Once you’ve found your perfect espresso machine, it’s time to learn how to make espresso.
There are many variables at play when making espresso: but don’t worry: we’ll guide you with helpful tips and a simple espresso recipe.
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Espresso shot ratio
Making espresso means preparing a much stronger coffee than filter coffee: about eight times stronger, in fact.
While filter coffee is typically prepared in a ratio of 1 part ground coffee to 16 parts water, the ratio for espresso is 1:2, i.e. one part ground coffee to two parts water.
This is an important piece to knowing how to make espresso: To stop brewing as soon as there is twice as much espresso in the cup as you had ground coffee in the portafilter.
Depending on the extraction time, you will probably need to adjust your grind setting. If the espresso flows too quickly, grind it finer; if it takes too long, grind it coarser.
The ideal extraction time for a double espresso (40ml) is between 25 and 30 seconds.
Read on to find out what you can do if your espresso tastes too sour or too bitter.
How to make espresso?
Follow this simple espresso recipe to figure out how to make a double espresso:
1. Weigh 19 g of freshly ground coffee into your portafilter.
2. Do your puck prep (spreading, leveling, tamping).
3. Insert the portafilter into your espresso machine.
4. Place your coffee scale with timer and a barista cup under the portafilter.
5. Start the machine and the timer at the same time.
6. Let the espresso run through until there is 40g (or 40ml) in the cup (stop at approx. 36g – it still drips a little).
7. Look at the extraction time and assess whether you need to adjust the grind.
Don’t worry if the time isn’t right straight away, this is completely normal.
As a home barista, you will need to adjust your grind regularly: for example, when your beans get older or when you buy a fresh pack.
Double espresso ml & extraction time
Important: We always recommend that you make a double espresso.
A double filter basket is straight at the edge – unlike a single one. This means that the tamper and espresso leveler fit in perfectly all way through.
The straight design also ensures a smoother flow – so you can achieve better and more consistent results with your espresso recipe.
But what is actually the right amount, the right ratio and the perfect extraction time for a double espresso?
Here is an overview:
- Double espresso ml: 40 ml (or 40 g, the same)
- Double espresso ratio: 1 part coffee, 2 parts espresso
- Double espresso extraction time: 25-30 seconds
Do you prefer a single espresso or a cappuccino? No problem: you can easily split your double espresso – just place two cups under your portafilter.
Necessary tools for making espresso
An important part of the espresso recipe is the puck prep – the way you prepare your espresso before extraction.
What makes for good puck prep – and what do you need for it? We’ll explain it to you step by step:
1. Distributor
After grinding, the ground coffee often lies as a small pile in the portafilter. If you tamp it like this, it will be unevenly distributed – and the extraction will be uneven too.
Therefore, use an espresso leveler to create a smooth and even surface before tampering.
You can also use a special tlittle weapon that breaks up clumps in your coffee grounds: a WDT tool.
Leaving clumps and tamping with them can mess with your extraction. Use a WDT tool to ensure perfect distribution.
2. Tamping
Tamping is an essential step in every espresso recipe.
In a piston machine, extraction takes place under pressure – and this pressure is built up by the density of the coffee puck, among other things.
And how do you achieve this density? Exactly: by tamping evenly and firmly.
Feel free to use some force when roping – many baristas recommend about 15 to 20 kg of pressure.
What is an espresso shot?
If you follow our coffee recipe, you will end up with a double espresso – in other words, two espresso shots.
A single espresso shot therefore has a volume of 20 ml (half of a double).
A single espresso forms the basis for many well-known coffee drinks, like a cappuccino or americano.
If you want to make a single espresso, we recommend using your double filter basket anyway.
You can easily separate the double espresso – so you have two single shots. Means you can drink another later.
Which beans are used for espresso?
Knowing how to make espresso is one thing. Choosing the right coffee beans for your espresso is another.
Here are a few things to look out for when choosing your espresso beans:
Freshness:
The fresher the beans are roasted, the better.
Is the roasting date missing on the packaging? Then it’s usually relatively old and not worth your time.
Flavor profile:
Not all specialty coffee beans are equally acidic (but they almost always have a little acidity).
Before buying, think about which flavor profile appeals to you the most.
Still not sure what you like? Then try a specialty coffee tasting box to discover your favorites.
Want to know more? Also read our guide on how to recognize the best coffee beans.
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