Italians are commended for their superb coffee-making skills. They make sure that the entire procedure is done right, from the preparation to serving. If you want to make an authentic espresso like the Italians, follow their 5M’s in making a great espresso.
1. Miscela (Espresso Blend)
The right type of blend to choose really depends on personal taste, but what you should remember when it comes to choosing espresso blend is to buy one that is fresh and of high quality.
Your espresso is only as good as the coffee beans you use. Therefore, buy only high grade coffee beans for your espresso. It is not necessary to get coffee beans made of 100% Arabica.
The robusta beans posses qualities that match well espresso drinks. That’s why some blends of espresso have a little bit of high quality Robusta.
2. Macchina Espresso (Coffee Machine)
The espresso machine must be of high quality too. If you are already experienced in making espresso drinks, any espresso machine in the market should allow you to make a great espresso. But if you are just a beginner, it is best if you invest in an espresso machine that can be easily regulated to exert the right amount of pressure and control water temperature. The ideal water temperature is 88 to 92 degrees Celsius, depending on the blend and pump pressure should be 8 to 9 bar.
3. Macinadosatore ( Coffee Grinder)
The grinder must be set according to the fineness and amount of the coffee ground. You want espresso served within 20 to 30 seconds. This is the ideal flow rate and the coffee grinder is mainly responsible for it. If the grind is too big or little coffee is being used, it will not be extracted well and become too watery. If the grind is very fine or a lot of coffee has been used, the espresso will become too bitter.
4. Mano dell‘Operatore (Skill of the barrista)
Even if you own the most high-tech espresso machine, if you don’t know what you’re doing, the money and effort will only go to waste. You don’t have to take up a barista course to learn the basics. Study about the brewing process of espresso and practice, practice, practice! Check on the extraction time every now and then. You should be able to detect if something is wrong with your settings. Be sure to use ground coffee within an hour. Otherwise, its quality will slump. Never use ground coffee that has been left over night.
5. Manutenzione (Maintenance)
Not many people pay much attention to this M. It is necessary to keep the espresso machine and the grinder clean, not only to extend their life but to continue making high quality espresso. Whenever you clean the machine, you are able to remove all the excess coffee grounds and oil. If you don’t get rid of these, they may contaminate the fresh coffee and pass on sour or bitter taste on your espresso. Also, be sure to change your water filter regularly.
Make a Superb Espresso the Italian Way