Several varieties of fresh green coffee usually are blended and roasted together to produce the tastes, aromas and flavors popular with their local coffee drinkers. Beans are normally heated to about 380°F for a light roast, 400°F for medium and as much as 425°F for your darker roast. Keep in mind ground coffee will lose a good part of its flavor after about one week. For the freshest it is always best to have it ground just before consumption.
Espresso should maintain a bold flavor. Different varieties of the coffee bean and level of roast can be varied to find the right blend for your individual taste. Most people prefer a dark French style roast of the Arabica bean. What ever bean you do select the next important step is the grind you select. An espresso grind should be much more fine than that of a drip brew just a bit more course than a powder. Your espresso machine should produce the espresso shot using near steam temperatures (185-190°F) at about 150psi ensuring a beautiful, reddish-brown crema.
One great treat you can make with espresso is a mix of the best ice cream and coffee. Try what I call the "Giddy-up Shake™" which is made with 2 espresso shots and 3 scoops of the ice cream (about 14oz) of your choice then topped with whip cream. The ultimate ice cream latte! Staying with ice cream, another favorite is homemade vanilla topped with an espresso shot. But it doesn't stop there! Use Monin flavorings for your coffee and latte drinks. Monin™ flavors are made with pure cane sugar or try the flavors which are sugar free - all of which contain all natural ingredients, with no additives and no preservatives. Using the sugar free flavorings combined with the no sugar added country vanilla to make milk shakes is very popular with those who watch their sugar in-take.