Page 7 - All About Coffee by Café du Jour, the Coffee Expert

A good espresso starts with a clean and well-maintained machine. Over time, limescale builds up in pipes and parts, reducing flow and spoiling the flavour of your coffee. Regular descaling prevents these issues and ensures your cup of coffee is always rich and full of aroma. With a clear step-by-step plan and the right products, you can keep your espresso machine in top condition and enjoy worry-free coffee moments for longer.

How often should you descale an espresso machine?

Most espresso machines need descaling every one to three months. This depends on your water hardness and how often you make coffee. In areas with hard water, you might need to descale after just one month. With soft water, a longer interval is usually fine. Signs it's time to descale include slower flow, louder noises during brewing, or coffee that's less hot than usual.

What you need for descaling

For descaling, you need a suitable

A doppio espresso, or double espresso, contains on average 60 millilitres of coffee. That's double the amount of a regular espresso, with an extra intense flavour and a double shot of caffeine. More and more coffee lovers are choosing a doppio as their standard, but what exactly is it, how do you make it, and how does it differ from other variants?

The word doppio means "double" in Italian. For a doppio you use about 36 to 40 grams of ground coffee, from which you extract around 60 ml of espresso in 25 to 30 seconds.

The double espresso is not only popular in cafés but also at home. Many baristas choose a doppio as the standard base for cappuccino or flat white, because the extra volume creates a better balance between coffee and milk.

Read more about the extraction time of an espresso.

How do you make a doppio espresso?

You make a doppio espresso with ±36–40 grams of coffee, yielding about 60 ml in 25–30 seconds. Want to make a double espresso at home? Then you need an espresso machine

An espresso contains on average 30 millilitres of coffee. That's enough for an intense, full coffee shot packed with flavour. But where does that amount come from? And how many ml are in a double espresso or a ristretto? Here you'll read how those volumes are determined and why the millilitres have more impact than you might think.

What determines the amount of an espresso?

The amount of espresso is determined by the ratio of ground coffee, pressure, temperature and extraction time.

An espresso isn't just any amount of coffee, but the result of a precise process. According to the guidelines of the Specialty Coffee Association, you use about 18 to 20 grams of finely ground coffee, from which in 25 to 30 seconds under 9 bar pressure about 30 millilitres of concentrated coffee is extracted.

How finely you grind the coffee, how hard you tamp, how hot the water is and how long the water flows through: all these factors determine whether your shot ends up at 25 ml or closer to 35 ml. More water

What exactly is an espresso? Espresso is much more than a small cup of strong coffee. It's an intense flavour experience, the foundation of countless coffee recipes, and a true art to prepare. Here you'll learn what an espresso really is, where it comes from, and how to make one at home that tastes just like from a barista. Plus, we'll give tips on the right espresso coffee beans.

What is an espresso?

An espresso is a small, strong cup of coffee made by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee.

Espresso is the base of many popular coffee drinks. It's known for its full, intense flavour and characteristic creamy layer. Thanks to the compact amount and powerful preparation, you get a rich coffee experience in just one sip.

How is an espresso made?

An espresso is made by forcing hot water at 9 bar pressure through 18–20 grams of finely ground coffee in 25–30 seconds.

This process requires precision. The right grind size, freshness of the beans, and a well-calibrated

Making coffee means bringing hot water into contact with ground coffee. You can do this in at least eleven different ways. From a simple filter machine to a stylish Chemex or espresso machine. The method you choose determines the flavour, texture and even the aroma of your coffee.

Here you'll read exactly how those differences arise and we'll help you find the brewing method that best suits your taste, rhythm and coffee moment.

What is the best way to make coffee?

The best way to make coffee? There isn't one. At least, not one that works for everyone. Your ideal cup of coffee depends on your taste, your morning routine and how much time you want to spend on it.

Do you like a full, powerful flavour? Then an espresso machine or moka pot is probably your thing. Prefer something clear and refined? Then slow coffee methods like the Chemex or V60 are for you. And if it has to be quick and easy, a fully automatic machine or pod machine is your best friend.

By trying different methods, you'll

Coffee is getting more expensive due to a combination of failed harvests in coffee-producing countries, stricter European legislation, logistical problems and geopolitical tensions. The increasing global demand also plays a big role. This leads to higher purchase prices, which eventually affect the price you pay for your coffee. We explain exactly how this works, who negotiates the price and what you as a consumer or business can do to still buy coffee beans at a fair price.

Coffee price rising: what's going on?

The coffee price has been rising for months and that's no coincidence. Several factors have a worldwide impact on the market. For example, major coffee-producing countries like Brazil and Vietnam are facing disappointing harvests due to extreme weather conditions. Fewer coffee beans simply means less supply and that drives the price up.

Recently it was announced that the parent company of Douwe Egberts has to raise coffee prices again. This can be between 15 and 25%. Price negotiations