How to Brew Espresso

You need a specially designed pressure steamer to make espresso,but the result can be used in several types of coffee drinks.

Espresso is like regular coffee in that it is brewed from coffee beans, but making the perfect shot of espresso requires much more than a regular coffee maker. Espresso is brewed by forcing a small amount of hot water under high pressure through a finely ground selection of espresso beans. When brewing or "pulling" a shot of espresso, the steady stream of brewed espresso should come out evenly, hot and without any grounds. If you brew a shot of espresso correctly, light and creamy froth should float just on the top. Espresso is used in many coffee drinks including Americano, macchiato, latte and cappuccino.

Things You'll Need

• Espresso machine
• Whole espresso beans
• Coffee grinder with espresso setting
• Espresso filter basket
• Metal tamper
• Small espresso cup

Instructions

1. Grind espresso on a very fine espresso setting. Espresso, like all coffee beans, tastes better when it has been freshly ground. If you have only a regular coffee grinder at home with limited settings, bring your espresso beans to a coffee shop and ask them to grind it on an espresso setting for you. The finer the espresso is ground, the more full-bodied a taste it will have.

2. Pour about 2 tsp. ground espresso into an espresso filter basket. These filter baskets are usually attached to a large, plastic or metal handle that allows easy release from the espresso machine. Filter baskets and handles can be purchased at home or kitchen stores and usually come along with the purchase of an espresso machine.

3. Tamp the espresso with a metal tamper. Tampers can be purchased at local food specialty stores or kitchen stores. Press the tamp into the ground espresso until it is flat all the way across the filter basket.

4. Attach the filter basket to the espresso machine. Hold the handle of the filter basket all the way to the left, place it under the socket of the espresso machine, then rotate the handle to the right to lock it in place. You do not have to hold onto the filter basket while the espresso is brewing. Place a small espresso cup underneath the filter basket.

5. Press the button for "long pull" or "short pull." The button varies according to the espresso machine used but is usually illustrated with a small picture of a cup indicating a small or large amount of water. The cup with more water is the "long pull" button and can be used when you want more water in the espresso. The "short pull" button produces a very dense espresso with a stronger flavor.

6. Serve immediately. The espresso is ready to drink as soon as possible and should not sit for more than a few minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• To clean the filter basket, remove it from the espresso machine by turning the handle to the left and pulling down. Carefully hit the handle against your palm or a trash can guard to dispose of the espresso grounds.

• Espresso machines use very hot water and steam. Always follow the manufacture's instructions closely.