Why does my coffee have a weak crema?
Here are the main reasons you might not have crema and why your coffee might taste a bit flat.
The main reason is that your coffee might be too old. Espresso coffee is best drunk between 5 - 30 days after roasting. During the roasting process, coffee builds up a lot of CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) inside the beans, and as the beans get older the CO2 slowly escapes.
And if your coffee is pre-ground, that will speed up the loss of flavour and gases from the coffee.
CO2 directly affects how espresso gets crema. As the espresso extracts, CO2 escapes and creates that beautiful golden foam on the top. It is similar to when you open a can of soft drink.
When you buy your beans, always look for a roast date on the bag. We prefer if you can buy whole beans so you can grind fresh.
