Brewing Methods of Italian Espresso

Italian espresso is a pride for Italian households. It is a morning ritual and a mid-day, after-meal, and even bedtime ritual. It is the best way to offer homemade caffeine to the guests. To make unique and delicious espresso, use medium to dark roasted coffee beans.

Brewing Methods of Espresso

The perfect shot of espresso depends on the pressure applied to the roasted coffee beans, unlike the regular coffee cup. There are three methods to brew Italian espresso, and these are given below.

1. The Aeropress Method

Aeropress is a super-portable machine that provides you with the flavor qualities of coffee and can replicate the texture, strength, and taste of Italian espresso. To make your Italian espresso with the Aeropress method, follow these simple steps.

1. Place two filters inside the drain caps to slow down the water flow during pressure, and stack your Aeropress. Place the press on your espresso cup.

2. Grind two tablespoons of dark roasted coffee beans to a fine consistency. You can make a desired concentrated espresso shot by adding more coffee.

3. Heat approximately 3 ½ ounces of water to 200 degrees, and stir it with the ground coffee. Apply pressure to the plunger (remember that the taste of espresso depends on the amount of pressure).

4. Shift the Italian espresso to the demitasse and relish the strong coffee.

2. The Moka Pot Method

The traditional Moka pot requires ground coffee, similar to the consistency of table salt. For the Moka pot, you can measure up to 22 grams of coffee ground per cup.

1. Measure approximately two tablespoons of finely ground coffee.

2. Add 3 ½ ounces of water to the bottom of the pot. Add the coffee grounds to the built-in filter. Shake the coffee grounds to settle them.

3. Screw the spouted top on the Moka pot and then place it on medium heat. Make sure to keep the heat even because high heat will burn the coffee.

4. It is now time to wait patiently for the kettle to whistle. The coffee will expand and form a foam on the top layer of the pot. The hot water creates the required pressure to make concentrated Italian espresso.

5. Pour the coffee in your espresso cup with the foamy top layer and enjoy.

3. The French Press Method

The French press is amongst the most commonly used materials that give you the perfectly brewed Italian espresso. However, the concentrated punch in this method is less than the prior ones. The French press method requires more coffee than the Aeropress or Moka pot.

1. Fine grind about three tablespoons of roasted coffee to add richness and a frothy layer to your espresso.

2. On a stove, heat a cup of water in a kettle and keep it below 200 degrees. Alongside, add the coffee grounds in the French press.

3. To release to flavors of your coffee beans, allow them to bloom by adding a splash of hot water. Allow the ground mixture to soak in for 30-40 seconds.

4. Pour the rest of the water into the coffee mixture, close the lid, and let the Italian espresso steep for 3-4 minutes.

5. Raise the plunger slowly and then apply the same pressure while going down. Use slow and steady pressure on the plunger.

6. Pour the espresso in your demitasse and cherish the flavors.

The brewing methods for Italian espresso depend basically on the pressure. However, one may prefer one method over the other as per personal taste.