Tips For Espresso Beginners
1. You Don’t Need To Buy Espresso Beans
Contrary to popular belief, “espresso” beans aren’t a specific type. They’re simply coffee beans that the roaster believes are great for making espresso. Feel free to experiment with your favorite coffee beans to create a personalized espresso experience.
While most specialty coffee is Arabica, many traditional Italian espresso blends include Robusta beans for added body and flavor. Ultimately, there are no strict rules—choose the coffee that tastes best to you.
2. But You Should Buy Freshly Roasted Beans
Freshness is key when it comes to coffee. For the best flavor, buy beans that have been roasted within the last week or two. After two weeks, coffee starts to lose its flavor and aroma, making it harder to achieve a rich crema on your espresso.
3. Use The Right Grinder
Espresso demands a high-quality grinder. The grind should be fine, uniform, and clump-free. A burr grinder is essential; blade grinders simply won’t cut it. If you don’t have a grinder at home, consider buying freshly ground beans from a local coffee shop or roaster.
4. Use Freshly Ground Coffee
Ground coffee stales faster than whole beans. For the best espresso, use freshly ground beans. If you buy pre-ground cafe, don’t buy more than you can use in a week. Invest in a good cafe storage container to keep your cafe fresh for up to two weeks.
5. Grind Size Matters
Espresso requires a very fine grind, finer than drip coffee but not as fine as Turkish coffee. This is because espresso is brewed quickly, and a fine grind ensures that the water extracts the coffee’s flavor efficiently within about 30 seconds.
6. Preheat Everything
Preheat your portafilter and demitasse cups with hot water. Espresso is a small volume of liquid and can lose heat quickly, so preheating helps maintain the right temperature.
7. Master The Tamp
A proper tamp is crucial for espresso. If your machine came with a plastic tamper, replace it with a metal one for better results. For consistent tamping, consider investing in a calibrated tamper or a palm tamper if you make the same espresso regularly.
8. Know The Golden Rule, But Don’t Live By It
The guideline is to pull a 2-ounce double shot in 25 seconds with the correct dose, grind, and tamp. This is a great starting point, but the ultimate goal is to pull a shot that tastes delicious to you.
9. Keep Everything Clean
Clean your espresso machine daily. Wipe down the shower screen and clean the portafilter with warm, soapy water to prevent coffee oils from building up and turning rancid.
10. Scales Are Better Than Scoops
Always measure your coffee by weight rather than volume. Consistency is key for espresso, and a coffee scale precise to 0.1 grams ensures you use the exact same amount of coffee every time.
11. Get The Correct Dose
The correct dose depends on your portafilter size and taste preferences. A general guideline is 6-10 grams for a single shot and 16-20 grams for a double shot.
12. Swap Your Filter Basket
Upgrade your pressurized filter basket to a non-pressurized one for a sweeter, smoother shot. However, ensure you have a good grinder first, as non-pressurized baskets require precisely ground beans.
13. Water Temperature Is Important
For manual espresso machines, heat your water to 195-205°F (90-96°C) for optimal extraction. Automatic machines typically regulate this for you.
14. Water Quality Matters Too
Use filtered water for brewing espresso. It enhances the flavor and keeps your machine’s plumbing clean. Soft water is best, but some mineral content is necessary for the best taste.
15. Good Accessories Matter
Enhance your espresso setup with essential accessories like a tamper, tamping mat, knock box, and microfiber cloths. These tools make the process easier and more efficient.
16. Dial In The Grind Size
Achieving the perfect espresso shot requires dialing in your grind size. Practice makes perfect—prepare to experiment with different grind settings to find what works best.
17. Distribute Your Grounds In The Portafilter
For even extraction, ensure your grounds are evenly distributed in the portafilter. The Weiss Distribution Technique (WDT) involves stirring the grounds with a fine needle or toothpick to break up clumps and eliminate air pockets.
Wrapping Up
If you’ve implemented these 17 tips, congratulations! You’re no longer an espresso beginner. Enjoy the delicious, crema-topped results of your efforts.
Did you find this list helpful? Share it on social media and with your cafe-loving friends. Have a top espresso tip that we missed? Let us know in the comments below.
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