Café Bustelo Espresso is my go-to choice. Known for its bold, rich taste and smooth finish, Café Bustelo has been the secret ingredient to many mornings (and midday pick-me-ups) in my home.
How to make Café Bustelo Espresso
Café Bustelo Espresso is a dark roast, espresso-style ground coffee known for its strong, bold, and rich flavor. It isn’t true espresso (which requires high-pressure brewing), but it’s roasted and ground to deliver a similar intensity.
Ingredients
- Café Bustelo Espresso Ground Coffee
- Water
- Fresh, filtered water works best for optimal flavor.
Equipment
- Choose your preferred brewing tool:
- Moka pot (preferred for stovetop espresso-style coffee)
- Espresso machine
- Drip coffee maker or French press (as alternatives)
Instructions
Option 1: Using a Moka Pot (Stovetop Espresso)
A moka pot is one of the most popular methods for brewing Café Bustelo espresso due to its simplicity and ability to deliver rich, coffee-house-quality espresso.
- Prepare the Water: Fill the bottom chamber of the Moka pot with filtered water, stopping just below the safety valve.
- Fill the Coffee Basket: Add Café Bustelo coffee to the filter basket until it’s full, creating a slight dome on top. Avoid packing or pressing the coffee down; the water needs to pass through the grounds evenly.
- Assemble the Moka Pot: Place the filter basket into the bottom chamber, then securely screw the top chamber onto the bottom.
- Brew on Low Heat: Place the moka pot on your stovetop over low to medium heat. Keep the lid open to monitor the brewing process.
- As the water heats, it will create pressure and push the coffee up into the top chamber.
- Listen for the Sizzle: When you hear a gurgling sound, your espresso is ready. Remove the pot from the heat immediately to avoid over-extraction.
- Serve and Enjoy: Pour the espresso into your favorite mug or use it as the base for lattes, cappuccinos, or iced coffee.
Option 2: Using an Espresso Machine
For a more precise espresso experience, an espresso machine works wonders with Café Bustelo.
- Fill the Portafilter: Add a scoop of Café Bustelo coffee to the portafilter. Use a tamper to gently press the grounds until they are evenly compacted.
- Brew the Espresso: Attach the portafilter to your machine, and press the “brew” button as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Watch as the dark espresso begins to drip into your cup, forming a delicious layer of crema on top.
- Serve Immediately: Serve it straight (for a bold shot), or customize it with milk, sugar, or your favorite flavors.
Option 3: Using a Drip Coffee Maker or French Press
If you don’t have a moka pot or an espresso machine, you can still enjoy Café Bustelo’s rich flavor using common kitchen equipment.
- Drip Coffee Maker: Measure the coffee. Use a slightly higher coffee-to-water ratio than regular coffee for a stronger brew (e.g., 2 heaping tablespoons of Café Bustelo per 6 ounces of water).
- Brew as usual. Follow your machine’s guidelines.
- French Press: Add one heaping tablespoon of Café Bustelo per cup. Pour hot (not boiling) water over the grounds and let it steep for 4 minutes. Slowly press down the plunger and serve.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Brew
- Don’t Skimp on the Coffee-to-Water Ratio: Café Bustelo has a bold flavor, so use the recommended proportions to prevent a weaker taste.
- Preheat Your Mug: Warm your mug with hot water before pouring your espresso to keep your brew hot longer.
- Sweeten to Taste: If you prefer your coffee sweet, add a pinch of sugar to the grounds before brewing, as is traditional with Cuban-style coffee.
- Experiment with Milk Frothing: Use steamed milk or a milk frother to create lattes and cappuccinos. Pair the coffee with condensed milk and a sprinkle of cinnamon for a delicious Cuban-inspired café con leche.
- Store Coffee Properly: Keep your Café Bustelo airtight and stored in a cool, dry place to maintain its freshness and flavor.
What to serve with
Café Bustelo’s rich and bold flavor profile makes it a star on its own, but pairing it with the right foods can elevate your coffee-drinking experience to a whole new level.
- Croissants: A flaky buttered croissant is a classic pairing. Enjoy it plain, or go for a chocolate-filled one for a touch of indulgence.
- Churros: Dusted with cinnamon sugar and served with chocolate dip, churros bring a delightful contrast to the deep, dark notes of your espresso.
- Tres Leches Cake: This traditional Latin American dessert (a soft sponge cake soaked in three types of milk) complements the bold flavor of Café Bustelo.
- Flan: Its creamy, caramel essence works beautifully with the intense flavor of espresso. Serve a slice alongside an espresso shot to highlight the dessert’s milky sweetness.
- Biscotti: These crunchy Italian cookies are perfect for dipping into your espresso, soaking up the rich flavors of the coffee.
Ingredients Substitutes
Sometimes, you may find yourself in a situation where you want to enjoy your favorite cup of Café Bustelo espresso but don’t have the exact ingredients or tools on hand.
1. Substitutes for Café Bustelo Ground Coffee
Café Bustelo is distinctively known for its finely ground, dark-roast espresso coffee. But if you don’t have Café Bustelo on hand, you can use the following alternatives:
Other Coffee Brands
- Pilón Coffee: Like Café Bustelo, Pilón is another popular Latin American coffee brand that offers rich, dark-roast espresso coffee. It’s a great choice for achieving a similar flavor profile.
- La Llave Espresso Coffee: Another Latin-inspired roast with a bold flavor, ideal as a substitute for Café Bustelo.
- Medaglia d’Oro Espresso Coffee: This finely ground Italian-style espresso coffee is slightly smoother but still delivers an intense flavor.
Other Forms of Coffee
- Dark Roast Coffee: Look for finely ground dark roast coffee, which mimics the bold, smoky, and rich characteristics of Café Bustelo.
- Espresso Grind Coffee: Any coffee labeled “espresso grind” or “Italian roast” can deliver a similarly strong brew. Brands like Illy or Lavazza offer excellent alternatives.
- Instant Espresso Powder: Although instant espresso lacks the depth of freshly brewed coffee, it can be used in a pinch to create a quick and bold coffee experience similar to Café Bustelo.
2. Ground Coffee Substitutes with Adjustments
If you don’t have espresso-ground coffee available but have regular coffee grounds, you can make adjustments to the grind and preparation to replicate the rich flavor:
- Regular Ground Coffee Adjustment: Use more coffee grounds than usual to intensify the flavor. For example, increase the coffee-to-water ratio to 2 tablespoons of coffee per 6 ounces of water.
- Grind Your Beans: If you have a medium or coarse grind, use a coffee grinder to process the beans into a fine espresso grind. A fine grind is essential for retaining the bold taste Café Bustelo is known for.
3. Substitutes for Filtered Water
Using clean, filtered water enhances the flavor of your coffee by ensuring no impurities distort the taste. However, if filtered or bottled water isn’t available, try these alternatives:
- Distilled Water: This is a great substitute for filtered water, as it’s free of minerals and impurities.
- Boiled Tap Water: If you’re using tap water, boil it first to remove some impurities and let it cool slightly to the brewing temperature (195°F–205°F).
- Mineral Water: Mineral water can add a slight complexity to the coffee flavor, but avoid anything carbonated.
Final Thoughts
Café Bustelo espresso is more than a coffee; it’s an experience. The bold, smooth character of this timeless brew makes it incredibly versatile, allowing for endless pairings.
More Espresso Recipes:
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