Espresso Coffee Guide Infographic (PDF)
Coffee Guide: Espresso
by
David Gwizdala
is licensed under
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Espresso
/eˈspresˌō/ A concentrated coffee beverage made when hot water is forced at high pressure through finely ground coffee beans.
The Recipe
The ratio of grams coffee (the dose) to grams liquid (the yield) determines the type of shot pulled.
All drinks use a double shot (or doppio) unless otherwise marked.
| Ristretto | Espresso | Lungo | Doppio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ratio | 1:1 - 1:1.5 | 1:1.5 - 1:2.5 | 1:2.5 - 1:4+ | 1:1.5 - 1:2.5 |
| Dose (grams) | 7 - 9 | 7 - 9 | 7 - 9 | 16 - 18 |
| Yield (grams) | 7 - 13.5 | 10.5 - 22.5 | 17.5 - 36+ | 24 - 45 |
The Timing
While timing is more of a result of factors such as grind, quantity, pressure, and temperature, it can be a relatively good gauge when analyzing brew consistency.
As a general rule of thumb, brew times range between 25 and 30 seconds.
Roast & Temperature
Varying the temperature can greatly impact the flavor profile.
Adjustments should be made depending on the roast and the resulting flavor from repeat brewing.
| Dark Roast | Medium Roast | Light Roast | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ← Acidic, Sour | 85-90°C | 88-92°C | 90-95°C | Bitter, Harsh → |
Pressure & Flow
When brewing, consider pressure your input and flow rate your output. As pressure increases, the flow rate increases until the puck compacting in the portafilter restricts flow.
Finer grind settings enable higher pressure but increases the chance of channeling. If your machine operates at a lower pressure, consider using a coarser grind.
Approximately 9 bars of pressure is considered to have the peak flow rate through the puck, but will vary depending on your grind settings and machine.
The Drinks
Affogato
| Ingredient | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Espresso | – |
| Vanilla Ice Cream | – |
Scoop vanilla ice cream. Pour espresso over ice cream.
Americano
| Ingredient | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Espresso | 1 |
| Hot Water | 2-3 |
Fill the cup with 1/2 to 2/3 hot water. Pour espresso over water.
Breve
| Ingredient | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Espresso | 1 |
| Steamed Half and Half Milk | 1 |
| Frothed Half and Half Milk | 2 |
Steam milk with 2/3 foam. Pour milk over espresso.
Café Bombón
| Ingredient | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Espresso (single shot) | 1 |
| Sweetened Condensed Milk | 1 |
Pour milk over espresso. Milk will settle to bottom.
Caffé Latte
| Ingredient | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Espresso | 1 |
| Steamed Milk | 2 |
| Frothed Milk | 1 |
Steam milk with 1/3 integrated foam. Pour milk over espresso.
Cappuccino
| Ingredient | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Espresso | 1 |
| Steamed Milk | 1 |
| Frothed Milk | 1 |
Steam milk with equal part foam. Pour milk over espresso.
Corretto
| Ingredient | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Espresso | 1 |
| Brandy | 1 |
Pour brandy over espresso.
Cortado
| Ingredient | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Espresso | 1 |
| Steamed Milk with Thin Foam | 1 |
Steam milk with reduced foam. Pour milk over espresso.
Espresso Con Panna
| Ingredient | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Espresso | 1 |
| Whipped Cream | 1 |
Spoon whipped cream onto espresso.
Espresso Laccino
| Ingredient | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Espresso | 1 |
| Cubed or Crushed Ice | 2 |
Fill espresso cup with ice.
Flat White
| Ingredient | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Espresso | 1 |
| Steamed Milk | 2 |
Steam milk with dense micro-foam. Pour milk over espresso.
Freddo
| Ingredient | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Espresso | – |
| Dash of Sweetener | – |
| Ice | – |
Shake espresso and sweetener in ice-filled cocktail shaker until foamy. Strain over ice-filled glass.
Macchiato
| Ingredient | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Espresso | 2 |
| Steamed Milk with Thin Foam | 1 |
Steam milk with reduced foam. Pour milk over espresso.
Marocchino
| Ingredient | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Espresso | 1 |
| Steamed Milk with Thin Foam | 1 |
| Hot Melted Chocolate (or Syrup) | 1 |
| Cocoa Powder, for Garnish | – |
Steam milk with reduced foam. Pour chocolate over espresso. Pour milk over chocolate.
Romano
| Ingredient | Ratio |
|---|---|
| Espresso | – |
| Slice of Lemon | – |
Add lemon to espresso.