Page 4 - Coffee Recipes

What exactly is an espresso? Espresso is much more than a small cup of strong coffee. It's an intense flavour experience, the foundation of countless coffee recipes, and a true art to prepare. Here you'll learn what an espresso really is, where it comes from, and how to make one at home that tastes just like from a barista. Plus, we'll give tips on the right espresso coffee beans.

What is an espresso?

An espresso is a small, strong cup of coffee made by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee.

Espresso is the base of many popular coffee drinks. It's known for its full, intense flavour and characteristic creamy layer. Thanks to the compact amount and powerful preparation, you get a rich coffee experience in just one sip.

How is an espresso made?

An espresso is made by forcing hot water at 9 bar pressure through 18–20 grams of finely ground coffee in 25–30 seconds.

This process requires precision. The right grind size, freshness of the beans, and a well-calibrated

Making coffee means bringing hot water into contact with ground coffee. You can do this in at least eleven different ways. From a simple filter machine to a stylish Chemex or espresso machine. The method you choose determines the flavour, texture and even the aroma of your coffee.

Here you'll read exactly how those differences arise and we'll help you find the brewing method that best suits your taste, rhythm and coffee moment.

What is the best way to make coffee?

The best way to make coffee? There isn't one. At least, not one that works for everyone. Your ideal cup of coffee depends on your taste, your morning routine and how much time you want to spend on it.

Do you like a full, powerful flavour? Then an espresso machine or moka pot is probably your thing. Prefer something clear and refined? Then slow coffee methods like the Chemex or V60 are for you. And if it has to be quick and easy, a fully automatic machine or pod machine is your best friend.

By trying different methods, you'll

Coffee tastes bitter when your water is too hot, the grind is too fine, or you let the coffee run through for too long. Dirty equipment or very dark-roasted beans can also produce an unpleasant, bitter flavour. The good news is that the fix is often simple: a few small changes and you'll be brewing a delicious cup again.

What causes the bitter taste in coffee?

A bitter taste in your coffee is usually down to over-extraction. That's when you draw too many compounds out of the coffee, leaving an astringent aftertaste. This can have several causes:

• Grind too fine: this slows the water flow through the coffee, so it picks up too many bitter compounds.
  
  
• Flow time too long: the longer the water stays in contact with the coffee, the more bitter the taste.
  
  
• Water temperature too high: water above 96°C extracts not just the aromas, but unwanted bitters too.
  
  
• Dark-roast or cheap beans: Robusta beans in particular are naturally more bitter than Arabica.
  
  
• Dirty equipment: oils and coffee residue in

Have you ever brewed a cup of coffee that was either way too sour, or so bitter you reached straight for a glass of water? Then you've probably noticed that brewing genuinely good coffee takes more than just fresh beans and a fancy machine. One subtle but decisive factor decides whether your cup is perfectly in balance — and it has nothing to do with your water or your filter.

If you want real control over flavour, aroma and mouthfeel, you'll need to get to grips with something baristas treat as sacred. And it all starts with one crucial variable… the grind size of your coffee.

What is grind size?

Grind size refers to how coarse or fine coffee beans are ground before you brew them. It determines how quickly water can flow through the coffee and how long it stays in contact with the ground particles. This matters a lot, because a coarse grind speeds up the flow and shortens extraction, while a fine grind slows things down and makes flavours more intense. 

Every brewing method calls for

For the advanced barista, the extraction time of an espresso is much more than just a number. It's a direct gauge for extraction and therefore for flavour. An espresso that runs through too quickly or too slowly is rarely in balance, with a bitter, sour or watery coffee as the result. But what IS the ideal time? And how do you adjust your grind, tamping or dose accordingly?

What is extraction time?

The extraction time, also called brew time, is the time the water needs to flow through the ground coffee in the portafilter, from the moment you press the espresso button to the last drop falling into the cup.

This time is always measured in seconds, usually with a stopwatch or a built-in timer in the espresso machine.

Important: extraction time isn't the same as warm-up time of the machine or pre-infusion.

What is the ideal extraction time for an espresso?

The guideline for a classic espresso is between 25 and 30 seconds.

But this depends on:

• The amount of coffee (standard: 18-20 grams)
• The

A warm mug, a hint of Irish charm and that creamy dollop of whipped cream… Irish Coffee isn’t just a drink, it’s pure indulgence in a glass! Whether you’re drinking it after a slap-up dinner or on a chilly winter evening — with this recipe you’ll conjure up a café-worthy Irish coffee in no time. In this article you’ll learn step by step how to make one, get handy tips AND we share some surprising variations. Time to get your favourite whiskey ready and grind those coffee beans.

What is Irish coffee and where does it come from?

Irish coffee is a delicious warm coffee cocktail consisting of black coffee, Irish whiskey, a little sugar and a creamy dollop of whipped cream. But did you know that this lovely drink was an accidental invention?

The story goes back to the 1940s, when a cold evening and tired travellers at an airport in the Irish town of Foynes asked for something to warm them up. Chef Joe Sheridan decided to combine strong coffee with Irish whiskey and top it with whipped cream.

Are you a real coffee lover looking for a simple but flavourful brewing method? Then the French Press is exactly what you need. With this classic technique you get the most out of your coffee beans and enjoy a full, aromatic cup of coffee. But how do you brew the perfect French Press coffee? What grind do you need? And what are the secrets to that rich flavour? In this blog you’ll discover everything you need to know to get going like a real barista.

What is French Press coffee (Cafetière coffee)?

French Press coffee, also known as Cafetière coffee, is a popular brewing method where ground coffee and hot water come into direct contact. This happens without a filter, so the coffee keeps its full flavour and oils. The result? A rich, aromatic cup of coffee with a hearty body.

This method is loved by coffee lovers for its simple preparation and intense flavour profile. You don’t need expensive kit, just a French Press (Cafetière), coarsely ground coffee and hot water. But how do you brew

Are you a real coffee lover looking for an intense espresso experience? Then a doppio coffee/espresso is exactly what you're after! This double espresso gives a powerful flavour, an extra caffeine kick and a rich crema. But what is a doppio exactly, how do you make one yourself, and which beans are best? In this article you'll learn everything about this delicious coffee specialty.

What is a doppio coffee?

A doppio is simply a double espresso. The word "doppio" means "double" in Italian and refers to the double amount of coffee used in the preparation. Instead of one shot of espresso of around 25 ml, with a doppio you get two shots, which results in a total of around 50 ml of strong, concentrated coffee.

This type of coffee has a more intense flavour than a single espresso and contains more caffeine. Where a regular espresso contains around 65 mg of caffeine, a doppio espresso can go up to 130 mg, depending on the coffee beans used. That makes it a favourite among lovers of strong coffee

A latte macchiato is no ordinary coffee; it's a true experience! With its beautifully layered look and creamy flavour, it's a favourite among coffee lovers. But how do you get that perfect distribution of milk, foam and espresso at home? No worries, with this recipe you'll make a professional latte macchiato in no time. Grab your milk frother and espresso machine, and let's get started!

What you need to make a latte macchiato

To make a perfect latte macchiato, you need a few basic essentials:

Ingredients

• 200 ml whole milk (or a plant-based version like oat milk)
• 1 shot of espresso (around 30 ml)
• Optional: a splash of syrup (e.g. vanilla or caramel)

Tools

• A milk frother or steam wand
• An espresso machine or moka pot
• A tall latte macchiato glass (for those lovely layers!)
• A spoon (to add the espresso carefully)

With this kit you're all set to get started.

Step-by-step recipe: this is how you make a latte macchiato

1. Froth 200 ml of milk and pour it into a tall glass.
2. Let the milk rest for a

The Americano coffee is a delicious, simple coffee that's perfect for fans of a smooth yet full espresso experience. This delicious coffee consists of just two ingredients: espresso and hot water. The result? A mild, aromatic coffee that's less intense than an espresso but still keeps its character.

According to legend, the Americano coffee came about during the Second World War, when American soldiers in Europe used to dilute the strong espressos with water to get a flavour closer to the filter coffee from home. Since then the Americano has been a staple of coffee bars worldwide!

Want to make the perfect Americano coffee at home? Read on for the recipe and handy tips!

What you need for a perfect Americano coffee

To make a classic Americano coffee, you only need a few things:

• Espresso machine or an alternative like an Aeropress
• Fresh coffee beans (preferably medium or dark roast)
• Coffee grinder (if you're using whole beans)
• Hot water (90-96°C)
• A cup or mug

Coffee ratio

The classic ratio