How to Make an Espresso

An espresso is a high-pressure extraction of coffee from a special machine. These instructions will vary depending on the type of machine you have, but the basics are the same for all.

Instructions

• STEP 1: Pour cold, clear water into your machine's water chamber and make sure the boiler cap is secured. One shot of espresso is about 1 ounce. For a double shot, use two ounces. Some machines let you make as many as four shots at once.
• STEP 2: Place the coffee basket in the filter holder and lightly pack in the ground coffee. Your filter should have a measure for how much espresso you are making.
• STEP 3: Brush off any grounds on the sides and top of the filter and place the filter holder in the machine.
• STEP 4: Place the provided glass carafe (if your machine comes with one) under the spout and turn on the machine. The machine will heat the water to the proper temperature and force the water through the coffee grounds. Use a cup if your machine doesn't come with a carafe.
• STEP 5: When the coffee starts to flow into the cup, it should have brown foam, or "crema," on its top. When the foam becomes almost white in color, the good-tasting liquid is no longer flowing. Remove the cup immediately.

Tips & Warnings

• Beans selected and roasted specifically for espresso are available in major grocery stores or coffee specialty shops. If you are serious about espresso, purchase an espresso grinder and grind the beans just before brewing. Otherwise, buy your espresso beans in small amounts and have the shop grind them for you. Espresso is a tricky grind - it should be very fine, but not completely powdery, or else the coffee will overextract.
• Use bottled spring water or filtered water if your tap water is hard or has an unpleasant taste.
• The quality of machine has a lot to do with good espresso. While some (usually expensive) home models are decent, you are unlikely to get the same quality you get at a restaurant or coffee bar with an industrial machine.
• If the top is not securely in place, the machine can explode. The water is very hot and at a high pressure.
• Be careful when handling any metal parts of the machine after it heats up. These parts can be very hot even if the machine has been switched off.