger slowly & steadily.
Step 7: Serve & Enjoy Your Espresso
After doing so, you’ll be left with highly concentrated coffee – Espresso like coffee. Pour it to your favorite coffee cup & enjoy it.
Final Words – How to Make Espresso at Home
In this article, I’ve explained how you can have your Espresso with & without an espresso machine. As you can see, brewing espresso is super simple if you know the proper process. I hope these four guides regarding Espresso Maker, AeroPress, Moka Pot & French Press will help you brew the best Espresso possible.
After reading this article thoroughly, you won’t need to ask anyone how to make Espresso at home – as I’ve shown four ways of making Espresso at home with/without an espresso maker. Enjoy your Espresso & keep yourself laser focus on your day to day tasks.