Preparing coffee is, for most of us just a routine, but for the Italian an espresso has to be perfect. It is not just about putting water and coffee in the coffee maker. For Italians, preparing coffee is an art, something that has to be done in the proper way, because the Italian way of life requires it.

And, if cliché tells us that the Italians usually care nothing for accuracy, this does not apply to their food and beverages and certainly not to a good espresso. This is why Caffè Moak is offering some workshops for barmen and all those who would like to learn the tricks of the trade.

There are strict rules that should be followed when preparing coffee. Here some tips:

Pressure:
Make sure the pressure of the coffee machine is at 1 bar (this obviously applies to professional machines, as domestic coffee makers have a gauge).

Cup:
The cup has to be warm, not cold; otherwise the hot coffee will not take on its original flavour

Water:
Be sure the water is at the right temperature. For excellent coffee, the water should be at more or less 90 degrees.

Coffee holder:
The coffee holder also needs to be warm. This helps coffee to preserve all its flavour .

Coffee:
For a single cup, you usually need just 7 grams of coffee. So you normally use 14 grams for two cups. Here the grinding of the coffee beans plays a very important role, because to obtain a perfect grind, the coffee must be ground neither too finely nor too raw. But we will get back to this point later.

Pressing:
We have to ensure that the coffee is pressed properly in the holder. To get the right pressure, you have to push as hard as if you were pressing a 20 kg weight on it. Professionals such as Moak use a tool that is calibrated with 20 kg.

Timing:
30 seconds to make a perfect coffee: count the seconds as soon as you turn the machine on until the last drops of coffee come out. Again, correct grinding of the beans plays an important role here.

Quantity:
Forget huge mugs full of long coffee. An espresso has to be drunk in a small china or glass cup - 25 ml (maximum 30 ml) for excellent coffee, including the cream. For this, Moak has produced a new cup collection, where a sign in the cup shows you the limit of 25 ml.

Savour:
Drink espresso instantly, otherwise it will loose its magnificent flavour and you won’t get the aftertaste.

Coming back to the coffee itself: the grinding process has its own strict rules. You won’t be able to prepare a good coffee if the beans have been ground too finely or too raw. On the one hand, fine coffee won’t allow the hot water to come out; on the other hand, raw coffee will come out too quickly; therefore it will taste too watery. This also happens if you do not press coffee in the proper way.

Don’t worry if you don’t get perfect coffee at your first try… even experts may prepare at least 10 coffees before finding the right way.

A last recommendation: have a glass of sparkling water at hand before enjoying your coffee. Experts say that sparkling water clears your mouth completely of tastes and you will appreciate the taste of coffee even more. So don’t forget to ask for a glass of water when in an Italian bar J