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Questions tagged [espresso]

Espresso is coffee brewed by forcing a small amount of nearly boiling water under pressure through finely ground coffee beans. As a result of the pressurized brewing process, the flavors and chemicals in a typical cup of espresso are very concentrated compared to other methods of brewing.

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What factors lead to rich crema on espresso?

I love espresso, especially when it has a rich crema (the head that forms on top of a well made shot). I notice that some cafes produce this consistently while others never have more than a wisp on top. Which of the many factors that go in to…
Michael Natkin
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Does authentic Italian tiramisu contain large amounts of espresso?

I see a lot of tiramisu recipes that soak savoiardi in pure undiluted espresso coffee. Usually the recipe asks for a cup or more of espresso. As a person who regularly makes and drinks espresso, this seems way too much. It's both too much to prepare…
Leonid Shevtsov
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What difference does the bar pressure makes in espresso coffee machines?

I read somewhere that 15 bar is enough and any pressure higher than that doesn't make any difference. The standard pressure is 15 bar for home machines and 9 bar for professional machines! If so, why are there machines with higher pressure (16, 19,…
Rafael Piccolo
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How to identify a good espresso?

During the last week I ordered many different espresso shots at coffee shops around the place where I work - some cheap, some expensive, some chains, some independent stores. As I heard that it is difficult to make a good espresso, I wasn't…
Sven
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How to make good coffee in a Moka pot?

I have a Bialetti Moka pot, which I used to make coffee on weekends. I have had it for a few months, but recently I am starting to notice the coffee is coming out sour and bitter. I am guessing I am doing something wrong. I was wondering what I…
notthetup
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Is there a method to pour espresso shots without damaging the crema?

My espresso machine (DeLonghi EC155) is really short and will only allow shot glasses / really short cappuccino cups (if I remove the excess coffee catch) which I don't have. So, I need to pull my shots into a shot glass, then pour the shot into my…
OghmaOsiris
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How long is the life of a shot of espresso?

When pulling a shot of espresso, how long is its life before it is too bitter? I know this might change by the bean, but what is a rough estimate? I was doing some coffee tasting and some of the shots were left unused for about 5 minutes and the…
OghmaOsiris
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Cleaning a clogged espresso machine Portafilter

Can anyone recommend a method for cleaning the clogged holes in a "Basket" of an espresso machine Portafilter? I had this problem with both DeLonghi and Saeco home espresso machines. For example, in Care of Saeco Pressurized Portafilters (regarding…
Itamar
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Please suggest a substitute for espresso powder which is not made from coffee

I see Espresso Powder frequently in chocolate-based baking recipes. I've done some searching here (and elsewhere online) for potential substitutes, but have only been able to find other coffee-based substitutions. For religious reasons I would like…
Dacromir
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Differences between coffee made with french press or espresso machine?

I've liked coffee for years and I'm thinking on buying a espresso machine. Before that, I want to know why the coffee seems more tasty when it is done that way than with a french press or a drip coffee maker and what are the pros and cons of a…
Tomas
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What kinds of coffee beans are more successful at producing crema on espresso?

This question mentions one factor in crema production to be the choice of beans. I have tried many types (brands), all approximately equal in darkness of roast, and had some wildly different results. Why would this be? I'm sure the beans may be…
Jay
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Why is my espresso salty?

We've got a fancy espresso machine in our office kitchen. (It's apparently the kind they used to use at Starbucks stores before they switched over to a more automated "point-and-click" type system.) I was trained on how to use the machine by an old…
hairboat
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How do I mimic trader Joe's (dark) Chocolate covered Espresso Beans?

I'm trying to mimic the thick, rich, dark chocolate covered espresso beans made by Trader Joes. These sweet morsels have a thick chocolate coating that easily gives in when bitten. The beans inside shatter into the chocolate when under any pressure,…
Luc Karamanukian
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Why should one always use the same kind of coffee for an Espresso machine?

I recently got a new espresso machine, a Gaggia Classic, and I sometimes hear statements like the following: "Always use the same kind of coffee for this machine!" "If you've found one that tastes good, stick with this!" Is there any truth behind…
slhck
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How to make Latte art on a Cappuccino?

It's Sunday morning and I just missed my latte art, as usual. I have no difficulty to make an espresso with enough crema and to get a big layer of foam from my steamed milk, but I cannot achieve to draw any pattern with it. The milk just push the…
DavRob60
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