Can You Use Death Wish Coffee In An Espresso Machine?

What is Death Wish Coffee?

Death Wish Coffee is widely considered the world’s strongest coffee. Founded in 2012 by Mike Brown in Saratoga Springs, New York, Death Wish Coffee contains approximately double the caffeine of a typical coffee [1]. It is a dark roast coffee made from a careful blend of beans sourced from India, Peru, and Ecuador. The unique roasting process helps bring out the beans’ natural oils and caffeine. The result is an incredibly bold, dark coffee with notes of chocolate and cherry. Death Wish Coffee has developed a cult following among coffee aficionados seeking a powerful caffeine kick from their daily morning brew.

With approximately 728 mg of caffeine per 12 fluid ounces, Death Wish Coffee lives up to its hyperbolic name and out-caffinates most energy drinks. The caffeine content varies slightly between brewing methods, with drip coffee containing the highest levels. The flavor profile tends toward bitter intensity rather than nuanced tasting notes. Fans enjoy Death Wish Coffee as a “shock to the system” to supercharge their mornings. While not for the faint of heart, Death Wish Coffee has earned its reputation as one of the world’s strongest coffees.

What are espresso machines?

Espresso machines are specialized coffee makers designed to produce espresso, a concentrated coffee beverage made by forcing hot water under pressure through finely ground coffee beans. At its core, an espresso machine uses pressure and temperature control to extract the oils, aromas, and flavors that create an espresso’s signature richness and complexity.

There are a few main components that allow an espresso machine to produce espresso:

• Water reservoir – Stores the water before it is heated
• Heat exchanger or boiler – Heats the water to the ideal temperature (195°F to 205°F) for espresso extraction
• Pump – Generates between 8-10 bars of pressure to force the hot water through the coffee
• Portafilter – Holds the ground coffee in a “puck”
• Group head – Where the portafilter locks in and hot water flows through the puck

When the brew button is pressed, the pump forces the heated water through the coffee in the portafilter and into the cup in about 25-30 seconds, resulting in 1-2 ounces of concentrated espresso.

There are several types of espresso machines that use this core process but in slightly different ways:

• Pump espresso machines – Uses an electric pump to generate pressure; heated water passes through a heat exchanger. Examples: Rancilio Silvia, Gaggia Classic.

• Lever/manual espresso machines – Uses manual force on a lever to generate pressure; has a boiler to heat water. Examples: La Pavoni, Flair Espresso.

• Super-automatic – Has a built-in coffee grinder and tamper to automate the whole process. Examples: Breville Barista Express, De’Longhi La Specialista.

Understanding the core components and different types helps demystify how these specialized machines can craft such an intricate beverage like espresso.

How to brew espresso

Brewing a proper espresso shot requires using an espresso grind coffee, which is finer than regular drip coffee grind. Espresso grind coffee allows the hot water to extract the coffee flavors and oils optimally under pressure. According to the Barista Institute, the ideal espresso grind size is fine but gritty, like the texture of sand. This allows the water to flow through the coffee puck during extraction but provides resistance for pressurized brewing (Creating the Perfect Espresso Recipe).

After grinding the espresso, it’s important to evenly distribute the grounds and properly tamp the espresso. Tamping compresses the coffee into a dense puck that water can pressurize through. The Stumptown brew guide recommends using 15-20 lbs of pressure and ensuring level, even distribution when tamping the dose (Produce Great Espresso | Stumptown Coffee Roasters).

Espresso machines heat water to approximately 195-205°F and use pressure between 8-10 bars to extract the espresso. This high pressure extracts the coffee’s oils and solids optimally compared to other brew methods. Maintaining proper water temperature and consistent pressure is key to quality espresso extraction.

Can you use Death Wish in espresso machines?

Death Wish Coffee makes several recommendations about using their coffee in espresso machines on their website. According to Death Wish, their coffee “can be easily ground to a proper espresso grind size and used in an espresso machine” (https://www.deathwishcoffee.com/blogs/coffee-talk/what-is-espresso). They specifically make an espresso roast coffee designed for espresso machine use (https://www.deathwishcoffee.com/products/espresso-roast-coffee).

Users on Reddit have shared their experiences making Death Wish coffee espresso. One user said “I’ve found it to make a very nice, but strong, espresso” (https://www.reddit.com/r/Coffee/comments/6lv8vz/death_wish_in_a_espresso_machine/). However, some users note the taste can be too strong and bitter if not extracted properly. Proper grinding, dosing, and tamping is important to optimize the espresso shot.

Overall, Death Wish coffee can certainly be used in espresso machines. Follow the manufacturer’s brewing instructions, and be prepared for a very strong and bold espresso! Adjust the grind size, dose, and tamp as needed to achieve the desired flavor profile.

Ideal espresso grind for Death Wish

When brewing Death Wish coffee in an espresso machine, it’s important to use the right grind size. Generally, espresso requires a very fine grind to allow for proper extraction when brewed under pressure. However, Death Wish is a very dark roast coffee which can be more soluble and prone to over-extraction if ground too finely.

Death Wish recommends using a grind size slightly coarser than typical espresso grind when brewing their coffee as espresso. A good starting point is grinding Death Wish at the finest drip coffee setting on a high-quality burr grinder. This will provide a grind that is fine but not powdery, allowing for full flavor extraction while avoiding bitterness or astringency.

It’s advisable to experiment with going slightly finer or coarser from the drip setting to dial in the right balance of richness and smoothness for your particular espresso machine. Always use a precise burr grinder, avoid pre-ground coffee, and be sure to distribute and tamp the grounds evenly for best espresso results.

Dosing and tamping Death Wish espresso

When using Death Wish Coffee to make espresso, start with the recommended dose of around 18-22g per shot. Death Wish espresso works well with a standard 1:2 brew ratio, meaning use 18g of grounds to extract around 36g of espresso (Cite 1).

Proper tamping technique is also important for extracting Death Wish espresso. Apply 30-40 lbs of consistent pressure across the grounds when tamping. Tamp evenly and level the grounds to ensure even water flow and extraction. Avoid tapping or unnecessary movements which can affect the leveling of the grounds bed (Cite 2).

Tamping correctly helps compress the grounds and prepares them for efficient extraction by the espresso machine. With a properly dosed and tamped basket, Death Wish’s robust dark roast will produce a potent, flavorful espresso shot.

Cite 1: https://www.deathwishcoffee.com/products/espresso-roast-death-cups

Cite 2: https://www.deathwishcoffee.com/products/dark-roast-espresso-capsules

Extracting the Espresso Shot

When extracting espresso with Death Wish Coffee, you’ll want to use an ideal water temperature of 195-205°F. The high water temperature is crucial for properly extracting the oils and flavors from the finely ground coffee. An espresso machine can reach water pressures of 9-10 bars which will enable full extraction from the densely packed Death Wish espresso grounds.

You may need to adjust the espresso grind when using Death Wish Coffee in order to optimize extraction. A fine grind is typically used for espresso, but Death Wish’s dense beans may require an ever finer grind. Adjust your grinder settings and aim for a grind consistency of powdery, superfine coffee almost like powdered sugar. Pull a few test shots while adjusting the grind before dialing in the right setting.

When grinding Death Wish Coffee specifically for espresso, you’ll want to use a high-quality burr grinder that can produce an incredibly fine and consistent grind. Blade grinders often produce an inconsistent grind with a mix of large and small particles which can lead to uneven extraction. The uniform grind from a burr grinder will help optimize the espresso extraction when using Death Wish.

Tasting Notes and Reviews

Death Wish Coffee’s Espresso Roast has a rich, intense flavor profile perfect for espresso drinks. It features notes of cocoa, caramelized sugar, and cherries for a bold yet smooth taste.

According to Amazon reviews, many users find the Espresso Roast’s flavor to be incredibly robust and delicious in espresso drinks. One reviewer said it had a “very strong espresso flavor” with “no bitterness” and a “slightly sweet aftertaste.”

Others mention tasting notes of chocolate, cherries, and toasted nuts coming through in espresso drinks made with Death Wish’s Espresso Roast. Some say it’s their “go-to everyday espresso” with an “amazing crema.” Overall, reviews indicate Death Wish’s Espresso Roast works excellently for rich, intense espresso drinks.

Troubleshooting issues

When brewing espresso with Death Wish Coffee, some common issues that can arise include excessive bitterness, weak or watery shots, and acidity. Here are some potential solutions to troubleshoot these problems:

If your shots taste too bitter, try grinding coarser, using less coffee, or extracting the shot for a shorter period of time. The very dark roast of Death Wish Coffee makes it easy to overextract, leading to bitterness. Aim for 18-22 seconds of extraction time.

Weak or watery shots often result from grind size that is too coarse or not enough coffee being dosed. Try grinding finer and increasing the dose to 18-22 grams to extract more solids.

Acidity can be tempered by using a higher brewing temperature around 200°F. Also experiment with a finer grind to increase extraction. The sugars help balance acidity, so extracting more solids from the beans can help.

Be sure your machine is properly calibrated and you are tamping with about 30 lbs of consistent pressure. Distribution and leveling the grounds before tamping is also important. Always purge the group head before pulling shots.

While it may require some dialing in, Death Wish’s espresso roast beans can produce delicious espresso with thick crema and bold, intense flavor when brewed properly.

Alternatives and summary

For those looking for other high-caffeine coffee options besides Death Wish, there are a few good alternatives to consider. Matcha green tea contains caffeine levels comparable to coffee, providing an energizing lift without the jittery effects of coffee (source). Opt for ceremonial-grade Matcha powder from reputable brands like Jade Leaf or Ippodo Tea for the best quality. Black tea also contains caffeine, though less than coffee or matcha. High-quality black tea can provide an energizing caffeinated beverage when you want to change up your routine.

To recap, Death Wish Coffee can absolutely be used in espresso machines to produce a strong, bold shot. For best results, use a fine espresso grind and dose approximately 18-22g of Death Wish Coffee. Distribute the grounds evenly and tamp firmly to create resistance. Aim for an extraction time of 25-30 seconds and watch the pressure gauge to ensure you achieve 8-10 bar of pressure. Death Wish’s chocolate, cherry, and tobacco tasting notes shine through in a well-made espresso. Adjust your grind size and dose to troubleshoot any sourness, bitterness, or weak shots. With the right techniques, you can enjoy powerful Death Wish espresso at home.