How to make coffee like a barista II

In our previous post, we talked about some of the basic aspects of making coffee like a barista, such as choosing the right blend of coffee, grinding, water quality and brewing time. Today, we are going to show you how to make coffee with a base of espresso. So, start taking notes if you want to learn how to prepare lattes, cappuccinos, mochaccinos and more espresso drinks at home.

How to make coffee: Preparing espresso

If you have an espresso machine at home, the preparation is quite easy. The first step you need to take is to grind your gourmet coffee beans. When you make coffee with an espresso, you need a fine grind – as fine as table salt. Fill the portafilter with 18 to 21 grams of ground coffee for a double shot and compact the grounds with an even tamper for a uniform extraction. Set the Espresso Machine and make sure the water is between 195º to 205º F and let it be in contact with coffee grounds for 20 to 30 seconds.

Another option for preparing a shot of espresso is to use a Moka Pot. The first step is to preheat filtered water. Allow the boiling water rest for up to 2 minutes before you start making your coffee. Meanwhile, grind your gourmet coffee beans until you obtain a fine ground and fill the filter basket. Pour the water in the brewer, insert the filter basket and screw the top and bottom of the Moka Pot together using hot pads. Place the Moka Pot on the stove. Set to medium heat and allow the coffee to reach the upper chamber. Once the espresso obtains a yellow honey color, you are ready to make coffee.

How to make coffee: Froth milk

Some espresso drinks have a nice milk foam on top. So, if you want to make coffee like a barista, you definitely need to know how to froth milk. When you have an espresso machine, this is quite easy. First, you need a small metal pitcher. Pour ½ cup of cold milk into the pitcher. Immerse the steam wand below the surface of the milk, near to the side of the pitcher. Move the pitcher up and down carefully until the bubbles get smaller and the milk has two times its size.

If you want to make coffee like a barista but you don’t have an espresso machine at home, make sure to get an aerolatte. Heat ½ cup of milk until it boils and pour it into a milk-frothing pitcher. Insert the aerolatte into the surface of the hot milk, near to side of the pitcher, and whisk. The result should be the same as when you use an espresso machine. If you see large bubbles over the foam, tap the pitcher against a surface and swirl the milk around the pitcher to remove them.

How to make coffee: Espresso drinks

Now that you know the basics for making coffee like a barista, it’s time to prepare your first espresso drink. Buy a gourmet coffee from Ecuador, pick an espresso drink and stick to the proportions below
to prepare it.