Is there anything more comforting than making your own cappuccino worthy of Cafellini? It's bliss and it's possible! To make an exceptional coffee, you need a few essential tools and tips. Today we reveal all the essential secrets of the barista.

Manual espresso machine:

Choosing an espresso machine is not something to be overlooked. This choice will depend mainly on your relationship with coffee. Is this your first espresso machine in life ? Or was your last trip to Italy a quest for the best caffè ? 

The manual espresso machine allows you to control several parameters such as the coffee extraction time and the force of compression. You will therefore be able to adjust your shot to obtain a coffee that meets your taste. Obviously, you will find on the market a range of machines at all sorts of prices.

One of our favorites in terms of features and performance at a mid-price is the Breville Barista Express (with integrated grinder) or the equivalent Breville Infuser (without grinder) . If you want to have a machine that lasts you the rest of your life (with exemplary maintenance) the semi-commercial manual machine will offer you coffee worthy of our home. Our big favorite for years is the Rocket Apartamento . This type of machine has a heat exchanger and allows you to pour your espresso shots and froth milk at the same time. On the other hand, you must add a quality grinder to obtain exemplary coffee.

Coffee grinder

As mentioned above, the grinding of your coffee plays a vital role in extracting and obtaining a perfect crema. The aromatic molecules of coffee deteriorate when exposed to oxygen, hence the importance of being able to grind coffee on demand in order to preserve its prized taste. The choice of grinder , once again , depends on your budget and the quality of your machine. You will find manual machines of intermediate quality with an integrated grinder which can be very practical, as it takes up a little less space on the counter. In order to make the purchase of a semi-commercial machine profitable, we strongly advise you to buy a grinder with a micrometric adjustment for more finesse and precision in the grain.

Pitcher

Want to make latte art? To create patterns in coffee, you need to be able to create a creamy foam. All this happens in the pitcher ! You should opt for a classic stainless steel pitcher with a narrow spout for more precision. The closed handle allows for more control over your movements to create your latte art. Don't worry about the rosettas, it takes practice! It's the quality of your microfoam that matters!

Thermometer

Have you ever had a latte with milk that was overheated or underheated? It totally ruins the taste of your coffee. That’s why it’s important to use a thermometer to ensure the optimal temperature of your milk and to achieve consistency in your beverage. The ideal temperature for microfoam used to make a latte is 150-160ºF. Pro tip: Stop the frother when the thermometer reads 140ºF since the milk will continue to heat up a little even after there is no more steam coming out of the frother. Pro tip: If you don’t have a thermometer, stop the frother when you can no longer hold the pitcher in your hand because it is too hot.

Milk

To achieve a creamy foam, you can use 1%, 2%, 3.25% or vegetable milks designed for baristas. Since 3.25% milk is richer, it foams more easily and is a little more forgiving than 1% milk when you start to foam milk. The fattier the milk (3.25%), the creamier the coffee and the denser the foam, therefore a little more difficult to foam. On the other hand, when the milk is less fatty, it is easier to foam, but gives a drier foam. Personally at Cafellini we opt for 2% milk which is a good in-between.

Italian roast coffee

The essential element for the barista: A balanced and freshly roasted coffee. Don't forget to store your coffee in an airtight container and away from light to preserve the freshness of its aromas. Our favorite blend: Fidelio for its versatility. It is excellent in short espresso or latte and stands out for its balanced and creamy taste.

Hot ceramic mug:

To ensure your coffee does not get a thermal shock during extraction , make sure your cup is warmed either with hot water or simply by leaving your coffee cups on top of your machine upside down so that it warms them up. A small detail that makes all the difference!

Coffee tamper

The coffee tamper is an essential tool to even out the pressure applied to the coffee beans in the filter holder. Without the coffee tamper, you will have under-extraction of the beans since the water will easily make its way through some places and more difficultly through others. This results in a weak or non-existent crema. When you tamp your coffee, apply the pressure of your arm, without forcing. Only place your weight, which is equivalent to applying a pressure of 30 lbs. With this technique you will obtain a uniform coffee. There are automatic tampers on the market that will ensure you have regular pressure, therefore a coffee with a more constant extraction.

Coffee drawer (knockbox)

When you have several coffees to make, the coffee drawer is essential. With its non-slip silicone base, the coffee drawer helps to absorb the blows received for a minimum of noise. Very practical for collecting coffee grounds and avoiding damage to your worktop. To know the many uses of coffee grounds, click here .

Tamping mat

This small silicone mat is the perfect place to place your portafilter to apply pressure with the coffee tamper. This accessory will keep your countertop clean and give you a flat, solid surface to put your talents to work.

With all these essentials, you are in business to create coffees worthy of the Cafellini baristas. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to leave us comments or write to me at jordan @cafellini.com . I will be happy to answer your questions and help you.