Coffeeclues

Espresso coffee is the most preferred coffee throughout the world. Choosing the best coffee beans for espresso and its brewing process determine the flavor of this coffee.

Preparation of Espresso Coffee
It is pressure brewed using 6 to 7 grams of grounded coffee. Brewing is carried out for 30 seconds. A proper brew will generally have a layer of crema on the surface. Formation of crema is an indication of good quality espresso coffee. Sugar can be added to it for taste. Therefore, espresso coffee is a real joy to drink.

Best Coffee Beans for Espresso

• Espresso flavor is dependent on the type of coffee bean. Any coffee bean can be used for preparing espresso. The coffee berries are generally grown at higher elevations. These beans are either mechanically picked or hand picked. Hand picked berries are preferred because of their good quality. Further the coffee beans are processed.
• Roasting is carried out for these coffee beans. A good coffee is produced if roasting is done just before brewing. Roasted beans generally have a very short shelf life and they last only for two weeks. After two weeks the quality of beans is deteriorated. There is loss in aroma and taste.
• Even for espresso coffee, roasting of coffee beans is important. The beans are roasted at 450 degrees in rotating drums for about 20 minutes. Roasting temperature and time are adjusted. This adjustment is referred as roasting profile. Darkly roasted beans are more preferred for preparation of an espresso.
• Once roasting has been carried out, degassing is done for about 12-36 hours. Several gases that are produced during roasting process are readily released during degassing. Roasting process is often associated with the chemical changes within the bean. About 1500 chemicals present in beans interact and produce a distinct flavor.

Therefore, choosing the best coffee bean for espresso and its processing play a vital role in the flavor of espresso.