Supplies For The Perfect Espresso

The espresso shot itself is integral in creating Latte art. You will ultimately be blending your thick velvety foam with your espresso to bring out the contrast of brown and white that will become your creations. If the espresso isn't prepared properly, it will lack the consistency and color that will make your Latte art stand out from the crowd. This tutorial is about getting the right tools together to make the perfect shot of espresso, one with a thick carmel brown crema that will get yours and your guests' mouths watering for more caffeinated goodness.

Getting the perfect shot of espresso is hard work. The variables are so complex that it makes the process of steaming milk look like a walk in the park. When you brew espresso, you have to deal the quality of the beans, the water quality, the brewtime duration, the bean grind, and the pressure and temperature of the water. It's about enough to make your head explode. But don't worry. If you isolate each variable, and test your results over and over again, you will eventually reach espresso nirvana. We'll show you how.

First things first, get yourself a high quality espresso maker. There are many on the market, so this can be a hard decision. We generally steer clear of the ones that use espresso pods because that removes some of our brew options. You should learn how to pack the perfect shot all on your own, which is something we will cover in the next edition of this guide. It is important that your new espresso maker allow you to vary the brewtime duration, just in case the default number isn't quite on the spot. Also, always choose a pump-driven machine over a steam driven one. You simply won't be able to get the water through the espresso at the right pressures with a steam machine. A high quality espresso machine will cost you $700. If you are serious about your Latte art and the deliciousness of your creations, you should make the investment. Your coffee future is at stake, after all.

The quality of the espresso you make is also highly dependent on the kind of coffee grinder you purchase. Blade grinders will do the job partially, but you'll be spending a very long time with them to get the thin grind necessary for quality espresso. It's much better to go with a burr grinder because it guarantees reduced hassle and allows you to get a fineness of grind that is practically impossible to get with a blade grinder.

Once you have a good espresso machine and a burr grinder, it's time to purchase the coffee. Get a dark roasted Italian espresso blend. The coffee you choose will determine most of your espresso's flavor. If you choose a high quality blend, you will dramatically increase your chance of getting that perfect carmel brown crema. All Latte art begins with good ingredients. Purchase the right ones, and you will get a great result. Skimp even a little, and you've forgotten the point of this whole exercise. Coffee is your passion. Don't let the cost get in the way.

Learn more about making Latte Art in our Latte Art How To!