TIPS FOR GREAT RESULTS

and sweep any excess coffee from the filter with their fingers, leaving exactly what they need. After you’ve had some experience dosing, leveling, and tamping your coffee, you’ll be able to consistently dose your coffee by sight, just like the pros.

If you’re dosing coffee without the aid of a measuring scoop, it is important not to overfill the filter basket. Coffee needs room to expand when brewing. If the coffee is crushed against the shower screen, it will prevent an even dispersion of water across the filter, leading to uneven extraction and poor espresso.

Here’s how to tell if you’re overfilling the filter basket:

•Fill the basket, level the coffee, and apply a good tamp (see the next section, “Proper tamping technique”).

•Attach the portafilter to the brew head, then remove it immediately.

•If the coffee in the portafilter has an imprint of the shower screen or the shower screen screw, there is too much coffee in the filter basket!

Leveling

Leveling the coffee after it has been dosed into the filter is a critical technique for great espresso. If the coffee isn’t evenly distributed in the filter, tamping the coffee will create areas of high and low density. The high pressure brew water will inevitably follow the path of least resistance, flowing

heavily through the low density coffee – overextracting the bitter coffee compounds

–and flowing lightly through the higher density coffee, underextracting the flavorful essences. This uneven extraction results in thin, weak, bitter espresso.

To Level Coffee In the Filter Basket:

•Make sure the filter basket is dry before adding coffee; moisture in the basket will create a path of least resistance for the brew water.

•After dosing the filter with coffee, level the coffee by sweeping a finger back and forth over the filter. Do not sweep in one direction only – this will cause the coffee to pile up on one side of the basket and produce uneven extraction. Try to impart a slight bowl shape to the coffee, with the center lower than the sides.

•Make certain there are no gaps between the coffee and the sides of the filter.

Tamping

Tamping compresses the coffee into a level disc (also called a puck) that provides uniform resistance to the high-pressure brew water. Properly leveled and tamped coffee will produce an even extraction of coffee compounds – and great espresso. Coffee that is tamped too softly will be deformed by the brew water, resulting in uneven extraction, a fast brewing time, and mediocre espresso. Coffee tamped too firmly will slow the brewing time, making for a bitter, overextracted beverage.

English

Proper tamping technique

1

The tamper handle should be grasped

like a doorknob, with the base of the

handle firmly against the palm. When tamping, try to keep the tamper, wrist, and elbow in a straight line.

2

With the bottom of the portafilter

resting on a solid surface, gently press

the tamper into the coffee with the goal of creating a level surface. Remove the tamper from the filter basket with a slight twisting motion.

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KitchenAid KES2102 Proper tamping technique, Here’s how to tell if you’re overfilling the filter basket, Leveling, Tamping
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KES2102 specifications

The KitchenAid KES2102 is a remarkable kitchen appliance that combines style, functionality, and advanced technology to enhance your culinary experience. This stand mixer is renowned for its powerful performance, making it a favorite among both amateur home cooks and professional chefs alike.

One of the standout features of the KES2102 is its powerful 300-watt motor. This robust motor delivers consistent power for a variety of mixing tasks, from whipping cream to kneading thick bread dough. It is designed to handle even the toughest ingredients, ensuring that you can take on any recipe with confidence.

The KES2102 boasts a 10-speed slide control, allowing users to choose the perfect speed for each task. This range of speeds enables precise mixing for gentle folding or vigorous beating, catering to diverse cooking and baking needs. Whether you're creating delicate meringues or heavy cookie dough, you can adjust the speed to achieve the desired texture and consistency with ease.

Another key feature of the KitchenAid KES2102 is its iconic planetary mixing action. This technology allows the mixer’s head to rotate in one direction while the beater spins in the opposite direction, ensuring that ingredients are mixed thoroughly and evenly. This means you won’t have to worry about unmixed pockets of flour or sugar, providing you with a superior end product every time.

The KES2102 is equipped with a durable and sleek stainless steel mixing bowl that has a generous capacity of 4.5 quarts. This bowl is big enough to handle large batches, making it ideal for family gatherings or baking marathons. Additionally, the bowl is dishwasher-safe, easing the cleanup process and allowing you to spend more time enjoying your culinary creations.

To further enhance its versatility, the KES2102 is compatible with a range of optional accessories such as pasta makers, food grinders, and spiralizers. This adaptability means that your stand mixer can do much more than just mix, allowing it to transform into an all-in-one kitchen powerhouse.

In terms of design, the KitchenAid KES2102 showcases a classic and elegant aesthetic. Its vibrant colors and polished finish make it an attractive addition to any kitchen countertop. With easy-to-use controls and a sturdy build, it’s as practical as it is stylish.

In summary, the KitchenAid KES2102 stand mixer stands out for its powerful motor, versatile speed settings, and effective mixing technology. Its stylish design and compatibility with various accessories make it a valuable tool for any home cook or baker looking to elevate their kitchen game. Whether you are a novice or an experienced chef, the KES2102 is designed to meet your culinary needs with ease and elegance.
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