Why making great espresso is so hard

Espresso is seen by many people as the foundation of great coffee. If you go to a coffee shop and order a latte or an americano, you’re going to end up with a coffee that requires a shot of espresso.

Of course, a lot of people just like to drink espresso on its own as a simple pick-up and a quick injection of caffeine. This has a really strong and often bitter taste, making it all the more important that you get the espresso shot right when you are brewing.

There are some significant challenges to overcome when you are trying to make yourself a delicious espresso or espresso-based drink. In this guide, we’re looking at why making great espresso is so difficult, and what you can do about it.

The correct equipment

This is one of the biggest challenges. Espresso should be brewed on the best equipment possible to you, and if you are using a cheap and poorly constructed piece of coffee making equipment then the chances of getting a great espresso are slim.

Great equipment such as a Rocket Espresso machine gives you so much more control, which will usually result in a better coffee. These allow you to change things like the extraction time, so you can brew for longer for a different taste profile. Rocket Espresso machines are also great for allowing stable temperatures, so as not to burn the coffee or create an overly bitter taste for the espresso.

It really pays to get high-quality equipment that is suited to the kinds of coffee you actually want to drink, rather than just buying the first espresso machine you see.

A lot of coffee machines have some sort of espresso function, such as bean-to-cup coffee machines, and the quality of the drink they can create really varies in quality. You need to make sure you are buying something that is up to the task.

Equipment goes far beyond just the espresso machine, too. So even though you have decided to buy either an automatic or a manual espresso machine, you may have to think about the rest of the equipment.

Grinder and grind settings

You are probably going to need to grind the coffee yourself if you are making a great espresso. You can’t just use any old grind setting and expect good results.

Because of the pressure and the way that the water is forced through the coffee in order to get a strong taste, you have to use the right grind size. Finely ground coffee is often referred to as an “espresso grind” which does a better job of quickly imparting the flavour of the coffee on the water.

Buying pre-ground coffee is rarely the way to go, as you will usually not get the freshest coffee. Once the packet is open, the flavour might start to degrade, especially if you don’t have a brilliant way of storing the coffee.

If you buy your own grinder, you have the chance to experiment a little with the grind settings, which can also lead to changing the flavours somewhat to suit your personal preference.

Choosing the right beans

Once you’ve got the rest of the equipment sorted, another of coffee’s great challenges may present itself, choosing the right beans.

This is something that can be a challenge, due to the fact that everyone has a different idea of what tastes good, and which beans are perfect for their own palate. You may just have your own personal preference.

However, there are certain types of beans that are generally accepted to suit an espresso better, rather than other brewing styles like bach brewing.

The roast profile and origin of the coffee beans play a big part, so you probably need to spend a fair amount of time doing your research here. This can be the fun part, though, doing your own experimentation and getting to taste different types of coffee.

Freshness is also key, which is one of many reasons that you should make sure you are using freshly ground coffee. Your own grinder is recommended.

Errors in technique

There aren’t lots of complicated techniques that you need to learn if you are going to create a beautiful cup of coffee, built around an espresso.

However, if you get them wrong, this can be catastrophic for the coffee.

Weigh the right amount, such as using 20 grams ground coffee giving you a yield of 30 grams of espresso. You also need to make sure you tamp correctly, compacting the coffee down so that the water will properly filter through and brew you a delicious shot of espresso, which you can then combine with other ingredients or drink as it is.

It is a good idea to experiment, and always make sure you consider both equipment (keep it clean and functional) as well as the beans you are using. It’s hard to make a good espresso, but worthwhile.