18 November 2007 by Scott Stadler
Home Espresso: The Complete Buyer’s Guide (part 2)
Fickle Palate presents the Home Espresso Complete Buyer’s Guide.
Chapter 1 - Intro, Vocabulary, and Awesome Reasons
Chapter 2 - Essential Components of Café-Quality Home Espresso
Chapter 3 - Getting More Familiar with Espresso Machines
Chapter 4 - Recommended Grinders
Chapter 5 - Recommended Espresso Machines
Chapter 6 - Accessories & Troubleshooting
The Essential Components of Café-Quality Home Espresso
The Burr Grinder
A quality burr-style bean grinder is an absolute necessity for successfully making espresso. If the grind is uneven or off in any way, chances are the java will be less than desirable. It’s hard to explain this without getting too technical, but the if the grind is not right, the espresso process will not work at all – it’s more than just a taste thing. For those who just want a budget-minded way to get started or are looking to save time, many of the entry-level espresso machines will work with specially designed pre-ground and prepared coffee pods.
The Espresso Machine
This component probably wasn’t too hard to guess! The key for real espresso at home is to use an espresso machine that produces serious pressure while keeping the temperature just right. There are several excellent entry-level machines available on the consumer market, but some of those who are really, really passionate about their espresso will choose to go all out with ultra-enviable commercial models. The sky’s the limit!
The Tamper
Another essential component for equipping an at-home espresso setup is the tamper. Basically, the tamper is a pestle-like tool used to pack the ground coffee firmly into the portafilter’s basket compartment. Ideally, the grounds will be tamped at about a pressure of 30 pounds, slightly more or less depending on the espresso machine. Sometimes machines come with a cheapo tamper that’ll work in a bind, but seeking something more substantial is inevitable.
The Cutting Board
Any serious home barista appreciates having a solid cutting board to work on as they pack the portafilter basket full of coffee with a tamper. Not only does it make cleanup a breeze, but it also protects the countertop or work surface from frequent wear and tear.
The Espresso Cups
Cups or mugs designed specifically for espresso are important for a couple of reasons. First, they are sized to fit under the spout of the espresso maker – something some larger coffee mugs can’t do. Also, espresso cups are intended to be pre-warmed in order to not cool the temperature-sensitive espresso as it’s poured into the cup. Also worth a mention is that thicker isn’t always better – extra material has a tendency to steal heat away from the java.
The Good Coffee
What good is having all the essential equipment if the coffee used is less than par? The perfect coffee bean is a matter of preference – some prefer darker roasts while others prefer a light roast. Regardless of your favorite, quality counts here.
The Practice
Yes, practice is an essential too. Don’t be frustrated if the perfect crema is elusive at first. Keep trying and espresso will be second nature in no time at all. Practice makes perfect!