Blog entry by Merri Vandiver
A great espresso is made by blending a variety of coffees that fit its style. While regular medium or light roasted beans can be used to make espresso, they can release tasting notes that are not appropriate for the beverage.
The best espresso beans have a smooth, nutty taste with a rich crema. They also contain less caffeine than drip-style espresso.
Origin
The history of espresso coffee beans is a fascinating story. According to legend, an 8th century Ethiopian goat-herder named Kaldi discovered the first coffee plant in his herd and observed that it had a distinct positive effect on his livestock. He began to feed his herd these fruits of the Coffea arabica plant, and they grew stronger, healthier, and started to be more active. This was the start of a great drink, one that is consumed by people around the world.
Espresso is created by forcing hot water through finely crushed coffee beans. The resultant brew is sweet in flavor and highly concentrated, with a layer smooth, tight bubbles known as the crema. This is the hallmark of a great espresso drink and has created a culture around the drink.
Espresso is not just a popular drink in cafes, but can be made at home. You can get the perfect cup of coffee each time by investing in the right equipment and roasting beans on your own. It takes a little longer than buying coffee from the supermarket but the taste and quality are worth the wait.
The right kind of coffee beans for espresso is essential to ensure that your brew will be rich and delicious. While many people use regular coffee beans to make their espresso, this is not recommended since they are roasted differently and ground differently and this can lead to an extremely bitter or weak coffee.
We sell espresso coffee beans in 1kg arabica coffee beans bags that are ground and roasted specifically for espresso brewing. You'll get a delicious cup of coffee every time. We only source the highest quality Arabica and Robusta beans from farms that adhere to sustainable farming practices and high ethical standards. This unique coffee comes from the Colombian region Huila, which is renowned for its fertile valleys, snow-capped mountains and soil that has been enriched by minerals over time.
Roast
The process of roasting transforms raw, green beans into the coffee we drink. The roasting process is also responsible for the coffee's taste color, aroma, and colour. The roasting process is a precise science that requires expertise and experience to manage the temperature of the fire to ensure that the beans don't burn and become dark bitter or oily.
In the process of roasting, the beans lose a bit of moisture and expand by as much as five percent. They also begin to release carbon dioxide that causes them to expand and crack - this is referred to as the first crack. The 1st Crack is the point at which sugars begin to caramelize and bound up water begins to escape. It's also the moment when the structure of the bean is broken and allows oils to escape from their pockets inside the seed. It is an important point in the roasting process, and if rushed, the coffee can be ruined.
A well-roasted coffee will be full and rich of flavour with a smooth, balanced profile. It will have a mild sourness and a strong aftertaste, while keeping the original flavor of the bean. This is achieved by roasting beans until they are medium brown and have lost the majority of their moisture.
After the seeds are roasted and cooled, it is crucial to cool them down in the quickest time possible to prevent the seeds from roasting further. This will release more carbon dioxide. Depending on the method by which they are cooled and the speed that they are finished they could end up as a light roast, medium roast, or a dark roast.
Espresso coffee is generally blended. While single origin beans work for brewing techniques however, the intense flavors of espresso require a blend of various bean varieties.
To make the finest espresso it is recommended that you purchase a top-quality espresso machine. The top machines will come with a separate water tank for the espresso as well as a larger capacity boiler, which allows for faster heating. The water tank should be filled with fresh, cold water to maximize the extraction quality.
Dose & Yield
One gram of ground coffee is used to make one shot of espresso. This means that the ratio of ground coffee to liquid espresso has to be less or equal to than 1:2. The exact ratio depends on the density of the beans. Certain coffees are more dense by weight than others when ground to the same size, that's why a precise scale is so important!
The temperature of the brew can affect how you use your coffee beans. The ideal range is between 205-205 degrees Fahrenheit to 195 degrees. This is because the flavour compounds in your beans are best extracted in this range. A temperature that is higher or lower can affect the rate, amount and consistency of extraction, and the texture, flavour and the thickness of your crema.
It is always a choice between a strong coffee and a rich flavor. The more you extract, the stronger the coffee will be. However it also increases the risk for bitterness and bitterness and. You may be tempted by recipes with high yields to make up for. As you increase the multiplier, you increase the amount of water that flows through the grinds. This is significant and usually means that more of your flavor is being lost and diluted.
Dose is the most flexible lever of control, but there are many other elements that play a part in the strength of your espresso. The ratio is the most crucial factor, along with the quality of your grinder as well as the size and speed of your portafilter as well as the speed at which you draw your shot.
A higher ratio (less than 1:2) will produce a balanced, intense espresso with a sweet mouthfeel. On the other hand, a lower ratio will produce more intense but less balanced espresso. The key is finding the right balance for your palate. You can do this by playing around with the dosage and altering the ratio to suit your preferred intensity and flavor payoff.
Brewing
Espresso beans are ground more finely than regular coffee bean 1kg beans, and brewed at greater pressure. This results in a more powerful shot of coffee, which has more intense flavors and aromas. Espresso is used to make lattes, cappuccinos and other coffee drinks which are typically made using milk. Espresso can be used in baking or as a garnish on desserts that contain coffee or chocolate.
Espresso coffee can also be prepared with a variety of methods of brewing, such as Turkish coffee, French press, cold drip, and brew. The type of brewing method you select will be based on your personal taste and the equipment you've got. Making a few experiments with different methods of brewing and ingredients can help you find the perfect cup of espresso.
Espresso beans can be used to make other drinks made with coffee, but they are most suitable to make espresso-based drinks. This is due to the fact that espresso beans are roasted for longer generally up to and over the second crack, which results in them a darker, toasted and more intense flavor. Additionally espresso beans are usually roast with higher levels of volatile compounds such as trigonelline and chlorogenic acids 2, which are responsible for the body, bitterness, and flavor of espresso.
Although it is technically feasible however the result may not be as pleasing. Espresso beans are roasted to bring particular flavors, like fruity and chocolatey, that is difficult to replicate using other roasts.
The key to making espresso is to get a great crema. It is a thick, dense layer of coffee foam which rises to the top 1kg of coffee beans the coffee when it's extracted under high pressure. A great crema is a sign that you have incorporated all the fundamental inputs of your coffee beans, grinder, resistance in the coffee bed, and water temperature to create an excellent espresso.
The most important aspect for creating a perfect crema is the quality of your beans. The most ideal espresso beans are those that have been roasted to medium or dark roast and have been ground as fine as possible. Freshness is also important, as whole beans retain their flavor and taste for longer than the pre-ground varieties. Additionally, it is essential to store your beans in an airtight container away from heat and moisture.