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- New To Home Espresso? ☕️
Coffee Lovers Rejoice ☕️
Hey there coffee baristas!
Not only the professional ones but also the ones who absolutely love making coffee like a barista at home, this one is especially for you!
Since the pandemic, there has been a huge rush into buying home espresso machines, the “lockdown made me buy it” was at the boom, and slowly we realized the chef in each one of us.
Scroll down to see what we’ve got for you in this aromatic issue
There is nothing like the feeling of taking that first sip of a perfectly brewed espresso, with its dreamy and divine crema, its full-bodied flavor, and that inevitable rush of caffeine that puts the hop, skip and jump back in your step.
That you make it at home just ups everything about it.
We have compiled top 10 home espresso machines available at amazon that wont break your bank!
Watch our youtube video and get your hands on the best espresso machine for the love of coffee!
Tips To Brew Like a Pro ☕️
Let’s be honest, creating an espresso that rivals that of your favorite coffee shop can be a challenging feat.
But fear not, my new found espresso fanatics, for with practice and helpful tips, you can easily become a master of brewing these delightful shots right from the comfort of your own home.
Get a Good Grinder
“Wah, my home espresso has no crema! I want my crema!”
We cannot begin to tell you how much we heard that! The answer, 99% of the time, is they either didn’t own a good grinder (and bought preground) or they used a cheap blade grinder.
Good Water
Think of it like a superhero team-up – Batman needs the boring old Alfred, and espresso needs the boring but good water. Without it, your shot can end up tasting like murky pond washout.
If you live in an area with hard water, consider using a specific filter to soften it up; indeed a permanent system you install under your sink might be beneficial for all your water use.
Levelling and Tamping
This is where you actually have a direct hand in crafting your espresso: by distributing, levelling and tamping down your freshly ground coffee into the portafilter basket.
The important thing to remember here is get your freshly ground dose of coffee into the portafilter, make sure the bed of coffee is nice and level and even before you reach for a tamper.
Think of it like you’re building a little fort for your coffee to live in! You want everything to be even and level first!
Level out that coffee, even if with just your finger!
Clean, Clean, Clean! 🧽
If you’re like me (or want to become like me, and who doesn’t!), then your espresso machine is your holy grail.
But with great power comes great responsibility, and that means you gotta clean it.
We know cleaning can be a drag, but trust me, it’s worth it. Not only will it make your espresso taste better, but it will also help your machine live a longer, happier life.
So, without further ado, here are some tips on how to clean your espresso machine:
Get rid of any stray grinds, spills, or coffee splashes.
Every day or two, empty out the drip tray and remove the basket from the portafilter.
Use a toothbrush (a new one, not the one you use to clean your teeth!!!) to clean around the group head and steam wand every day.
Run a cleaning cycle with espresso machine cleaner.
Rinse your portafilter and baskets afterwards thoroughly with water and dry it all off.
Voila! These steps will not only deliver you better tasting espresso, but will make your machine super happy and ready to give years — decades even — of service.
Think of Espresso as Art 🎨
We started to see espresso as a canvas waiting to be painted, a blank page waiting for a story to unfold.
Think about it:
The process of making espresso involves carefully measuring out the perfect amount of coffee beans, grinding it just right, tamping it down just so, and pulling the shot at just the right time.
It takes skill and precision, much like a painter carefully selecting colors, or a poet choosing just the right words to evoke specific feelings.
FOR THE LOVE OF COFFEE…. COME BACK AGAIN!
Thank you for joining us on this aromatic journey through the world of home espresso machines in this edition of the KG101 Culinary Chronicles.
Whether you're a seasoned barista or a beginner looking to elevate your coffee game, we hope our insights have brewed up some inspiration.
Don't miss our next issue, for more awesomeness is yet to come!
Stay tuned and keep brewing excellence!
Love, ❤️
The Kitchen Crew.