Making your own espresso

j.h.mommy

Anyone make their own? The in laws bought me an espresso machine and I'm trying to use it to make an iced latte. The machine came with the most useless manual so I was wondering if anyone can tell me why the espresso is coming out so light in color...and really not very strong. I'm grinding my own beans, so maybe I need to get them ground even finer...

And yes..I'm pregnant and attempting to drink a latte. Gasp!

goinggreengirl

Grind the beans very fine and pack the holder full.

lxlz611

I'm not sure what brand you have, so your directions may be different but our directions are pretty much useless also. We have a Mr. Coffee and the coffee should be finely ground. It has been trial and error for us. How many shots is yours supposed to make? Ours is small and makes 2 so if you want 2 and don't fill the cup that holds the grinds (what is that called?) all the way the coffee won't be strong and will be a light color.

yakigna

If it is coming out too fast and is too lite, the water is probably not in contact with the beans long enough which means your beans are not fine enough.

If the espresso is coming out too slow and is too bitter it has been in contact with the beans/ grounds too long and your beans need to be ground more coarse.

It is like water running through sand or rocks, you want your beans to be just the right coarseness to get the right flavor.

(water running through sand goes slow and running through rocks goes fast-kwim?)

You could also consider tamping your espresso down to get the water to go more slowly through your machine.

Does that help? I'm a store manager for a coffee giant so I get lots of practice with this : )?

GladToBeMrs.SRS

goinggreengirl:

Grind the beans very fine and pack the holder full.

 

^^^  This.  The beans should almost be powder.  Packing is imperative.  

Hippinski

yakigna:

Does that help? I'm a store manager for a coffee giant so I get lots of practice with this : ) 

I used to do a very similar job.  I can make a mean espresso.

 

The water also needs to be really, really hot.  

GladToBeMrs.SRS

Hippinski:

yakigna:

Does that help? I'm a store manager for a coffee giant so I get lots of practice with this : ) 

I used to do a very similar job.  I can make a mean espresso.

Me three.  

j.h.mommy

Wow...thanks everyone! I finally have latte worth drinking. I ran the beans through the grinder on the espresso setting twice and packed them into the little holder really well. It seemed to work. I think the water was coming through too fast before and this seemed to fix it. Thanks again...Yummy!

yakigna

Yay for caffeinated mamas!