If you want to drink espresso or make espresso-based drinks, you can make your own at home using a french press for the right taste and consistency. This method of making espresso requires that you have the ability to grind the coffee beans properly and use a french press properly so that the results are satisfactory. If you want to serve more than just bitter coffee, you can add whipped cream and milk froth for a richer taste.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Preparing Your Drink
Step 1. Prepare the necessary materials and tools:
- French press
- Freshly ground coffee grounds for espresso
- Measuring spoon
- Spoon for stirring
- Hot water
Step 2. Lift the cover/filter from the tube
This is the part on top of the french press which consists of a lid and rod attached to a mesh filter.
The filter and the connecting rod are the parts that must be pressed into the coffee and water mixture. The filter will separate the coffee grounds from the water to be drunk. Make sure this part is pulled up to get it out
Step 3. Heat the water
Use a kettle to heat water.
When the kettle is heated, warm your french press glass jar by putting hot water in it. Adding a little hot water can prevent the glass from shattering due to the sudden change in temperature when boiling water is added
Step 4. Grind the coffee grounds
The results of milling will greatly affect the final result. If you buy ready-made coffee grounds, look for specialty espresso grounds.
- If you grind the beans yourself, look for beans labeled "espresso beans" or "espresso". Although there are basically no espresso-specific coffee beans, this label is often given for commercial purposes. This is done so that you get the same taste and consistency as real espresso.
- If you grind the beans yourself, you'll need to use a grinder that produces espresso grounds. A barbed grinder is a device capable of grinding coffee beans through two burr-shaped grinding blades. This grinder can crush several coffee beans at once and produce fine coffee grounds.
- A grinder with a blade is also quite effective. However, this grinder produces coffee grounds by cutting it into small pieces so the results are not very consistent.
- The espresso coffee grounds are very fine. This powder should be finer in texture than the powder used to brew regular coffee in a french press or drip coffee machine. The finer powder affects the coffee's taste and ability to mix with the pressure of the hot water. You don't have to grind it too finely until the powder can pass through the filter. French presses have filters with rather large holes so this can cause problems. Grind the coffee beans to the size of a grain of sand.
- The coffee grounds should be slightly coarser in texture, but not too much. Otherwise, the coffee grounds will also enter your glass.
Step 5. Put the coffee beans in a french press
Enter 36 grams of coffee beans into the tool.
This part is to be complicated because you intend to make espresso. To make espresso by machine, you usually need to use 16-21 grams of coffee beans for 1 cup of water. Since the size of the french press is larger, try to double the amount. You may be left with the espresso made, but this is no big deal
Step 6. Pour just enough boiling water over the coffee beans
After a few seconds, add two more cups of hot water.
- The water should not exceed 93 °C. 90 °C is the ideal temperature.
- Before pouring two full glasses of hot water, put a little water over the coffee beans and let them rise. This method will open the coffee beans so that the taste is more "out".
Step 7. Stir the stew
Stir quickly a few times with a long spoon to prevent the coffee from clumping, and to maintain a good consistency. After that, press the cover/filter down until it is just above the water level.
Do not press the filter to the bottom of the water just yet. You have to let the coffee infuse
Step 8. Let the coffee soak into the water
Let the coffee infuse until the water is dark (about 3-4 minutes).
- The longer you let it sit, the stronger the coffee will taste. However, that doesn't mean you can let your coffee sit too long to get an espresso-like taste.
- This process is free to experiment. Just remember one thing: the length of time the coffee is allowed to sit affects the extraction process. If it's too short, the coffee will taste sour and under-extracted. If it is too long, the coffee will taste too bitter and too much extracted.
Step 9. Press the french press filter
Hold the cap firmly, then press it down slowly and steadily to the bottom of the tube.
You can experiment with pressing the cap all the way down to the center of the tube, lifting it back up, then pressing it down again to create a thin layer of foam
Step 10. Let the coffee sit for a while before pouring
Pour the coffee through a clean cloth or filter paper if you want to separate the grounds.
Note that pouring coffee into filter paper will slightly change the taste and consistency. The paper will filter some of the texture of the drink and leave a little bit of oil as the coffee soaks in
Method 2 of 4: Making Hot Milk/Cream Foam for Espresso
Step 1. Heat the milk
Pour at least cup of milk into a medium saucepan and heat over low or medium heat.
- Heat the milk until it is warm. You don't need to boil it until it boils. Just heat it until the milk starts to foam, then turn off the stove.
- The thicker the milk or cream used, the thicker the foam. However, use low-fat milk if you use your hands. Low-fat milk usually contains whey protein which is important for stabilizing milk foam.
Step 2. Make espresso with a French Press
While the milk is heating, make espresso using the method described above.
You can also heat the milk while the espresso is simmering
Step 3. Remove the pot of milk from the stove
Do this while the coffee is allowed to soak.
Place the pan on a towel or surface that is not hot and will not damage when exposed to heat from the bottom of the pan
Step 4. Mix the milk
Tilt the pan and slide the tip of the hand blender into the shallow end of the pan. Stir the milk on high speed until the foam thickens. This usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes.
If you don't have a hand blender, you can use a mixer to mix the milk in a small bowl. Stir by turning the tool back and forth by hand. Keep stirring until the milk is frothy and the foam thickens
Step 5. Pour the foamed milk into a jar with a lid
After pouring the milk, tighten the lid of the jug and shake vigorously.
- Do not fill the jug more than half its capacity. This is useful so that there is room for the foam to emerge from the milk.
- Beat until milk is foamy and thickens. You should shake it for about 30 to 60 seconds.
- After that, put the jug in the microwave (make sure it's heat-resistant) for 30 seconds. This will cause the foam to rise to the surface.
Step 6. Pour the espresso
Pour the coffee into a few glasses, then transfer the milk foam with a spoon over it. Serve as soon as possible.
You can also pour the remaining milk into the drink if you want a stronger milk taste
Method 3 of 4: Making Chilled/Cream Milk Foam for Espresso
Step 1. Cool cup of milk in a glass or small bowl
Place the bowl in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes or until it is almost frozen.
- The firmer the milk or cream used, the thicker the foam. Use low-fat milk if you want to make can by hand. Low-fat milk usually contains whey protein which is important for stabilizing milk foam
- Check the bowl to make sure the milk hasn't frozen. There should be no ice crystals on the surface.
Step 2. Make espresso with a French Press
While the milk has cooled, make the espresso using the method described above.
You can create foam while the coffee is being absorbed
Step 3. Remove the bowl from the refrigerator
Once you've removed the cold milk from the refrigerator, place it on a towel or table in the kitchen.
You can make foam from milk in several ways. The first method is the same as the method of making foam with hot milk. Stir in the milk, shake, then cook in the microwave. Another way is to stir and shake the milk without using a microwave
Step 4. Tilt the bowl and put in the hand blender
You can also pour the milk into a smaller container to make it easier to stir or shake. Stir until a dense foam appears.
If you don't have a hand blender, you can use a mixer to mix the milk in a small bowl. Stir by turning the tool back and forth by hand. Keep stirring until the milk is frothy and the foam thickens
Step 5. Pour the foamed milk into a jar with a lid
After pouring the milk, tighten the lid of the jug and shake vigorously.
- Do not fill the jug more than half its capacity. This is useful so that there is room for the foam to emerge from the milk.
- Beat until milk is foamy and thickens. You should shake it for about 30 to 60 seconds. You can let the foam cool, or use the microwave to get more foam.
- If you allow the foam to cool, you should transfer it to your drink as soon as possible before the foam shrinks.
Step 6. Put the foam into the coffee, then enjoy
Take a spoon and transfer the foam into your drink.
- Sprinkle cinnamon for extra flavour.
- You can also pour the milk mixture into your drink if you want.
Method 4 of 4: Making Whipped Cream for Espresso
Step 1. Prepare the ingredients for the whipped cream
For those of you who like to use whipped cream, here's the basic recipe:
- 1/2 liter of cooled heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Step 2. Beat the cream
Use a hand blender or a mixer to beat the cream in a large bowl until a soft foam appears.
- Sometimes, stirring the cream with a metal bowl and spoon can make it a denser consistency. Place the cream in a bowl with the stirrer, then let it rest in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes.
- You can add sugar before stirring the milk. The sugar will help the cream thicken and form a foam.
Step 3. Add vanilla and sugar
Keep stirring the mixture until it has the same texture as whipped cream.
You can put the bowl back in the refrigerator to cool the cream if you haven't finished boiling the coffee
Step 4. Make espresso with a French Press
While the cream is chilling in the refrigerator, make espresso using the method described above.
You can finish making the whipped cream while the coffee is simmering. Make sure you keep stirring so that the foam expands and doesn't run out
Step 5. Add a little whipped cream to the drink
Once you get the texture you want, add a little bit of the whipped cream to the drink.
You can also stir the whipped cream in a glass if you want to make a Frappuccino®
Step 6. Done
Recipe
Choose one of the recipes below. Why not try them all?
Frapputini
- 225 grams of quality black coffee
- 14 grams heavy cream/milk foam
- Your favorite flavoring or seasoning, to taste
- Sugar to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon pectin to thicken the coffee, or to taste
Irish Coffee
- 3 cups of espresso or 225 grams of quality coffee grounds
- 28 grams of heavy cream/milk foam
- 1/4 teaspoon mint extract (adjust to your taste)
- Whipped cream (optional)
- 1 cup Irish Whiskey (optional, for making an American bar drink.)
Cappuccino
- 113 grams of high quality favorite coffee grounds.
- 113 grams of foamed whole milk
- Pour 113 grams of coffee into a cup.
-
Add 113 grams of hot whole milk
Macchiato
- 4 espresso cups (or 1 1/3 cups regular coffee)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Pour a cup of espresso into a glass.
- Add 1/4 cup heavy cream.
-
Put a spoonful of whipped cream in a cup
Milk Coffee (Latte)
- 2 cups hot espresso
- 340 grams of milk, heated to a temperature of 150 degrees Celsius
- 1 tablespoon milk foam
- Pour 2 cups of espresso into 1 cup.
- Add hot milk until cup is full and supports foam.
-
Add thick foam from milk to it.
Tips
- Note: this article was written to make home versions of espresso drinks sold in coffee shops.
- 2 tablespoons of coffee to 177 ml of water is the ideal ratio for boiling coffee. Experiment to find a concoction that suits your taste.
- Water with a temperature of 95 °C will give results that are very similar to an espresso machine.
- Espresso means "to be under pressure." The term does not mean "fast".
