Tip 1 - Let Your Coffee/espresso Coffee machine fully Heat Up
The inside workings of your coffee machine that hold water items like the boiler are classically made from metal. Permitting this equipment to heat up by turning on your coffee machine at least 10 min preceding the 1st coffee will make a more steady heat for your coffees. Also use this time to heat your coffee cups before use, use the steam nozzle in hot water mode to fill the cups. Some coffee machines have in-built cup heaters that take a few minutes to warm up.
Tip 2 - Use Fresh Water
With coffee, everything needs to be fresh. Clean out your coffee machine water container every day when you are making your 1st coffee. You need to use filtered water and you'll taste the difference. Using filtered water will also lengthen the life of your coffee machine; reducing calcification and lime scale build up.
Tip 3 - Use Fresh Coffee beans
If you don't have an automated coffee machine that has a grinder built in then you'll need to purchase a separate one. Every time you use your coffee machine, only ever grind enough coffee beans for that measure of coffee. This could give you a glowing creme on top of your coffee or espresso. Store your beans in the fridge until it's to use them, this will help them to hold their flavor.
Tip 4 - Use The Correct Grind And Correct Tamping
Talk to your coffee provider about your coffee machine and ensure that he is giving you the proper ground coffee. If at all possible use your own grinder to achieve the most favourable fineness. Gradually pack your freshly ground coffee into the filter handle, don't pack to much or press to hard or you will not reach a fair flow rate. An excellent rule of thumb is that it should take roughly 25 seconds for 30ml of coffee to be poured.
Tip 5 - Experiment
There are so many variables at work with a coffee machine that you will need to make a large amount of coffees to actually realize the numerous coffees you can make. The temperature, the beans, the grind and the flow rate will all give various tasting coffees. You will know you are getting it correct when your coffee machine produces a thick golden creme and a sweet, rich espresso coffee.
About the Author: