Once upon a time there was only the lowly percolator. Coiffed housewives would sit lovingly staring at water being heated until pressure forced it up a small tube and over a basket full of grounds.

Well, it was amusing to watch even if the coffee couldn’t be very good. Boiling coffee and running the liquid over grounds more than once can each produce a brew less than ideal.

Then in the 1970s, as with so many things, life changed forever. The drip method - inexpensive, quick and even an improvement in taste - came to dominate the scene. A cup of grounds thrown in a plastic container over filter paper, a few minutes of nearly boiling water dripping over the result and - voila! - coffee in a glass pot.

Later came pre-packaged ‘pods’ of a favorite blend, changes in materials and all sorts of controls to adjust the brew, and internal spouts that spread the water evenly over the grounds. Whether cone or flat, always near 200F (93C), please.

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Looking for a simple, straight forward and easy espresso making recipe? Here’s a quick and easy way to make a great cup of espresso. 

First of all it’s important to start with good, fresh ingredients and it all starts with the water. Water, I hear you say? Yes, even water can get stale, due to mildew, poor cleaning practices and inadequate filtering. It must be fresh and very hot. The ideal temperature is nearly boiling - around 95C - 203F .

Go for Arabica coffee - rather than Robusta coffee - delivered fresh for roasting. In any way either self-roasted or bought within a few days after, the coffee should have that ‘fresh food’ smell.

Finely ground in a burr grinder the roast should be dark. The fineness of the granules is important too. This is determined by the distance between the plates. Sand grain-sized is good, small-gravel too large and powder too fine. Don’t expose the coffee longer than necessary to the air as coffee will absorb odors from the air and oxidize. Not good for making a good espresso cup!

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If you love to drink coffee you know how delicious this beverage can be. But coffee makes its way too into recipes as diverse as barbecue sauces, coctails, brownies, cookies, ice cream and all manner of candy. The possibilities are endless.

Freshness is essential in any recipe, so it’s important to start with fresh ingredients. Buy freshly ground coffee or grind your own and use it right away. If you need brewed coffee for your recipe, use good filtered water and make it just before you prepare your dish.

Here are only some of the many coffee recipes you can try out.

1. Espresso Brownies

Heat a stick and a half of butter, a quarter teaspoon of salt and a cup of sugar in a sauce pan. Add 4 ounces of chopped, semi-sweet chocolate and a teaspoon of vanilla. Stir until well melted. Now add a tablespoon of your favorite finely ground dark-roast or use 2 teaspoons of espresso granules.

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