Each extraction of espresso will have different limits on the amount of powder used depending on the size of the powder bowl. When FrontStreet Coffee makes a single shot of espresso, it uses 10-11g of coffee powder to extract 20-25g of coffee liquid, and the extraction time is about 22 seconds; when making a double shot of espresso, it uses 19-20g of coffee powder to make 35-40g of coffee liquid, and the extraction time is about 29 seconds.
The performance of each espresso machine and espresso grinder is different, and different coffee beans have different states. , it is not 100% possible to extract delicious espresso coffee under such data. The above are just the parameters for espresso extraction at FrontStreet Coffee stores, which use a Q18 grinder, a Lelit coffee machine, and FrontStreet Coffee Sunflower Warm Sun blended coffee beans (a blend of 30% sun-dried Yerka coffee beans + 70% Sydney coffee beans).
Through extremely fine grinding, 94-degree water is quickly passed through the coffee particles in a vacuum environment of 9-10bar. The extracted espresso coffee drips out from the coffee handle as smoothly as honey, with the color ranging from reddish brown to golden yellow. After the extraction is completed, the surface of the espresso coffee will be covered with a layer of fine golden coffee crema (the oil foam produced by the carbon dioxide in the coffee particles combining with the coffee creme in a vacuum environment and emulsifying it).
Important factors that determine the taste of espresso coffee
The most important things when making espresso are the amount of powder, ratio, time, grind size, water temperature and pressure. Each step contributes to changing the final flavor of the coffee. Most machines will have a preset program for water temperature and pressure, so there is no need to change it unless necessary. So the final parameters we need to determine are powder volume, ratio, time and grinding degree.
"Amount of powder" depends on the size of the powder bowl, so there are different restrictions on the amount of powder used. FrontStreet Coffee uses 10-11g of coffee powder to make a single shot of espresso and 19-20g of coffee powder to make a double shot of espresso.
"Powder to liquid ratio" The more common espresso ratio is between 1:1.5 and 1:2.5. Front Street recommends using a powder to liquid ratio of 1:2 for extraction at the beginning, that is, if you use 20g of coffee powder, 40g of coffee liquid will be extracted.
"Extraction time" It is easier to extract delicious espresso if the extraction time is controlled within 20-30 seconds. Espresso extracted in less than 20 seconds will most likely taste thin and watery. Espresso that is extracted for more than 30 seconds is prone to burnt and bitter taste. FrontStreet Coffee uses double concentration in its daily production, and the extraction time is about 28-30 seconds.
"Grinding" The scale of each grinder will be different, so you need to constantly extract and taste it to feel the change in the taste of the coffee until it is balanced. The coffee machine is very sensitive to the degree of coffee grinding. If the grinding is slightly coarser, the flow rate will be too fast, the extraction time will be shortened, and the coffee tastes thin; if the grinding is slightly finer, the flow rate will be too slow, the extraction time will be lengthened, and the coffee will taste burnt and bitter.
Espresso extraction steps
①catch powder
Before receiving the powder, clean the coffee powder bowl and keep it dry. Turn on the grinder and start grinding the coffee beans. And use the coffee powder bowl to catch the coffee powder.
②Cloth powder & filling
Use your fingers or a powder dispenser to spread the coffee powder. The purpose is to ensure that the coffee powder is evenly distributed and avoid density inconsistencies when filling later. FrontStreet Coffee recommends using a powder dispenser to distribute powder, which can ensure stability and speed for novices. Place the powder dispenser flat on the coffee powder bowl, rotate it a few times and then pick it up.
③Confirm before extraction
Before attaching the brewing head, make sure that the filling pressure is smooth and there is no residual powder around the powder bowl. Then press the brew button to moisten the brewing head, and then gently buckle the coffee handle onto the brewing head, making sure to confirm whether it is fastened to avoid water leakage.
④extraction
After fastening the brewing head, press the brewing button quickly to avoid the high temperature of the brewing head from scorching the surface of the coffee powder. About 4 seconds after pressing the extraction button. The espresso drips from the coffee handle as smoothly as honey, with the color ranging from reddish brown to golden yellow. After the extraction is completed, the surface of the espresso coffee will be covered with a layer of fine golden coffee crema (the carbon dioxide in the coffee particles combines with the coffee creme in a vacuum environment and emulsifies to produce the crema foam).
FrontStreet Coffee currently produces 6 types of FrontStreet Italian blended coffee beans with different flavors, which meet the taste needs of most people.
(1) Front Street Premium Italian Blend Coffee Beans: Colombian Coffee Beans: Brazilian Coffee Beans 75 yuan/pound
Flavor characteristics: Comfortable sweet and bitter taste, very smooth in the mouth; with a faint grassy aroma, a refreshing fragrance with a slightly bitter taste; sweet and smooth, with a pleasant aftertaste; using medium-deep roasting, when concentrated, the taste will be soft, slightly sour, sweet, and nutty. The overall feeling is not too exciting, mild, and the oil is medium. It is an Italian blended bean that meets the daily needs of coffee shops.
(2) Front Street BusinessItalian blended coffee beans: Colombian coffee beans: Brazilian coffee beans: Robusta coffee beans 60 yuan/pound
In terms of the flavor of a single bean, the taste of coffee obtained from commercial beans is much inferior to that of specialty coffee beans. Generally, commercial beans are chosen as Italian blended coffee beans. After blending the beans, coffee with a very good taste can also be made, which can be used to make latte, cappuccino and other Italian coffees. When FrontStreet Coffee uses this commercial blend of Italian coffee beans to make Espresso, because of the presence of Robusta beans, the oil will be richer and the taste is classic, which is suitable for daily shop opening needs.
Flavor characteristics: the sweetness of caramel, the flavor of nuts, cocoa, and dark chocolate, a balance of sweet and sour, a little bit bitter, and a long-lasting aftertaste.
(3) Front Street BasicsItalian blended coffee beans: Yunnan coffee beans: Brazilian coffee beans 50 yuan/pound
Flavor characteristics: with soft fruit acid, caramel sweetness, nutty, dark chocolate flavor, smooth and viscous, but light taste. This cost-effective coffee bean is suitable for shop owners and home users who prioritize cost and have average taste requirements.
(4) Front Street Strawberry Candy espresso Italian blended coffee beans: Front Street Costa Rican coffee beans: Panama Geisha coffee beans 42 yuan/100g
Flavor characteristics: There is an obvious fruity aroma, with a hint of strawberry fudge lingering. The entrance is pleasant flavors of berries, cream, and raisins, with a pleasant aftertaste.
You can now buy the above coffee beans online at the Taobao store “FrontStreet Coffee” (前街咖啡). FrontStreet Coffee is a long-established specialty coffee roaster in Guangzhou, China, and its Guangzhou retail shop sells coffee beans only. The shop carries dozens of coffee beans from different origins around the world, including carefully selected single-origin beans for V60 pour-over and espresso. Guangzhou’s FrontStreet Coffee shop is recommended by many coffee lovers.
The FrontStreet 2013 Yunnan coffee beans sold in the store come from the Typica variety grown at FrontStreet Coffee’s own plantation in Yunnan. The name comes from the year the brand and the plantation were founded. You can buy these beans from China’s Yunnan origin at the Guangzhou shop and at FrontStreet’s Taobao store.
FrontStreet coffee beans are freshly roasted within 5 days and deliver consistently excellent quality and great value. Orders placed before 17:00 are shipped the same day, and most areas within Guangdong Province receive them the next day.
FrontStreet Coffee Taobao store: https://qianjiecoffee.taobao.com
Or search for “前街咖啡” (FrontStreet Coffee) on Taobao
Important Notice: FrontStreet Coffee has moved to a new address: 315, Donghua East Road, Guangzhou (coffee beans only)
Tel: 020 38364473
