There’s more to brewing coffee than meets the
eye. We chat with Eduardo Vastolo, the Asia
Pacific barista trainer for illycaffè and professor of Universita
Del Caffe in Trieste, to find out how to brew the perfect cup of
coffee every time.
1. Don’t be afraid of
espresso. Contrary to popular belief, espresso
actually has low amounts of caffeine, which means you can have more
than one cup a day. Espresso's concentrated flavors and aromas are
amazing, no matter the type of roast used. 100% Arabica blends,
like illy’s green Arabica coffee beans, are a good place to
start.
2. Use the right amount of
coffee. Good ground coffee can be savored black,
without needing to add milk and sugar. For a single shot of
espresso, you should use about seven grams of
grounds.
3. Don’t get too
hot. Aside from the pressure of the machine, which
may not be adjustable, hot water between 91-96 degrees Celsius is
integral in extracting the highest and widest concentration of
aromas in a 25ml espresso shot.
4. Get to know your
machine. For first-time brewers, a typical Italian
Moka stovetop machine works well. It’s affordable, simple to use
and creates a traditional cup of coffee Italians drink at home.
Espresso aficionados may want to try the Iperespresso system by
illy for its ability to yield concentrated
flavors.
5. Know the ideal extraction
time. Depending on the coffee you use, you need to
know the right extraction time. If the extraction time is too long,
you might burn the coffee. One cup of espresso should only take
about 20-27 seconds using a coffee machine.
6. Keep it clean. Not
maintaining your machine properly is one of the biggest mistakes
people make when brewing coffee at home. Be sure to clean it
regularly.
7. Be passionate. It’s
easy to make a great cup of coffee if you’re a coffee lover. Always
care about the details and the process—and buy the best coffee
beans within your budget, too.
8. Learn from the
pros. illycaffè is holding its first solo exhibition
in Singapore at Scotts Square. The Surrounding Coffee
with Art exhibition runs Jul 1-12 where you can learn
all about the illy brand's history, coffee and art. Pick up a tip
or two from illy's baristas at workshops and activites that are
available free-of-charge to shoppers during the exhibition period.
Click here to view the full
schedule.
Plus, you can get a free cup of illy coffee with
a minimum spend of $50 in a single receipt. Click here for other
promotions.
And this is just the start to a month-long
coffee-themed campaign at Scotts Square. Stay tuned for more
information about the next exhibition, Espresso Italiano, starting
Jul 15
