The coffee machine doesn't make cream.
There is nothing better than a homemade espresso. But sometimes it happens that the coffee machine cannot make crema. It not only adds aesthetics to the cup of caffeinated drink. Its presence indicates the freshness of the beans used, as well as the proper technique for preparing the espresso.
Most users have machines with a handle where the ground coffee is placed. On the other hand, coffee machines compensate with their greater convenience. They grind the coffee on the spot. We will focus on the various reasons leading to the lack of cream in the prepared drink.
The first is the size of the ground coffee. Unlike standard machines, espresso requires much finer processing of the beans. The coffee should have a consistency similar to that of powdered sugar.
If the grounds are too fine, the water cannot pass through them properly. This results in a tasteless espresso. If the coffee beans are ground too finely, then the caffeine extraction will be much weaker, resulting in a weaker brew.
To ensure the perfect consistency of your hot coffee, you need to have a high-quality coffee grinder on hand. Better models come with specific settings. Thanks to them, you can always make delicious and strong coffee.
Grinding the beans before brewing ensures maximum freshness of the drink. With a quality grinder, you are able to achieve the perfect size of ground coffee. The second reason for the lack of crema in hot espresso is the use of stale beans.
Older coffee oxidizes, causing the essential oils to break down. These are what give the espresso its flavor and create the crema in the hot drink. To always achieve excellent results when making your homemade drink, always buy beans from trusted stores or suppliers.
Coffee roasted within the last month or two retains its flavor and aroma. Thanks to its freshness, the ground beans ensure the reaction with carbon dioxide to produce the crema in the hot drink. One of the overlooked reasons for making inferior espresso at home is the incorrect ratio of water to coffee.
It is recommended that it be 2:1. This means that the amount of water should be twice as large as the amount of coffee. You can use a suitable jug with a scale to always be sure to use the right ratio.
Although rare, insufficient water pressure can also be the cause of the absence of crema in the prepared home espresso. Most automatic coffee machines are set to operate at 7-9 bar. This water pressure value is ideal for preparing the hot drink. However, there are also home coffee machines that operate at 16.5.
If you are unable to make espresso with crema, it is better to check the pressure setting of the pump. Make sure that the values do not exceed the recommended 9 bar. Important factors leading to the formation of crema are the type of coffee machine used, as well as its water pressure.
The temperature at which you brew your espresso is important for crema. Higher or lower temperatures can cause the coffee's creamy surface to dissipate quickly. To brew an espresso with crema, the water temperature should be between 85° and 92°.
Using pre-ground coffee, especially if it has been sitting for a while, causes rapid oxidation and loss of flavor. This also leads to a lack of creaminess in the drink. Grinding fresh coffee just before brewing preserves the flavors and ensures an excellent consistency of the creamy foam.
Proper brewing technique is essential for the appearance of crema. Emulsifying the coffee at the correct temperature and pressure, along with controlling the extraction time, has a significant impact on the quality of the creamy foam. Making espresso is an art that depends on the quality of the equipment, the condition of the coffee beans, and the technique used.
To always have a good coffee with cream, maintain your machine or automatic regularly. Correctly setting the appliance is important if you want to always achieve excellent results. Also rely on the right technique for preparing espresso.
Reasons for the lack of cream in coffee:
Grinding method |
Inadequate water pressure |
Higher or lower water temperature |
Using old coffee |
