Arabica coffee machine - how to make a perfect espresso

Issue

• Choosing the Right Gear for Your Bean Box
• Espresso Brewing Guide
• What is the ideal pressure for espresso?
• How to improve the coffee taste

Applies to

• Arabica 800 manual espresso Coffee machine

Resolution

Choosing the Right Gear for Your Bean Box

Adjusting the Bean Box and Grind Settings

1. Add Coffee Beans
   Begin by adding your preferred coffee beans into the bean box.
2. Gear Adjustment
   The grinder features 30 gear levels, marked from 0 to 30:
   • Lower numbers (e.g., 0–5) produce finer coffee grounds.
   • Higher numbers (e.g., 25–30) produce coarser grounds.
   • ⚠️ Note: Setting the gear to 0 may cause abnormal noise or prevent grinding due to the minimal gap between the burrs. Even if grinding occurs, the powder may be too fine, potentially blocking espresso extraction.
3. Recommended Starting Point
   For first-time use, start at gear 15 and adjust as needed. This provides a balanced grind suitable for most espresso extractions.
4. Bean Type Considerations
   Different coffee beans may produce different brewing pressures at the same grind setting. Always fine-tune based on the bean’s roast level, density, and oil content.
5. Consistency is Key
   To achieve a uniform and high-quality espresso, adjust the grind size according to the type and quality of the beans. Proper grind consistency ensures optimal extraction and flavor.

Important Note on Coffee Bean Storage

• Seal After Opening:
  Always reseal coffee beans tightly after opening the package.
• Use Within One Week:
  For optimal freshness and flavor, it is recommended to use the beans within 1 week of opening.
• Why It Matters:
  Once exposed to air, coffee beans begin to oxidize and absorb moisture, which:
  • Increases water content
  • Diminishes aroma and flavor
  • Leads to lower pressure during extraction and poor espresso quality
• Storage Tip:
  To prevent beans from becoming damp and affecting grind consistency and taste, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Espresso Brewing Guide

1. Grind Setting

Start with gear 15 to achieve balanced brewing pressure.

2. Grinding Process

The grinder will stop automatically when the set time is reached, or you can stop it manually.

3. Dosing

Use a 19g double-shot filter and weigh out approximately 19g of coffee powder.

4. Tamping

Use a tamper to compress the grounds evenly.

When the tamper edge aligns with the funnel edge, the dose is just right.

5. Brewing Setup

Attach the high-pressure funnel to the brewing head by turning it counterclockwise.

Press the double-cup button to begin extraction.

6. Monitor Pressure

Watch the pressure gauge during extraction to ensure it stays within the optimal range (typically 6–12 bars).

Extraction Result

A well-brewed espresso should have a golden crema, rich aroma, and balanced flavor

The right pressure is key to making a perfect espresso

• Under-extracted: Thin, pale crema; bland taste; fast flow; high volume; light brown color.
• Over-extracted: Low, dark crema; burnt taste; slow flow; low volume; dark brown color.
• Ideal Extraction:
  Golden, uniform crema · Strong yet smooth flavor · Dark brown espresso
  Extraction time: 20–50 seconds
  Single shot: 32–48 ml · Double shot: 70–90 ml

	6Bar the pressure gauge pointer is less than 6Bar		The crema is thin and white in color,and the coffee taste is bland The flow rate is too fast and the amount is too large Espresso is light brown	Adjust the gear-adjust the smaller grinding gear. Add few more coffee powder, to compress the coffee down firmly
	6-12Bar the pressure gauge pointer is between 6-12 Bar			Golden crema, strong, soft and with uniform color Espresso is dark brown Coffee extraction time is about 20-50 second The amount of extracted coffee per cup is about 32-48ml The extraction of two cups of coffee is about 70-90ml
	12Bar the pressure gauge pointer is greater than 12Bar		The crema is low and black,and the coffee has a burnt taste The flow rate is too slow and the amount is small Espresso is dark brown	Adjust the gear-adjust the smaller grinding gear, Reduce the amount of ground coffee Reduce the pressure of powder pressing

Cause