Do you like your coffee strong?
Many people do and for those of us who love a good cup of joe an espresso machine is a perfect way to make sure our caffeine fix is just the way we like it.
But making a great cup of espresso can be tricky – especially if this is your first time using an espresso machine.
So how do you make a strong coffee with an espresso machine?
Keep reading to find out!
Making Strong Coffee with an Espresso Machine
You can also experiment with the number of ground coffee beans until you get the taste that is both strong and palatable to your own personal tastes.
If you like your espresso stronger than normal but not quite as intense as a pure drip coffee then it’s best to stick with an Americano or Espresso Romano (a shot of espresso diluted with water) instead of drinking your espresso straight.
Doing so will make sure you enjoy a balanced flavor each time.
However if you like the sound of a true “espresso” feeling in your drink then simply use less water since concentrated shots tend to be bolder in flavor overall.
Whichever method makes the most sense for you your taste preferences and how much caffeine you need to function there are a few ways to make your espresso shots come out strong every time.
First things first: always use fresh water.
You can’t get the taste that you want if the water has been sitting in the reservoir too long or is filled with hard water minerals that won’t be dissolved by the high coffee concentration.
Also keep an eye on your tamping pressure – too little pressure will make for a very weak shot of espresso while too much could lead to double-foaming and even bubbling over during extraction.
Finally make sure you are grinding your beans correctly…but not too finely! You want them ground just right so that they’re almost falling through the strainer basket of your espresso machine.
And don’t worry – these tips will keep your shots tasting great and being as strong as you want them to be!
If you follow all of these techniques you should have a shot that tastes exactly the way you like it…and without any extra work from you in the morning.
Happy caffeinating!
Why is my espresso machine making weak coffee?
If you are brewing espresso with an espresso machine that is not tamping properly your coffee will be weak.
Getting your tamp pressure correct is crucial to enjoying a nice strong shot of espresso.
To do so you’ll need to adjust the tamp pressure on your espresso machine.
You can do this by adjusting the bottom screw on the tamper itself.
If you are not sure how to check your instruction manual contact customer service for assistance with getting your tamp pressure set correctly.
How do I know if my espresso is strong or weak?
It is difficult to tell the difference between a strong or weak shot of espresso without tasting it.
However there are some common signs you can look for that will help you determine if your espresso is too strong or too weak.
If your coffee is bitter and has an acidic aftertaste then the shots were probably under-extracted and could be weaker than intended.
On the other hand if your drink tastes watered down and do not have much flavor at all then the shots may have been over-extracted and could be stronger than intended.