espresso

Coffee lovers — owning an espresso machine at home is like having a ticket to the glorious world of easy-to-make, homemade espresso-based drinks. But first, make sure you’ve mastered how to make the perfect shot of espresso.

From a classic latte to a fancy Dirty Chai Latte, here’s a list of our favourite coffee beverages made using espresso shots. Whichever drink you recreate, remember that it’s important to follow the exact order in which the ingredients are added into your cup.

Latte

Coffee extraction is the final, and one of the most important factors in determining whether your coffee tastes good, or not.

While the extraction process may seem like a simple and straightforward step, controlling the variables can result in a big improvement for your coffee.

If you want to brew the most flavourful and balanced tasting cup of coffee, here’s how to prevent under and over extraction.

What is Coffee Extraction?

Extraction occurs when water pulls out the flavours and aroma from coffee grounds. These flavours are made from a combination of the oils, sugar, and dissolved compounds that are present in coffee grounds.

The secret to perfecting coffee extraction lies in extracting the ideal amount of these flavours and aroma. Too much results in an over extracted and bitter brew. Too little and you will get an under extracted brew that tastes sour.

A lot of work goes into balancing the countless variables to extract a cup of deliciousness, but it’s well worth it. Here’s what a perfect cup of coffee tastes like.

Factors that Prevent Under or Over Extraction

Grind Size

Beyond their serving size, there’s a big difference in the milk and foam content of a flat white, latte and cappuccino – which ultimately impacts the flavour of these popular styles of coffee beverage. We get down to the nitty-gritty of their unique qualities.

The respective merits of a flat white, latte and cappuccino are hotly debated by caffeine addicts. While every coffee lover has their favourite, each drink delivers a uniquely satisfying experience in terms of taste, texture, and visual appearance.

Firstly, let’s look at what they all have in common. They all have the same three fundamental ingredients: a shot or two of espresso, hot milk (or steamed milk), and froth (milk foam).

The espresso – the actual coffee part – doesn’t change between them. The ingredient that makes a flat white, latte and cappuccino special all comes down to the white stuff. We’re talking about the way the milk is prepared and poured, as well as the ratio of hot milk and froth in the cup.

While a lot of attention – quite rightly – is given to the beans, it’s easy for coffee drinkers to forget how important good milk is to a good coffee. Using the right type of milk makes a difference, too.

The choice of cup also needs to be considered – here’s where you can get the right cup for your latte and

Espresso – a full-bodied, concentrated shot of coffee that forms the foundation of every caffeinated drink. It is so important to perfect that single shot.

Brewing a barista-quality shot of espresso isn’t as complicated as you think. With the right knowledge and equipment, you can pull a flawless shot at home every time.

The Bean