Give yourself a few weeks off that takeaway mocha and you’ll soon save enough to afford some perfectly good kit for home use. We ask the experts how to use it get a barista-level brew
The iconic Italian Moka pot is ideal if you want a strong coffee, but it won’t make you a proper espresso.The iconic Italian Moka pot is ideal if you want a strong coffee, but it won’t make you a proper espresso.Last modified on Tue 24 Jan 2023 14.05 GMTHarry, Leeds
“Buying ground coffee is like buying a diced apple,” Hoffmann adds. “It rapidly starts to go stale and break down.” A grinder also lets you make coffee in a host of ways, by adjusting the grind size – medium to medium-fine for a cafetiere, say. “But make sure you go for afor a consistent texture.” A set of scales for weighing the beans is also handy to ensure a reliable cup each time.
The roast will dramatically impact the taste of your coffee, too, Hoffmann says: “In supermarkets, you’ll see a strength guide,” which, he explains, is ultimately all about the roast. “The higher the strength, the darker and more bitter the roast.” Specialist coffee, however, won’t provide a strength level. “Most of the time, it will be a light-medium roast,” Hoffmann says.