Espresso at home

1. Freshly Grind Your Coffee

Espresso is all about precision, and that starts with the grind. You’ll want a fine grind, similar to powdered sugar. If it’s too coarse, your espresso will be weak; too fine, and it’ll be over-extracted and bitter.

💡 Use about 18-20 grams of The Beanery’s blend per shot for the best balance of flavor and strength.

2. Preheat Your Espresso Machine

Before brewing, make sure your machine is fully warmed up. Most home espresso machines have a preheating light or indicator—wait for that to turn off before you start. You can also run a shot of water through the machine to preheat your portafilter and cup.

3. Weigh and Dose the Coffee

Measure out your coffee grounds using a digital scale for accuracy. You’re aiming for a dose of 18-20 grams of finely ground coffee for a standard shot.

💡 Consistency is key! Always weigh your coffee to ensure every shot has the same strength and flavor profile.

4. Tamp the Coffee

After you’ve added the coffee grounds to the portafilter, it’s time to tamp. Use a tamper to evenly compress the grounds into a smooth, level surface. Apply firm, even pressure, but don’t overdo it—you want enough compression to create resistance without blocking the water flow.

💡 A level tamp ensures that the water flows through the coffee evenly, giving you that perfect extraction.

5. Pull the Shot

Lock the portafilter into the machine and start the extraction. The ideal espresso shot should take between 25-30 seconds to pull, producing about 30-35ml of rich, concentrated espresso.

Watch the flow of the espresso closely. The first part of the extraction should be dark and syrupy, gradually turning lighter as the shot finishes. If it runs too fast, the coffee may be under-extracted, and if it’s too slow, you might be over-extracting.

💡 You want that beautiful “crema”—a layer of golden foam on top of your espresso shot. That’s a sign of a well-pulled espresso!

6. Taste and Adjust

Once your shot is pulled, give it a taste. A perfect espresso should have a strong, full-bodied flavor with a balance of sweetness and bitterness. If it tastes too bitter, try a coarser grind next time. If it’s too sour or weak, go for a finer grind or adjust your tamping pressure.

💡 Experiment with slight adjustments in grind size, water temperature, and tamping to dial in the shot to your personal taste.

Making espresso at home gives you the freedom to tweak and perfect your shot to match your exact preferences. Plus, you get to experience the full, nuanced flavor of The Beanery’s signature blends in their most concentrated form. With just a bit of practice, you’ll be pulling espresso shots that rival any café.