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Portland, OR — Roastery & CaféUSD $
All Brewing Guides
advanced25–30 secondsadvanced

Espresso

Concentrated and intense. Espresso is the foundation of countless coffee drinks. Mastering the shot requires attention to grind, dose, and timing, but the reward is a rich, syrupy cup with incredible depth.

Espresso

Step by Step

  1. 1

    Dial In Your Grind

    1 minute

    Start with a fine grind — slightly finer than table salt. The grind is your primary variable for controlling extraction. Adjust based on shot time.

  2. 2

    Dose & Distribute

    30 seconds

    Dose 18g of coffee into the portafilter. Use a WDT tool or needle to break up clumps, then level the grounds evenly across the basket.

  3. 3

    Tamp Evenly

    10 seconds

    Apply firm, even pressure with your tamper — about 30 pounds of force. The goal is a level, polished surface with no gaps at the edges.

  4. 4

    Pull the Shot

    25–30 seconds

    Lock the portafilter in and start brewing immediately. Aim for a 36g output in 25–30 seconds. The stream should look like warm honey — thin, steady, and golden.

  5. 5

    Evaluate & Adjust

    Taste your shot. If it's sour and thin, grind finer. If it's bitter and harsh, grind coarser. A well-extracted espresso should be sweet, balanced, and full-bodied.