How to keep the rich taste of espresso with a portable espresso machine?

To maintain the rich taste of espresso, there are several aspects to pay attention to when using a portable espresso machine. The taste quality of coffee is largely derived from the selected coffee beans, so it is crucial to choose high-quality coffee beans. It is best to choose freshly roasted espresso beans, and try to choose medium or dark roasted varieties. Espresso requires the beans themselves to have a certain richness, so choosing coffee beans suitable for espresso can better preserve its strong flavor. Especially when using a portable espresso machine for a long time, it is crucial to keep the beans fresh, because freshly roasted coffee beans will provide you with richer and more fragrant espresso.

The coarseness of the ground beans has a direct impact on the taste of espresso. Generally speaking, espresso requires finely ground coffee powder, but too fine powder may cause over-extraction and produce unnecessary bitterness, while too coarse powder may cause insufficient extraction of coffee and a weaker taste. Therefore, when using a portable espresso machine, it is recommended to grind the coffee beans to a medium fineness, close to the degree of sugar particles, so that both sufficient extraction and a strong coffee flavor can be maintained. If you can control the grinding accuracy, the taste of the coffee can be more in line with your personal preferences.

Water temperature also plays a crucial role in making espresso. The ideal water temperature should be between 90°C and 96°C. Too low a temperature will result in insufficient extraction of coffee and a bland taste; too high a temperature will make the coffee bitter and lose its rich flavor. Portable espresso machines may not have the precise temperature control function of high-end coffee machines due to their compact design, but you can avoid low water temperature by preheating the coffee machine or using warm water. Some portable coffee machines are designed with this in mind and may already have a certain temperature control function. When using them, you can pay attention to whether the temperature is moderate.

The extraction time of coffee should not be ignored. The standard extraction time of espresso is generally 25 to 30 seconds, during which time the aroma and flavor substances in the coffee liquid are fully extracted. If the extraction time is too long, the coffee may become bitter, and if it is too short, the coffee tastes light and lacks layering. The extraction time of portable espresso machines may vary, but it can be adjusted appropriately according to the characteristics of the machine and your own taste preferences to avoid extraction being too long or too short.

The ratio of coffee powder to water also affects the strength of espresso. Usually, the ratio of espresso is 1 gram of coffee powder to 2 to 2.5 grams of water, that is, the ratio of coffee powder to water is about 1:2 to 1:2.5 each time it is made. For portable espresso machines, the amount of water and coffee powder can be fine-tuned according to the capacity of the machine and personal preferences. If too little coffee powder is used, the extracted coffee taste may be too thin; if too much coffee powder is used, it may cause over-extraction and taste too bitter.

Keeping the portable espresso machine clean is also an important factor in maintaining the taste of coffee. After each use, clean the coffee powder compartment, filter, water outlet and other parts in time to avoid coffee oil stains or residues affecting the flavor of the next coffee. To ensure that you can get a pure coffee taste every time you extract, it is a good habit to clean the coffee machine thoroughly and regularly and use special cleaning tools.

The quality of water should not be ignored. To avoid impurities in tap water affecting the taste of coffee, it is best to use filtered water. Minerals in hard water may change the taste of coffee, especially the strength of espresso, and may even make the coffee bitter. Filtered water can better preserve the pure taste of coffee, making the flavor of espresso more intense and refreshing.