How to make espresso at home
Good espresso is a balance of three things: dose, grind and time. Once you understand how they affect each other, you can dial in any coffee to the taste you like.
What you need
- An espresso machine with a portafilter.
- A grinder that can grind for espresso, like the Fellow Opus, or coffee ground for espresso (3).
- A small scale. It is the difference between guessing and a cup you can repeat.
Step by step
- Warm up the machine for at least 15–20 minutes, with the portafilter and the cup.
- Weigh 18 g of coffee into a double basket and distribute it evenly.
- Tamp level and even. You don't need to press very hard; a flat surface matters more.
- Start the shot and measure: aim for about 36 g of espresso in 25–30 seconds (a 1:2 ratio).
- Taste and adjust. Change one thing at a time, usually the grind.
How to dial it in
- Sour, thin, runs fast – the grind is too coarse. Grind finer.
- Bitter, dry, drips slowly – the grind is too fine. Grind a little coarser.
- Tastes good but weak – stop the shot earlier, at about 1:1.5.
Which coffee for espresso
For a classic, full espresso try Blend 1983 or Colombia. For a brighter, fruitier shot try Ethiopia or Kenya. Any of our coffees can be ground for espresso.
Common mistakes
- A machine that isn't warmed up – the shot comes out sour even when everything else is right.
- Changing several things at once – then you can't tell what helped. Change only the grind, and only then the dose.
- Coffee ground long ago – you taste it in espresso more than in any other method. Without a grinder, order ground coffee in small amounts.
- Cleaning only now and then – old coffee oils in the portafilter and group head taste bitter and stale. Rinse the portafilter after every use.
Frequently asked questions
How much coffee for a double espresso?
18 g of coffee in a double basket and 36 g of espresso in the cup, in 25–30 seconds. For a single shot use about 9 g.
Why is my espresso sour?
Most often the grind is too coarse and the water runs through too fast. Grind finer. If the time is right and it's still sour, check that the machine is fully warmed up.
Can I make espresso without a machine?
Real espresso needs a machine's pressure. The closest at home is a moka pot, especially Bialetti's Brikka, which makes strong coffee with a layer of crema, or an AeroPress with less water.
What grind should I order for an espresso machine?
Espresso grind (3). Home machines with a pressurised (double-wall) basket also work with a moka grind (4).
Freshly roasted coffee, delivered
Whole beans, or ground especially for you after you order, at the grind that suits your method. Delivery across Israel, free over ₪250.
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