APPRECIATING THE QUALITIES OF A GOOD ESPRESSO
A great espresso is full of flavor and aroma—a rich drink topped with a honey-colored layer of crema that can be enjoyed on its own or as the base of any number of delicious coffee recipes. But how do you know if you’ve brewed a great espresso? Here’s what to look out for when you’re brewing your next Starbucks® espresso at home.
Know a Great Espresso When You See One
The Parts of an Espresso
Every espresso can be split up into 3 different parts: the crema, the body and the heart.
Let’s look at each part in detail.
A CLOSE-UP ON CREMA
The crema should be a thick layer of fine, golden froth sitting on the espresso’s surface. This slightly bitter layer is the defining characteristic of espresso—made possible only through the extraction under pressure provided by an espresso machine.
THE BODY OF ESPRESSO
When we talk about an espresso’s body, we’re not talking about how the coffee tastes and feels in your mouth like we would for other coffees. An espresso’s body should be a beautiful caramel-brown color in your cup with a creamy-looking texture that isn’t too watery.
THE HEART OF ESPRESSO
You’re looking for a deep, rich brown layer at the bottom of your espresso—called “the heart” of the drink. While the crema retains the aromas, the heart of the espresso holds the intense flavor of the shot.
Under-Extraction
There are a variety of reasons why an espresso machine might incorrectly extract (or brew) a shot of espresso.
Under-extraction is when the extraction process happens too quickly due to the grind being too coarse, so the water doesn’t get a chance to pull all the oils, flavors and aromas from the ground coffee to your cup.
Pay attention to your espresso as it’s brewing. One sign of under-extraction is that espresso gushes out of the machine rather than pouring like warm honey.
Over-Extraction
Over-extraction occurs when your espresso machine is brewing too slowly. This normally happens when the grind is too fine, and the water pulls too much from the ground coffee.
A common sign of over-extraction is a crema that is pale yellow—close to the color of straw. The espresso may also taste overly bitter, muted or thin.
The Perfect Espresso, A Labor of Love
Once you know what a great espresso tastes and feels like, you’ll be able to quickly identify if you’ve brewed one.
A great espresso needs to be balanced, with a good heart, a full body and a deliciously rich layer of velvety crema on top. Now it’s up to you to make the perfect espresso at home.
RECOMMENDED COFFEE
Espresso Roast
A classic and time-honored dark roast with notes of molasses and caramelized sugar that’s perfect for making classic espresso drinks.
