Best Espresso Drink Recipes and Coffee Drink Recipes
Do you enjoy a fine espresso coffee drink at the local coffeehouse but would like to make your own at home? It really isn’t that hard once you do a little preparation. Follow these steps and you will be brewing up fine espresso drinks indistinguishable from those made by highly trained Baristas.
Espresso Machines and Espresso Beans for Specialty Coffee Drinks
Of course you will need to have your own espresso machine and our guide will tell you some techniques specifically suited to your machine. We also give you tips on choosing the proper coffee beans which typically are dark-roasted and often labeled as Espresso Roast.
Arabica coffee beans are the coffee bean varietal of choice when it comes to fine espresso, though many espresso blends will also include a small amount of Robusta coffee beans as well to enhance the flavor.
Grinding Coffee for Espresso Coffee Drinks
Next we give you tips on coffee grinding ensuring that you use the proper grinder and produce the right grind size for your espresso machine. In general the grind size should be very fine, and the best type of coffee grinder to use is called a conical burr grinder.
If you must you can use a standard blade coffee grinder but this is discouraged because blade grinders produce an inconsistent grind size and also tend to overheat the coffee beans during grinding, negatively affecting the fine flavors and aromas of the coffee.
Tamping the Coffee in the Espresso Machine
Okay now you are ready to place the roasted and ground coffee into the portafilter of the espresso machine and properly tamp the espresso. How you tamp the espresso has a significant effect on the quality of the subsequent espresso shot(s).
A Golden Crema Signals a Proper Shot of Espresso
If you follow all of the instructions including using the proper Technical Specifications for Pulling a Perfect Espresso Shot, the result should be a very intense and concentrated espresso shot topped off with a golden brown Crema.
Steaming Milk Properly Creates Velvety Espresso Drink
To attain the skill of a barista you also need to master the techniques of Steaming and Frothing Milk properly. The goal here is a very rich and velvety steamed milk that blends perfectly with the espresso to create a harmony of flavors.
Lastly your steaming and frothing technique using the steam wand of your espresso machine should create a foam composed of very tiny bubbles so small you can barely see them. The foam blends pleasantly with the espresso coffee drink, and does not just sit lifeless atop the coffee beverage.
Some Specialty Coffee Drink Variations
For those who prefer decaffeinated coffee you can purchase decaffeinated coffee beans and brew your espresso with them. This will create equally delicious espresso drinks without the caffeine.
Many people prefer to brew their Espresso Coffee Drinks with coffee beans of Organic Coffee or Fair Trade Coffee with the goal of preserving their own health as well as the health and prosperity of the coffee farming communities.
The Luxuries of Fine Espresso Cuisine
Finally you may want to enhance the espresso coffee drink experience by accompanying your serving with fine Espresso Cuisine.
We provide you with some great recipes so you can enjoy brioche, biscotti or other fine foods with your latte or cappuccino. If you would prefer more of a dessert dish then consider a tasty gelato or sorbetto.
Espresso Drink Options
So there you have it. Now choose what type of espresso drink you prefer and follow the recipe closely. Among your many dozens of options here are some of the favorites: Cafe Au Lait, Cafe Con Leche, Cafe Latte, Cafe Mocha, Cappuccino, Espresso Granita, Latte Macchiato, Mochaccino, Viennese Espresso and many more.
Espresso Coffee Guide – The Top Coffee Source
More great coffee information can be found in All About Coffee which covers all aspects of coffee from soil to sip.
This includes coffee plants and coffee cherry, and full descriptions of all of the world’s top gourmet coffee beans including Organic Coffee, Fair Trade Coffee, Bird Friendly Coffee and Shade-Grown Coffee.
Coffee Makers and Espresso Machines
Also included are full details about Coffee Makers (Automatic Drip Coffee Makers, Single Serve Coffee Makers, Pod Coffee Makers, Coffee Pods, Coffee K-Cups, T-Discs, and French Press, (also see Best Coffee Makers), and Espresso Machines (including Pod Espresso Machines) as well as Instant Coffee and Decaffeinated Coffee.
Coffee From Soil to Sip
You can also learn about coffee harvesting and processing, coffee grading and roasting, coffee grinding and packaging, coffee storing, brewing, and all about the coffee beverage itself including Espresso.
Gourmet Coffee Lovers
Learn how to discern all of the fine nuances of coffee flavors and qualities including body, aroma, acidity, bitterness, sweetness, and finish or aftertaste). Also provided is a full description of coffee cupping (professional coffee tasting), and as a bonus you get a compendium of coffee quotes and even a coffee quiz.
Barista Guide For Perfect Espresso Drinks
Perfect espresso brewing is described along with tips on Pulling A Perfect Espresso Shot and Steaming and Frothing Milk.
Also check out the Barista Guide to Perfect Lattes and Cappuccinos with comprehensive details and instructions for Espresso Drink Recipes. We even give you tips on how to write a Barista Resume.
Coffee and Espresso Glossary – History of Coffee
Check out the most comprehensive Coffee and Espresso Glossary ever written, and also the World’s Best History of Coffee.
Thank You! for visiting Espresso Coffee Guide
By the way, did you know that when the Boston Tea Party occurred it made coffee the patriotic beverage to drink. That’s why we think that the Tea Party should be advocating the drinking of coffee – it’s the true patriot’s drink!
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