Espresso maker - quick & easy preparation at home
Whether espresso maker, stove-top pot, caffettiera or mocha pot - the popular pot has been given quite a few names. The fact is that the name espresso pot is not quite correct, because the pot only generates about 1.5-2 bars of pressure. Too little for a real espresso, because so no water-insoluble components, such as oils, pass into the coffee. Caffettiera, or simply "coffee pot," as the Italians call it, is more appropriate for this method of preparation.
Table of contents
The ingredients you need
- Your favorite coffee (you will surely find it in our store)
- Optimally a coffee grinder
- Espresso maker / pot
- Hot water
- Stove or gas stove
How does an espresso maker work?
In principle, making coffee with this method is based on the function of a percolator. Yes, now the little Latin is dug out - and immediately packed away again - "percolare" means nothing other than "seep through" or "sift through". In the original percolator, an insert for stainless steel pots, the heated water was directed by the resulting pressure via a riser tube into the upper area of the pot and then poured onto the coffee powder from above. The result was thus a kind of filter coffee. In our espresso maker, the heated water now presses against the coffee powder in the sieve from below and pushes the finished coffee upward into the pot, where it exits through a valve. The result is an aromatic, strong coffee that also makes the Italian heart beat faster.
Bialetti? - This rings a bell...
Not all sugar is the same. Unlike many other types of fruit, the glucose and fructose content of bananas is almost equal. This sweet energy supplier is due to the perfect ratio very digestible for the stomach and brings us sustainably from our hypoglycemia. Bananas always turn mushy-brown and you don't know what to do with them? Here is your answer ;-)
The correct preparation with the espresso maker: our step by step guide to enjoyment.
Preparation is everything - the right water temperature
Use already preheated, not boiling, water for your water container. This is the first important step for optimal taste. It speeds up the brewing process and makes the coffee taste less bitter. In your pot, you'll see a safety valve on the side - only fill the water to just below this valve. When you close the valve, the pot may already be hot due to the pre-heated water. Just use a cloth to avoid getting burned. But as they say: A real barista knows no pain!
The golden mean - the right grind and quantity
The perfect grind for your espresso maker is coarser than for a portafilter and finer than for filter coffee, so it's nice and in the middle. When grinding your favorite bean, we always advocate "stay fresh": freshly ground coffee will bring you to your optimal taste experience. The funnel-shaped filter is filled completely with coffee, but not pressed or tamped, otherwise the pressure would be too high when boiling. Your coffee goes through too fast or too slow? Don't change the amount, change your grind. If it comes out too fast, grind the grinder a little finer next time, if it comes out too slow, grind your coffee a little coarser.
Continue to the perfect coffee from the espresso maker
Is actually like the box from Ikea, only better because coffee comes out at the end (and no screws are missing)
Fill your heated water to just below the valve, grind the coffee fresh and fill the filter completely with coffee powder. Take a breath, then place the filter on the container filled with water, screw on the lid (caution: hot and greasy!) and place the pot on the stovetop over medium to high heat. Now you have to pay attention and listen carefully - the coffee whispers something to you. To be more precise, it makes a hissing sound when it first comes out, due to the water pressing upwards. Now you have to pay attention: Wait a few more seconds and then take your espresso maker off the stove. The residual heat is sufficient to push the remaining water upwards and finish brewing your coffee.
Why does my coffee become bitter?
If you leave your coffee on the stove for too long, the coffee powder will burn and your coffee will have an unpleasant, bitter taste. With this in mind: listen to your pot, it knows what's good for you!
Bialetti Venus espresso maker
Pour and enjoy a piece of "Bella Italia
Pour your finished coffee into a preheated cup. You can drink in black like Chuck Norris, or add frothed milk and enjoy a so-called "Cafe Misto".
Here again the short version:
- Preheat water
- Grind coffee with medium grind
- Fill preheated water into the tank to just below the valve
- Fill filter completely with freshly ground coffee - do not press down!
- Put on the stove top and wait for hissing sound
- Pull the espresso maker from the stove and let it finish cooking with residual heat
- Enjoy 😊
Outdoors at home? - Perfect
Stainless steel or aluminum - a question of appearance?
The original Caffettiera with its classic 8-cornered shape was made by Bialetti from aluminum. For later models, stainless steel was used as the base material, as it is more durable and can also be used on the induction stove. When it comes to cleaning, stainless steel can also score points. For outdoor activities, the aluminum jug has the edge over its stainless steel colleague. It's not just because of its lighter weight that it's popular on the mountain - it's also simply more photogenic - because who doesn't like corners and edges? In terms of cleaning and taste, however, the stainless steel version wins the race for us. So it's best to decide for yourself which variant suits you better.
The cleaning - less is more
Clean your espresso maker easily by disassembling it into its individual parts and rinsing it with lukewarm water. You can then dry it with a cloth and reassemble it. From time to time, you can also carefully remove and clean the sealing ring. You can easily buy a new one if you notice that it is becoming brittle and fragile. Avoid using detergent when cleaning, as it could lead to an unpleasant aftertaste during your next brewing process.
One, two or 23 cups of coffee for me - How big should my espresso maker be?
The size of the espresso maker is specified in cups, for example, two, four or 6 cups. You should also use the right amount of coffee and water for your pot size so that you don't have to compromise on taste. Of course, you can also prepare 2 cups in your 4-cup pot as an exception. But this should remain the exception - but we won't tell anyone if you do it anyway, pssssst.
And now - enjoy your coffee from the espresso/moka maker/caffetiera!
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