The St. Augustine Guide to Espresso.
He espresso It's an incredible way to get a caffeine fix that's been around since 1901. Its flavor is intense, and its preparation is a true ritual. If made by someone experienced and with good judgment, it can be a real delight.
Tools you will need:
- Filtered or mineral water
- Espresso machine
- Scales
- Chronometer
- Container to choose from
- Espresso grinder
- Coffee; Sacred Heart Blend
"Sagrado Corazón is a very popular choice for enjoying a good espresso, but all of our current cafes are ideal for preparing a quality espresso."
The St. Augustine recipe for preparing espresso is as follows:
- Set your grinder to a fine espresso grind and place it in a 21-gram filter. Make sure you get an "In" weight of 20 grams.
- Press the coffee into the filter using a tamper on a flat surface to ensure even extraction.
- Purge the group head (the part of the machine that comes into contact with the portafilter) and place the portafilter in place.
- Place a zero-tared container on a scale under the portafilter.
- Start pumping and activate the timer. Monitor the time and weight.
- Stop pumping once the scale reads 40 grams, or even a little earlier, perhaps 37 grams.
- Hopefully, you'll reach your target weight in 26 to 32 seconds.
- Enjoy your espresso!
Tips:
Adjust the grinder to obtain a faster or slower extraction time, according to taste.
If the taste is too watery or too thick, adjust the ratio of ground coffee to water to balance the flavor.
If it tastes weak or watery, increase the brewing time (maintaining the same ratio) by adjusting the grind setting to a finer level. If it tastes dry and bitter, decrease the brewing time by adjusting the grind setting to a coarser level.
Start with an average ratio and extraction time, and adjust from there to find the perfect combination to your liking.
Experiment with different coffee beans and grinding methods to find the best combination for your personal preferences.
Be sure to use good quality filtered or mineral water for the best possible flavor.
Practice the extraction technique and make any necessary adjustments to the espresso machine as needed to achieve the best result.
Examples of different ratios for filter sizes 17g and 21g:
Made with a ratio of 1:1.8
18g of coffee: 32g of water
20g of coffee: 36g of water
Preparation with a ratio of 1:2
18g of coffee: 36g of water
20g of coffee: 40g of water
Preparation with a ratio of 1:2.5
18g of coffee: 45g of water
20g of coffee: 50g of water
Preparation with a ratio of 1:3
18g of coffee: 54g of water
20g of coffee: 60g of water
Common espresso filter sizes are 17 grams and 21 grams. If you have a smaller filter, it's for a single shot.
After making grind changes, be sure to bleed at least 1 to 3 shots, depending on your grinder. Sometimes it may take a couple of shots to see the true result of your adjustments.
Don't be discouraged if you don't get the perfect espresso on the first try. Espresso making takes time and practice, and it's important to be confident and keep learning.
Experiment with different ratios, brewing and grinding times, and “Recipes” to find the perfect combination for your personal preferences.
