Espresso is a condensed coffee drink that is high in caffeine and exudes a deep, rich flavor. Are you an espresso lover who doesn’t want to spend a lot of money buying it from the coffee shops? Don’t worry! You can make your own espresso at home, even without a traditional coffee machine. Here are the two most popular ways to do that.
Moka Pot
A Moka pot is the easiest and most efficient way to get your daily coffee fix. It is basically a stovetop pot that brews coffee by passing boiling water, pressurized by steam, through ground coffee. You can get a Moka pot both online and in-store.
How to Use a Moka Pot
- Fill the bottom portion of the pot with water so that you can see it below the round hole located inside the pot.
- Use 1-2 tablespoons of coffee grounds with water according to the strength you want your espresso to have. Make sure the coffee grounds reach the top chamber of the Moka pot. This will ensure the release of a more-enhanced flavor.
- Now, assemble the Moka pot. The coffee chamber should be placed inside the bottom portion of the reservoir.
- Place the Moka pot on the stove over medium heat and fasten the lid tightly. Let the coffee brew for 5 minutes. Once you hear a boiling sound, take the pot off of the stove so your espresso doesn’t overheat.
- Pour this hearty drink into a mug and enjoy!
French Press
A French press is a thermos-like container which has a piston and a middle pot. It also called a press pot, coffee press, or coffee plunger. It is a simple-to-use and affordable coffee brewing device that gives great results.
How to Use a French Press
- Remove the lid and plunger from the French press and fill it with 1-2 tablespoons of ground coffee (the more ground coffee you will use, the stronger the espresso will be).
- Boil some water separately and pour just a little bit into the French press. It is important that the water is steaming hot; otherwise, your espresso won’t taste good.
- Swirl the French press to mix the water with the coffee grounds. This step ensures even distribution of flavor in the water.
- Let the grounds release the coffee for a couple of minutes, then pour the remaining water in the pot. The amount of water will depend on the amount of espresso you are going for.
- Place the lid of the French press back on and let the coffee steep for another 3-5 minutes. Don’t exceed this time, or it may develop a bitter taste.
- Press the plunger slowly for clean separation of the grounds from the coffee. The plunger will filter out any grounds floating in your espresso and will push them to the bottom of the press.
- Pour your lovely drink into a cup right away to prevent the bitter taste.
Have you been looking for an affordable alternative to a coffee machine? Our little guide can surely help you find one to complement your morning routine.
Coffee coffee coffee! Nothing quite like a nice hot cup of joe in the morning 🙂 my name’s Nicole but on here I like to go by Java Jane. I am an avid coffee drinker and writer about all things Java related (and I’m not talking about programming for the millionth time!). Thanks for checking out my blog and always remember to stay grounded!