8 Expert Tips for Perfect Espresso Extraction with Your Home Espresso Machine
If you’ve been frustrated with making espresso at home we got you. Here are 8 tips you can use to get world-class espresso from your machine.
Use freshly roasted beans: The quality of your coffee beans plays a significant role in the flavour of your espresso. Freshly roasted beans will produce a better-tasting espresso. It's recommended to use beans that have been roasted within the last two weeks.
Use the right amount of coffee: The standard amount of coffee to use for a single shot of espresso is 7 grams, and for a double shot, it's 14 grams. Use a scale to measure the exact amount of coffee you're using to ensure consistency.
Grind your coffee beans correctly: The grind of your coffee beans is essential to get the perfect extraction. If the grind is too fine, the coffee will be over-extracted, and if it's too coarse, the coffee will be under-extracted. You want a fine grind, similar to table salt, for your espresso.
Tamp the coffee properly: After filling the portafilter with coffee, tamp it down with approximately 30 pounds of pressure. This will ensure the coffee is evenly distributed, and the water will pass through the grounds evenly.
Preheat your machine: Before you start brewing, preheat your machine and portafilter to ensure the water temperature stays consistent during extraction.
Brew for the right amount of time: A single shot of espresso should take between 20-30 seconds to extract, and a double shot should take between 25-35 seconds. If the extraction takes less time, the coffee will be under-extracted, and if it takes longer, it will be over-extracted.
Use good-quality water: The water you use should be clean and fresh. If you have hard water, consider using filtered or bottled water.
Clean your machine regularly: Keeping your machine clean is essential to ensure it functions correctly and produces the best-tasting espresso. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to clean your Delonghi espresso machine.
By following these tips, you can ensure you're getting the best possible extraction from your home espresso machine.