Machine Like Espresso At Home – A Step To Step Guide
Are you someone who likes having Espresso? Are you someone who often visits the coffee shop to have your favourite cup of Espresso?
But then it costs you a lot on your credit/debit card. Also, you are not sure about investing in an espresso machine right away. So, what is the way out? First, you need to learn how to make your Espresso without a machine.
It may sound a little challenging for a beginner, but it is not. Everybody can make espresso-style coffee with a bit of creativity and a manual coffee machine. – aka "almost," Espresso.
Today, we will discuss five different ways to make Espresso. Let’s start:
Defining ‘Espresso’ coffee
The Espresso coffee style originated in Italy, and this popular coffee brewing method is made from finely ground dark roasted espresso beans.
Espresso is robust and concentrated coffee. It is extracted by forcing hot water under pressure through finely-ground beans.
Espresso is made from a unique blend of roasted coffee containing fifty per cent more caffeine than regular coffee and minimal water.
It also typically has far less foam than other types of brewed coffees. With different shapes and origins, the resulting tastes can vary significantly from one region to another.
5 WAYS TO MAKE ESPRESSO WITHOUT AN ESPRESSO MACHINE
Below are a few simple hacks you can use to get (almost) Espresso.
How To Make Espresso With French Press
The French Press is a manual coffee maker with a metal filter. The carafe is usually fitted with a lid and has a handle.
The filter is made of metal mesh or silk. The device differs from the drip method in that the water passes through the ground coffee slowly, allowing it to extract more flavours and oils while no sediment will pass through the filter due to its delicate texture.
If you’re a severe coffee keeper, you likely have a French press in your kitchen.
So why not give it a try for your everyday coffee-drinking experience?
You can make Espresso without a fancy espresso machine. It is a long process, but it's worth it in the end.
You’ll need:
- French press
- Freshly roasted coffee beans
- Burr coffee grinder
- Scale for coffee measuring (or a tablespoon)
- Electric gooseneck kettle or stovetop kettle
Steps To Make It:
- First, remove the lid of the French press. Next, measure two tablespoons of ground coffee into the carafe.
Fine grounds are ideal for Espresso, but pressing them with a French press is difficult. That's why you should use a coarser grind.
- Splash a small amount of hot water onto the coffee grounds. The hot water will produce a chemical reaction called “blooming” that helps.
Try letting the coffee bloom for about thirty seconds, then pouring in the rest of the hot water.
- Secure the French press lid onto the cylinder by pressing it on top
- Allow some more time for your espresso steeping process. It might over-extract at first, but it will eventually produce a balanced and delicious
- Slowly push the plunger. Push the plunger down halfway and pull it back up to the top before pushing down to the bottom
- When the plunger is in its final position, pour your cup of espresso coffee into a mug.
- That’s it! It took a while, but now you can make Espresso without a fancy machine.
How To Make Espresso With A Moka Pot / Stovetop Espresso Maker
You may love it or hate it, but you’ve most likely heard of the Moka pot. It is a traditional stovetop espresso coffee maker.
The Moka was invented in Italy in the 1930s. Its name comes from an abbreviation of "mucchina," which means little machine in Italian.
The Moka allows creating espresso-style coffee – on a stovetop and with a fraction of the equipment and cost of an espresso machine.
This popular brewing method is made from finely ground dark roasted espresso beans and has a much higher caffeine concentration than other brewed coffees, such as drip or French press.
The Moka pot consists of a bottom water chamber, an upper funnel that allows the steam to exit, and a filter basket that holds the coffee grounds. While in use, hot water is forced through the coffee grounds.
The water then rises into a separate chamber where it mixes with the steam and drips back down into the lower section.
You can make Espresso without a fancy espresso machine. It is a long process, but it’s worth it in the end.
You’ll need:
Moka pot
- Freshly roasted coffee beans
- Burr coffee grinder for grinding your beans or a sharp knife to cut open the bag of pre ground coffee beans.
- Scale for coffee measuring (or a tablespoon)
- Electric gooseneck kettle or stovetop kettle
Steps To Make It:
- If your beans are ground, make sure to remove the oils in the freshly roasted beans before grinding them.
Otherwise, you'll end up with an unpleasantly bitter cup of coffee.
- Follow the instructions included with your Moka pot and preheat it until it’s boiling. Then, add the freshly roasted coffee beans to the bottom chamber.
- Pour boiled water into the top funnel to create a steam platform for your coffee grounds. The amount of water you need is based on your preferences for coffee texture.
- Start your stove and turn on the regulating switch to bring it to a boil. This process will take about 6 minutes.
- Once the pot has reached boiling point, turn down the heat until it’s simmering. The water should be steaming away but not boiling.
- Slowly pour your measured amount of hot water into your pot until it stops steaming. You should use slightly less water than your pot recommends.
- Let the Espresso steep for 4 minutes – replace the lid to keep the heat in and prevent splatters on your stovetop from occurring.
- The coffee tends to over-extract at first, but it will eventually produce a balanced and delicious drink as long as you give it more time to brew.
- Slowly push the lid down. Be careful not to push it too far! If you do, you might spill the coffee.
- Pour your cup of espresso coffee into a mug and enjoy with friends.
- You’ll be surprised at how cheaper it is to make your Espresso with a Moka pot as compared to paying for a single shot of Espresso at a cafe.
It’s so easy and inexpensive that you might even try and have an espresso party!
How To Make Espresso With An Aerobie AeroPress
The AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker is a simple yet innovative device for brewing coffee and Espresso. The Aerobie AeroPress uses minimal paper filters to brew fresh coffee and Espresso with rich flavour.
Many professionals in the coffee industry have dubbed AeroPress "The Best Way to Brew Coffee."
The AeroPress is a revolutionary piece of equipment that you can use in many different ways. It can be used to make coffee, Espresso, and other freshly brewed hot beverages.
The AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker is a simple, well-designed device for brewing coffee and Espresso using minimal paper filters.
The AeroPress has a unique plunger design that creates very high pressure during the extraction process.
This process yields a smooth cup of coffee with rich flavour on par with the best espresso machines on the market, but without the hassle or expense.
What you need:
- Aerobie AeroPress Coffee and Espresso Maker
- Freshly roasted coffee beans
- Burr coffee grinder for grinding your beans or a sharp knife to cut open the bag of pre ground coffee beans.
- Scale for coffee measuring (or a tablespoon)
Steps to making it:
- Grind your beans to a medium-coarse grind.
- Put the grounds into the bottom of the brewer and add hot water so that it fills about 2/3 of the way up to the top.
- Stir vigorously for about 20 seconds. You want to get all of those grounds saturated with water, but don’t worry if you can’t get everything in there right away.
- Add the rest of the water. You want to fill the brewer up to just below the lip of the plunger seals with the top.
- Stir again for 10 seconds, put a filter on the top and screw on that plunger tight.
- Put a mug on top of the plunger and plunge for 30 seconds or so, pressing down until you hear a hissing sound coming from your pressure cup.
- Drink! You should have something that tastes at least as good as an espresso shot. If you prefer it more potent, repeat the process.
Remember that you can always make a second or third cup without over-extracting your beans.
Still, since there is no heat involved, you’ll want to take your time with each infusion to prevent the majority of your coffee from being under-extracted.
How To Make Espresso With A Hand Espresso Gadget
Hand espresso machines are generally top-rated among regular coffee drinkers and top chefs worldwide.
They are handheld devices with an integrated boiler that helps in coffee extraction. It is small in size and lightweight, which is one of the reasons behind its popularity.
The device also comes with a removable steam wand for steaming milk or frothing milk.
It can provide you with the perfect cup of Espresso if you know how to use it correctly. You need the right coffee beans, fresh milk, and a little practice for a good cup of Espresso.
What you will need:
- A hand espresso gadget (black & stainless steel) or a stovetop espresso maker (stainless steel or copper).
- Freshly roasted coffee beans.
- Milk (optional)
Steps to making it:
- Grind your beans to a medium-coarse grind.
- Add the ground coffee to the device’s basket.
- Add fresh hot water in which you will later steam or froth the milk. You may need to add more water than usual; be sure that it is hot.
- Boil the water and stir to mix the coffee grounds and water thoroughly. The espresso maker should look like it is on a solid boil after about 30 seconds of boiling.
- Place the steam wand over your cup and hold it there until it becomes hot enough to start steaming milk. There is a vent hole on the steam wand’s tip, which you can see when ready.
- Add your Espresso to your cup and top with steamed (or frothed) milk.
How To Make Espresso With A Lever Machine
Lever espresso machines are great for making a single cup of Espresso. They use a lever, or manual pump, to force water through the coffee grounds.
This brewing method is becoming more popular as people discover how easy it is to brew a quality cup of Espresso. Once you have mastered the manual pump, there is no other way to go!
What you need:
- A lever machine (black & stainless steel) or a stovetop espresso maker (stainless steel or copper).
- Freshly roasted coffee beans.
- Milk (optional)
Steps to making it:
- Grind your beans to a medium-coarse grind.
- Put the ground coffee into the basket and place it inside the machine. Put your usual amount of water in the grinder, as you will use for brewing.
- Place a cup under the drip tray and place the machine on the heat source. Bring the water in your basket to a boil. Occasionally stir it until you see steam bubbling out, then stop heating immediately.
- You can now use your lever to pump hot water into your espresso machine’s basket and over the coffee grounds while they sit at an even, vigorous boil (about 15 seconds). It is what makes Espresso attractive and thick, so control your pace while pumping.
- Now is the time to luxuriate in your Espresso.
What can I use if I don’t have an espresso machine?
If you don’t have an espresso machine, there’s always the option of making a stovetop coffee – it just involves some planning ahead.
What is the best espresso machine at home?
For any serious coffee drinker, an espresso machine is a must have piece of equipment, however simple. Make no mistake, it will be the difference in your morning cup between a delicious espresso of choice and an average mediocre cup of coffee. A cheap, quick and easy alternative to the espresso machine is to invest in a pour-over brewer.
Can you make your own espresso at home?
Many people are tempted to make their own espresso at home and may even have the correct beans, but often lack the knowledge of how and why one must do this correctly. The most important aspect of making espresso is having the right tools.
Is Nespresso the same as espresso?
Nespresso, or Nespresso compatible machines, are espresso machines that can run either Nespresso capsules, which gives you a single shot of espresso (a little weaker than what most baristas make), or hot water.
Is espresso just strong coffee?
Espresso is a different drink to coffee, and it is a lot stronger in both taste and caffeine. One espresso shot is equal to one shot of a normal strength coffee.
Can a Keurig make espresso?
The Keurig is not a coffee maker that one can use to make espresso, but there are quite a few workarounds for it. You can brew just about any kind of coffee in a Keurig, but using the K-Cups that come with the machine, you could make espresso and latte.
What kind of coffee is used for espresso?
Usually, it is Arabica coffee beans. The amount of caffeine in an espresso shot is about 25 to 40% of the caffeine content in a cup of coffee.
Do you need special coffee for espresso?
Not always, as coffee is made of 200 to 300 different species of plants from all over the world. The caffeine content varies from one coffee species to another.
How much does a good espresso machine cost?
Espresso machines are all over the board in terms of price. From personal home espresso machines that cost less than $100 to professional espresso machines that can run as high as $10,000, it always depends on what type of machine you want and your budget.
What is the cheapest way to make espresso?
The cheapest way to make espresso is to buy some instant espresso powder and mix it with hot water. You can also use an AeroPress – a cheap, compact, handheld device that makes an incredible shot of espresso.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to make Espresso without an Espresso Machine is not hard, and with a bit of practice and patience, you will become a pro in no time.
I hope that this article has helped you learn how to make Espresso without an Espresso Machine.
FAQs
Q: Can You Use Espresso Beans In A Pour-Over?
A: Yes, you can pretty much use espresso beans in a pour-over. You can make it as strong or weak as you want by slowly pouring the hot water over the coffee. Pour it slowly, don’t just dump hot water on your coffee and hope for the best.
Q: Is Espresso Stronger Than Coffee?
A: Espresso is usually stronger than coffee because it’s made from a double shot of Espresso. It means that you already have a higher caffeine content than regular coffee. A double shot is about twice the amount of caffeine in an average cup of coffee.
Q: Can You Make Espresso From Regular Coffee Beans?
A: You can make Espresso from regular coffee beans, though the taste will be different, and you run the risk of making a sour shot of Espresso.
The problem stems from the fact that an espresso shot takes up only a tiny ratio of water. It makes it hard to keep the shot hot for more than a few seconds because of how hot the water can get.
It can lead to under-extracted coffee, which means that the sour components (the acids that give coffee its bright flavours) dominate.
