Brew a rich and delicious espresso coffee with the perfect balance of flavour and crema. Follow our simple tips for a cup that's full of joy, using whole beans or pre-ground espresso.
What you'll need:
- Home espresso machine
- 18-20g of espresso ground coffee, or coffee beans
- Tamper
- Scales (and timer)
- Timer
- Your favourite mug
Step 1: Prep the machine
Make sure your machine has been turned on and preheated. This allows the components to reach the perfect temperature for brewing.
Step 2: Dose the coffee
Measure out 18-20g of finely espresso-ground coffee using your scales. If using a bean-to-cup espresso machine, place the portafilter on the scale before and after grinding, to measure the actual dose.
Step 3: Tamp the coffee
Evenly distribute the coffee grounds in the portafilter. Use a tamper to compress the grounds firmly, applying even pressure to create a level and consistent puck. A good tamping technique is essential for even extraction.
Step 4: Brew the espresso
Lock the portafilter into the machine's group head. Set your cup on your scales under the portafilter. Start your timer and initiate the brewing process. Aim to get 35-40g of a shot in a brew time of around 25-30 seconds. The espresso should flow smoothly like warm honey, forming a rich crema on top.
Dial-in for delicious
If your shots run too fast or too slow, you won't get the flavours you were expecting from the coffee, so you'll need to make some adjustments to 'dial' it in. If the dose (dry) and shot (wet) are correct, adjust the grind size to compensate: 'finer' to make the shot slower, and coarser to make it faster. Make small adjustments only.
If there's no option on your machine to control the grind, or you're using pre-ground espresso, adjusting the dose higher will slow the coffee down, and using less coffee will speed up the brewing time.
Once the brew time is good, taste the coffee. If you would like a more syrupy shot, drop the water quantity a little. If you'd like a cleaner one, a little more water can open it up.
Step 6: enjoy
Enjoy it straight or as your base for other coffee drinks.
Clean your portafilter and machine components regularly to ensure the best flavour. If you notice any sour or bitter notes, consider adjusting the grind size or brew time for a better extraction.
Discover a coffee companion for your espresso brews from our lably family of coffee roasts.
