How to make the perfect espresso at home.
Black Ops Coffee was founded with the goal of making the day easier and brighter for everyday heroes. We believe that a cup of coffee in the morning or before any mission is an important start to the day and that everyone has the right to a perfect cup of coffee. We specialize in offering high quality coffee and providing the best possible experience for our customers.
Espresso is one of the most popular coffee preparations and a true art form. However, with a few tips and tricks, you can prepare the perfect espresso at home. Here are our best tips:
- The choice of beans
The first step to the perfect espresso is choosing the right beans. We recommend choosing coffee beans from a single-origin source, Breacher Coffee or Disruptor match as they have a unique taste and texture. We also recommend choosing freshly roasted beans, as they have the best taste. If you do not have your own coffee grinder, we recommend buying the beans freshly ground. (We always grind fresh to order)
- The amount of coffee and water
The right amount of coffee and water is crucial for a perfect espresso. We recommend using 7 to 8 grams of coffee beans for one espresso and about 30 to 40 milliliters of water. If you want a larger cup of coffee, you can simply use more coffee and water.
- The grind
The grind of the coffee is also important for a perfect espresso. The grind should be fine, but not too fine. If the grind is too fine, the coffee may become too bitter. If the grind is too coarse, the coffee may become too weak. The perfect grind is a middle ground between these two extremes. We use a Mahlkönig EK43, if you want to have a special grind here, write this in the comments field when buying ground coffee from us).
- The brewing temperature
Brewing temperature is another important factor for a perfect espresso. The brewing temperature should be between 90 and 95 degrees Celsius. If the brewing temperature is too low, the espresso may become too acidic. If the brewing temperature is too high, the espresso may become too bitter.
- The pressure
Pressure is a crucial factor in the preparation of an espresso. The pressure should be between 9 and 10 bar. If the pressure is too low, the espresso may become too watery. If the pressure is too high, the espresso may become too bitter.
- The preparation
The preparation of espresso is an art in itself. We recommend using an espresso machine to prepare a perfect espresso. Fill the portafilter with the ground coffee and lightly tamp it. Then insert the portafilter into the espresso machine and start the brewing process. The espresso should be extracted within 25 to 30 seconds. If the espresso is extracted too quickly, it can become too watery. If the espresso is extracted too slowly, it may become too bitter.
- The milk
If you want to prepare a milk espresso such as cappuccino or latte macchiato, the choice of milk is important. We recommend using whole milk with a fat content of at least 3.5%. Heat the milk in a milk container and froth it. Then pour the espresso into the cup and pour the milk over it.
- The cleaning
Cleaning the espresso machine is important to get a perfect espresso. Clean the portafilter and brew group regularly to remove coffee grease and residues. We also recommend decalcifying the espresso machine regularly to avoid limescale deposits.
With these tips and tricks, you can make the perfect espresso at home. At Black Ops Coffee, we believe that everyone has the right to a perfect cup of coffee, and we hope these tips will help you enjoy the perfect espresso at home.
