No doubt that espresso is one of the favorite drinks for coffee lovers. The taste and the aroma are quite addictive, but due to limited resources, most of us swamp coffee shops to have a shot of espresso.
What if I tell you that you can brew your espresso at your home without spending a bomb amount of money on huge espresso machines? Sounds interesting, right?
With our super easy methods, you’re just a few steps away from crafting an exquisite espresso shot for you and your loved ones. How? Well, with your very own french press brewer!
Why Choose the French Press Method
French press is one of the easiest and simplest ways to brew coffee, even for beginners. A french press brewer is readily available and is pocket-friendly compared to heavy espresso machines. With a french press brewer, you can brew coffee in bulk and store them for future use.
With such benefits, do you really feel the need of spending your money on a fancy coffee machine? We guess no.
Also read: How to make coffee in a french press – Easy steps
Note that espresso is brewed by pushing piping hot water through the tightly packed, finely ground coffee with subsequent water pressure. The espresso shot that you plan to brew with a french press brewer may not exactly taste the same but don’t worry. With our easy method, you can surely craft a smooth, strong, and bold beverage for your coffee cravings.
Let’s get started!
Before jumping to the steps to brew a concentrated shot of espresso, let’s first quickly grasp what all you will need to craft your very own espresso shots.
Ingredients: Espresso beans, water, sugar, creamer.
Equipment: Container, french press brewer, espresso cups.
1. Grind the beans:
Espresso needs a fine grind of coffee. Ensure you grind the beans with a grinder carefully to a medium-fine consistency to avoid a silty drink.
2. Prep your french press brewer
Pre-warm your brewer and prepare them to handle hot water. Glass is not a good conductor of heat and can crack easily if exposed to high temperatures. To avoid this, put warm water into your brewer and let them sit for a few minutes to make it accustomed to the temperature.
3. Put coffee grounds into the brewer
It’s time that you let your coffee bloom so that you can enjoy a nice, quirky espresso shot. To get a fine beverage, double the ratio of coffee grounds to water, i.e., two tablespoons of grounds for each cup of water.
4. Add some water
Once you start seeing the coffee releasing its aroma and natural oil, it’s time that you pour in some more water. Note that espresso shots are just one ounce, and they will need less water compared to your regular french press coffee.
5. Let it brew
Once you’ve followed all the steps, place the lid of the brewer to trap the heat (that can assure a quality shot of espresso). Ensure that the filter is above the coffee ground and water. Let them steep for 4-5 minutes. You can brew it long if you want a strong and bold drink but don’t steep them too long to avoid a bitter taste.
6. Filter and voila! It’s ready!
Once you’re done with the brewing process, descend the filter down halfway. Pull the filter back to the top and sink it into the base. Doing this will produce a slight layer of foam on the top of the espresso, giving it the texture of a traditional espresso shot.
Here is the step-by-step recipe for brewing espresso shots using a french press brewer
Espresso in a French Press
Equipment
- 1 Container
- 1 French press brewer
- 1 Espresso Cups
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Espresso grounds
- 1/2 cup water
- As per taste sugar
- Optional creamer
Instructions
- Take two tablespoons of coffee and grind them to a medium-fine ground. It will make your drink smooth and craft a traditional espresso.
- Heat the water and pour some warm water into the french press brewer to prepare them for the temperature.
- Once done with grinding the coffee beans and preparing the brewer, put in some coffee grounds and hot water and stir them to let the coffee release its essential oils and natural aroma.
- Pour in the remaining water and let your coffee steep. Put the lid on top of your french press brewer to trap the heat.
- Keep the brewer on rest and undisturbed for three to four minutes. If you want a strong and bold espresso shot, you can brew them a little long but don't forget that brewing coffee beans for too long can give a bitter taste to your beverage.
- When done with brewing, descend the filter down halfway. Pull the filter back to the top and drop it to the bottom. Doing this will create a thin layer of foam on the top of the espresso shot, giving it a texture of a traditional espresso shot.
- Pour it into your espresso mugs, and you're good to go. Enjoy your freshly homemade espresso shot without spending a fortune on fancy espresso machines.
Notes
- If you want a less concentrated espresso shot, pour the drink through a filter paper or cloth. Doing this can alter the taste and feel of the coffee.
- For a nice espresso shot, keep the water temperature just below the boiling point. To do this, let the water boil and remove it from the heat for a minute or so to let the water cool down and adjust the temperature.
- Don’t add extra water when brewing espresso shots. Espresso requires less water and adding more water can dilute the taste and spoil the espresso shots on different levels.
- If you’re someone who likes to add a touch of drama and taste to your beverage, hop to the market and grab different flavors available for espresso. Go for caramel or hazelnut flavors if you want it simple and sweet. If you’re someone who is a fitness freak and loves to keep a check on their calorie intake, you can always go for different sugar-free options available in the market.
What an easy way to brew espresso, right?
So hop into your kitchen, grab the ingredients and start your day with a shot of espresso that can keep you energized and active all day long.
