Bespoke Coffee Roasters
How to make an Espresso
Most people never succeed in getting their espresso machine to deliver the espresso it is capable of.
We set out below the steps to espresso nirvana.
You can not hope to get decent espresso from ANY machine with pre-ground coffee. If you have just spent a considerable amount on an espresso machine this is probably not what you want to hear, but you must purchase a high quality grinder. Unavoidable. Not negotiable.
Step 1: acquire the best grinder you can afford. Go for a Mini Mazzer if you can afford it; it will be the last grinder you ever have to buy and because it is not consumer grade junk parts are readily available, so you can think of it as being kind on the environment too as you don’t throw the whole grinder away, you repair components, just like our grandparents did. You will not be able to buy a grinder suitable for grinding coffee beans for espresso use for less than GBP100, and realistically £300-400, not helped by the weak sterling.
Step 2: Unless you live in an area where limescale isn’t an issue, use Volvic bottled water. We do not receive any inducements from Volvic, it is simply a water that is readily available, and one which we have studied the composition of.
Step 3: Select the Londinium coffee of your choice.
Step 4: The most difficult bit: Get the grind size just right – do not be surprised if you get through almost 250g of coffee before you get this right. Yes it is annoying, but it’s the same for all of us. I suggest you then mark the position with a permanent marker pen or file. Unsurprisingly grind size and tamp pressure (how hard you compact the grinds into the porta-filter) go hand in hand. So, if your grinds are towards the large end of the scale for espresso you will need to exert more pressure with the tamp. Conversely, a fine grind means less pressure on the tamp. It is personal preference only, but we grind fine and apply only very light pressure to the tamp. With Londinium espresso beans you will also need less pressure than most (because the beans are FRESH, and therefore contain a lot more oil, and therefore the coffee grounds bind together much more easily).
How can I enjoy great coffee at home? – I can not afford an espresso machine
One of the most popular misconceptions is that great coffee means espresso. We love espresso, but would urge you not to buy a low cost espresso machine – in the UK this currently translates as anything under about £400. Don’t despair! A Swissgold filter, a basic grinder & some Londinium coffee will put your coffee in the league of kings. This isn’t hyperbole – we back it with the Londinium ‘no quibble’ guarantee. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with any of our products please advise & we will issue you with a full & prompt refund.