How to Make Perfect Espresso at Home

How to Make Perfect Espresso at Home

Okay, I admit it. I’m more of a tea drinker. But with three kids starting school soon, my own personal classes starting soon, the kids in sports, my work picking back up after the summer slump, and just all the things, I need a bit more of a kick some days. So to say I know anything about coffee is dubious. To say I knew anything about espresso was laughable. Luckily Capresso made it easy to become an expert in time so I’m now making perfect espresso right at home. 

Disclaimer: This review was done by team member Emily. She was provided product in exchange for her honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are her own and were not influenced by the developing company and/or its affiliates in any way.

Where to Start

Sure, I had had espresso based-coffees from popular chains and shops, and I knew that it was different from regular drip coffee, but I didn’t know why. So I started by teaching myself what those differences were. Espresso beans are roasted for longer than traditional coffee beans. This gives them a deeper flavor and a toasted flavor. The beans are then ground up super fine, much finer than even fine coffee grounds. Think almost powdery. This lets the ground be tightly packed into the filter and spout, which are easy to integrate together in this machine.

It’s also important to have a good espresso machine. I learned that having a hot water reservoir, cup warmer, and a properly powerful pump all are essential for the perfect espresso. It also helps to have a powerful frother for the milk to make tasty lattes and more. 

Keep it Hot

This Cafe Select Professional Espresso Machine (for home use) has a number of features that I learned are important for good espresso. Even for iced coffees, it is important that the espresso is brewed at the right temperature and pressure. It is even recommended that the cups be kept warm for the best flavor. So I loved that this machine has an integrated cup warming tray, to keep cups at the perfect temperature prior to “pulling” your espresso. 

The espresso itself is brewed at the perfect temperature with the state-of-the-art boiler in this machine. I also love the idea that the water reservoir is kept hot too, so if you make a second pull, it tastes like the first, brewed at the same temperature and pressure. No need to reheat the machine and cross your fingers it’s not slightly off. 

Don’t Forget to PIN it!

Professional Ease

Despite the initial fear of using a “professional” grade machine, it is so simple to use. All I have to do is add water and turn it on. I hit one button to select if I want to brew espresso (blue light) or steam milk (white light). Then I just wait for it to stop blinking. Once it does I simply turn the knot in the middle to the appropriate., matching side (coffee or milk) and let it go!

The frother did take a bit of practice. My first go with 2% Milk was a disaster and I ended up curdling it. That was entirely my fault for leaving the frother in too long. However, I have a knack for frothing the almond milk I use with ease. I hold the cup at a 45-degree angle and get it spinning in the cup from the force of the steam and it gets nice and fluffy. I’m no good at latte art yet, but it sure tastes good. 

Perfect Espresso Year Round

Don’t get me wrong. These cups and espresso start off hot. And it makes it smooth and creamy and quite delicious. And I’m not a coffee drinker really. But it is good. But I don’t exactly love hot coffees in the summertime when it is a hundred-plus degree out. However, I do love iced-coffees. And this machine is perfect for making delicious espresso shots for iced lattes, macchiatos, and more. 

I’m a bit of a chocolate fiend, so I have been making these iced mocha lattes with almond milk. It could not be simpler. I pull a couple of shots of espresso from my Cafe Select Pro Espresso Machine, put a tablespoon of chocolate syrup in the bottom of a cup, fill the cup with ice, pour the espresso over, top it off with cold almond milk, and drizzle chocolate syrup on top. It’s so pretty to watch the milk swirl into the espresso. And it’s so tasty for those hot summer days.