If you’re spending extra time at home due to COVID-19, there are probably many things you’re missing from your old routine — including your local coffee shop. That’s why we’re sharing how to make espresso without a machine, all from the comfort of your home.
Of course, making coffee at home isn’t quite the same as enjoying a handcrafted beverage from your favorite barista. Still, it’s good to know how to make espresso without machine to get you through those days when you can’t leave the house.
In this post, we’ll share three methods for brewing a delicious espresso at home with basic tools.
Choosing the Right Beans
Before we get into the logistical details of how to make espresso without a machine, there are some steps to take ahead of time to ensure a great-tasting brew.
First and foremost, you’ll need to buy fresh, high-quality beans. For espresso, choose a dark-roast blend, which will give you less acidity and more body. Dark-roast coffee beans are oilier than light- or medium-roast blends, which emulsify to produce the distinct “crema” that you see on top of an espresso.
Once you’ve chosen the right beans, you need to grind them into a fine powder. We recommend using an automatic espresso grinder (like a burr grinder). If you’re making espresso in a French press, your beans should be on the coarser side (but still fine).
How to Make Espresso without a Machine
Although you don’t need to purchase an expensive machine to make espresso, you’ll still need to invest in one of these three tools. Fortunately, they’re all affordable, lightweight, and easy to find, so you can buy one online and get it working within a couple of days.
Moka Pot
To make espresso with a Moka Pot, fill up the bottom chamber with cold water and then place your ground coffee beans into the filter. Put your Moka Pot on the stove and begin heating it (make sure that the flame stays concentrated underneath the Moka Pot if you have gas burners).
From there, your Moka Pot will create pressure, resulting in the release of steam. The water will then combine with the ground coffee to produce espresso.
AeroPress
An AeroPress is another excellent device if you’re interested in learning how to make espresso without machine. To use it, place a filter inside your AeroPress and rinse it with hot water. Then, pour two tablespoons of ground coffee into the filter. Add four ounces of heated water (roughly 200°F) and push the plunger down until it reaches the bottom. Pour your espresso into a cup and drink up!
French Press
A French press isn’t the ideal gadget to use when making espresso, but it will work in a pinch. You’ll use it as you would for making your regular cup of joe, but we suggest adding extra ground coffee to add richness.
Start with two tablespoons of ground coffee and a cup of hot water. Once you’ve added your beans, pour a dash of boiled water over them, allowing the coffee to bloom for about 30 seconds.
Pour the remainder of the water and put the lid on, allowing it to sit for about four minutes before you plunge it. Raise your plunger back up to the halfway mark of the French press, before pressing it down again completely. Pour and enjoy!
For more kitchen hacks and tips, check out the Tastessence blog.
