There’s nothing quite like a perfectly brewed cup of coffee to kickstart your day, but what do you do when you’re out in the middle of nowhere with no café in sight? Fear not, for Nanopresso is here to save the day!
This nifty little device allows you to make café-quality coffee anywhere, anytime.
Whether you’re camping, hiking, or just enjoying a lazy day in the park, it is an awesome brewer for all your espresso needs.
In this guide, I’m going to show you how to master Nanopresso espresso-making no matter where you are. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of how fast and worth it is to add this on-the-move espresso maker to your repertoire!
But First: What is the Nanopresso?
In the portable espresso machine genre, the Nanopresso raises the bar. It is beautiful, innovative, and easy to use. That means espresso lovers like me can enjoy their favorite drink wherever they may be without sacrificing quality. It’s the brainchild of co-workers Jessie Wang and Hugo Cailleton who’ve been crafting creative and groundbreaking products for coffee enthusiasts since 2013 via their Hong Kong-based startup, Wacaco.
Nanopresso’s powerful pumping system matches its elegance, too. It’s capable of reaching a maximum of 18 bars (261 PSI) of stable pressure during extraction for insanely good quality. (This is more than what most home espresso machines can deliver).
For me, Nanopresso is simply a great espresso-making experience because it produces a very clear taste and a special creaminess. I would say that it stands out due to these features in a normal stationary place. But it is particularly rare to find in most travel espresso machines.
Usually, pulling a balanced (AKA not bitter) espresso shot is challenging. Consistency is even more challenging.
Nanopresso overcomes these challenges with its innovative construction and effortless operation, enabling you to brew a consistent dense crema layer every time.
Plus it’s light and compact, and you can use it without electricity, which is a game changer if you love good espresso and travel.
All that said, I am stoked to jump into this guide and show you how to use the Nanopresso to do everything I just talked about! 😉
What You Need
- Nanopresso
- Fresh coffee beans
- A grinder (I’m using the Comandante C40 MK3 Nitro Blade – my favorite when I’m traveling)
- Coffee scale (I’m using an Acaia Black Pearl)
- Kettle
- Cup
Brewing With Nanopresso – Step By Step
- Weigh 8 grams of coffee.
- Grind the coffee.
- Put the coffee in the basket.
- Distribute the coffee grinds evenly in the basket.
- Tamp the coffee bed.
- Place the “showerhead” into the bottom cap.
- Place the basket on top of the “showerhead.”
- Screw the basket inside the bottom part.
- Pour 70 ml water into the upper cup.
- Screw the cup on.
- Pull your espresso shot by unlocking the piston. (Turn the knob til the pump comes out). Then press it once per second over a cup until you’ve extracted all the espresso.
- Enjoy your perfect espresso shot!
Nanopresso’s Components
- Scoop
- Single filter basket
- The main body
- Shower screen
- The group part (where you put the shower screen and the filter basket)
- Built-in espresso cup
How to Use the Nanopresso – Step by Step
A quick word on things to keep in mind before brewing with your Nanopresso: If you want a double shot, you need extra accessories. There is also a high risk of channeling if you use a finer grind. We are going to make a single shot here and do our best to get the grind size and timing right.
Now for the fun part – making coffee with your Nanopresso! Follow these steps for a perfect shot every time:
Step 1: Weigh 8 grams of coffee.
Step 2: Grind the coffee.
Grind fresh coffee beans to a fine size for espresso. Remember: The finer the grind, the more intense the flavor will be but don’t go overboard and grind to a powder. That’ll make your shot super astringent.
Step 3: Put the coffee in the basket.
Step 4: Distribute the coffee grinds evenly in the basket.
Step 5: Tamp the coffee bed.
When packing your grounds into the filter basket, make sure to tamp them down firmly but not too tightly. This will ensure the water flows evenly through the grounds, resulting in a rich and flavorful shot.
Step 6: Place the “showerhead” into the bottom cap.
Step 7: Place the basket on top of the “showerhead.”
Step 8: Screw the basket inside the bottom part.
Step 9: Pour 70 ml water inside the upper cup.
Make sure you have clean, filtered water and heat it to around 200°F.
Step 10: Screw the cup on.
Step 11: Pull your espresso shot.
Do this by unlocking the piston and pressing it once per second over a cup until all the espresso exits.
Step 12: Enjoy!
Voila, your espresso should be balanced with a thick crema. Happy brewing on your adventures!
