| No two professional coffee makers or baristas | | | | closer the plates, the finer the particles. Sand-like |
| can come up with a cup of coffee that tastes | | | | granules are preferred over powder or small |
| the same. The reasons are legion. Here are a few | | | | gravel-like granules. Once the beans have been |
| answers to your unasked questions. | | | | pulverized, the product should be put into airtight |
| Strange as it may seem the quality of water can | | | | containers. Failure to do so immediately will lead to |
| affect your brew. The fresher and hotter it is, | | | | oxidation and the absorption of 'alien' odors. |
| the better. The temperature of water should | | | | It is imperative to buy a good machine. Do not |
| reach 203º F / 95º C, which is near | | | | invest in one where steam is necessary to build |
| boiling point. If water is allowed to stand for too | | | | pressure. Go with a boiler or thermoblock to |
| long, it tastes stale. Mildew could form as well. If | | | | generate heat. A pressure pump that produces 9 |
| the utensil used to store water is not clean, it | | | | bar or more is ideal. Above all, the machine should |
| could have a bearing on your cup of coffee. So | | | | be well maintained. |
| could water that has been insufficiently filtered. | | | | The method is to pour clean, fresh water into the |
| While selecting coffee beans, Arabica is a good | | | | machine. Switch on the machine. Once the water |
| choice. The plantations are 3000 ft. above sea | | | | gets heated, allow a cup to warm up the machine |
| level and even higher. It doesn't matter if the | | | | and to clean it of any residue. The heated water |
| beans are from Brazil, Bogota or the many other | | | | goes through the machine to the pump. |
| areas where coffee is grown. The thing that | | | | Meanwhile, put in the roasted granules of coffee |
| matters is that the beans should be freshly | | | | and press down till the packed coffee is springy |
| roasted. Whether you do it yourself or get it a | | | | to the touch. Make sure nothing spills out. |
| few days after roasting, the aroma should have a | | | | With the hopper firmly in place, put a cup under |
| satisfying freshness. Over roasting could result in | | | | the spout from where the espresso will flow out. |
| a burnt flavor! | | | | It takes just 5 seconds to get that piping hot cup |
| Robusta does not have as pleasurable a flavor as | | | | of espresso and 20 seconds if a double is your |
| Arabica does, as it contains more caffeine. This | | | | requirement. |
| coffee plant thrives and is comparatively less | | | | If cappuccino is your preference, heat a little |
| prone to disease. The beverage is fine for a quick | | | | organic milk (approx. half a cup) in the microwave |
| energy booster, but it is not used in the making | | | | oven for one and a half minutes. Beat it up till it |
| of espresso coffee. The latter is a coffee to be | | | | becomes froth and float it on the espresso. You |
| enjoyed at leisure, sip by tasty sip. | | | | can have your choice of topping - chocolate may |
| Roasting plays an important part in the pleasure a | | | | appeal to some, while others may prefer |
| cup of coffee affords. The beans are roasted to | | | | cinnamon or nutmeg. Those with a sweet tooth |
| a dark French or Italian color and ground not with | | | | could add organic sugar. |
| blades but burrs. Blades tend to chop the beans. | | | | Armed with this information, it shouldn't be difficult |
| Burr grinders, on the other hand, with pyramidal | | | | to turn out a refreshingly, delicious cup of coffee. |
| teeth fixed on two plates, work efficiently. The | | | | Espresso or cappuccino, the choice is yours! |