As is well known, manual espresso machines have become extremely popular in recent years. Although they can't match the versatility of semi-automatic espresso machines, they can still extract similarly concentrated coffee! Moreover, with their affordable price and the convenience of not needing to be plugged in, manual espresso machines have successfully carved out a place for themselves in the coffee world. So [more…]

For more specialty coffee knowledge, please follow: Front Street Coffee (Frontsteet Coffee). In the past, when Front Street shared knowledge about espresso extraction, it focused on parameters such as grind size, dose, ratio, extraction time, and pressure, and also provided in-depth analysis of steps like receiving the grounds, distributing the grounds, and tamping. [more…]

For more specialty coffee knowledge and sharing, please follow: Front Street Coffee (FrontStreet Coffee). When talking about Italian coffee, one cannot fail to mention Espresso. As the main tool for extracting Espresso, the espresso machine is an indispensable piece of equipment. Espresso [more…]

In recent years, China's specialty coffee craze has grown hotter and hotter. However, in most cases, whenever you meet up with friends to chat over coffee at a café, espresso-based coffee is bound to make an appearance. And under the branch of espresso-based coffee, there is actually an option called Americano, which leaves many friends scratching their heads—espresso-based coffee [more…]

For more specialty coffee knowledge, please follow: Front Street Coffee (Frontsteet Coffee). Espresso is mostly perceived as bitter and astringent; when this happens, it is very likely that there is a problem in the production process. At this point, someone will ask Front Street Coffee (FrontS [more…]

Previously, when Front Street shared knowledge related to espresso extraction, it would focus on the effects of parameters such as dose, ratio, grind, time, and pressure on extraction. In addition, it also emphasized analyzing the key operational points in steps such as receiving the grounds, distributing the grounds, tamping, and locking the portafilter into place. Only water temperature was something Front Street always [more…]

Espresso was invented by MR. Gaggia in 1946. Gaggia further improved the piston pressure system—using spring pressure instead of manual pressing, so that the brewed coffee is topped with a layer of golden coffee crema (Crema), which is Crem [more…]

The moka pot is often placed on a stove and heated, using steam pressure to extract coffee, so it is also called a direct-fire espresso pot. Because it can also make strong coffee, the moka pot is always compared with a genuine espresso machine, so what exactly are the differences between the two? Moka pot and espresso machine [more…]

For more specialty coffee knowledge, please follow our WeChat official account: FrontStreet Coffee. Front Street has noticed that many friends have fallen in love with espresso topped with golden crema and hope to make it at home as well. Compared with pour-over, espresso is made using steam pressure. [more…]

Some friends often ask us for advice on espresso extraction issues. Many of them have encountered situations where the espresso shot lacks golden crema or the crema is thin. Since for espresso, that golden crema is its very soul, when the coffee has no crema [more…]

Compared to other coffee-making methods, espresso machines are much more demanding when it comes to coffee beans. To allow the coffee to release quickly, we need to grind the beans very fine and use high-temperature and high-pressure extraction conditions, which makes the coffee taste extremely intense—and one wrong move can turn the espresso into something utterly undrinkable. If you want to improve your espresso [more…]

"Extremely high concentration, with a rich, golden-brown layer of crema on the surface" — this is the main characteristic that sets espresso apart from other coffees. Because its concentration is so high, espresso is often used as a base, with various ingredients added to create all kinds of specialty coffee drinks. Lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites, and other coffee drinks are made with espresso as their [more…]

I believe baristas must have encountered this problem: in the morning, the espresso extraction parameters are dialed in, but by noon, the parameters are no longer accurate, and the coffee flow rate has noticeably slowed down. Front Street has previously offered explanations for two scenarios regarding this issue. The first is when it rains and the humidity in the air is relatively high, inside the bean hopper. [more…]

Espresso machines have an internal boiler design to facilitate the production of hot water. Then, near-boiling high-pressure hot water passes through a finely ground, evenly tamped puck of coffee to make a beverage of about 30 ml, with a rich flavor and a layer of dense crema. Espresso machines on the market [more…]

Many people can't stand drinking espresso on its own; its highly concentrated bitter and burnt taste is often described as being like traditional Chinese medicine. Once diluted with milk or water, however, it becomes much easier for most people to accept. But reality is often cruel—you will inevitably come across coffee that is hard to swallow even after adding milk. In such cases, the coffee is usually [more…]

A while back, when Front Street Coffee was tinkering with a moka pot in the shop, a friend saw that the moka pot coffee Front Street brewed had a very thick layer of crema, so they asked Front Street for the secret to brewing such thick crema, because the moka pot coffee they brewed at home had very thin crema. The same situation often occurs with espresso machine users as well. [more…]

Many coffee enthusiasts have unknowingly accumulated a lot of coffee equipment at home, and those obsessed with espresso have even stocked up on espresso machines, ready to pull their own shots. But many people don't know how to choose coffee beans suitable for espresso extraction, agonizing over whether to buy dark roast or light roast, blended or single-origin, and how home use and commercial use [more…]

For more specialty coffee knowledge, please follow our WeChat official account: FrontStreet Coffee. As an indispensable part of Italian life, every espresso tells a story of region, culture, and the rapid social development it has driven. At the very beginning, [more…]

Everyone is familiar with Americano. Coffee fans who often visit Front Street Coffee know that Americano is made by combining espresso from a coffee machine with an appropriate proportion of water. Americano has basically become a standard item on coffee shop menus, and those who have been to [more…]

At home, we most commonly use three types of coffee makers: espresso machines, American drip coffee makers, and capsule coffee machines. Among these, the first two appear most frequently, so many people ask what coffee beans are suitable for these two machines. Let's first talk about the features and differences of these two machines. What is an espresso machine? [more…]