But we drink a lot more espresso than we used to, which isn’t the best for our health! So here are some handy step by steps instructions to get you there. When should you start timing an espresso shot? The best part of espresso 101 -- seeing the results of all your careful preparation. Thus the fiendishly elusive objective of the perfect extraction begins. Christopher Hendon was baffled that despite no alterations in his recipe, no two espressos ever tasted the same. Pulling the perfect espresso requires loads of practice, patience and precision. Although the espresso-maker was invented by the French, Francesco Illy refined it in 1935, adding compressed pressure to the process, which shortened the extraction time and reduced the bitterness in the finished espresso. So, what makes the perfect espresso? For perfect espresso shots, all … Use a watch or a timer for this step. (Gaggia invented the spring-lever machine in 1947 and Faema introduced a pump to push the water through in 1961.) Even if you don't pour a flawless shot the first time, with practice you'll be able to do it in your sleep. ... “The other option is to go to the maximum extraction yield and use a little less water,” Hendon says. For double espresso, it was 81-83 beans or approximately 15-18 grams. The "Golden Rule" of espresso says a shot should extract in 20 - 30 seconds. How to Calibrate Your Coffee Grinder to Make Perfect Espresso. The 5 most important factors to pulling perfect espresso shots are: Water Pressure, Extraction Time, Water Temperature, Grind Consistency, and Tamping. If any one of these are off, your shots will lose a lot of flavor and you won’t enjoy your end espresso drink. Knowing how to make the perfect espresso is both an immense blessing and a curse! ... Optimal Extraction Times The optimal espresso is 30 seconds for a 1 ounce Espresso, and about 20 seconds for a 2/3 ounce Ristretto, each using a single dose (1/4 ounce) of coffee, and the single group handle. AROMA. Step 3: Extraction. The coffee's temperature is also something that you need to consider when making a perfect espresso shot. An espresso must offer a balanced, harmonious taste with no single flavor prevailing over the others, unless there are specific preferences. The Science Behind Crafting a Perfect Espresso. Extraction is quite more accessible and faster when the temperature is high. This is why learning to make the perfect espresso 101 takes time. Yes, the perfect espresso. The acclaimed chemist who has studied the art of coffee extraction was set on finding out once and for all how he could craft — and master — the perfect espresso. Over-extraction, under-extraction, and the coarseness of your grind can all affect crema. Extraction from a quality espresso machine should take between 15 and 30 seconds, though this may vary from one machine to another. In extracting light roast, increasing the brew water’s temperature is wiser and efficient. 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