Espresso
Latest articles, industry insights and brewing guides
How to Use Defective Coffee Beans for Espresso
Learn how to roast and brew espresso using discarded and flawed coffee beans—including a bit of Robusta—for surprisingly balanced results.
How to Make a Caramel Macchiato with Espresso Foam
Learn how to make an iced caramel macchiato with 38g espresso, 70ml milk, 60g ice, and 15ml caramel syrup—plus textured foam.
Espresso Types and How They're Made
Explore the key espresso drinks—espresso, cappuccino, latte—and how they’re crafted, from ratios to milk texture. Includes moka pot fundamentals.
How to Make Espresso-Style Coffee with AeroPress in 30 Seconds
Learn how to brew a rich, smooth espresso-like coffee using just an AeroPress in 30 seconds with fine grind, 80°C water, and 20-second press.
Four Key Factors in Making Great Espresso Coffee
Learn the four essential elements—machine, beans, skill, and environment—that determine the quality of your espresso. Get the facts, not fluff.
Why Your Espresso Starts With Raw Coffee Beans
A deep-dive into how espresso quality begins with green beans—covering roast levels, blending, and ideal crema formation.
How to Pull a Great Espresso Shot: Extraction Techniques
Master consistent espresso extraction with grind size, dose, pressure, temperature, and time. Practical steps for home and café baristas.
Espresso Cup Design: Size, Material and Temperature
Discover why espresso cup size, thickness, material and preheating temperature matter — and how they impact your shot’s flavor and crema.
How to Properly Dose and Tamp Espresso for Consistent Extraction
Learn how dose, tamp pressure, and distribution affect espresso flow and flavor. Master the 25-second extraction sweet spot with precise technique.
Espresso Grinding: The Technical Skill Behind Fine Coffee
Learn why espresso requires ultra-fine grind, how grind size affects extraction, and why you should always grind right before brewing.
Why Espresso Blend Matters More Than You Think
Perfect espresso relies 50% on blend design. Learn how origin selection, roast level, and brewing science shape your shot.
How to Make Professional Espresso with a Home Italian Machine
Learn how to pull a high-quality espresso shot at home using a standard Italian coffee machine with grind control, tamping technique, and preheating tips.
Al’s Rule: The Espresso Sweet Spot Formula
Learn how to adjust espresso brew time based on yield using Al Critzer’s rule: add or subtract 1 second per 5cc change in output.
How to Brew AeroPress Like Espresso for Richer Coffee
Learn how to use the AeroPress like an espresso machine: finer grind, 94–95°C water, pressurized puck, and more crema-like extraction.
Why Boiler Hot Water from Espresso Machines Is Unsafe
Repeatedly boiling water in your espresso machine’s boiler creates harmful byproducts. Learn why you should avoid drinking or using it for tea or cleaning.
12 Key Factors That Affect Espresso Perfection
Discover the 12 critical elements that determine whether your espresso turns out balanced, flavorful, and crema-rich—or falls flat.
How Espresso Pre-Infusion Works: Methods & Principles
Learn how espresso pre-infusion works across lever, E61, electric, and manual machines — with no myths, just facts.
What Affects the Quality of Your Espresso Shot
Learn how pre-infusion, water hardness, weather, mood, grind age, and cup temperature impact your espresso flavor and consistency.
How to Choose a Home Espresso Grinder
A home barista’s guide to picking the right grinder for your espresso setup, with key insights on grind consistency, machine pairing, and design tradeoffs.
How to Steam Milk for Silky Microfoam in Espresso Drinks
Learn the key techniques for steaming milk to get fine, stable microfoam, including steam pressure, pitcher shape, milk temp, and sound cues.