Espresso Coffee Beans 1kg A excellent espresso requires a mix of coffee beans suited to the style of beverage. While medium or light roasted beans can be used to make espresso, they could release tasting notes that are not appropriate for the drink. The best espresso beans are smooth and nuanced, with a rich crema. They also contain less caffeine than drip-style coffee. Origin The story of the beginnings of espresso coffee beans has a fascinating twist. The legend states that an 9th century Ethiopian goat-herder named Kaldi discovered the very first coffee plant in his herd. He noticed that it had a distinct stimulating effect on his herd. He began feeding his livestock the fruits of the Coffea plant, and they became stronger, healthier and more active. This was the beginning of a fantastic beverage, one that is consumed by people all over the world. The brew that we know as espresso is created by pushing hot water under pressure across a bed of finely crushed coffee beans. The resultant brew is sweet in flavor and extremely concentrated, with a layer of smooth, tight bubbles called the crema. This is the hallmark of a great espresso cup and has helped create a cult around the drink. Espresso isn't just a popular drink in cafes, but it can also be prepared at home. You can get the perfect cup of coffee every time by buying the right equipment and roasting your beans yourself. It may take a bit longer than buying coffee from the shop, but the quality and taste are worth the wait. Choosing the right espresso beans is essential to ensure that your espresso will be rich and delicious. Many people use regular coffee for making espresso. This is not recommended since they are roasted and ground differently, which can result in a bitter or weak brew. We offer espresso coffee beans in 1kg bags that are roasted and ground specifically for espresso making. You'll enjoy a delicious cup of coffee each time. We only source the finest quality Arabica and Robusta beans from farms that are committed to sustainable farming practices and high ethical standards. This unique coffee comes from the Colombian region Huila, which is known for its fertile valleys, snow-capped mountains and soil that has been enriched by minerals over time. Roast The roasting process is what transforms green beans that are raw into the coffee we drink. It also gives the coffee its taste, colour and aroma. The roasting process is a precise science and requires a lot of ability and experience to regulate the temperature of the flame so that the beans don't burn and become dark or bitter. During the roasting process the beans lose a bit of moisture and expand by as much as five percent. They will also start to release carbon dioxide that causes them to expand and break and this is referred to as the first crack. The 1st crack marks the point at which sugars begin to caramelize, the bound water begins to escape and the structure of the bean breaks down allowing oils to migrate from their tiny pockets in the seed. This is a crucial stage during roasting, and should you rush the process, the coffee will be damaged. A well-roasted, full-bodied coffee will have an elegant and balanced flavor. It will have a mild sourness and a strong aftertaste, while preserving the origin character of the beans. This is achieved by roasting beans until they are a medium brown color and have lost the majority of their moisture. Once the seeds are roasted and cooled, they need to be cooled down as fast as is possible to stop them continuing to roast and releasing more carbon dioxide. The final outcome will depend on the speed of roasting and the speed at which they are cooled. Espresso coffee is usually a blend of different beans. While single origin beans work for some brewing methods but the smoky flavours of espresso require a mix of different bean types. It is recommended to buy a high-end espresso machine to brew the finest cup of espresso. The best machines will have an extra water tank for the espresso and a larger capacity boiler that allows for quicker heating. The water tank should be filled with fresh, cold water to ensure the highest extraction quality. Dose and Yield One shot of espresso is made by pushing one gram of ground coffee through the brewing process. This means that the ratio of ground coffee to liquid espresso must be less or equal to than 1:2. The exact ratio depends on the density of the beans. Certain coffees are heavier than other when ground to the same size. This is why a precise scale can be extremely useful! The temperature of the brew will influence how you use your coffee beans. The ideal temperature is between 205-205 degrees Fahrenheit to 195 degrees. This is because the flavor compounds in your beans are optimally extracted within this range. A higher or lower temperature will affect the rate, amount and consistency of extraction and the texture, flavour and the thickness of your crema. It is always a trade-off between strong coffee and rich flavor. The more you extract it, the stronger it will become, but that also increases the risk of bitterness and sourness. You might be enticed by recipes with an impressive yield to compensate. When you increase the multiplier, you also increase the amount of water passing through the grinds. This is crucial and could result in more flavor being lost. The dose is the most flexible control, but there are many other factors that affect the intensity of the espresso. The most important factor is the ratio and also your grinder's precision and the size of your portafilter, and the speed with which you take the shot. For instance, a higher ratio (less than 1:2) produces a smoky but balanced espresso with a sweet mouthfeel and a clearness of flavour. A shorter ratio will result in a stronger however less balanced espresso. Finding the right balance is key. You can achieve this by playing with the dose and adjusting the ratio according to the intensity you prefer and the flavour payoff. Brewing Espresso beans are ground finer than regular coffee beans, and brewed with higher pressure. This results in a stronger espresso, with more intense flavors and aromas. Espresso is used to make lattes, cappuccinos and other drinks made from coffee that are typically made with milk. It is also sometimes mixed with other types of coffee when baking or used as a garnish for desserts made with coffee or chocolate. Espresso coffee can be prepared by using a variety of methods of brewing, including drip coffee, Turkish coffee, cold brew and French press. The type of brewing method you select is based on your personal preferences as well as the coffee brewing equipment you have at your disposal. Try different methods and ingredients can help you find the perfect cup of espresso. Espresso beans can be used in other coffee drinks but they are best used for espresso-based drinks. Espresso beans are roasted longer, usually beyond the second crack. This results in the appearance of toasted, darker, and a more intense flavor. In addition espresso beans are typically roasted with higher levels of volatile compounds such as trigonelline and chlorogenic acids 2, which contribute to the bitterness, body, and flavor of espresso. Although it is technically feasible to make espresso using any kind of coffee bean roasted, this would not yield the desired results. Espresso beans are roasted to bring particular flavours, like chocolatey and fruity, which are difficult to replicate using other roasts. When making espresso, the most important thing is to create a high-quality crema. It is a thick, rich layer of coffee foam which rises to the top of the coffee after it has been extracted at a high pressure. A great crema indicates that you have combined all the ingredients you need like your coffee beans, grinder and resistance in the coffee bed to create a great coffee. The quality of the coffee beans is crucial to achieving a great creamy crema. The best espresso beans are those that have been roast at a medium to dark roast and then ground as finely as possible. They should also be fresh, as whole beans will retain their flavor and taste longer than ground varieties. It is also essential to keep beans in a sealed airtight container away from heat and moisture.