Espresso Basics.

 

One of the most important factors in making great Espresso is using Freshly Roasted Coffee Beans. Fresh and correctly rotated stock is crucial. To achieve a thick and lasting Crema (creamy top on an Espresso) fresh coffee must be used.

The hopper holding the beans should be clean, as it is the oils in coffee that deteriorate. Fresh beans if placed in a hopper which has a residue of stale oils, will collect these unpleasant oils.

The grinder must be set correctly, the amount of coffee dosed and the grind set. If the grind is too coarse the water will pass through the coffee too fast, the Espresso will be weak and little or no Crema will be visible, too fine and the coffee will drip through the machine too slowly.

The Espresso machine needs to be set at the correct pressure, (9 bar) if this is not displayed on the machine it can be checked by an engineer.

The correct balance of pressure, flow rate, grind and coffee dosed from the grinder will provide a great Espresso, obviously you need the right coffee to start with!

The group heads need regular back washing using the blanking disk. To ensure the groups are kept clean of oils, a special detergent should be used, again regularly. This is especially important if more than one blend of coffee is being used, ie a dark roast and a light roast, as the character of the dark roast oils will overpower the character of the light roast.

When switching the machine on open the steam valve slightly, this will ensure that the correct temperature is reached, close steam valve as soon as steam becomes apparent. When switching machine off open steam valve slightly to prevent contamination of the boiler with traces of milk from steam arm.

Before placing filter into machine wipe rim clean of spilt coffee grounds, to ensure a good seal is made and to lengthen the life of the seals.

With such an increased awareness of real, fresh coffee it is lovely that you share our enthusiasm and commitment to improving and expanding knowledge and choice as well as focusing on our priority – Freshness.

Do not be fooled by the packaging, it may look pretty but use you own judgement – just because it’s glossy on the outside it doesn’t necessarily follow that it is good on the inside. Trust yourself!

We are constantly improving blends and information available. To ensure freshness we recommend that you buy little and often. Never stock pile. Coffee looses its natural oils quickly. Anyone who asks you to buy cases at a time is not passionate about coffee, just passionate about profit!